Bergen County's no-frills pumpkin stop with a gift shop and hayrides, best if you're already nearby or visiting for the maze.
Ward’s Pumpkin Patch is a neighborhood fixture that has served Bergen County since 1940, focusing on the essentials: fresh pumpkins, seasonal decor, a gift shop, and a handful of fall activities. It’s neither a sprawling festival nor a destination farm; it’s a place you visit because it’s nearby or because you want the simplicity of a pick-your-own without elaborate infrastructure.
The farm charges no admission, which removes the financial pressure to stay for hours. You pay only for what you pick or buy—pumpkins, gourds, seasonal decorations, and items in the gift shop. That model works well if you want to spend 90 minutes, grab a pumpkin, and leave without committing to a full entertainment outing. For a family of four, a single visit costs what you decide to take home, not what the gate demands.
The farm operates daily from mid-September through the end of October. Your typical Saturday will be crowded; the parking area and paths will have lines. Weekday afternoons, especially in late September, are markedly quieter—the fields feel more spacious, and you have better pick of pumpkins. If you’re flexible, a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon will feel less hectic.
The property includes a corn maze, face painting, a petting zoo, and weekend hayrides, though the farm’s website does not publish separate pricing for these activities or confirm whether they run daily. This is the most important gap to close before you go: call (201) 523-0918 to ask what’s included in your visit and what costs extra. Ask specifically about hayride timing and whether they run on the day you plan to visit.
The field parking is typical for the region: unpaved. If there’s been rain in the preceding days, expect mud. Wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty, and bring hand wipes or gloves for the picking itself.
If you have a toddler who gets overwhelmed in crowds or needs to leave quickly, a weekday visit is worthwhile. If everyone in your group wants to do hayrides, face painting, and the maze, call first to confirm which run that day and back-to-back timing.
If your goal is one pumpkin and a gift-shop browse, any open day works. If you’re looking for a full-day, activity-packed festival experience, this farm is probably not the right fit; you’d want Alstede Farms (Chester) or Conklin Farm (Montville) for more elaborate programming.
The farm opens September 25 and closes October 31. That’s a five-week window, compressed into weekends and weekday afternoons. October is the busiest month—especially the second and third weekends, when holiday plans drive higher traffic. Early-to-mid September is quieter because school is in session and Halloween still feels distant. If you’re not tied to weekends, that’s when the farm is most relaxed.
Late September or early October on a weekday afternoon; parking and paths are easier than weekends.
1.5 to 2 hours
Busy on October weekends, especially mid-month; early September or weekday visits are notably quieter.
On-site; field parking typical for the region—unpaved, muddy if there's recent rain.
Call ahead at (201) 523-0918 to confirm accessibility of paths and parking lot.
You need a full activity menu or don't want to pay separately for each activity.
Located on Route 17 in Ridgewood in Bergen County, less than 30 minutes from Demarest Farm (Hillsdale) for a two-farm weekend.
The farm does not charge admission. You pay only for pumpkins and items you pick or purchase at the gift shop.
The record lists a corn maze, gourds, gift shop, face painting, petting zoo, and weekend hayrides. Specific pricing for each activity was not published as of our last check.
October 31, 2026. The farm operates daily from 10am until 7pm or dark, whichever comes first.
No confirmation available; call (201) 523-0918 to ask about stroller access and whether you can bring your own wagon.
September 25 – October 31, 2026. Daily 10am-7pm (or till dark). Hours: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM.
Admission pricing was not published when we last checked.
552 Route 17 North, Ridgewood, NJ 07450, in Bergen County. It is one of 5 patches we track in North Jersey.
We track 5 patches in North Jersey. The farm has not published a gate price, so it cannot be compared on cost — call before you budget.
Its season runs about 37 days against a regional average of 52, so it is a shorter window than most of its neighbours — miss it and the nearest alternatives will still be open.
There is 1 other patch we track in Bergen County. All North Jersey patches →
Map pin is set to the town centre. Navigate to the street address above, not the pin.
wardspumpkinpatch.wordpress.com · pumpkinpatchesandmore.org
Checked August 2026.