7 scenic pumpkin patches in the U.S. with views so good they’re worth a fall road trip

At Maris Farms, the often snow-capped summit of Mount Rainier can be seen beyond the pumpkin patch. (Courtesy of Maris Farms. )Fall is a great time to visit a local farm. The air is cooler, the leaves are beginning to change and all conversations seem to turn to apples, squash and, of course, pumpkins. For many of us, there's a pumpkin patch within an easy drive — throw in a hayride and hot apple cider, and it's a wonderful way to enjoy time outside during the fall season.

Many farms are charming and scenic, offering a mix of fields, orchards and nearby forests full of changing leaves. And a few have an extra cherry on top. Think: a pumpkin patch on a hillside overlooking the ocean, for example, or one framed by mountains.

From the slopes of Haleakalā in Hawaiʻi to a Vermont farm near the Green Mountains, these pumpkin patches all offer incredible settings for a fall outing.

Bob's Vegetable Stand & Pumpkin Farm sits along Highway 1, with a pumpkin patch across the Pacific.

Pumpkins here grow up with good views near Half Moon Bay, a community about 30 miles south of San Francisco that hosts an annual Art & Pumpkin Festival each October. Drive south on Highway 1, and the city gives way to coastal hills and views of the Pacific.

Bob's Vegetable Stand & Pumpkin Farm sits along this stretch of highway, with large fields overlooking the ocean, so you can pick your pumpkins with a view. Don't miss the Cowell-Purisima Trail across the street, which follows the coastal bluffs. If walking isn't in the plans, don't worry. A scenic drive on Highway 1 is always a solid choice. Continue south to explore the beaches around Pescadero, or head back toward Half Moon Bay for seafood and a stroll along the waterfront at Pillar Point Harbor.

The Hood River Valley stretches south from the Columbia River toward Mount Hood, with orchards covering the rolling terrain at the foothills of Oregon's highest mountain.

Here, Mt. View Orchards comprises roughly 50 acres of fruit trees and a seasonal pumpkin patch beneath the snowy upper slopes of Mount Hood. Visitors can pick pumpkins while apples and pears are also coming into season.

The orchard is just one stop along the Hood River Fruit Loop, a 35-mile route connecting farms, fruit stands, wineries, cideries and other small producers. Follow it to see the scenery evolve from orchards to the Columbia River Gorge.

The transition from Colorado's plains to the Rocky Mountains happens abruptly along the Front Range, where peaks rise west of the grasslands and the communities between Denver and Boulder.

Rock Creek Farm sits in that transition zone, giving its pumpkin fields a broad western horizon and enviable mountain views.

The farm's location between Denver and Boulder makes it easy to fit into a larger trip. Boulder's restaurants and Pearl Street are a short drive away, as are the hiking trails around the Flatirons and the breweries and restaurants of downtown Louisville, a smaller Front Range community just a few miles from the farm.

Mount Rainier can be seen in the distance, behind the pumpkin fields at Maris Farms.

Maris Farms began as a small 2-acre pumpkin patch in the late 1990s, and it's since become a major fall destination. At its main Buckley location, which opened in 2000, visitors can check out a pumpkin patch and a corn maze. But the biggest draw? The often snow-capped summit of Mount Rainier just beyond the pumpkin fields.

After your visit to Maris, check road and entrance conditions, and consider heading to Mount Rainier National Park. Or, drop by the town of Enumclaw for restaurants and breweries.

Underhill sits to the west of Mount Mansfield, where farms and small communities occupy the valleys below Vermont's highest mountain. By October, hardwood forests covering the surrounding Green Mountains are typically transitioning from green to yellow, orange and red. Chamberlin's Farm is a working family farm here with pumpkins growing in open fields below the mountains.

Nearby Underhill State Park provides access to hiking trails climbing toward the summit ridge, while back roads connect a string of small towns and farms across northern Vermont. Loop around the mountain toward Stowe, or continue west to Burlington and Lake Champlain.

Virginia's Shenandoah Valley stretches for roughly 140 miles between the Blue Ridge and the Allegheny Mountains. Fairview Fun Farm makes the most of its location here with a pumpkin patch backed by mountain views. Visitors can borrow wagons and shears to cut pumpkins from the vine as the surrounding forests change color.

The farm is an easy add to a full fall weekend. Nearby Thornton Gap is home to one of the entrances to Shenandoah National Park, where Skyline Drive follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains past overlooks and trailheads. And Luray Caverns offers a completely different look at the region — that is, what's underground.

Scenic view from Kula Farms in Maui, which has pumpkins available throughout October.

On the slopes of Haleakalā, farms grow everything from onions and leafy greens to strawberries and lavender. And each October, pumpkins join the mix at Kula Country Farms. The farm sits on a hillside high above central Maui, giving its pumpkin patch an unusual sense of scale.

Kula is also a good base for exploring Upcountry Maui. Aliʻi Kula Lavender and several small farms are nearby, and travelers can continue onward to Haleakalā National Park. Allow plenty of time to explore this side of Maui.