The Best Pumpkin Patches & Fall Activities Near Ankeny
Fall in Central Iowa is hard to beat.
Cooler temperatures, changing leaves, apple cider, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and plenty of reasons to spend a Saturday outside make September and October some of our favorite months around Ankeny.
And you don't have to drive far to find something to do.
Whether you're looking for a full day at a pumpkin patch, somewhere to pick apples, a fall date idea or a free activity right here in Ankeny, we've rounded up some of the best pumpkin patches and fall activities near Ankeny, Iowa for 2026.
Center Grove Orchard | Cambridge, Iowa
If you ask people around Ankeny where they're going for a full day of fall activities, there's a good chance Center Grove Orchard will come up.
Located about 25 minutes north of Ankeny in Cambridge, Center Grove is much more than a place to grab a pumpkin.
The farm has a pick-your-own pumpkin patch and apple orchard, along with more than 40 attractions. You'll find a corn maze, jumping pillows, giant slides, farm animals, a train, corn pool and plenty of places to grab fall treats.
And yes, you'll probably want a cider donut before you leave.
For 2026, Center Grove's fall season runs August 29 through November 8, with different events happening throughout the season. Pumpkin Nights are scheduled on select Fridays and Saturdays from October 2–24, and October brings Pumpkin Fest weekends as well.
This is one to plan several hours for—especially if you're bringing kids.
Best for: Families, a full-day fall outing, pumpkin picking and apple picking.
Ankeny tip: October weekends can get busy. Center Grove recommends visiting on a weekday or arriving around opening if you're going on a weekend.
Howell's Pumpkin Patch | Cumming, Iowa
South of the metro in Cumming, Howell's Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch is another Central Iowa fall favorite.
For 2026, Howell's Fall Fun season runs September 12 through November 1.
The farm offers plenty to do beyond picking out a pumpkin, including wagon rides, a corn maze, jump pad, obstacle course, bathtub train and other farm activities. There are also several add-on activities available.
If you're looking for a classic pumpkin-patch experience where you can spend a good portion of the day, Howell's is worth the drive from Ankeny.
And if you wait until Halloween weekend, Howell's has Howellween around the Farm on October 31, followed by its Pumpkin Smash on November 1.
Best for: Families with younger kids, corn maze fans and a classic fall farm day.
Iowa Orchard & Pie Bakery | Urbandale, Iowa
If your ideal fall outing involves fewer giant attractions and more apple pie, this might be your stop.
Iowa Orchard and Pie Bakery in Urbandale combines an orchard and seasonal activities with a bakery known for pies and other fall treats.
Depending on what's available during your visit, you may find apple picking, pumpkins and family activities.
But we'd argue that the bakery is part of the experience.
Apple cider donuts, caramel apples and homemade pies make this an easy fall stop if you want something closer to the Des Moines metro without committing to an entire day at a large pumpkin patch.
Best for: Apple lovers, baked goods and a shorter fall outing.
DeMoss Pumpkin Farm | Ames, Iowa
If you want something simpler than one of the large fall entertainment farms, head north toward Ames.
DeMoss Pumpkin Farm is a longtime family-operated pumpkin farm near Ames and Gilbert.
This is more of a traditional pumpkin farm experience than an all-day attraction packed with rides and activities.
That can actually be exactly what you're looking for.
Stop in, pick out your pumpkins, enjoy the rural fall setting and head into Ames afterward for lunch or dinner.
Best for: A traditional pumpkin-shopping trip without needing an entire day.
Storybook Orchard | Story City, Iowa
Another option north of Ankeny is Storybook Orchard near Story City.
This family-owned orchard offers U-pick apples, pumpkins and an on-site shop with seasonal treats.
It's a good option for someone who enjoys the orchard experience but doesn't necessarily want the large attraction-style setup—or the admission fees that can come with it.
Pair it with a stop in Story City and you've got an easy fall day trip from Ankeny.
Best for: Apple picking, a quieter orchard experience and a relaxed fall afternoon.
Visit Uptown Ankeny for Fright Lights
You don't actually have to leave Ankeny to find something festive this fall.
Uptown Ankeny transforms for Halloween with Fright Lights, a series of spooky light displays throughout the district.
For 2026, Fright Lights are scheduled to run October 1–31.
It's an easy activity to pair with dinner, drinks or dessert in Uptown—and because you can visit in the evening, it's a good option when you don't have an entire Saturday available for a pumpkin patch.
Take a walk through Uptown, check out the lights and enjoy one of the easiest local fall activities on this list.
Best for: A casual evening, date night or family walk.
Halloween in Uptown
Mark October 8, 2026 on your calendar.
Halloween in Uptown brings a large trunk-or-treat event to the Uptown district, with four blocks of activities planned for this year's event.
It's an especially good option for families looking for Halloween activities without making another trip out to a pumpkin patch.
And since it's right here in Ankeny, there's no road trip required.
Best for: Families and younger kids.
Take a Fall Walk or Bike Ride
Not every fall activity needs a ticket.
Ankeny's extensive trail system makes fall one of the best times of year to get outside.
Take a walk or bike ride through town, explore a park or hop onto one of the regional trail connections.
If you're looking for changing leaves, comfortable temperatures and something you can do for free, sometimes the simplest option is one of the best.
Pack coffee, pick a trail and enjoy an Iowa fall afternoon.
Make a Day Trip to Jester Park
Another easy option from Ankeny is Jester Park near Saylorville Lake.
Fall is a great time to explore the park's trails and wooded areas as the leaves begin changing.
It's an especially good alternative if you've already made your annual pumpkin-patch trip but still want to spend a fall afternoon outside.
Pack a picnic, go for a hike and make an afternoon of it.
Best for: Hiking, fall colors and an inexpensive outdoor day.
Go Apple Picking
Pumpkins get most of the attention in October, but don't forget about apple season.
Several orchards around Central Iowa offer opportunities to pick your own apples, although varieties and availability change throughout the season.
Center Grove Orchard, Storybook Orchard and other Central Iowa orchards can all be worth checking depending on when you're visiting.
Apple varieties ripen at different times, so always check an orchard's current picking information before making the drive.
And if you come home with way too many apples?
Sounds like an excuse to make apple crisp.
Take a Fall Drive Around Central Iowa
Sometimes you don't need a destination.
Once the leaves start changing, head out of Ankeny and explore some of the smaller communities and rural roads around Central Iowa.
Drive toward Polk City and Saylorville Lake, head north toward Huxley or take a longer drive and make your way down to Winterset and see the Bridges of Madison County.
Add a coffee stop, lunch somewhere local or a pumpkin patch along the way and you've got an easy fall day without much planning.
When Is the Best Time to Visit a Pumpkin Patch Near Ankeny?
If pumpkins are your priority, late September through October is generally the heart of the season around Central Iowa.
Apple season can begin earlier, with different varieties ripening throughout late summer and fall.
October weekends are also some of the busiest times at the larger farms.
If your schedule allows, try a weekday. If Saturday or Sunday is your only option, arriving close to opening can help you beat some of the crowds.
And always check the farm's website or social media before heading out.
Hours, admission, activities, crop availability and weather policies can change throughout the season.
Our Fall Bucket List Near Ankeny
If we were putting together a simple Ankeny fall bucket list, we'd include:
Pick a pumpkin.
Eat a cider donut.
Go apple picking.
Walk through a corn maze.
See the Fright Lights in Uptown.
Take a fall drive.
Walk or bike an Ankeny trail.
Spend an afternoon at Jester Park.
And take way too many photos along the way.
Fall in Ankeny, Iowa
One of the things we love about living in Ankeny is how easy it is to enjoy both the amenities of the Des Moines metro and smaller communities, farms and outdoor spaces just a short drive away.
Fall is a perfect example.
You can spend Saturday morning at a pumpkin patch, come back to Ankeny for dinner and finish the evening walking through Uptown.
Whether you've lived here for years or you're considering a move to Ankeny, there's always something new to explore around Central Iowa.
The Hokel Real Estate Team doesn't just help people buy and sell homes—we live and work in the communities we serve, too.
Thinking about making a move in Ankeny or the surrounding Des Moines metro? Contact the Hokel Real Estate Team. We'd love to help you find your place here.