Pumpkins, Apples, & Autumn Fun: Your Family Guide to Fall Adventures
Fall is almost here! As the Carolina heat finally begins to give us a little break, it’s time for pumpkin patches, apple picking, corn mazes, hayrides, cider, and all the seasonal fun that makes fall one of our favorite times of year.
We’re rounding up some of the best family-friendly farms and fall destinations within an easy drive of Moore County. As always, check directly with each farm before heading out as hours, activities, ticket prices, and crop availability can change based on weather and field conditions.
Millstone Creek Orchards
Location: 506 Parks Crossroads Church Rd, Ramseur, NC
Millstone Creek Orchards is a family-friendly U-pick orchard offering seasonal fruit, flowers, and fall experiences. September is apple-picking season, while October brings pumpkins and gourds. The orchard also offers hayrides, apple cider, seasonal treats, and other family-friendly activities.
For pumpkins and gourds, the farm says the only way to pick them is through its Pumpkins, Petals & Pasture Pals Adventure, which also includes access to fall sunflower picking. Reservations are required and the farm says reservations will go live in September.
The orchard also offers fall group tours that include an orchard discussion, apple tasting, cider pressing demonstration and sample, hayride, apples or a small pumpkin depending on the month, and an apple cider slushie.
Apple picking: Saturdays, Sundays, & Labor Day Monday in September, reservations required, $19.95/person (Kids 2 & Under: Free)
Pumpkins, Petals & Pasture Pals Adventure reservations: Every Saturday & Sunday in October, $18.95/person, Reservations required (Kids 2 & Under: Free)
Cost: Based on U-pick experience ($.75/pound for pumpkins and $1.75/lb for gourds)
Good to know: Apple picking is currently listed as weekends only, with limited availability and advance online reservations recommended. Pumpkin and gourd picking also requires advance reservations.
Quick Links: Millstone Creek Orchards & U-Pick Information & Rules
Gross Farms
Location: 1606 Pickett Road, Sanford, NC 27332
Gross Farms is a seventh-generation North Carolina Century Farm and a classic fall destination for families. The farm's 2026 season includes a 10-acre corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayride, and additional family activities.
Hours:
September 26 – November 1, 2026
Fridays in October: 4–8 PM
Saturdays: 11 AM–8 PM
Sundays: 11 AM–5 PM
Pumpkin Patch ONLY in October: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–6 PM
All other activities are closed on weekdays except Friday evenings in October.
Cost:
All Access Pass: $22/person, ages 3+
Pumpkin Patch Pass: $5/person, ages 3+
All Access Season Pass: $45
Children 2 and under are free with a paid adult
Pumpkins are sold separately by the pound.
Good to know: Tickets can be purchased online or on-site. On-site tickets are available up to one hour before closing.
Quick Links: Gross Farms Website, Purchase Tickets, Corn Maze Information
White Hills Farm
Location: 5020 S Plank Rd, Cameron, NC 28326
What makes it special/activities: White Hill Farms is a year-round family farm and certified roadside farm market offering seasonal produce, pumpkins, local beef, country ham, honey, ice cream, canned goods, and other local products. The farm grows pumpkins as part of its seasonal produce offerings.
When: Fall 2026 activities and dates - TBD
Hours: Saturdays 8-3:30pm, Sundays 1-4:30pm
Cost: 2 and under are free; all other kids $14; parents $9
Activities: Pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayride, play area, and other fall activities from previous years will return.
Good to know: The farm's market is open year-round and carries a variety of seasonal produce and locally sourced products.
Quick Links: White Hill Farms Website & White Hill Farms Contact Information
Kalawi Farm
Location: 1515 NC-211, Eagle Springs, NC 27242
What makes it special/activities: Kalawi Farm is a longtime Sandhills favorite known for its peaches, seasonal produce, and Ben's Homemade Ice Cream. The farm has traditionally offered a larger fall experience with a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayride, inflatables, slides, barrel train, and other children's activities.
Details:
Grand Opening is September 26, Fall Festivities through November 1, 2026
Friday–Sunday, 10 AM–7 PM
$15 Kids (Ages 3-17)
$8 Adults
2 And Under Free
Activities: Corn maze, jump pillow, play area, super slide, hayrides to pumpkin patch, corn jump, toddler play area.
Special fall option: Sandhills Trolley is offering Pumpkin Patch Express trips to Kalawi Farm on October 11 and October 18, 2026. The $38/person (2 and under free) experience includes transportation from Pinehurst, a hayride, small pumpkin, corn maze, children's play areas, barrel train, and trolley favors.
Quick Links: Kalawi Farm & Ben's Ice Cream Facebook & Sandhills Trolley
Phillips Farm
Location: 6800 Good Hope Church Rd, Cary, NC
Phillips Farms offers a large Family Fun Park with a corn maze, sunflower field, XL corn box, pedal cart track, sports zone, combine slide, touch-a-tractor, bounce pillows, Toddler Town, lawn games, swings, roller racers, cow train, grain train, wagon ride, mega slide, petting zoo, and more.
The farm's 2026 fall calendar currently includes several special weekends:
Fall Grand Reopening: September 19–20
Grandparents Weekend: September 26–27
All Apple Everything Weekend & Oak & Ember Family Fun Day: October 3–4
Sunflower Festival: October 10–11
Pumpkinfest!: October 17–18
Touch A Truck: October 24–25
Fall Farewell: October 31
Glow in the Park (18+): October 31
When: September 19–October 31, 2026, with special events throughout the season as listed above.
Hours vary by day, so be sure to check the farm’s 2026 calendar before visiting. Typical hours include:
Thursday: 4PM-8PM
Friday: 3PM-6PM
Saturday: 10AM-6PM
Sunday: 1PM-6PM
Cost: The farm's current website lists $22/person, ages 2+ for in-season Family Fun Park admission. This includes access to the park's rides and activities, with certain pay-to-play activities such as the apple cannon and gemstone mining available for an additional fee. Confirm 2026 admission pricing.
Good to know: The farm says it is generally open rain or shine unless weather conditions make it unsafe. Pets are not allowed in the Family Fun Park except certified service animals.
Quick Links: Phillips Farms of Cary, 2026 Fall Calendar, & Family Fun Park Information
Naylor Family Farm and Corn Maze
Location: 6016 US-401, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
Naylor Family Farm is a full-day fall destination with more than 20 attractions included with admission. The Farm Pass includes a hayride to the pumpkin patch, one pumpkin per paid pass, corn maze, animal encounters, petting zoos, corn cribs, barrel trains, giant tube slides, Toddler Town, Jump Barn, Tire Mountain, swings, a 120-foot pirate ship, retired Bell helicopter, Duck Race Challenge, and more.
New for Fall 2026:
Cotton Picker Slide Adventure
New shows and exhibitions at Robert's Barnyard Theatre (specific show dates and times TBD)
Various food trucks throughout the fall season
Opening: September 19 – November 1, 2026
Hours: Naylor's current 2026 hours page specifically says dates and hours are still TBD.
Cost: $24/person, ages 3+; Children 2 and under are free with a paying adult. Each paid Farm Pass includes one pumpkin.
Additional activities:
Animal feed: $1/bag
Super Mega Slide: $3 for one ride or $5 for two
Gem mining paydirt bag: $7
Apple cannon: $2/shot or $12/bucket
Good to know: Naylor offers a military discount with military ID and group discounts for groups of 20 or more.
Quick Links: Naylor Family Farm, 2026 Fall Information, 2026 Admission Information
Best Kids Fall Activities in the Triangle: Farms, Festivals, and Fun Events
Fall is full of family fun around the Triangle if you’re willing to make the drive! 🍂 From festive Trunk-or-Treats and seasonal celebrations to pumpkin patches and classic autumn outings, there’s no shortage of kid-friendly adventures to enjoy.
Amy Hartle over at Raleigh Family Adventure has rounded up the very best local events and activities to help you make the most of the season.
Quick links (from 2025):
Top Raleigh Fall Activities: Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes, and Fall Farms to Visit
Fall Events in the Triangle: Fall Festivals + Seasonal Fun – 2025
