A large, established operation offering an 11-acre corn maze, haunted house, and hayrides included in admission—good value for a full afternoon, but located 20 miles west of Grand Forks and likely requires the drive.
Adults $15, children under 3 free
Rough cost for a family of four: about $60.00 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.
Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch is a large, established operation west of Grand Forks, built around an 11-acre corn maze. One admission price ($15 per person, age 3+) covers pumpkin picking, both a corn and straw maze, petting zoo, hayrides, trike track, corn cannon, and the Gruesome Granary Haunted House. For a family of four, 60 dollars of admission goes a long way toward a full afternoon.
The corn maze is the centerpiece. Eleven acres is genuinely large—expect 45 minutes to an hour for most adults and older kids to navigate. The straw maze offers a shorter option for younger children. Hayrides move people through the property and provide a viewing experience without the physical demand of the maze. The trike track and corn cannon appeal to the 4–8 age range and can occupy restless kids while the maze explorers are occupied.
The Gruesome Granary is included in admission but branded with a “Gruesome” theme. The research notes describe it as family-friendly, but use your judgment on your child’s comfort with mild spookiness. For reference, it is included in admission, so the only cost is emotional, not financial.
Nelson’s location—20 miles west of Grand Forks—makes it the closest full-service pumpkin patch for anyone in that region. If you are north or west of the Grand Forks metro, the drive is probably shorter than heading south to Fargo. Weekday evenings (3–7pm) after school are calm and give you two hours if you are efficient. Saturday mornings (11am start) are the longest and most relaxed window, though crowds pick up through the day.
The season runs through October 27, which means late October dates end near dusk. A 6pm closing on October 20–27 is finished by dark, which matters if you planned to linger. Bring a flashlight if you visit late month, or plan to leave early enough to avoid the end-of-day rush.
September is mild; October cools significantly, and the open farmland offers wind exposure. Layers and closed shoes are essentials. Farm roads can be muddy after rain in October, so assume field parking and potentially soft ground.
September 5–October 27, 2026. Weekdays 3–7pm or weekends 11am–6pm. Saturday mornings offer the longest uninterrupted window; weekday visits after school are calm. Extended hours October 22–23 (Teachers Convention) 11am–7pm may present a quieter option if your school follows that calendar.
Three to four hours minimum. An 11-acre maze, petting zoo, haunted house, hayrides, and trike track justify a full afternoon. Morning arrival on a Saturday is ideal; weekday evening visits are rushed if you finish by 7pm.
Located west of Grand Forks, on a working farm. Weekend mornings fill; weekday evenings (3–7pm) are calm. Mid-to-late October is peak, especially weekends. The farm draws traffic from Grand Forks proper, roughly 20 miles east.
Not specified. Assume field parking; farm roads can be muddy in wet October weather.
The 11-acre maze and hayrides require mobility; the trike track suits younger kids with leg power. Call 701-610-9564 to discuss any specific accessibility needs.
Grand Forks is 20 miles east. The University of North Dakota campus and nearby museums make a full-day road trip; consider a farm morning and downtown afternoon, or vice versa.
Admission includes pumpkin patch access, the Gruesome Granary Haunted House, hayrides, all activities (corn maze, straw maze, petting zoo, trike track, corn cannon), and entry to the 11-acre corn maze. Pumpkins are additional.
September 5–October 27, 2026. Weekdays 3–7pm, Weekends 11am–6pm. October 22–23 (Teachers Convention) has extended hours 11am–7pm.
There is no specific age minimum listed, but the 11-acre maze is designed for ages 4 and up. Younger children can enjoy the petting zoo and trike track while older siblings navigate the maze.
Hayrides are family-friendly and suitable for all ages. The Gruesome Granary Haunted House is billed as family-friendly but has a slightly spooky theme; use your judgment on your child's comfort level with mild scares.
September 5 – October 27, 2026. Weekdays 3-7 PM, Weekends 11 AM - 6 PM. Hours: Weekdays 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Weekends 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Extended hours Oct 22-23 (Teachers Convention) 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM.
Admission starts at $15 per person. Adults $15, children under 3 free
2448 20th Avenue NE, Emerado, ND 58228, in Grand Forks County. It is one of 10 patches we track in North Dakota.
We track 10 patches in North Dakota, 1 of which are free to walk into. At $15 a head this one sits right on the regional median of $15.
Its season runs about 53 days against a regional average of 43, so it is a notably longer window than most of its neighbours, which takes the pressure off picking a weekend.
What sets it apart locally: it has an after-dark attraction, which most North Dakota patches on our list do not.
nelsonspumpkinpatch.com
Checked August 2026.