5 Best Pumpkin Patches To Pick Your Own Pumpkin in North Carolina
Jump to: 1. Smith's Farm Market and Garden Center 2. Neighbor Boy Farm, Country Store & Christmas Trees 3. Po Hous Farm 4. Vollmer Farm - Farm Market & Cafe' 5. Hunter Farm
The 5 best places to pick your own pumpkin in North Carolina are Smith's Farm Market and Garden Center, Neighbor Boy Farm, Country Store & Christmas Trees, Po Hous Farm, Vollmer Farm - Farm Market & Cafe' and Hunter Farm — 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 North Carolina, or browse u-pick farms in every state on our U-Pick Pumpkin Patches near me page.
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Smith's Farm Market and Garden Center
Smith's Farm Market and Garden Center in Benson takes the top spot, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 232 reviews. Visitors come here for u-pick pumpkins and farm store.
443 Sanders Rd, 27504
U-pick pumpkinsFarm storeSmith's Farm Market and Garden Center is ranked #1 on this list, located at 443 Sanders Rd, Benson, NC, 27504. It carries a 4.8-out-of-5 rating on Google from 232 reviews, which puts it among the more established pumpkin patches we track near Benson. 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 Smith's Farm Market and Garden Center 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-friendly farm featuring pick-your-own strawberries and blueberries alongside a nursery." Smith's Farm Market and Garden Center 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, Smith's Farm Market and Garden Center is typically open Monday 9AM-5PM, Tuesday 9AM-5PM, Wednesday 9AM-5PM, Thursday 9AM-5PM, Friday 9AM-5PM, Saturday 9AM-4PM, Sunday 10AM-4PM. 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 Smith's Farm Market and Garden Center 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. It accepts credit cards, debit cards and nfc mobile payments, though it's still smart to carry some cash — field admission and wagon rides at farms like this are sometimes handled separately from the main store.
Like most working farms, the exact open and close dates for Smith's Farm Market and Garden Center 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.
Smith's Farm Market and Garden Center sits, near Benson, NC, 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 Smith's Farm Market and Garden Center's listing page, or tap Directions below to head straight there.
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Neighbor Boy Farm, Country Store & Christmas Trees
Neighbor Boy Farm, Country Store & Christmas Trees, out in Apex, is next up, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 78 reviews. Visitors come here for u-pick pumpkins and farm store.
1008 Davis Dr, 27523
U-pick pumpkinsFarm storeNeighbor Boy Farm, Country Store & Christmas Trees is ranked #2 on this list, located at 1008 Davis Dr, Apex, NC, 27523. It carries a 4.6-out-of-5 rating on Google from 78 reviews, which puts it among the more established pumpkin patches we track near Apex. 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 Neighbor Boy Farm, Country Store & Christmas Trees 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. Neighbor Boy Farm, Country Store & Christmas Trees 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 Neighbor Boy Farm, Country Store & Christmas Trees 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 Neighbor Boy Farm, Country Store & Christmas Trees 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 Neighbor Boy Farm, Country Store & Christmas Trees 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.
Neighbor Boy Farm, Country Store & Christmas Trees sits, near Apex, NC, 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 Neighbor Boy Farm, Country Store & Christmas Trees's listing page, or tap Directions below to head straight there.
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Po Hous Farm
Po Hous Farm near Apex rounds out this stretch of the list, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 44 reviews. Visitors come here for u-pick pumpkins and farm store.
2300 Richardson Rd, 27502
U-pick pumpkinsFarm storePo Hous Farm is ranked #3 on this list, located at 2300 Richardson Rd, Apex, NC, 27502. It carries a 4.6-out-of-5 rating on Google from 44 reviews, which puts it among the more established pumpkin patches we track near Apex. 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 Po Hous 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. Po Hous 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…
Based on its public listing, Po Hous Farm is typically open Monday 9AM-6PM, Tuesday 9AM-6PM, Wednesday 9AM-6PM, Thursday 9AM-6PM, Friday 9AM-6PM, Saturday 9AM-6PM, Sunday 10AM-6PM. 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 Po Hous 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 Po Hous 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.
Po Hous Farm sits, near Apex, NC, 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 Po Hous Farm's listing page, or tap Directions below to head straight there.
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Vollmer Farm - Farm Market & Cafe'
Also worth the drive: Vollmer Farm - Farm Market & Cafe' in Bunn, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 443 reviews. Visitors come here for u-pick pumpkins and farm store.
677 North Carolina 98 Hwy E, 27508
U-pick pumpkinsFarm storeKids play areaVollmer Farm - Farm Market & Cafe' is ranked #4 on this list, located at 677 North Carolina 98 Hwy E, Bunn, NC, 27508. It carries a 4.5-out-of-5 rating on Google from 443 reviews, which puts it among the more established pumpkin patches we track near Bunn. Beyond the pumpkin field itself, it's tagged for u-pick pumpkins, farm store and kids play area, 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 Vollmer Farm - Farm Market & Cafe' 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: "Farm for berry picking and ice cream, with a market for produce, jam and honey." Vollmer Farm - Farm Market & Cafe' 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 Vollmer Farm - Farm Market & Cafe' 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 Vollmer Farm - Farm Market & Cafe' 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. It accepts credit cards, debit cards and nfc mobile payments, though it's still smart to carry some cash — field admission and wagon rides at farms like this are sometimes handled separately from the main store.
Like most working farms, the exact open and close dates for Vollmer Farm - Farm Market & Cafe' 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.
Vollmer Farm - Farm Market & Cafe' sits, near Bunn, NC, 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 Vollmer Farm - Farm Market & Cafe''s listing page, or tap Directions below to head straight there.
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Hunter Farm
Hunter Farm in Weddington is another strong option, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 220 reviews. Visitors come here for u-pick pumpkins.
13624 Providence Rd, 28104
U-pick pumpkinsHunter Farm is ranked #5 on this list, located at 13624 Providence Rd, Weddington, NC, 28104. It carries a 4.5-out-of-5 rating on Google from 220 reviews, which puts it among the more established pumpkin patches we track near Weddington. 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 Hunter 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. Hunter 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 Hunter 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 Hunter 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 Hunter 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.
Hunter Farm sits, near Weddington, NC, 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 Hunter Farm's listing page, or tap Directions below to head straight there.
Conclusion
Smith's Farm Market and Garden Center is our top pick for picking your own pumpkin in North Carolina, rated 4.8 out of 5, with Neighbor Boy Farm, Country Store & Christmas Trees, Po Hous Farm, Vollmer Farm - Farm Market & Cafe' and Hunter Farm 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 North Carolina or browse u-pick pumpkin patches near you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best pumpkin patch to pick your own pumpkin in North Carolina?
Based on rating and review volume, Smith's Farm Market and Garden Center ranks first among the u-pick pumpkin patches we track in North Carolina, with a 4.8-out-of-5 rating. See the full breakdown above, or its <a href="/north-carolina/benson/smith-s-farm-market-and-garden-center/">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 North Carolina?
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.