5 Best Pumpkin Patches To Pick Your Own Pumpkin in Illinois
Jump to: 1. Camp Creek Farm & Orchard 2. The Patch 3. Shady Knoll Farm 4. Tanners Orchard 5. Honey Hill Orchard
The 5 best places to pick your own pumpkin in Illinois are Camp Creek Farm & Orchard, The Patch, Shady Knoll Farm, Tanners Orchard and Honey Hill Orchard — farms tagged for true u-pick, where you cut a pumpkin straight from the vine instead of choosing from a pile by the barn. Below, each gets a closer look — what it offers, how it's rated, and how to get there — followed by answers to the questions we hear most about visiting. See every pumpkin patch we track in Illinois, or browse u-pick farms in every state on our U-Pick Pumpkin Patches near me page.
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Camp Creek Farm & Orchard
Camp Creek Farm & Orchard in Lynn Center takes the top spot, rated 5.0 out of 5 from 45 reviews. Visitors come here for u-pick pumpkins.
3753 N 1100th Ave, 61262
U-pick pumpkinsCamp Creek Farm & Orchard is ranked #1 on this list, located at 3753 N 1100th Ave, Lynn Center, IL, 61262. It carries a 5.0-out-of-5 rating on Google from 45 reviews, which puts it among the more established pumpkin patches we track near Lynn Center. Beyond the pumpkin field itself, it's tagged for u-pick pumpkins, so there's usually more to a visit than just picking a pumpkin and heading home.
Google hasn't surfaced a set of recurring review themes for Camp Creek Farm & Orchard yet, so there isn't a themed summary of what visitors say to pass along here — the star rating and review count above remain the clearest public signal until more detail comes in. Camp Creek Farm & Orchard is one of the farms we track with a u-pick pumpkin patch, which typically means true u-pick means walking into a growing field and cutting a pumpkin off the vine yourself. it is the version of the experience most people picture, and it is worth checking for specifically — a great many farms advertis…
Based on its public listing, Camp Creek Farm & Orchard is typically open Monday 4-6AM. Pumpkin patch hours shift often during the season — expect longer hours the two or three weekends around mid-October and shorter, sometimes weekend-only hours toward either end of the season — so treat this as a strong starting point rather than a guarantee. Admission pricing isn't listed for Camp Creek Farm & Orchard either — pumpkin patches generally charge one of three ways (free entry with pumpkins priced individually or by weight, a flat gate admission bundling attractions, or a per-attraction wristband system), so it's worth asking which applies here before you go. Payment methods aren't listed, and a meaningful share of family-run patches are cash-only for field admission and wagon rides even when the farm store takes cards — bringing some cash as backup avoids an awkward trip back to the car at the gate.
Like most working farms, the exact open and close dates for Camp Creek Farm & Orchard can shift year to year with weather and how the pumpkin crop comes in, even though the general window is fairly predictable. If you're planning a special trip, a weekday morning is consistently the quietest time to go, with shorter waits for wagon rides and easier parking than a weekend afternoon. Wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy — pumpkin fields are working farmland rather than paved lots, and they get soft fast after rain — and call ahead if it's rained heavily in the last day or two, since field access and hayrides are usually the first things a farm closes when the ground is saturated. Layers help too: fall mornings can start cold and warm up quickly once the sun is over an open field.
Camp Creek Farm & Orchard sits, near Lynn Center, IL, with parking typically in a grass field rather than a paved lot — allow a few extra minutes on busy weekends for staff or volunteers to direct traffic, and if you're navigating by GPS rather than the link on this page, search the farm name directly rather than just the street address, since rural addresses sometimes route to the wrong gate. See the full profile — hours table, rating breakdown, review themes, FAQ and a map you can route from — on Camp Creek Farm & Orchard's listing page, or tap Directions below to head straight there.
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The Patch
The Patch, out in Marion, is next up, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 34 reviews. Visitors come here for u-pick pumpkins and farm store.
14656 Pittsburg Rd, 62959
U-pick pumpkinsFarm storeThe Patch is ranked #2 on this list, located at 14656 Pittsburg Rd, Marion, IL, 62959. It carries a 4.8-out-of-5 rating on Google from 34 reviews, which puts it among the more established pumpkin patches we track near Marion. Beyond the pumpkin field itself, it's tagged for u-pick pumpkins and farm store, so there's usually more to a visit than just picking a pumpkin and heading home.
Google hasn't surfaced a set of recurring review themes for The Patch yet, so there isn't a themed summary of what visitors say to pass along here — the star rating and review count above remain the clearest public signal until more detail comes in. The Patch is one of the farms we track with a u-pick pumpkin patch, which typically means true u-pick means walking into a growing field and cutting a pumpkin off the vine yourself. it is the version of the experience most people picture, and it is worth checking for specifically — a great many farms advertis…
Hours aren't listed for The Patch in our data. Most pumpkin patches run daily or weekends-only from mid-September through the first days of November, but the surest way to know is to call ahead or check the farm's website before you drive out. Admission pricing isn't listed for The Patch either — pumpkin patches generally charge one of three ways (free entry with pumpkins priced individually or by weight, a flat gate admission bundling attractions, or a per-attraction wristband system), so it's worth asking which applies here before you go. Payment methods aren't listed, and a meaningful share of family-run patches are cash-only for field admission and wagon rides even when the farm store takes cards — bringing some cash as backup avoids an awkward trip back to the car at the gate.
Like most working farms, the exact open and close dates for The Patch can shift year to year with weather and how the pumpkin crop comes in, even though the general window is fairly predictable. If you're planning a special trip, a weekday morning is consistently the quietest time to go, with shorter waits for wagon rides and easier parking than a weekend afternoon. Wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy — pumpkin fields are working farmland rather than paved lots, and they get soft fast after rain — and call ahead if it's rained heavily in the last day or two, since field access and hayrides are usually the first things a farm closes when the ground is saturated. Layers help too: fall mornings can start cold and warm up quickly once the sun is over an open field.
The Patch sits, near Marion, IL, with parking typically in a grass field rather than a paved lot — allow a few extra minutes on busy weekends for staff or volunteers to direct traffic, and if you're navigating by GPS rather than the link on this page, search the farm name directly rather than just the street address, since rural addresses sometimes route to the wrong gate. See the full profile — hours table, rating breakdown, review themes, FAQ and a map you can route from — on The Patch's listing page, or tap Directions below to head straight there.
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Shady Knoll Farm
Shady Knoll Farm near East Moline rounds out this stretch of the list, rated 4.8 out of 5. Visitors come here for u-pick pumpkins.
3115 Dennhardt Rd, 61244
U-pick pumpkinsShady Knoll Farm is ranked #3 on this list, located at 3115 Dennhardt Rd, East Moline, IL, 61244. It carries a 4.8-out-of-5 rating on Google, which puts it among the more established pumpkin patches we track near East Moline. Beyond the pumpkin field itself, it's tagged for u-pick pumpkins, so there's usually more to a visit than just picking a pumpkin and heading home.
Google hasn't surfaced a set of recurring review themes for Shady Knoll Farm yet, so there isn't a themed summary of what visitors say to pass along here — the star rating and review count above remain the clearest public signal until more detail comes in. In the farm's own words: "Family-owned farm specializing in pumpkins, many for you-pick, and flowers." Shady Knoll Farm is one of the farms we track with a u-pick pumpkin patch, which typically means true u-pick means walking into a growing field and cutting a pumpkin off the vine yourself. it is the version of the experience most people picture, and it is worth checking for specifically — a great many farms advertis…
Hours aren't listed for Shady Knoll Farm in our data. Most pumpkin patches run daily or weekends-only from mid-September through the first days of November, but the surest way to know is to call ahead or check the farm's website before you drive out. Admission pricing isn't listed for Shady Knoll Farm either — pumpkin patches generally charge one of three ways (free entry with pumpkins priced individually or by weight, a flat gate admission bundling attractions, or a per-attraction wristband system), so it's worth asking which applies here before you go. Payment methods aren't listed, and a meaningful share of family-run patches are cash-only for field admission and wagon rides even when the farm store takes cards — bringing some cash as backup avoids an awkward trip back to the car at the gate.
Like most working farms, the exact open and close dates for Shady Knoll Farm can shift year to year with weather and how the pumpkin crop comes in, even though the general window is fairly predictable. If you're planning a special trip, a weekday morning is consistently the quietest time to go, with shorter waits for wagon rides and easier parking than a weekend afternoon. Wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy — pumpkin fields are working farmland rather than paved lots, and they get soft fast after rain — and call ahead if it's rained heavily in the last day or two, since field access and hayrides are usually the first things a farm closes when the ground is saturated. Layers help too: fall mornings can start cold and warm up quickly once the sun is over an open field.
Shady Knoll Farm sits, near East Moline, IL, with parking typically in a grass field rather than a paved lot — allow a few extra minutes on busy weekends for staff or volunteers to direct traffic, and if you're navigating by GPS rather than the link on this page, search the farm name directly rather than just the street address, since rural addresses sometimes route to the wrong gate. See the full profile — hours table, rating breakdown, review themes, FAQ and a map you can route from — on Shady Knoll Farm's listing page, or tap Directions below to head straight there.
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Tanners Orchard
Also worth the drive: Tanners Orchard in Speer, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 3,038 reviews. Visitors come here for u-pick pumpkins and farm store.
740 IL-40, 61479
U-pick pumpkinsFarm storeTanners Orchard is ranked #4 on this list, located at 740 IL-40, Speer, IL, 61479. It carries a 4.6-out-of-5 rating on Google from 3,038 reviews, which puts it among the more established pumpkin patches we track near Speer. Beyond the pumpkin field itself, it's tagged for u-pick pumpkins and farm store, so there's usually more to a visit than just picking a pumpkin and heading home.
Google hasn't surfaced a set of recurring review themes for Tanners Orchard yet, so there isn't a themed summary of what visitors say to pass along here — the star rating and review count above remain the clearest public signal until more detail comes in. Tanners Orchard is one of the farms we track with a u-pick pumpkin patch, which typically means true u-pick means walking into a growing field and cutting a pumpkin off the vine yourself. it is the version of the experience most people picture, and it is worth checking for specifically — a great many farms advertis…
Based on its public listing, Tanners Orchard is typically open Monday 8AM-5PM, Tuesday 8AM-5PM, Wednesday 8AM-5PM, Thursday 8AM-5PM, Friday 8AM-5PM, Saturday 8AM-5PM. Pumpkin patch hours shift often during the season — expect longer hours the two or three weekends around mid-October and shorter, sometimes weekend-only hours toward either end of the season — so treat this as a strong starting point rather than a guarantee. Admission pricing isn't listed for Tanners Orchard either — pumpkin patches generally charge one of three ways (free entry with pumpkins priced individually or by weight, a flat gate admission bundling attractions, or a per-attraction wristband system), so it's worth asking which applies here before you go. Payment methods aren't listed, and a meaningful share of family-run patches are cash-only for field admission and wagon rides even when the farm store takes cards — bringing some cash as backup avoids an awkward trip back to the car at the gate.
Like most working farms, the exact open and close dates for Tanners Orchard can shift year to year with weather and how the pumpkin crop comes in, even though the general window is fairly predictable. If you're planning a special trip, a weekday morning is consistently the quietest time to go, with shorter waits for wagon rides and easier parking than a weekend afternoon. Wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy — pumpkin fields are working farmland rather than paved lots, and they get soft fast after rain — and call ahead if it's rained heavily in the last day or two, since field access and hayrides are usually the first things a farm closes when the ground is saturated. Layers help too: fall mornings can start cold and warm up quickly once the sun is over an open field.
Tanners Orchard sits, near Speer, IL, with parking typically in a grass field rather than a paved lot — allow a few extra minutes on busy weekends for staff or volunteers to direct traffic, and if you're navigating by GPS rather than the link on this page, search the farm name directly rather than just the street address, since rural addresses sometimes route to the wrong gate. See the full profile — hours table, rating breakdown, review themes, FAQ and a map you can route from — on Tanners Orchard's listing page, or tap Directions below to head straight there.
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Honey Hill Orchard
Honey Hill Orchard in Waterman is another strong option, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 471 reviews. Visitors come here for u-pick pumpkins and apple picking.
11783 Waterman Rd, 60556
U-pick pumpkinsApple pickingCider and donutsHoney Hill Orchard is ranked #5 on this list, located at 11783 Waterman Rd, Waterman, IL, 60556. It carries a 4.6-out-of-5 rating on Google from 471 reviews, which puts it among the more established pumpkin patches we track near Waterman. Beyond the pumpkin field itself, it's tagged for u-pick pumpkins, apple picking and cider and donuts, so there's usually more to a visit than just picking a pumpkin and heading home.
Google hasn't surfaced a set of recurring review themes for Honey Hill Orchard yet, so there isn't a themed summary of what visitors say to pass along here — the star rating and review count above remain the clearest public signal until more detail comes in. In the farm's own words: "Orchard for pick-your-own-apples, plus a straw maze & a converted 1880s barn selling donuts & pies." Honey Hill Orchard is one of the farms we track with a u-pick pumpkin patch, which typically means true u-pick means walking into a growing field and cutting a pumpkin off the vine yourself. it is the version of the experience most people picture, and it is worth checking for specifically — a great many farms advertis…
Hours aren't listed for Honey Hill Orchard in our data. Most pumpkin patches run daily or weekends-only from mid-September through the first days of November, but the surest way to know is to call ahead or check the farm's website before you drive out. Admission pricing isn't listed for Honey Hill Orchard either — pumpkin patches generally charge one of three ways (free entry with pumpkins priced individually or by weight, a flat gate admission bundling attractions, or a per-attraction wristband system), so it's worth asking which applies here before you go. Payment methods aren't listed, and a meaningful share of family-run patches are cash-only for field admission and wagon rides even when the farm store takes cards — bringing some cash as backup avoids an awkward trip back to the car at the gate.
Like most working farms, the exact open and close dates for Honey Hill Orchard can shift year to year with weather and how the pumpkin crop comes in, even though the general window is fairly predictable. If you're planning a special trip, a weekday morning is consistently the quietest time to go, with shorter waits for wagon rides and easier parking than a weekend afternoon. Wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy — pumpkin fields are working farmland rather than paved lots, and they get soft fast after rain — and call ahead if it's rained heavily in the last day or two, since field access and hayrides are usually the first things a farm closes when the ground is saturated. Layers help too: fall mornings can start cold and warm up quickly once the sun is over an open field.
Honey Hill Orchard sits, near Waterman, IL, with parking typically in a grass field rather than a paved lot — allow a few extra minutes on busy weekends for staff or volunteers to direct traffic, and if you're navigating by GPS rather than the link on this page, search the farm name directly rather than just the street address, since rural addresses sometimes route to the wrong gate. See the full profile — hours table, rating breakdown, review themes, FAQ and a map you can route from — on Honey Hill Orchard's listing page, or tap Directions below to head straight there.
Conclusion
Camp Creek Farm & Orchard is our top pick for picking your own pumpkin in Illinois, rated 5.0 out of 5, with The Patch, Shady Knoll Farm, Tanners Orchard and Honey Hill Orchard rounding out the list. Ratings and review counts reflect public data at the time of writing and can change, and hours, admission and what's actually running on a given day can vary week to week during the season — always confirm with the farm directly, and ask specifically whether the field is still open for cutting, before you drive out. For more options, see every pumpkin patch we track in Illinois or browse u-pick pumpkin patches near you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best pumpkin patch to pick your own pumpkin in Illinois?
Based on rating and review volume, Camp Creek Farm & Orchard ranks first among the u-pick pumpkin patches we track in Illinois, with a 5.0-out-of-5 rating. See the full breakdown above, or its <a href="/illinois/lynn-center/camp-creek-farm-and-orchard/">full listing</a> for hours and directions.
What does "u-pick" actually mean at a pumpkin patch?
True u-pick means walking into a growing field and cutting a pumpkin off the vine yourself, rather than choosing from a pile of pumpkins trucked in and arranged near the barn. Both are common — if cutting from the vine matters to you, call ahead and ask whether the field is still open, especially late in the season.
When is u-pick season in Illinois?
Most u-pick fields open alongside the rest of the pumpkin season, roughly mid-to-late September through the first days of November, and smaller growers can pick out and switch to a pre-picked pile before the season officially ends. Check the listings above or call ahead to confirm the field is still open.
What should I bring to pick my own pumpkin?
Gloves and, ideally, your own shears — pumpkin vines are prickly, and a cleanly cut stem two to four inches long keeps a pumpkin fresh far longer than one twisted off by hand. Wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy, since fields are working farmland, not paved lots.
Are these u-pick patches good for young kids?
It depends on the farm and how far the field is from parking. Check the individual listing pages above for feature tags like a petting zoo or kids' play area, and call ahead if you're planning around young children or strollers.