For farmsList your patch

Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard

📍 19475 225th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503🗓 Season dates not yet published for 2026🏷 Pricing TBD

Established 10-acre operation with a rare combo: pumpkins plus hayrack rides, apple picking, and on-site wine—good for adults and older kids.

Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard in Council Bluffs, IA

What you get for the price

Included with admission

pumpkin patchhayrack ridesapple pickingwinespecialty food

Pumpkins priced by size, not weight

Our take

The appeal of a hybrid operation

Ditmars is part pumpkin patch, part orchard, part vineyard. That combination is rare enough to be worth the trip if you enjoy picking your own apples and want to include a wine element. The 10-acre pumpkin patch is large enough to sustain an hour or two of picking; hayrack rides add a familiar farm-experience element.

The farm has been operating since 1994, which means the orchard is mature and the operation is established. A quick Yelp check shows 75 photos and 35 reviews—indicating steady weekend traffic and a social-media-active crowd. If you like seeing what other visitors have posted before you arrive, the review photos are helpful.

Cost structure: size-based pumpkin pricing

One key detail: pumpkins are priced by size, not by weight or per-pumpkin flat rate. This changes the budget math. A small pumpkin (8–10 inches) will cost less than a large one (18–24 inches), but you don’t get a fixed-price anchor until you ask the farm.

For a family of four planning a budget: arrive with a rough number in mind (e.g., “we want three medium pumpkins”) and call ahead to ask what three medium sizes typically run in 2026. That beats guessing.

Hayrack rides, apple picking, and wine

Hayrack rides are listed but specific pricing (included in entry, additional fee, or separate activity fee) was not published in available sources. Apple picking is available—the farm’s 2,200 apple trees across 20+ varieties promise good inventory—but specific picking-fee or per-pound pricing is not documented. Wine is produced on-site; tasting pricing and selection are not detailed.

Practical issues with 2026 access

The Yelp listing is current (June 2026), but specific 2026 opening dates, hours, and admission pricing have not been published in our sources. The Loess Hills region near Council Bluffs is rural, and exact street access (the record lists 19475 225th St) should be confirmed via GPS or a call before you drive out.

Western Iowa weather in September and October is pleasant most years—cool mornings, mild afternoons—but can turn fast. The farm is built on farm ground; after heavy rain, field parking can become muddy. Call before visiting if the forecast looks wet.

Who this is for

Couples and multigenerational groups will get the most value here. The wine element, apple picking, and pumpkins combine into a 2–4 hour outing. Families with young toddlers (under 4) will find the hayrack rides appealing but may find a full afternoon tiring. Families with older kids (5+) who like field activities will fit the audience well.

Before you go

Call (712) 256-7053 or check ditmarsorchard.com to confirm:

  • 2026 opening and closing dates
  • Weekday versus weekend hours
  • Whether admission is free or ticketed
  • Current pumpkin pricing scale (size examples)
  • Hayrack ride pricing and schedule
  • Apple-picking fee or policy
  • Wine-tasting pricing and selection

Planning your visit

Best time to go

Late September through mid-October, weekends; October weather is more predictable than early-September.

How long to budget

2–4 hours if you include hayrack ride, picking, and wine tasting.

Crowds

Expect busy weekends given the 75 Yelp reviews and 10-acre draw; weekdays are quieter if schedule permits.

Parking

Farm lot; assume unpaved. Call to confirm muddy-weather access.

Strollers and accessibility

Not confirmed; hayrack rides and self-guided access both available—call ahead to discuss options.

What to bring

  • Layers (mornings cool; afternoon sun warms up)
  • Closed-toe shoes for field walking
  • Small bag for apple picking
  • Hat

How to spend less here

  • Skip the hayrack ride if your group is mobile (self-guided pumpkin patch access included)
  • Figure pumpkin cost on size, not weight—bring a scale or ask farm staff for typical size-to-price examples

Who it suits

Good for

  • Couples and adults
  • Multigenerational groups
  • Wine enthusiasts
  • Families with kids 5+

Skip it if

You want guaranteed flat-rate pricing; pumpkins are priced by size, and 2026 rates were not published when we checked.

Worth pairing with

Council Bluffs is across the Missouri River from Omaha; consider pairing with an Omaha afternoon or dinner.

Common questions

Do I have to ride the hayrack or can I walk the pumpkin patch?

Both options available. Hayrack ride is included or separate pricing—call ditmarsorchard.com or (712) 256-7053 to confirm 2026 rates.

Can you pick your own apples?

Yes. The farm has apple-picking available; trees are specific varieties not listed in available sources, so ask when you call.

How much does the wine tasting cost?

On-site wine is available. Specific 2026 pricing and tasting fees not published in our sources. Call directly.

How far out of Council Bluffs is it?

The address is 19475 225th St; the farm is in the Loess Hills near Council Bluffs. It's a rural location—GPS and call ahead to confirm access.

When is Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard open in 2026?

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

How much does Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard cost?

Admission pricing was not published when we last checked. Pumpkins priced by size, not weight

Where is Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard?

19475 225th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, in Pottawattamie County. It is one of 5 patches we track in Western Iowa.

How Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard compares in Western Iowa

We track 5 patches in Western Iowa, 1 of which are free to walk into. The farm has not published a gate price, so it cannot be compared on cost — call before you budget.

One caveat worth repeating: this farm had not published its 2026 dates when we last checked, while 0 of the 5 patches we track in Western Iowa had. Treat any date you see elsewhere as last year's until the farm confirms it.

Other patches near Council Bluffs

There is 1 other patch we track in Pottawattamie County. All Western Iowa patches →

Quick facts

SeasonSeason dates not yet published for 2026
Days openNot published
HoursNot published
AdmissionNot published
CountyPottawattamie County
RegionWestern Iowa

Directions

Open in Google Maps ↗

Map pin is set to the town centre. Navigate to the street address above, not the pin.

Sources

ditmarsorchard.com

Checked August 2026.