​Pumpkin Picking in the Shenandoah Valley

Pumpkin Picking

As the season of fall gets underway, apples give way to pumpkins as the seasonal produce of the moment. October is pumpkin month! Pumpkin patches, pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice, and jack-o-lanterns are all fall staples that aren’t going anywhere. If you haven’t had a close encounter with a pumpkin yet this fall, now’s the time! Read on for a run-down of pumpkin patches in the Front Royal area, as well as some carving and eating tips.
​

Pumpkin Patches for Fall Fun around Front Royal

​A visit to a pumpkin patch in the Shenandoah Valley will be a memory you’ll cherish for years to come. The Front Royal area’s pumpkin farms combine scenic beauty, fun activities, and pumpkins that taste as good as they look. You can pick them right where they grew! Plan your visit during the month of October, as most pumpkin patches close after Halloween.

Pumpkin Patches in the Shenandoah Valley

Hartland Orchard pumpkin patch is the closest to the town of Front Royal. It’s conveniently located just one exit down on I-66. Here, you’ll also find delicious pumpkin pies in the store.
 
If you’re up for a longer drive to a truly rustic pumpkin patch, head down US-340 to Valley Star Farm in Luray. About a thirty minute trip from Front Royal, Valley Star Farm is located in the valley between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Massanutten mountain range. You’ll enjoy great views of both. In addition to its pumpkins, the farm usually has a range of fun attractions, including a corn maze and a duck race. (Due to COVID, Valley Star’s 2020 season is pumpkins only. Extra attractions are closed.)

Pumpkin Patch

Heading in the opposite direction, you’ll find several options for pumpkins and fun. Wayside Farm Fun, Hill High Farm, and Great Country Farms are all in the Winchester/Berryville area. These family-friendly options include various side attractions, such as corn mazes, hayrides, and pumpkin guns. Be sure to check ahead when planning your trip, though. Due to COVID, advance tickets are required on certain days at both Wayside Farm and Great Country Farms.
 

---

Pumpkin Carving and Eating Tips

​When you get your pumpkin home, you have three options: set it out as a decoration, carve it, or eat it (we won’t include letting it rot on the counter because you’re indecisive…). Pumpkins are a simple and tasteful fall decoration. Simply setting one out on your porch can give your home seasonal appeal.

Halloween Pumpkins

For more involved decorations, carved pumpkins are an obvious choice. Carving pumpkins is a favorite fall activity for both kids and adult. Designs range from simple smiley faces to highly complicated works of art. Don’t throw the seeds away when you scoop them out! Save them and roast them for a snack that’s both delicious and nutritious.

​Finally, pumpkin-flavored baked goods are a delicious way to enjoy fall. In addition to its delicious taste, pumpkin also adds a nutritional boost to your home baking projects. Don’t forget, it’s a vegetable! Pumpkin pie is a fall classic. For breakfast or brunch, try some chocolate chip pumpkin pancakes. Or for a naturally sweetened, gluten free, healthy snack, check out these pumpkin chocolate bars.

Baking with Pumpkin

​The Shenandoah Valley is a great fall destination. Don’t forget to include some pumpkin-picking as you’re planning your fall in the Front Royal area.