Best Chicago-Area Pumpkin Patches And Corn Mazes 2020

ILLINOIS — Not even pumpkin patches are escaping the coronavirus in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic means some of the Chicago area’s pumpkin patches have had to adjust hours, regulations and activities as they head into the fall. But pumpkin picking — and other fun fall activities such as apple orchards — can still happen with safety measures and social distancing in place.

Fortunately, the coronavirus has only changed — not completely closed — your favorite pumpkin patches and their offerings this fall. Below are some of our favorite pumpkin patches in and around the Chicago area.

Sonny Acres Farm in West Chicago

• Address: 29W310 North Ave. in West Chicago
• Season: Sept. 19 to Oct. 31
• Attractions: Jumping pillow, Kiddie Koral, daytime hayride, Sonny Express train, haunted experiences (coming in October).
• Pumpkins and more: There are plenty of pumpkins and gourds for your selection. The harvest barn has a variety of squash, gourds and more.
• Hours of operation (in October): 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday to Sunday
• Cost: Check the Sonny Acres' website for more information

More information via the Sonny Acres' website or by calling 630-239-1230

Kroll's Fall Harvest Farm

• Address: 13236 W. Town Line Road in Waukegan
• Season: Sept. 19 to Nov. 1
• Pumpkins and more: There are pre-picked pumpkins plus a corn maze (this year's theme is the history of sheep in agriculture), farm animals to visit (mask required to feed animals) and hayrides (mask required). Plus treats like pumpkin doughnuts, popcorn, kettle corn, cider and more.
• Hours of operation: Kroll's is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
• Cost: Timed ticket entry now required on Saturday and Sunday as well as Columbus Day (admission is $10, which includes hayride, corn maze and animal area). On weekdays, the maze is $7 for adults and $5 for kids ages 12 and under (free for kids age 2 and younger). Pumpkins are priced between $1 and $50. Bring cash, since no credit cards are accepted. There is also an ATM at the farm.

More information via Kroll's website or by calling 847-662-5733

Didier Farms

• Address: 16678 W. Aptakisic Road in Lincolnshire
• Season opening/closing date: Sept. 19 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 31
• Pumpkinfest Activities, Farm stand: Didier Farms' Pumpkinfest is open to kids of all ages and includes pig race and a parakeet exhibit where you can feed the birds. There are a corn maze, camel rides and more. Hayrides canceled due to the coronavirus. Didier Farms also has a farm stand where fresh vegetables and more can be purchased. Face masks are required for ages 2 and up.
• Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
• Cost: There is no admission fee. Tickets are available for purchase at $1 per ticket. Most attractions can be enjoyed for under five tickets.

More via Didier Farms website or by calling 847-634-3291.

Goebbert's Farm and Garden Center - South Barrington

• Address: 40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington
• Season: Sept. 19 to Oct 31.
• Animal Land and Little Farmers Play Land and More: Activities include a giraffe barn, pumpkin-eating dino, pig racing, pony rides, camel rides, wagon ride, little farmer's play yard, corn stalk maze, pumpkin eating dinosaur, the pumpkin tunnel, climbing trucks and cutouts, corn hole game, ring toss game and more. Goebbert's also has its Red Barn Cafe & Bakery for some tasty treats, including apple cider doughnuts and pumpkin cookies.
• Pumpkins and produce: Goebbert's has a large display of pumpkins to choose from in the free area of its farm. Goebbert’s grows over 200 acres of fresh vegetables.
• Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (last entry for the day is 5 p.m.)
• Cost: Entrance fee now charged for Saturdays, Sundays and Columbus Day. Prices vary for admission to the Animal Land and Little Farmer's Playland. Tickets include wagon rides and cost $16.99 on the weekends and Columbus Day and $12.99 Monday through Friday. There is an additional charge for some activities at Goebbert's.

For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit Goebbert's website.

Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard - Pingree Grove/Hampshire

• Address: 42W813 Reinking Road, Pingree Grove
• Season: Aug. 28 to Oct. 31
• Attractions: Haunted house, kiddie play land, straw maze, singing chickens, a pumpkin-eating dinosaur, pedal carts, animal land with a giraffe barn and pig family, pig family, pumpkin cannon and more.
• Pumpkins and produce: Besides pumpkins, Goebbert's has farm fresh squash, potatoes, apples and gourds, to name a few. Also, there are homemade caramel apples, freshly popped kettle corn, apple cider and so much more. In addition to the delicious foods, you can find a variety of crafts and gifts for your home or a special gift. Goebbert's doesn't offer apple picking as its own activity, but guests can choose to pay for apple bags and pick apples in addition to its Fall Festival admission.
• Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
• Cost: There is free parking. General admission tickets cost $12.99 per person Monday through Friday; $16.99 per person Saturdays, Sundays, Labor Day and Columbus Day. $11.99 for seniors get in for $11.99, free for kids age 2 and younger.

More information via Goebbert's website.

Stade's Farm & Market

• Address: 3709 Miller Road, McHenry
• Season opening date: Sept. 12 to Nov. 1.
• Attractions: Pumpkin picking, apple picking, food and fun. Stade's also has a weekly worship service at 10 a.m. Sunday where an inspiring message, worship music, apple cider doughnuts and coffee are provided. Stade's fall "farmtractions" theme park is closed for 2020.
• Pumpkins and produce: U-pick hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stade's market has in-season fruits and vegetables, freshly baked pies and apple cider doughnuts, salsa, spices, gluten-free items, soup mixes, eggs, honey, gift items and much more.
• Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in September, as well as Columbus Day and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October.
• Cost: Parking is free. General admission is $15 for ages 3 to 64 years old, 64 and older are $10. Free for kids age 2 and younger.

More information via Stade's website.

Kuiper's Family Farm

• Address: 1N318 Watson Road in Maple Park
• Season opening date: Sept. 19 to Oct. 31
• Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday though Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
• Attractions: Corn mazes, tractor train, pig races, jumping pillow, haunted forest, tractor tire mountain, mountain slide, duck races and more. Masks required at admission and in the market.
• Pumpkins and produce: Apple variety picking schedule here.
• Cost: Pumpkin included with cost of admission. $17.99 weekdays excluding Columbus Day. $19.99 weekends and Columbus Day; $11.99 for seniors ages 65 and up every day. Free for kids age 2 and younger (no pumpkin).

More via Kuiper's Family Farm website or by calling 815-827-5200.

Richardson Adventure Farm

• Address: 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove
• Season opening date: Sept. 12 to Nov. 8.
• Hours of operation: 3 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Columbus Day, Oct. 12. The maze is also open until midnight on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2 and 3. Last admission is two hours prior to closing.
• Attractions: The 28-acre maze —which the farm touts as the world's largest — celebrates the 50th anniversary of Earth Day Along with the maze, there's a 700-foot zip line and 50-foot observation tour; Zorbing; live pig races; jumping pillows; giant slides, pedal carts and wagon rides; paintball and campfires. Masks required in all buildings and when social distancing can't be maintained.
• Pumpkins and produce: The farm has pick-your-own pumpkins
• Cost: Prices vary by event. Check the farm's website.

More information via Richardson Adventure Farm's website.

Abbey Farms

• Address: 2855 Hart Road in Aurora
• Season opening: Sept. 19 to Nov. 1.
• Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. No late-night corn maze for 2020.
• Attractions: A large corn maze, corn cannons, tractor tire mountain, hayrides, weekend petting zoo, craft beer tent on Saturday and Sunday, and more. Curbside ordering for pumpkins and doughnuts. Special safety guidelines in place for 2020 season.
• Pumpkins and produce: Abbey Farms has a 40-acre pick-your-own pumpkin farm
• Cost: General admission tickets cost $17 each on weekends and holidays, and $12 each on weekdays and are available online or walk-up.

More via Abbey Farms website.

Siegel's Cottonwood Farm

• Address: 17250 Weber Road, Lockport
• Season: Sept. 26 to Oct. 31
• Hours of operation: Country store: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Pumpkin Fest: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday through Sunday.
• Attractions: Giant checkers, and tic-tac-toe, straw mountain, the famous corn maze (this year's theme is "Peace on Earth"), Connect 4, Peter Pumpkin Show and more. Statesville Haunted House closed for 2020 due to COVID-19.
• Pumpkins, produce and more: Siegel's has a real pumpkin field that families can take a hayrack ride out to and pick a pumpkin right off the vine.
• Cost: $19.95 on site/$16.95 online Friday through Sunday and Columbus Day. Weekend all-inclusive pass (Saturday/Sunday and Columbus Day) $27.95, must be purchased online. Free admission for military, police and fire with ID. ATMs available.

More via Siegel's Cottonwood Farm website.

Bengtson's

• Address: 13341 W. 151st St., Homer Glen
• Season: Sept. 25 to Nov. 2
• Hours of operation: Hours vary. More information is available on Bengston's website. No weekday admission for 2020.
• Attractions: Tractor Town, Happy Swing, chicken truck, mega slide, cow coaster, free selfie booth, gemstone and arrow head mining, pony rides, petting zoo, haunted barn, fun barn, pumpkins and more.
• Pumpkins, produce and more: You can pick the perfect pumpkin, take home some of Bengtson's specialty products, enjoy an apple cider doughnut and several other delectable treats.
• Cost: Admission ranges from $13.99 to $25.99, depending on the day and time. See the website for more details. Military (active duty or retired) are admitted free with ID. Pony rides an additional $6.

More via the Bengston's website.

Johansen's Farm

• Address: 710 W. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook
• Season: Sept. 18 to Nov. 1.
• Hours of operation: Hours vary; check the website on zoo opening dates.
• Attractions: Attractions include holding a baby chick, miniature golf, pony rides, hayrides, train rides, airslides, corn maze, pumpkin bouncer and more.
• Pumpkins, produce and more: There is free parking and no charge to visit the pumpkin patch and open market area. There is a pie house and bakery, fall decor and autumn treat shop.
• Cost: Admission price includes all animals, rides and activities. Admission is $9.95 per person on weekdays, $14.95 per person on the weekend and Columbus Day. Free for kids ages 23 months and younger; $1 discount for seniors on weekdays and $3 discount for seniors on weekends and Columbus Day. Free for anyone with a military ID, active or veteran.

More via Johansen's Farms website.

Heap's Giant Pumpkin Farm

• Address: 4853 U.S. Highway 52, Minooka
• Season: Sept. 12 to Oct. 31; open Columbus Day
• Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily
• Attractions: Pumpkin patch, Heap's Home Cookin', bean maze, Milo's Castle, Heap's Giant Corn Maze, Heaps O-Fun Barn, farm animals and more. Haunted corn maze, flashlight maze and moonlight hayrides are closed for 2020.
• Pumpkins, produce and more: Catch a hayride out to the 25-acre pumpkin patch full of 90 different varieties of pumpkins, gourds and squash.
• Cost: Daytime tickets to the barnyard on a weekday is $6 per person (ages 3 and up) and weekend admission is $8 per person. Admission fee not required for pre-picked pumpkins and squash, mums and plants, corn stalks, straw, general store and concession stand.

More via Heap's Giant Pumpkin Farm.

Dollinger Family Farm

• Address: 7420 E. Hansel Road, Channahon
• Season: Sept. 14 to Oct. 30
• Hours of operation: Farm is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Attractions: Pumpkins, corn maze, barn animals, bee barn, playground, corn pit, 4-acre corn maze, miniature train ride, hayrides, face painting and more. Check out the calendar for a list of special events including a visit by Big Run Wolf Ranch, birds of prey exhibit, reptiles, chainsaw sculpting and more.
• Pumpkins, produce and more: Come and find your perfect pumpkin for carving, decorating or making a pie. There is also a wide variety of gourds, squash, corn shocks, straw bales, mums and mini pumpkins.
• Cost: Free admission and parking. Pumpkins vary from 75 cents to $25. Corn maze is $4 per person.

More via the Dollinger Farms website.

Konow's Corn Maze

• Address: 16849 S Cedar Road, Homer Glen
• Season: Sept. 19 to Oct. 30
• Hours of operation: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed on Tuesdays.
• Attractions: Konow's has two corn mazes — one with 3.4 miles of twists and turns. and a 0.4-mile kids' corn maze. Konow's also has an animal barn, fun rides, hayrides, two corn pits, two jumping pillows, a Western town, putting green, weekend face painting, evening campfires and a shooting gallery. Masks must be worn on all rides, and 6-foot social distancing is in effect on the grounds.
• Cost: $10 per person on Monday through Friday and $12 per person Saturday, Sunday and Columbus Day. $13 admission on Charity Day (Oct. 4). Ages 2 and younger get in free. Active military and veterans get in free when they show their military ID.

More via Konow's Corn Maze website.

More fall fun:

• Fall Foliage Peak Map 2020: When Autumn Leaves Are Best In Illinois
• Fall Fun Amid COVID-19: Apple Orchards, Fall Fests Reopen

If we missed your favorite pumpkin patch, be sure to share it with readers in the comments section.