Published On: 10.12.20 | 

By: Donna Cope

10 Must-visit Sweet Grown Alabama farms for fall fun

Penton

For a bounty of family fun, visit Penton's Farms in Verbena and other Sweet Grown Alabama farms, which offer a huge variety of activities in October. Penton Farms has added several facilities that heighten the experience for families. The fall season is ripe for pumpkin picking, apple picking, hay rides and more at numerous farms across the state. (Penton Farms / Alabama NewsCenter)

School field trips are rare during the pandemic but visiting an Alabama agritourism farm provides ample ways to enjoy a crisp, fall day with your family.

Here are some Alabama farms that allow you and your youngsters to enjoy open-air, socially distanced activities. Kids of all ages will enjoy picking pumpkins, apples and sunflowers. Many farms offer animal encounters, playgrounds, hayrides and corn mazes. Grab your mask and hand sanitizer, then get out and enjoy a Sweet Grown Alabama farm during the lovely fall season.

Bennett Farms –1073 County Road 13, Heflin 36264

Bennett Farms in Heflin is a perfect spot to enjoy fall fun with your family. Pick a pumpkin or two and enjoy activities such as the hayride, duck race, farm animals, corn cribs, pipe slides, wagon train, hay maze and more. Enjoy live music each Saturday. Bennett Farms is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. during October on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Visit on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Plan your visit.

Cost: $10 for admission and activities; pumpkins are additional.

Cornutt Farms – 616 Whitsville Dr., Boaz 35957

Make plans to visit Cornutt Farms LLC in Boaz this fall. In addition to picking sunflowers or pumpkins, you can enjoy the farm’s hayride, petting zoo, playground and more fall fun activities. Cornutt Farms is open on Saturdays in October from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Social distancing and hand-sanitation stations are available to help everyone enjoy a safe outdoor adventure. Click for details.

Cost: $8 admission includes activities and one pumpkin.

Hidden Rivers Farm – 298 Goose Pond Road, Hartselle 35640

Visit Hidden Rivers Farm in Hartselle for a brand-new fall farm experience the entire family will love. Take the kids and enjoy a day of corn mazes, animal encounters, pumpkins, games and more. Mom and Dad can enjoy the tailgate tent for a look at the day’s football games while children explore the farm. Visit through Nov. 1 on Fridays, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Click for more information.

Cost: $8 admission. Animal feedings, pony rides and pumpkins are additional.

McGee Farm – 8211 County Road 7, Florence 35633

Pumpkins, mums and safe family fun await at McGee Farm in Florence. Play on the jumping pillow, pick pumpkins right from the patch and enjoy other activities through Oct. 31. Visit weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Plan your visit, learn more about admission and check out the farm’s COVID adaptations here.

Cost: $3.25 admission, $3.25 for the jumping pillow and pumpkins start at $3.

Scott’s Orchard – 2163 Scott Road, Hazel Green 35750

Grab your mask and your crew for an apple picking adventure at Scott’s Orchard in Hazel Green. Try the apple cider, caramel and candied apples, dried apples, apple slushies and apple ice cream. Select from more than a dozen varieties of apples during pick-your-own on Thursday, Friday and Saturday in October. Reserve your time.

Cost: $3 for advanced online reservations; $5 pay-at-gate admission; $5 for half a peck of apples and $8 for a peck.

 

Backyard Orchards – 6585 Highway 431 North, Eufaula 36027

Enjoy a fall day at Backyard Orchards in Eufaula. Pick the perfect pumpkin, enjoy the obstacle course, corn bin, cotton seed wagon and more. Wear your mask and enjoy safe family fun on Friday to Sunday throughout October. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Click for more.

Cost: $13 for child’s all-access activity pass and pumpkin, with no admission for adults. The charge to explore the corn maze and buy a pumpkin is $3 to $30. The children’s play pass, which excludes the corn maze, is $5. Corn maze admission is $3.

Griffin Farms Pumpkin Patch – 826 Griffin Road, West Blocton 35184

Just a 30-minute drive from Tuscaloosa and less than an hour from Birmingham, Griffin Farms Pumpkin Patch in West Blocton offers a full day of farm fun. Pick a perfect pumpkin, play with farm animals, enjoy the thrill of the zipline, get lost in the corn maze and more. During October, Griffin Farms is open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Click to plan your trip.

Cost: $10 admission includes activities and one pumpkin; $3 for additional pumpkin tickets.

Penton Farms – 3595 County Road 57, Verbena 36091

Penton Farms is calling you for a fall adventure. Children and adults can enjoy more than 15 activities, including human hamster wheels, super slides, the animal barn, wagon rides, corn mazes, the cow train, a hay mountain, an 8-ton corn pit and more. Penton Farms is open through Oct. on weekdays from noon to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Click to plan your visit.

Cost: $10 admission includes most activities and one pumpkin; the cow train is additional.

Southern Pumpkin Co. – 233 County Road 133, Autaugaville 36003

Located outside Prattville, Southern Pumpkin Co. is central Alabama’s newest u-pick pumpkin patch. Take a hayride around the farm and test your wits in the 10-acre corn maze. Pick a pumpkin or three, and then relax in the shade of the old orchard. Southern Pumpkin Co. is open through Nov. 1 on Fridays from noon to 6 p.m.; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. Like Southern Pumpkin Co. on Facebook for details.

Cost: $6 covers pumpkin patch admission; pay $6 for an all-access pass that includes the corn maze, bouncy house and petting zoo.

In south Alabama,

Aplin Farms – 327 West County Road, Slocomb 36375

Located between Slocomb and Dothan, Aplin Farms is a fun fall trip the entire family will love. Enjoy pumpkins, sunflowers and activities such as wagon rides, a corn maze, duck races, pumpkin bowling, animal encounters and more. Aplin Farms is open through Nov. 1 on Tuesdays through Fridays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Like Aplin Farms on Facebook for more information.

Cost: $6 admission includes the wagon ride, animal barn and play area; $12 admission covers all activities. Pumpkins are sold separately.

For updates about Alabama agritourism and to find locally grown products near you, visit SweetGrownAlabama.org.