Season runs Sep 10–Thanksgiving with petting zoo and picnic areas; affordable option for families wanting pumpkins and farm interaction without heavy drive.
A Family Market Place is not a festival-focused pumpkin destination but a full-season farm marketplace that happens to operate a pumpkin patch Sep 10–Thanksgiving. The operation runs year-round, serving as a local farm store; pumpkin season is a key window but not the defining event.
This positioning usually means reasonable pricing, stable inventory, and a more utilitarian atmosphere than elaborate festival patches.
Opening Sep 10 is earlier than many Iowa patches, giving a longer seasonal runway. Staying open through Thanksgiving (late Nov) means you can visit late-season if October demand is too high.
Early-September visits (Sep 10–25) offer abundant pumpkin inventory but can be warm—Iowa afternoons still hit 70s. Later October (after Oct 20) offers better weather but tighter pumpkin selection as inventory sells down.
The petting zoo is a core feature for families with toddlers and young kids who enjoy direct farm-animal interaction. Specific animals are not detailed (goats, sheep, pigs, chickens are typical), but calling ahead reveals the current menagerie.
On-site picnic areas suggest you can bring your own food, reducing per-person food costs compared to patches with on-site food vendors. This is a practical cost-saver for larger families.
Apr–Oct 31: Mon–Fri 9am–7pm, Sat–Sun 10am–7pm Nov–Mar: Mon–Fri 9am–12pm, Sat 10am–1pm
During pumpkin season (Sep 10–Oct 31), the expanded hours are convenient. But if you visit in late October or November (it’s open through Thanksgiving), be aware that weekday hours are severely compressed (closes at 12pm Monday–Friday by early November).
Late-October and November visits on weekday afternoons will not be possible; plan for weekend-only access after Oct 31.
Waterloo is in Black Hawk County, northeastern Iowa, roughly 60 minutes northeast of Des Moines and 40 minutes east of Cedar Rapids. The farm is outside downtown Waterloo on East Shaulis Road, a working farm location.
If you’re in the Waterloo area, the farm is accessible. If you’re driving specifically for the patch from Des Moines or Cedar Rapids, factor in the drive time (1–1.5 hours each way).
Specific 2026 admission and pumpkin pricing are not published. A farm marketplace (as opposed to a festival operation) typically prices more conservatively than ticketed festival operations. Without a posted rate, the safest planning move is to call (319) 961-6099 before your visit to confirm the current admission cost and pumpkin pricing. Ask also whether the petting zoo is included in admission or costs separately.
Families with toddlers (petting zoo and short, low-pressure visit) are an ideal fit. Budget-conscious shoppers appreciate no presumed festival pricing. Locals in the Waterloo area can efficiently add a pumpkin stop to weekend shopping.
Visitors specifically seeking festival experiences with entertainment and extensive activities should look elsewhere. This is a straightforward farm operation with pumpkins and a petting zoo, not a ticketed event.
September weather in Waterloo can still be warm (70s); dress in layers. October is ideal (cool mornings, mild afternoons). Late November (near Thanksgiving) runs risk of frost or early snow, though pumpkins store well in cold and won’t spoil.
Picnic areas suggest you can stay and enjoy food on-site; this is uncommon at commercial pumpkin patches and adds value.
Call (319) 961-6099 or check their BBB/Farm Trails profiles to confirm:
Late September or early October for best pumpkin selection; mid-October for stable weather.
1.5–2 hours
Family marketplace operation suggests steady local traffic; weekends busier than weekdays.
Farm lot; assume unpaved, typical for Iowa farm operations.
Petting zoo present. Contact (319) 961-6099 to discuss specific accessibility needs.
You need specific 2026 pricing or admission details; not published yet.
Opens Sep 10 and stays open through Thanksgiving (late Nov). Hours vary by season: Apr-Oct 31 Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat-Sun 10am-7pm; Nov-Mar Mon-Fri 9am-12pm, Sat 10am-1pm.
Yes, petting zoo and children's activities listed. Specific animals not detailed. Call (319) 961-6099 to ask what animals are available.
Picnic areas on-site, suggesting you can bring your own food. Call to confirm whether food vendors operate on-site during pumpkin season.
Located on East Shaulis Road, Waterloo (Black Hawk County). Plan 10–15 min from downtown Waterloo.
2026 dates had not been published when we last checked. In past seasons it has run: Pumpkin Patch Sep 10-Thanksgiving. Check with the farm before driving out.
Admission pricing was not published when we last checked.
3142 East Shaulis Road, Waterloo, IA 50702, in Black Hawk County. It is one of 3 patches we track in Eastern Iowa.
We track 3 patches in Eastern Iowa. The farm has not published a gate price, so it cannot be compared on cost — call before you budget.
What sets it apart locally: it has farm animals, which most Eastern Iowa patches on our list do not.
One caveat worth repeating: this farm had not published its 2026 dates when we last checked, while 0 of the 3 patches we track in Eastern Iowa had. Treat any date you see elsewhere as last year's until the farm confirms it.
Checked August 2026.