Marana Pumpkin Patch and Farm Festival 2021

Come celebrate the best pumpkin patch in Southern Arizona. The Post Farms’ Marana Pumpkin Patch and Farm Festival is now 10 years old and moving to a new location.

Curious what it’s like to visit the Marana Pumpkin Patch? You’re in luck, we’ve gone almost every year since it’s opened and think it’s the perfect local event for whole family during the Halloween season in Tucson.

New at the Marana Pumpkin Patch in 2021

This is a big year for the Marana Pumpkin Patch, they’ve moved to a new, much bigger location. Luckily it really isn’t much further if you are taking the 1-10 to get there, just take Pinal Airpark Exit and head west.

With the much larger location you will find lots of space and the attractions are much more spread out. While it does require more walking, the potential for crowding is less. Don’t worry most of your favorite attractions are open at the new location with the addition of a few more.

Notable improvements for me include real bathrooms (vs. just port-a-potties) are now available near the new food barn. The food barn is much larger, with more seating and large fans blowing to help keep it cooler. Plus paved sidewalks throughout the facility to improve accessibility for parents with strollers or wagons.

Why should you visit the Marana Pumpkin Patch?

Visiting the Marana Pumpkin Patch is the perfect way to celebrate fall in Tucson. It’s the very best family friendly venue in Southern Arizona for fall festivities, pumpkins, and fun activities.

Marana Pumpkin Patch Attractions

The Marana Pumpkin Patch features a corn maze with varying levels, tractor rides to their 50 acres of pumpkin fields to pick your own perfect pumpkin, farm animals, food and lots of fun rides for kids of all ages. All of the attractions below are included in the price of admission at the Marana Pumpkin Patch:

Unique Corn Mazes

There are three levels of corn mazes. The Little Pumpkins Route is short and easy with an estimated time of 10-30 minutes to complete. The Intermediate Adventurer maze is moderately difficult with an estimated time of 30-60 minutes to complete. The Advanced Explorers maze is long and challenging and will likely require more than 1 hour to complete.

We don’t usually spend a lot of time in the corn maze. There is just so many more things to do and there isn’t enough time to do it all. Plus Corn mazes aren’t fun when its blazing hot either, so keep the weather in mind before entering one and make sure you have water with you.

Wagon Ride to Pumpkin Patch

The wagon ride to the pumpkin patch is included in admission. However the pumpkins are not. Pumpkins are 50¢ per pound. There are usually pumpkins of all sizes and colors available, although orange pumpkins are the most predominant.

Even if you don’t plan on buying a pumpkin, you can still ride out to the pumpkin patch and take some fun fall photos. They usually have some pumpkins already picked and ready for purchase if you don’t want to ride out to the pumpkin patch.

The wagon rides to the pumpkin patch don’t start until 10 AM. There is a small exit at the pumpkin patch check out area, and wagons available to help you take your pumpkins to you car.

Diesel Train Rides

Riding a diesel train around the pumpkin patch is a big hit with most little kids. My tweens/teens aren’t as excited by that anymore but if you happen to visit the Marana Pumpkin Patch during their Marana Christmas on the Farm event, don’t skip the train rides. The highlight of the Marana Christmas on the Farm event is their Christmas Express train rides through holiday light displays.

Straw Mountain

There is no straw mountain at the the 2021 Marana Pumpkin Patch. It’s possible we will see a version of it return in future years.

Climbing the giant straw mountain at the center of the festival is a challege people of all ages takes on. Whether it’s up just a few bales or racing to the top, everyone is tempted to climb it. Plus it makes a great back drop of family photos.

Petting Zoo

There is a wide variety of animals in the petting zoo including goats, alpacas, sheep, miniature horses and baby chickens. Don’t worry there is also a hand washing station located right there.

Pig Races

The pig races are silly but fun to watch. Head over and cheer for your favorite pig. They are scheduled at specific times throughout the day, so sometimes we don’t make it over at the right time to watch.

The good news is that there is now shade over the benches so it’s much easier to sit down and wait before the races start.

Farm Playland

The farm themed playground was one of my boys’ favorite things over the years. It’s large and perfect for bigger kids too. They have a much bigger play area now at the new location (see picture above).

We skipped it on this trip now that my boys are 11 & 14 but I did like the shade I saw and a much bigger area for kids to run around the play. I even saw sand equipment like wheel barrows for kids to play with.

Climbing on Farm Equipment

There was tractors set up near the entrance and buildings for kids to climb up on take take pictures. Sometimes you can sweet talk your teenage to take pictures on them as well. 😉

Jumping Pillow

The best part of the jumping pillows is that they are fun for everyone. And exhausting for everyone. 😉

They usually designate one jumping pillow for younger kids which is nice. This is one activity that will wear everyone out even young kids who act like energizer bunnies.

Peddle Carts

The Peddle Carts were not available in 2021. I hope they return in 2022.

The peddle carts will also wear you out. The kids love them anyway!

Super Slide

The super slide is a a giant slide like you would see at a county fair. Parents can ride down it with kiddos in front if they are super little.

Tractor Train

A smaller ride for smaller kids, I love that they offer a variety of attractions for little kids.

Mini Diggers

The mini diggers were a hit even with my kids as they got older! These were still a hit with teenagers.

Mini Tractors

A great option for little kids who can’t ride the pedal cars. They do allow big kids to ride these as well.

Trikes

The trikes seem to have replaced the pedal carts. There are large trikes for adults and bigger kids and smaller trikes for little kids. My boys liked them but they prefer the pedal carts.

Cyclone Swing

The Cyclone swing is similar to a swing ride you’d find at a local carnival or county fair.

Cornado Swing

More information after we attend opening weekend.

Corn Flyer

This ride reminded me of the pirate ship at the county fair when I was a kid but on a much smaller scale.

Honey Bee Ride

Food at the Marana Pumpkin Patch

Food options have greatly improved over the years at the Marana Pumpkin Patch. As the venue grew so did the food choices.

This year the Food Barn offered x, x, x and didn’t open until 11AM. Right next door is the bakery with x, x, x and more.

There was also a few additional concession stands with snacks, drinks and treats available so you don’t have to walk too far if you get hungry or thirsty.

You are not allowed to bring your own food into the Marana Pumpkin Patch. You are allowed to bring one bottle of water per person.

Marana Pumpkin Patch and Farm Festival Location

The Marana Pumpkin Patch & Farm Festival is now located at 14950 N. Trico Road.

From I-10 exit at Pinal Airpark Road (Exit 232) and take the Pinal Airpark Road West to Trico Road. Turn left on Trico Road and drive approve 1.8 miles to the Marana Pumpkin Patch entrance on the left.

Marana Pumpkin Patch Dates and Hours

The Marana Pumpkin Patch is open Thursdays – Sundays, October 2nd-October 31st. Thursdays and Fridays are open from 3pm-8pm. Saturdays and Sundays are open from 9am-8pm.

Coupons for Marana Pumpkin Patch

There aren’t any coupons or discount codes for the Marana Pumpkin Patch. They’ve increased their admission rate over the years quite a bit as they have added attractions.

The first year it was only $4 admission (CRAZY) but it had very limited things to do. The next year the price jumped quite a bit but included a pumpkin and more attractions, basically as the price goes up so does the fun value.

The only deals now for the Marana Pumpkin Patch are to visit during opening weekend or during a weekday when prices are a few dollars cheaper.

I recommend following the Marana Pumpkin Patch on social media, they often host giveaways for tickets on those platforms.

Marana Pumpkin Patch Prices

Admission to the Marana Pumpkin Patch cost $15-$17 per person depending upon when you visit. Weekdays (Thursday and Fridays) are only $15, in addition opening weekend (October 2nd and 3rd) is also only $15 per person. Weekend admission (after the 1st weekend in October) is $17 per person. Children 2 years old and under are free.

There are a few attractions not included with admission. The zip line costs $10, and it appears to be taller and longer than previous years. Both boys did it again this year an had fun.

The apple/pumpkin cannon costs $1 per shot. My boys love firing the cannon so we typically plan on doing this extra event.

New this year was a rock climbing wall for $8. Boy boys tried it, Quinn actually climbed twice.

Pony rides are $7 each and pumpkins cost $0.50/lb. Remember the wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch is included with admission.

New Marana Pumpkin Patch Location

The new Marana Pumpkin Patch is much larger and spread out. I think it’s set up a lot better for strollers and wagons. There is coolers blowing in the Food Barn and lots of additional seating. There is also real bathrooms available next to the bakery, along with several sets of port o potties scattered throughout the venue.

Does the Marana Pumpkin Patch have a haunted house?

Nope. There isn’t anything scary at the Marana Pumpkin Patch and Farm Festival. If you crave scary, the Terror in the Corn Maze attraction is also located in Marana now.

The Marana Pumpkin Patch has changed and grown greatly over the years. Check out our pumpkin adventures in 2012 and 2013 here.

This post was originally published October 25, 2011.