Pumpkin Patches Near Grand Junction: Studt Farms, Moon Farm and Palisade Apples
Grand Junction has two real pumpkin patches, and they could not be more different. Here is how Studt Farms and Moon Farm compare for 2026, plus where to pick apples in Palisade.
Grand Junction has two real pumpkin patches: Studt Farms, a big corn maze and activity farm on 21 1/2 Road open October 1 to 31, 2026, and Moon Farm in Fruita, a small family farm with hayrides and a haunted house, open every day from September 26 to October 31 for an $8 suggested donation. Pick Studt Farms for a full day out and Moon Farm for a cheap, easy afternoon with little kids.
Both are on the west side of the valley, so you can easily do one in the morning and grab lunch in Fruita. Here is how they compare, what each one is like, and where to go if you would rather pick apples than pumpkins.
Grand Junction pumpkin patches compared
| Studt Farms | Moon Farm | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | 21 1/2 Road and I 1/2 Road, Grand Junction | 1360 18 1/2 Road, Fruita |
| 2026 season | October 1 to 31 | September 26 to October 31 |
| Hours | Tue to Thu 12 to 7, Fri 12 to 9, Sat 10 to 9, Sun 10 to 8, closed Mondays | Every day, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Admission | $22 standard, $32 unlimited (weekends); 2 and under free | $8 suggested donation per person |
| Corn maze | Yes, several | Straw maze |
| Best for | A full day, older kids, groups | Toddlers, short visits, tight budgets |
| Pumpkins | Extra cost | Sold separately |
Studt Farms: the corn maze and a full day of farm fun
Studt Farms is the one most locals mean when they say "the pumpkin patch." It is a multi-generation family farm north of Highway 6 and 50, on 21 1/2 Road at the corner of I 1/2 Road, about 15 minutes west of downtown. The 2026 season runs October 1 to 31.
Admission covers the corn mazes, petting zoo, bird aviary, pumpkin jumps, hay mountain slides, the animal barrel train, pedal cars, an obstacle course and fire pits where you can bring your own s'mores. On weekends the farm adds horse-drawn hayrides, pig races, corn cannons and a concession stand that opens Fridays at 2 p.m.
Tickets: Weekend tickets (Friday from 4 p.m. through Sunday) are $22 per person for the standard ticket or $32 for unlimited, which adds unlimited GellyBall and mechanical bull rides. Kids 2 and under get in free. Pony rides, face painting, gem mining, bull riding and the pumpkins themselves are extra. Weekday tickets do not include every activity, so go Friday evening or Saturday if you want the whole list. Buy tickets and check the calendar on the Studt Farms tickets page.
Good to know: Studt Farms has a strict no pets policy, and it is closed Mondays. Saturday afternoons are the busiest time. A Tuesday or Wednesday after school is much quieter if you mostly want the maze and the patch.
Moon Farm in Fruita: small, quirky and cheap
Moon Farm has been a Grand Valley fall tradition for decades. It sits at 1360 18 1/2 Road in Fruita, about 20 minutes from downtown Grand Junction, and it is open every day from September 26 to October 31, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission is an $8 suggested donation per person, with pumpkins sold separately. For that you get a pumpkin patch, hayrides, a petting zoo and a farm packed with odd collections and displays, from dinosaurs to antiques. In October it adds a haunted house and a straw maze, which older kids tend to love and toddlers can skip.
It is a better fit than Studt Farms if your kids are small, you only have an hour or two, or you are feeding a big family on a budget. Check the Moon Farm website or call (970) 812-6703 before you go, especially on rainy or windy days.
Picking apples in Palisade instead
If your crew would rather pick fruit than pumpkins, drive 20 minutes east to Palisade. Peachfork Orchards and Vineyard lists fall apple picking with Jonathan, Gala, Fuji and Pink Lady varieties, open Wednesday to Monday from noon to 6 p.m. U-pick availability changes by the week as the harvest moves along, so call ahead.
Pair it with a stop at a tasting room on the way back. Our Grand Junction wine country guide covers the Palisade wineries and the Fruit and Wine Byway loop.
Tips for a better pumpkin patch day
- Dress for two seasons. October afternoons in the valley can hit the 70s, then drop fast once the sun goes behind the Monument. Check the Grand Junction weather page before you leave.
- Bring cash and a wagon. Pumpkins get heavy, and small add-ons are quicker with cash.
- Go early in the month. The best pumpkins go first, and the last two weekends before Halloween are the most crowded.
- Wear closed shoes. Corn mazes and patches are dusty or muddy depending on the week.
Make a fall weekend of it
October is one of the best months to be here. Our guide to the best time to visit Grand Junction explains why, and the Grand Junction events calendar lists the fall festivals and concerts. For more ideas beyond the farms, see our things to do in Grand Junction guide, pick up a ready-made plan from our sample itineraries, or compare where to base yourself in Grand Junction vs Fruita. Visit Grand Junction also keeps a list of fall activities that is worth a look.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best pumpkin patch in Grand Junction?
For a full day of activities, Studt Farms is the pick: corn mazes, hayrides, pig races and a big play area. For a cheaper, quirkier visit with younger kids, Moon Farm in Fruita is hard to beat at an $8 suggested donation.
When are Grand Junction pumpkin patches open in 2026?
Studt Farms is open October 1 to 31, 2026, closed Mondays. Moon Farm is open every day from September 26 to October 31, 2026, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
How much does Studt Farms cost?
Weekend admission (Friday from 4 p.m. through Sunday) is $22 per person for the standard ticket or $32 for the unlimited ticket. Children 2 and under are free. Pumpkins, pony rides, bull riding and a few other extras cost more.
Is there a corn maze in Grand Junction?
Yes. Studt Farms on 21 1/2 Road runs the corn mazes in the Grand Valley, and they are included in admission.
Can I bring my dog to a pumpkin patch in Grand Junction?
Not to Studt Farms, which has a strict no pets policy. Call Moon Farm before bringing a dog, since it has a petting zoo and farm animals on site.
Where can I pick apples near Grand Junction in the fall?
Head to Palisade, about 20 minutes east. Peachfork Orchards and Vineyard lists Jonathan, Gala, Fuji and Pink Lady apples for fall picking. Call ahead, because U-pick availability changes week to week.