Day Trip from Fargo: Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch

Photo Credit: Ashlee Cournia


Are you looking for a fun day trip only an hour and a half outside of Fargo? Would your children love picking pumpkins, jumping on a giant pumpkin bouncy house, and eating cinnamon sugar donuts?

If so, then Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch is the place for you to visit this fall!

Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch

Location: 2448 20th Ave NE, Emerado, ND 

Open Dates: September 6th – October 26th, 2025

Hours: Monday – Friday from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Distance from Fargo: 1.5 hours

Located in Emerado, ND near Grand Forks, Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch has spooky, fun activities for all ages.

What to do at Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch

For the littles, a grain bin full of corn and tractor toys is sure to keep them entertained. Walk just outside to spend some time riding around on little toy cars or visiting the petting zoo.

nelson's pumpkin patch
Photo Credit: Ashlee Cournia

nelson's pumpkin patch
Photo Credit: Ashlee Cournia

nelson's pumpkin patch
Photo Credit: Ashlee Cournia

nelson's pumpkin patch
Photo Credit: Ashlee Cournia

nelson's pumpkin patch
Photo Credit: Ashlee Cournia

nelson's pumpkin patch
Photo Credit: Ashlee Cournia

Next, you can walk through the Three Little Racing Pigs Storybook Straw Maze, while reading a fun twist on the classic story of The Three Little Pigs.

Then, grab a wagon and head over to the pumpkin patch, where you can pick your own pumpkin right from the vine! Choosing your best pumpkin for carving or decorating will be easy, because there are many pumpkins to pick from. Once you choose your pumpkins, you can walk a short distance to the “Spookley’s Maze” and an 11-Acre Corn Maze! Be sure to take a map and mark what you see along the way.  

After spending some time on your feet, you might be a little hungry. Your little ones can take a break with mini donuts and a variety of other snacks and drinks, while the adults can wander over to the Grain Bin Bar for a selection of alcohol. 

Once you have had a chance to get your fill, you can take a horse drawn wagon ride through the woods to find the character hay bales. Littles can also walk through Spookely’s not so scary forest, while the older kids can brave the Gruesome Granary!

nelson's pumpkin patch
Photo Credit: Ashlee Cournia

nelson's pumpkin patch
Photo Credit: Ashlee Cournia

 

Still looking for things to do, wander over to the bee train to take a ride through the patch. Make sure to make a stop at the pumpkin blaster station on your way. As you head out of the patch, stop at the Jack O’ Lantern Bounce House, challenge your family to a bean bag race or prepare to bump, roll, and bounce with the human bumper balls to burn off any extra energy you have left.  

Why we love Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch

Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch has a large variety of activities. With things that will appeal to all ages, including adults.

They’re open on weekdays, not just weekends.

And it’s nice that they have snacks and drinks onsite, and even a bar!

Good to Know about Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch

Kids under 3 receive free admission into the Patch.

Open on weekdays and weekends. Admission fee for weekdays is $15.00 per person and weekday hours are 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Please note: the Pumpkin Blaster and Corn Cannon are not offered on the weekdays and the week of October 23 – 27th, they will be closing at 6:00 p.m.

Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch weekend hours are 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Admission fee for weekend is $15.00 per person. And this rate does not include the Corn Cannon or the Pumpkin Blaster. The fee includes Patch admission, one ticket to the Gruesome Granary Haunted House, hayrides, all patch activities, and admittance to the small and large corn maze.

Note that entry to the Eleven Acre Corn Maze will not be allowed after 5:45 p.m. each day, unless your group has made special arrangements.

Looking for more outdoor fun this fall? Check out our post on Corn Mazes in Fargo, Moorhead & Beyond!

MORE FALL FUN

Previous articleApple Orchards in Fargo & Beyond
Next articleExplore with Kids: Lil’ Bitz Pumpkin Patch
Ashlee Cournia
Ashlee lives in Horace with her husband, Jay, and their four kids—twins Hannah and Leo, plus Olivia and Kyle. Raised on a farm in south central North Dakota, she grew up with plenty of chores, lots of fresh air, and a deep appreciation for hard work, family, and faith. She’s been teaching English since 2014, most recently at Kindred High School, later added adjunct professor at the University of Mary to her resume, and somehow still squeezes in part-time work at Scheels (coffee required). When she’s not lesson planning or grading papers, Ashlee loves baking up something sweet, decorating her home, or packing everyone into the car for their next family adventure. Summers off with her kids are her absolute favorite, and she’ll never say no to a shopping trip or an excuse to enjoy just one more cup of coffee.

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