The Waukee Brief
Fall in central Iowa means loading up the car for a corn maze, a wagon ride, and a pumpkin the size of a beach ball. Here are the patches and orchards worth the short drive from Waukee, what each one is known for, and when to go so you are not stuck in the October crowds.
The closest full-size fall farm to Waukee is Wills Family Orchard in Adel, about 15 to 20 minutes west in Dallas County, with u-pick apples and pumpkins, a corn maze, and hayrides. For more options, Howell's Pumpkin Patch and Wilson's Orchard & Farm in Cumming are about 20 minutes south, and Center Grove Orchard in Cambridge is the big one, about 40 minutes northeast. Peak season runs late September through October.
Wills Family Orchard is the closest full-day fall farm to Waukee, about 15 to 20 minutes west in Adel, right in Dallas County. It has acres of u-pick and pre-picked apples and pumpkins, a corn maze, hayrides on an antique tractor, barnyard animals, a nature-based play area, plus an on-farm store, bakery, and lunch menu. It's a make-a-day-of-it place, and in-season it's typically open weekends. 33130 Panther Creek Rd, Adel.
Howell's Pumpkin Patch (Cumming, about 20 minutes south) is a metro classic: a pumpkin cannon, a corn maze, a cow slide, tractor rides, and a big greenhouse. 3145 Howell Court, Cumming.
Wilson's Orchard & Farm (Cumming, about 20 to 25 minutes south) is a large farm for picking apples, pumpkins, and berries, with a Ciderhouse restaurant serving wood-fired pizza and cider donuts. 3201 15th Ave, Cumming.
Center Grove Orchard (Cambridge, about 40 minutes northeast) is the big one: a 25-acre pumpkin patch, an apple orchard, a corn maze, jumping pillows, and food stands known for cider donuts. It's a longer drive but a full day out. 32835 610th Ave, Cambridge.
Apples ripen from late August through October; pumpkins and the big activity season peak from late September through the end of October. Weekends in October are the busiest, so a weekday visit means shorter lines. Most of the larger farms charge admission for the activity areas and often sell tickets cheaper online. Hours and prices change every year, so check each farm's website before you drive. Dress for mud and bring cash for the food stands.
Yes, you do not always have to leave town: the Waukee Farmers Market stocks local pumpkins and gourds as the season turns, and grocery and hardware stores around Waukee set up pumpkin displays in October. For a full fall weekend, pair a patch with a walk on the Raccoon River Valley Trail or a stop at Centennial Park. And once the kids outgrow the patch, the metro's haunted houses are the teen version of fall.
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Wills Family Orchard in Adel, about 15 to 20 minutes west of Waukee in Dallas County, is the closest full-size pumpkin patch and apple orchard, with u-pick apples and pumpkins, a corn maze, hayrides, a bakery, and a nature-based play area.
Wills Family Orchard in Adel and Wilson's Orchard & Farm in Cumming both offer apple picking, and Center Grove Orchard in Cambridge has a large orchard as well. Apples generally ripen from late August through October.
Late September through the end of October is peak, with October weekends busiest. Apples start earlier, in late August. Weekdays are less crowded.
Wills Family Orchard in Adel is the closest Dallas County fall farm to Waukee, about 15 to 20 minutes west. Howell's and Wilson's in Cumming and Center Grove Orchard in Cambridge sit in neighboring counties but are all an easy drive from Waukee.