Cooler temps and golden leaves mean one thing: the season of Pumpkin is fast approaching!  So, what better way to celebrate than by visiting a pumpkin patch?

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture has put together this great list of statewide pumpkin patches, corn fields, and festivals to help make the best of the season.  While you can visit their website for the alphabetical list of pumpkin patches, I have organized their information based on the nine Tourism regions:

METRO VALLEY
Cooper Family Farms – Milton, WV
Kids can take a ride on the “cow train,” or try to navigate the “corn crawl crib” before they head to the pumpkin patch to pick out the family pumpkin. This year you can navigate through the corn maze by using your smartphone as a trivia sheet or, if you’re brave enough, stick around for an evening in the haunted maze. But at least stay around to roast s’mores over the camp fire before you go home.

Gritt’s Farm – Buffalo, WV
Here you can find pumpkins for sale in the shop, at the farm stand, or pick them out yourself in the pumpkin patch. You can also find all sorts of different mazes here – a corn maze, a haunted corn maze, a kiddie (mini) corn maze, a straw maze or a hay bale maze. For more info call 304-937-2565.

Little Patch on the Lane – Teays Valley, WV
Stop by and pick your pumpkin right out of the patch in Putnam County. For more info call 304-541-1649.

V & J Farms – Scott Depot, WV
Have a picnic or go on a hayride before you head out to the pumpkin patch to pick out your family pumpkin. For more info call 304-755-4300.

WV Pumpkin Festival – Milton, WV
Located at the WV Pumpkin Park, the West Virginia Pumpkin Festival runs October 3 – 6, 2013 from 9:00am – 6:00pm.  Attendees can enjoy live music, arts and crafts, a grand parade, and of course, pick out the perfect pumpkin to take home as a souvenir. 

MID-OHIO VALLEY
None known.  Know of a pumpkin patch in this area you’d like to feature?  Comment or send me an email and I will add it to the list!

NORTHERN PANHANDLE
Nicky’s Garden Center – Wheeling, WV
At the base of Oglebay Park Hill you’ll find a corn maze and pumpkins brought to you straight from the field.

MOUNTAINEER COUNTRY
None known.  Know of a pumpkin patch in this area you’d like to feature?  Comment or send me an email and I will add it to the list!

MOUNTAIN LAKES
Kirkwood Winery – Summersville, WV
This year the winery hosts the 22nd Annual Grape Stompin’ Festival and this family-friendly atmosphere gives you a chance to visit the famous Isaiah Morgan Distillery. While you’re there, kick your shoes off and stomp some grapes of your own. You can get in on the fun September 21st and 22nd.

POTOMAC HIGHLANDS
Arnold Farm – Romney, WV
Come here to  pick your pumpkins that have already been gathered from the field and then take a tractor-pulled hayride out to the corn maze. There’s also a special haunted corn maze if you want to stick around in the evenings. For more info call 304-822-3603.

Brookedale Farms – Keyser, WV
Come take a hayride out to the corn maze! This farm is open every weekend and has big activities for the fall like the 10th
Annual “Fall Feast-Off” where you can help judge local foods, check out local crafts, and hear down-home music. Stick around in the evenings and you can participate in an old- fashioned wienee roast and flashlight mazes.

EASTERN PANHANDLE
Old McDonald’s Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze – Inwood, WV
Starting September 21st, come pick out your fall pumpkins, gourds and winter squash at Old McDonald’s. Afterward, catch a hayride before you head to the huge corn maze. Make sure to let the kids check out the “Kiddie Korn Kastle” and let them play in hundreds of pounds of shelled corn.

Orr’s Farm Market – Martinsburg, WV
Check out the pumpkin patch and corn mazes here in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. Fall Farm Days kicks off September 21st with pumpkin patch hayrides, bluegrass music and good food.

Ridgefield Farms – Martinsburg, WV
Pumpkin Fest kicks off September 28th with no shortage of activities. Enjoy hayrides a confusing corn maze, or pick out your own pumpkin in the big pumpkin patch after you visit the country store. And if you’re around on the weekend check out “Haunting Season” on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

Pumpkin Farm – Charles Town, WV
Through the month of October you can stop by to pick your pumpkin, go for a hay ride, or take a chance navigating the straw maze. For more info call 304-725-6026.

Town & Country Nursery – Kearneysville, WV
Come out from mid-September to October to catch a tractor ride out to the corn and hay mazes. Make sure to grab a pumpkin for the fall season before you head home. You can find more info on their Facebook page or Town & Country Nursery or call 304-725-1252.

NEW RIVER-GREENBRIER VALLEY
Byrnside Branch Farms – Union, WV
You and your family can take a hay ride or a horse-drawn wagon ride to the pumpkin patch to pick out your pumpkins for the fall season. Afterward you can check out the hay and corn mazes and even kick back and enjoy a camp fire. This site opens September 20th.

Morgan Orchard – Union, WV
Find not only the perfect pumpkins, but luscious apples, peaches and more in the heart of Monroe County. You can go out to the orchard to pick your produce, or simply walk in and buy at the farm store. While you’re there make sure to have a nice warm cup of apple cider.

Okes Family Farm – Cool Ridge, WV
Take a free hayride to the four-acre field and pick out your own pumpkins and gourds for the fall season. The big field opens September 21st and that will be your best chance to get the biggest pumpkins. While you’re there check out the corn maze and other weekend activities like face painting and pumpkin carving and painting.

HATFIELD-MCCOY MOUNTAINS
None known.  Know of a pumpkin patch in this area you’d like to feature?  Comment or send me an email and I will add it to the list!