Hotshot Farms

Our take

Hotshot Farms is a small-scale, women-owned operation in Millington that emphasizes petting animals and pony rides over the massive maze-and-ride infrastructure of larger regional farms. That focus is either a perfect match or a mismatch, depending on what you want.

The farm runs from late September through November 30—one of the longer seasons in the Memphis region—which suggests both a working farm and a deliberate commitment to fall activity. The core activities are straightforward: a pumpkin patch, a petting farm, pony rides, caramel apples, and games. It’s a smaller roster than a festival operation, which means less time commitment and (usually) smaller crowds.

The missing information: Admission pricing and 2026 hours are not yet published. That’s normal for early August, but it means you cannot yet confirm whether the farm is open on your target date or what it costs. Call 901-671-5796 or check their website to lock in details. This is especially important if you’re planning an early-September visit—small farms sometimes delay opening if weather is warm or harvest timing is late.

Animal interactions: The petting farm is the centerpiece. For toddlers and young kids, a chance to handle animals is often the entire point of a fall visit. Pony rides are the add-on that makes it memorable. Neither activity is typically long—pony rides run 10–15 minutes, petting animals maybe 20–30 minutes total—but the intimacy and personal attention of a small farm can outweigh the time investment.

Scale advantage: This is not a mega-operation with concessions, a gift shop, and a bounce house. That means you’re paying for core activities without subsidizing infrastructure you won’t use. It also means parking is simpler, wait times are shorter, and the experience is more personal. Downside: if you’re hoping to occupy kids for five or six hours, a two-to-three-hour visit may not be enough.

Cost structure unknown: The activities listed—caramel apples, games, pony rides—often come in different pricing flavors: some included in admission, some as add-ons, some at market prices. Until 2026 details are published, you cannot calculate a realistic budget. This is your call-ahead question.

Women-owned story: Hotshot Farms is certified as a women-owned small business. That’s a genuine thing if it matters to your family’s spending priorities; it also sometimes indicates a more personalized, attentive operation than a corporate farm chain.

Season timing: The farm runs September 25 through November 30, giving you a solid two-month window. September is hot in Memphis, but early September weekdays (if the farm opens by then) offer the quietest experience. Mid-to-late October brings the most comfortable weather for spending time outside with animals. November is cool and tourist-thin, though pumpkin selection narrows as the season closes.

The farm also operates a Christmas tree operation in winter, which suggests seasonal versatility and that the land is actually being worked year-round. That’s a positive signal for a real agricultural operation, not just a seasonal pop-up.