A free-entry, pay-as-you-go farm with 15+ pumpkin varieties, U-pick vegetables, and family-friendly activities—ideal for budget planning and controlling costs, but opening date is not confirmed.
Pumpkin picking $0.50+, hayrides $2 person, corn maze $5 person or $20 family of 5+, photography sessions $50 donation
Rough cost for a family of four: about $2.00 in admission alone at the posted starting rate, before pumpkins, food, parking or any add-on listed above. Most families end up well north of that once they are through the gate.
Free to walk in. Your spend here is whatever you choose — pumpkins, food, and any paid activities. That makes it a low-risk stop if you are not sure how long the kids will last.
The Bartels Farm operates on a fundamentally different economic model than most pumpkin-patch destinations: free admission, pay-as-you-go for every activity and product. This low-barrier-to-entry approach changes the decision calculus, especially for families testing whether a pumpkin patch visit fits their budget or for casual browser-shoppers who want a quick walk without committing to bundled admission.
Free admission means walking the farm to look around costs nothing. Picking a single small pumpkin (say, 5 pounds at $0.50 per pound) runs $2.50. Adding a hayride for two people adds $4. Skipping the corn maze saves $5–$20. A family of four picking pumpkins and doing a hayride can spend under $20 total—genuinely low cost. Conversely, if you’re interested in everything (pumpkins, vegetables, hayrides, maze, petting zoo, photography), you’ll build a more substantial bill. The key advantage of this model is that you control what you spend rather than paying a flat admission regardless of whether you enjoy the experience.
For budget-conscious households or families uncertain whether a pumpkin patch will hold their kids’ interest, this is a low-risk entry point.
Bartels Farm is not just a pumpkin patch; it’s a produce farm that happens to offer pumpkin picking in fall. Peppers, corn, and green beans are available for U-pick alongside the pumpkins. This expands the value proposition: you can leave with a pumpkin and a basket of fresh vegetables, adding functional value to a fall outing. U-pick vegetable experiences are less common than pumpkin picking and appeal to families genuinely interested in connecting with farming practices or sourcing their own food.
Specific varieties and availability fluctuate with the growing season. Calling ahead to ask what’s currently harvestable helps with planning—if you’re specifically seeking sweet corn, you need to know whether it’s available in late September or if you should wait until early October.
Hayrides at $2 per person are genuinely affordable. Corn maze at $5 per person ($20 family rate for 5+) is mid-range pricing. The math for a family of four: $2 × 2 (kids) + $5 × 2 (kids, since adults often tag along free on kids’ hayrides) = $14 for both activities. Petting zoo is free, playground is free. Photography sessions operate on a “by donation” model, which is unusually flexible for a farm operation and suggests a different approach to revenue.
This activity-by-activity model appeals to families who want to customize their experience without overpaying for activities they don’t want.
Bartels is northeast of Fort Collins proper, near a soccer complex, positioned for regional families and school groups. Fort Collins has a strong local farm-culture identity and an active school-trip market, so the farm’s accommodation of field trips and birthday parties aligns with local demand. If you’re already in or visiting Fort Collins, a Bartels Farm stop is a natural add-on; if you’re traveling from Denver, it’s more of a dedicated destination trip.
The farm’s 2026 opening date is not published. The record shows “operating through Oct 31, 2026” with the note “No specific 2026 opening date posted; contact for confirmation.” This means you cannot plan a September visit without calling (970) 493-3853 or checking thebartelspumpkinpatch.com. The farm may open as early as late August (some Colorado farms start in August for early-season seekers) or wait until late September. Confirmation is non-negotiable before a visit.
Pumpkin picking at $0.50 per pound means a 10-pound pumpkin runs $5. That’s reasonable for a carving pumpkin, but if you’re hoping for a massive show-pumpkin, the per-pound cost rises quickly. The record notes “free kids playground and petting zoo,” which means young children can burn energy without additional charge while you’re picking vegetables or adults finish their activity of choice.
The farm is northeast of Fort Collins proper, making it accessible but not downtown-adjacent. Building a full-day trip (farm visit + Fort Collins Old Town breweries, shops, restaurants) is feasible if you’re already in the area.
Weekdays in September (for confirmation of opening date and best control over crowds) or early October, when weather is mild and you can pick at your own pace without weekend pressure.
2–3 hours for pumpkin and vegetable picking plus optional activities; plan longer if combining multiple activities (hayrides, maze, petting zoo).
Lighter on weekdays; busy on weekends, especially mid-October through Halloween. Weekday visits mean fewer lines and easier pumpkin-picking access.
On-site farm parking; unpaved surface—mud boots recommended after rain or morning damp.
Not specified in available sources; contact (970) 493-3853 for accessibility details and accommodations.
Bartels Farm is northeast of Fort Collins proper, near a soccer complex, about 10 minutes from downtown Fort Collins. Easy to combine with a visit to downtown Fort Collins attractions (Old Town district, breweries, shops) if building a full day around the area.
Correct—free admission to the farm. You pay only for pumpkins you pick ($0.50 per pound or per-pumpkin rate), vegetables you harvest, hayrides ($2 per person), corn maze ($5 per person or $20 for family of 5+), petting zoo (free), or photography sessions (by donation).
Vegetables available include peppers, corn, and green beans. Specific varieties and availability depend on the growing season and harvest timing. Call (970) 493-3853 or check thebartelspumpkinpatch.com closer to your visit date to see what's currently in stock.
Hayrides cost $2 per person—one of the lowest hayride prices in Colorado. The corn maze is separate ($5 per person, or $20 family rate for groups of 5+).
Yes—the farm accommodates birthday parties and school field trips. Contact (970) 493-3853 or email pumpkinpatchparties@gmail.com for booking and group rates.
2026 dates had not been published when we last checked. In past seasons it has run: Daily. Check with the farm before driving out.
Admission is free. Pumpkin picking $0.50+, hayrides $2 person, corn maze $5 person or $20 family of 5+, photography sessions $50 donation
3424 E Douglas Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80524, in Larimer County. It is one of 8 patches we track in Front Range.
We track 8 patches in Front Range, 1 of which are free to walk into. At $0.5 a head this one sits below the regional median of $27.95, undercutting 1 of the 1 paid patches we track here. Entry here costs nothing, which puts it in the minority even in a region with several free options.
What sets it apart locally: it has u-pick fields, which most Front Range patches on our list do not.
One caveat worth repeating: this farm had not published its 2026 dates when we last checked, while 2 of the 8 patches we track in Front Range had. Treat any date you see elsewhere as last year's until the farm confirms it.
thebartelspumpkinpatch.com · gmail.com
Checked August 2026.