Best Family-Owned Farms and Orchards Near the Twin Cities for Fall 2026
Fall is one of the best times of year to get out and explore the Twin Cities area.
Within an hour or so of Minneapolis and St. Paul, you can find family-owned apple orchards, pumpkin patches, hayrides, corn mazes, cider, bakery treats, farm animals, and everything else that makes a Minnesota fall weekend feel like fall.
Some farms have grown into full-day destinations with dozens of activities. Others are intentionally simpler — pick apples, grab a caramel apple, take a hayride, and enjoy being outsideIf you are looking for a good fall outing in 2026, these are some of the family-owned farms and orchards around the Twin Cities that are worth putting on your list.
Degler Farm | Chanhassen
Degler Farm in Chanhassen is a smaller local fall destination with a more traditional farm feel than some of the larger attraction-style operations around the Twin Cities.
Seasonal activities have included a handmade corn maze, giant slide, pumpkins, and other simple fall activities in a setting that feels more like a working family farm than a large amusement-style event.
It is a particularly convenient option for people in the southwest metro who want a fall outing without driving very far from Minneapolis, Edina, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, or Chanhassen.
Good for: a smaller family-farm experience, corn maze, pumpkins, and a convenient southwest-metro outing.
Aamodt's Apple Farm | Stillwater
Aamodt's Apple Farm has been part of the Stillwater area for generations and is one of the classic Twin Cities apple-orchard experiences.
The farm is located at 6428 Manning Avenue N in Stillwater and is open seven days a week through late fall. Admission and parking are free, with pick-your-own apples available when the crop allows.
Weekend wagon rides run during September and October, and the farm also has cider, bakery items, food, and other seasonal activities.
Aamodt's is a good choice if you want a traditional orchard experience without necessarily committing to a large admission-based attraction.
Good for: apple picking, wagon rides, cider, a classic orchard atmosphere, and a relatively easy Stillwater day trip.
Brand Farms | Farmington
Brand Farms is a family-owned farm south of the Twin Cities that turns into a larger fall destination on weekends.
For 2026, its open-air farm market runs from September 4 through November 22, while U-pick apples, hayrides, and fall activities are scheduled Saturdays and Sundays from September 5 through November 1.
The activities are extensive and include:
- U-pick apples
- Pumpkin picking
- Hayrides
- Giant bounce pads
- Straw mountain
- Corn play areas
- Apple cannons
- Farm hoppers
- Food trucks
- Seasonal photo areas
If you want one place where you can spend several hours and keep everyone busy, Brand Farms is one of the stronger options.
Good for: lots of activities, apple and pumpkin picking, and a longer fall outing.
Pleasant Valley Orchard | Shafer
Pleasant Valley Orchard is a family-owned orchard overlooking the St. Croix Valley near Taylors Falls.
The owners describe it as a lower-key orchard without a lot of bells and whistles, and that is part of its appeal.
The regular 2026 fall season begins Labor Day weekend, with apples, pumpkins, bakery items, caramel apples, cider, and scenic views. Pick-your-own apples are offered on weekends when available.
If you prefer an orchard where the focus is still primarily on apples, food, and being outside rather than amusement-style attractions, Pleasant Valley is worth the drive.
Good for: a quieter orchard experience, scenic St. Croix Valley views, apples, pumpkins, cider, and bakery treats.
Waldoch Farm | Lino Lakes
Waldoch Farm is one of the easiest larger fall attractions to reach from Minneapolis and St. Paul, located about 20 minutes north of the cities in Lino Lakes.
Its Joyer Adventure Farm offers a long list of activities, and the pumpkin patch and corn maze open for the 2026 fall season on September 19.
Fall activities include:
- Pick-your-own pumpkin patch
- Hay wagon rides
- Corn maze
- Apple blasters
- Grain train
- Barnyard activities
- Seasonal play areas
- Fall photo opportunities
Waldoch also schedules flashlight nights in the corn maze during October, which makes it a good option if you want something a little different from the standard daytime farm visit.
Good for: pumpkin picking, corn maze, lots of activities, and families looking for a full fall-event experience.
Ferguson's Minnesota Harvest | Jordan
Ferguson's Minnesota Harvest in Jordan is another larger fall destination that combines apple picking with a wide range of activities.
You can expect apple orchards, pumpkins, wagon rides, play areas, food, and seasonal attractions.
This is a better fit if you want the farm experience to be the main event for the day rather than simply stopping by to pick a bag of apples.
Good for: apple picking, pumpkins, a large activity lineup, and a full-day fall outing southwest of the Twin Cities.
Axdahl's Garden Farm & Greenhouse | Stillwater Area
Axdahl's is another Stillwater-area farm worth considering for a fall outing.
The farm is known for pumpkins, seasonal produce, fall decor, a corn maze, and farm activities in a setting that still feels like a working local farm.
It can be a good alternative if you are heading toward Stillwater but want something a little different from the larger apple-orchard destinations.
Good for: pumpkins, corn maze, fall decor, and a manageable local farm outing.
Dehn's Pumpkins | Dayton
For people on the northwest side of the metro, Dehn's Pumpkins in Dayton is a good pumpkin-focused option.
The emphasis is more on classic fall farm activities than apple picking, with pumpkins, a corn maze, hayrides, and seasonal play areas.
It is especially convenient if you live in or are coming from Plymouth, Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, or the northwest suburbs.
Good for: pumpkins, corn maze, hayrides, and a northwest-metro fall outing.
Which Twin Cities Fall Farm Is Best for You?
It really depends on the experience you want.
If you want a larger destination with plenty to do, I would start with Brand Farms, Waldoch Farm, or Ferguson's Minnesota Harvest.
If you want something that feels more like a traditional orchard, Aamodt's and Pleasant Valley are especially appealing.
If pumpkins and a corn maze are the priority, Waldoch, Dehn's, and Axdahl's are all worth considering.
When Is the Best Time to Visit?
September and October are obviously the heart of fall-farm season, but timing can change the experience quite a bit.
Early September is generally better for some apple varieties and lighter crowds. Late September through the first half of October tends to bring the biggest combination of apples, pumpkins, fall color, and activities — but it can also be the busiest time.
If you can go on a weekday, many farms are noticeably quieter than on a sunny October Saturday.
Apple and pumpkin availability depends on weather and crop conditions, so it is always worth checking the farm's current website or social media before driving out.
Fall Around the Twin Cities
One of the things I like about living in the Twin Cities is how quickly you can get from the city into completely different surroundings.
You can spend the morning in Minneapolis and be walking through an orchard, pumpkin field, or St. Croix Valley farm less than an hour later.
That access to parks, trails, lakes, farms, and small towns is part of what makes living throughout Minneapolis and the surrounding suburbs so interesting.
If you are exploring where to live around the metro, browse our Twin Cities community guides to learn more about Minneapolis neighborhoods and surrounding suburban areas.
Thinking About a Move Around the Twin Cities?
Whether you are considering Minneapolis, the first-ring suburbs, the western suburbs, the St. Croix Valley, or somewhere farther outside the city, real estate here is highly local.
If you have questions about a neighborhood or community you are considering, Schedule a Consultation. We are always happy to help you compare locations, housing styles, commute considerations, and what everyday life actually looks like in different parts of the Twin Cities.
Posted by Mike Seebinger on
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