Pumpkin Patches in Columbia, SC
Ready for pumpkin season? If you’re ready to celebrate Fall with pumpkins in Columbia, SC, you’ve found the right list. Our Pumpkin Patch Columbia, SC, list includes everything from farms with pumpkins, farm animals, wagon rides, and lots of other activities to local pumpkin patch lots right in Columbia. Topping it off, we turned this list into an all-out pumpkin palooza guide with pumpkin day trips, treats, and lots more.
Here are all the best places to pick pumpkins near Columbia, SC.
Pumpkin Patch Parent Tips
To start things off, here are our top parent tips for the pumpkin patch. Born from literally decades of combined parent experience, we hope these tips will help your family make the most of your time together and have lots and lots of fun.
- Wear closed-toe shoes, and watch for fire ant hills and other annoying biting insects, especially if it’s wet.
- Pick up pumpkins from the bottom and not the stem. It’s easier to carve with a good stem still attached and cracked or smashed fallen pumpkins really aren’t very much fun.
- Bring water and drink it, especially if you’re going to farm and plan to stay awhile. Columbia is often still pretty hot in the fall and hunting for that perfect pumpkin might take a while.
- Bring a picnic. Lots of the farms listed have picnic facilities and that gives you a chance to relax and enjoy the day a bit longer.
- Hats and sunscreen are good ideas.
Pumpkin Day Trips
What? A day trip about pumpkins? Yes, you heard that right!
Schiele Museum Pumpkin Patch
You can have a pumpkin educational adventure at the Schiele Museum. Learn about the natural history of pumpkins, what fruits are related to the pumpkin, the nutrition a pumpkin provides, and more! The Schiele Museum has both an indoor and outdoor pumpkin patch. The outdoor patch is only open to the public for pumpkin patch events.
- Autumn Festival, September 23, 2023 from 10 am – 4 pm.
- Halloween Bash, October 13, 2023 from 5 pm to 10 pm.
Carowinds Great Pumpkin Fest
Family-friendly festival events at Carowinds during the day! The Great Pumpkin Fest features the Peanuts characters and live entertainment, plus special treats like the Trick Oreo Treat Funnel Cake. Happening Saturdays and Sundays between September 16 and October 29, from 10 am to 2 pm.
Local Pumpkin Patches in Columbia, SC
If you’re looking for just a pumpkin patch without a drive, these are the top pumpkin patches right in Columbia. Head to these pumpkin lots for all your local pumpkin needs.
- 2nd Wave Coffee pumpkin patch Saturday September 23rd through Ocotber 29th, 2023. Pumpkin patch with coffee, beer garden, photo ops, games, and outdoor space.
- Northeast United Methodist Church pumpkin patch should open in October. 2023 Dates are TBA
- Trenholm United Methodist Church pumpkin patch opens October 7th, 2023, 3401 Trenholm Road, Columbia Trenholm United Methodist Church Facebook Page
- South Carolina State Farmers Market- you’ll find a wide variety of fall produce, not just pumpkins, at the farmers’ market
- More to come! Check back soon!
Do you offer a pumpkin patch to the community? If you’d like to be included in this guide, please email Maria@kiddingaroundcolumbia.com.
Pumpkin Special Events
- The South Carolina Railroad Museum offers the Pumpkin Express Train the last two Saturdays before Halloween: October 21 and October 28, 2023. The Pumpkin Express ride of course includes a stop at the pumpkin patch.
- Pumpkin Patch at the Farm (Lexington)- open Saturdays in October from 9 am to 3 pm with loads of pumpkin-themed activities like pumpkin tic tac toe, pumpkin putt-putt, self station, bounce house, play area and more!
Pumpkin Farms and Patches Near Columbia, SC
These farms are in Columbia or within a couple hours’ drive. They make great day trips because they offer pumpkins plus lots of other family fall activities with everything from picnic spaces to farms with animals, activities for kids, and more.
Plan your fall farm day with pumpkins!
Fall season begins September 22, 2023 – November 5th, 2023
Corn maze, pumpkin patch, and sunflower fields. Activities are Friday through Sunday.
Friday: 6 pm – 8 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 8 pm
Sunday: 2 pm – 7 pm
Clinton Sease Farm is located in Lexington, SC, and was established in 1940. The farm has expanded since the early 2000s to include several public attractions, including a corn maze, birthday parties, and school tours.
Offers:
Sunflower fields: September
Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch: September 22, 2023 – November 5th, 2023 for ages 3 and up. Tickets for mazes include all mazes, playground access, an obstacle course, unlimited wagon rides, and a visit to the pumpkin patch (pumpkin purchased separately).
Note: The pumpkin patch has placed pumpkins, not pumpkins on the vine.
Pricing:
Sunflower fields: $12 online; $14 at the door
Corn Maze: $18.00 for ages 3 and up (other activities included in price)
Ages 2 and under are free
School Tours available:
Pumpkin Patch Tour (October)
Strawberry Patch Tour (April)
Garden Tour (June)
Birthday Parties are available to book from April through November
Pets are not allowed.
Cottle Strawberry Farm
Cottle Strawberry Farm has loads of u-pick strawberries in the spring. They also have pre-picked options.
In the fall, visit Cottel Strawberry Farms for u-pick and pre-picked pumpkins, as well as a large selection of mums.
Cottle Strawberry Farms has two locations:
- 2533 Trotter Rd Hopkins, SC 29061| 803.695.1714 (closest to Columbia, SC)
- 3712 W. Palmetto St Florence, SC 29501 | 843.317.0031
McLeod Farms
843.335.8611 | 29247 S.C. Hwy 151, McBee, SC
Fall pumpkin season September 30th, 2023 – November 4th, 2023
Spring strawberry season opens in early April
Summer Peach Festival held in July
McLeod Farms is a produce farm founded in 1916 in McBee, SC. Along with their U-pick patches, they offer a market with a variety of goods to purchase. They also offer school field trips.
Their strawberry and pumpkin u pick patches are off the vine.
Offers:
U pick strawberry patch (April – May)
U pick pumpkin patch (October)
Corn maze (October to November)
Wagon rides
Summer Peach Festival (July)
Fall Festivities:
Wagon Ride to U-Pick Pumpkin Patch: $4 for ages 3 and older; Free for ages 2 and under
Corn Maze and Sunflower Field are priced separately
Open Tuesday – Friday and Sunday, 1 pm to 5 pm
Open Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm
Pick pumpkins off the vine at Nix Pumpkin Patch in Hendersonville, NC. You’ll also find winter squash, cabbage, potatoes and gourds.
Opens September 9, 2023 for the Upick pumpkin season!
Sky Top Orchard
828.692.7930 | 3403 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, NC
2023 KABOOM Family Favorites Finalist: Outdoor Fun
2023 KABOOM Family Favorites Finalist: Farms
A KAG reader favorite, Sky Top Orchard offers mountain views, ponds with ducks and geese, farm animals, play structures, and apple and fruit trees. Don’t miss the amazing apple cider donuts. Last year there were some concerns about Sky Top getting too crowded so maybe try to go during the week if you prefer smaller crowds.
2023 season-opening date: Sky Top WILL HAVE U-Pick in 2023.
- Open weekends as of end of July for donuts, wagon rides, and farm store apples, follow their Facebook page for updates.
- Apple Upick Begins August 3rd, 2023
Dogs on leash allowed but not in the fruit stand.
Offers:
U-pick apples
Farm Store with Cider donuts
Farm animals
Wagon Rides
Playground
Gold Rush Gem Mine
Open April – June for strawberry season Monday through Friday
Open Summer months from dawn until dusk
Open October for pumpkin season on Saturday
Lever Farms is located in Newberry County and is a working farm that is open seasonally to the public. The pumpkin patch and strawberry patch offer U-pick, and visitors can pick from the vine or select pre-picked for purchase. In October, there is a corn maze, an educational wagon ride, farm animals to view, and more.
Offers:
Spring field trips
Fall field trips
U-Pick Strawberries (April – June; Monday – Saturday 8 am – 6 pm)
U-Pick Pumpkins (October; Monday- Friday by appointment; Saturday 10-5; Closed Sunday)
Corn Maze (fall)
Prices:
Contact Lever Farms for specific pricing