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Brookfield Pumpkins

📍 8302 Ramsburg Road, Thurmont, MD 21788🗓 Season dates not yet published for 2026🏷 Free admission

Free admission, 40 pumpkin varieties across 13 acres, and included free hayrides make this a rare low-cost option; no named attractions beyond hayride and maze, so it's best for pumpkin-focused families, not all-day festivals.

Brookfield Pumpkins in Thurmont, MD

What you get for the price

Included with admission

PumpkinsGourdsHay RidesCorn MazeFarm MarketPumpkin Varieties

No admission fee

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.

Our take

The Free-Admission Model

Free admission is increasingly rare in fall pumpkin patches, especially near major markets. Brookfield’s free-entry model means families can browse, choose, and commit to a purchase without gate-price pressure. For budget-conscious families or those uncertain about spending, this removes friction.

You pay for pumpkins, but nothing else stands between you and the field. No admission tax on the experience.

Pumpkin Variety

40 different cultivars across 13 acres is substantial diversity—carving pumpkins, pie pumpkins, mini pumpkins, gourds, and decorative shapes. The sheer breadth means most visitors will find what they’re after.

Hayrides and the Maze

Free hayrides to the patch are included, eliminating a long field walk for families with small children or mobility concerns. The corn maze is part of the experience, though the record does not specify maze size or complexity.

For a farm this size (13 acres), the maze is likely 2-4 acres—moderate complexity, 30-60 minutes to solve depending on family skill and fun-taking.

Weekday Advantage

Monday-Thursday 3pm-6pm is a genuine golden hour. After-school timing, minimal crowds, and still daylight (though fall daylight ends around 6pm). If you can arrange a mid-week visit, this farm is ideal.

Weekends fill up—light on weekend mornings, heavier by midday.

The Dog Policy Change

As of 2026, dogs are no longer allowed on the property. This is a dealbreaker for some families; note it before planning.

Timing and Darkness

Fall in Western Maryland means darkness by 6-6:30pm in mid-October. If you visit the 3pm-6pm weekday slot, plan to maze before 5:30pm. If it’s important to avoid darkness (especially for young kids), come earlier or pick a weekend morning.

Pumpkin Pricing

The record does not specify whether pumpkins are priced per-pound, per-pumpkin, or a flat fee. Call the farm or check brookfieldpumpkins.com to confirm pricing before arrival. This is essential budget information.

Best For

Free admission, no-frills families who want 40 pumpkin varieties, no maze frustration, and minimal distractions. If you want food, shopping, premium activities, or all-day entertainment, this is too minimal. If you want pumpkins and a simple afternoon, this is ideal.

Planning your visit

Best time to go

Weekdays 3pm-6pm for lighter crowds and after-school hours; weekends 10am-6pm anytime. Columbus Day (October 12) and FCPS day-off (October 26) have 10am-6pm hours.

How long to budget

1.5-2.5 hours including hayride, maze, and pumpkin selection.

Crowds

Light on weekday afternoons, moderate on weekend mornings, heavy on Saturday-Sunday midday.

Parking

Likely unpaved farm lot; muddy in rain.

Strollers and accessibility

Hayrides and maze mentioned but mobility details not specified. Call if accessibility is essential.

What to bring

  • Flashlight or headlamp for late-afternoon/evening maze (fall gets dark by 6pm)
  • Closed-toe shoes for field and maze walking
  • Layers (Western Maryland temperatures drop fast at dusk)

How to spend less here

  • Free admission
  • Free hayrides
  • Monday-Thursday 3pm-6pm visit avoids weekend crowds

Who it suits

Good for

  • Budget-conscious families (free admission)
  • 40-variety pumpkin seekers
  • After-school activities
  • Families with rigid schedules (clear weekday hours)

Skip it if

You want attractions beyond maze and hayride, or you need food/shopping; this farm is pumpkins and gourds, minimal commercial add-ons. Also skip if you want dogs on-site; the farm no longer allows dogs as of 2026.

Common questions

Is there an admission fee?

No; admission is free. You pay only for pumpkins you select.

How much does a pumpkin cost?

The record does not specify pumpkin pricing. Call the farm or check brookfieldpumpkins.com.

Are hayrides included?

Yes; free hayrides to the patch are included with your visit.

Can I bring my dog?

No; as of 2026, Brookfield Pumpkins no longer allows dogs on-site.

When is Brookfield Pumpkins open in 2026?

2026 dates had not been published when we last checked. Check with the farm before driving out.

How much does Brookfield Pumpkins cost?

Admission is free. No admission fee

Where is Brookfield Pumpkins?

8302 Ramsburg Road, Thurmont, MD 21788, in Frederick County. It is one of 6 patches we track in Western Maryland.

How Brookfield Pumpkins compares in Western Maryland

We track 6 patches in Western Maryland, 1 of which are free to walk into. 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 a market, bakery or taproom, which most Western Maryland patches on our list do not.

One caveat worth repeating: this farm had not published its 2026 dates when we last checked, while 1 of the 6 patches we track in Western Maryland had. Treat any date you see elsewhere as last year's until the farm confirms it.

Other patches near Thurmont

There are 4 other patches we track in Frederick County. All Western Maryland patches →

Quick facts

SeasonSeason dates not yet published for 2026
Days openNot published
HoursMonday-Thursday 3pm-6pm, Friday-Sunday 10am-6pm; October 12 (Columbus Day) and October 26 (FCPS day off) 10am-6pm
AdmissionFree
CountyFrederick County
RegionWestern Maryland

Sources

brookfieldpumpkins.com

Checked August 2026.