In Colorado, life rewards the planners. The people who remember to log on at 8 a.m. sharp for campsite reservations six months out, who somehow snag Sierra Ferrell tickets at Red Rocks before they vanish and those who map their weekends like a military operation.
Living in the Centennial State really is an organized person’s game.
But not all of us are wired that way. Some of us forget to book a timed entry permit into El Dorado State Park, and instead, the entire car of grumbling friends that you forced to wake up at 6 a.m. to hike Walker Ranch Loop must turn around and do Sanitias, again. Some of us accidentally press snooze 15 times on our Sunday morning alarm and don’t make it to Moxie Bread in time to get the good sourdough. And some of us simply don’t think about fall fun until the air begins to get crispy and the sun goes down at 6:45 p.m.
By the time that happens each year, it seems that the U-pick apple slots are already gone, the hayrides are full and only the crumbs of cider donuts remain — all claimed by our more meticulous fellow Coloradans.
The good news is you don’t actually have to be Type A to still enjoy fall here. Even if you missed the reservation window, you can still quench your seasonal thirst this year with corn mazes, pumpkin patches, farm stands, and yes, goats.
Consider this your cheat sheet to fall: From acres of corn mazes to pumpkins sold out of a VW bus, here’s where to go when you want the season without the spreadsheets.
Note: Please check each venue’s website for the most up-to-date information. The recent rains may have delayed some openings.
7th Generation Farm: Entry includes hayrides, fun in the corn, kids’ mazes, hay mountain, visiting with the animals and more. Open through Nov. 23; noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 1536 Courtesy Road, Louisville; $15; 7thgenerationfarm.com.
Anderson Farms: Don’t miss Colorado’s largest fall family entertainment destination. Activities include wagon rides, a 25-acre corn maze, barrel train, hay bale pull, kiddie corral, farm animals, food trucks and concessions, face painting and more. Open through Nov. 1; closed Tuesdays; 6728 County Road 3 1/4, Erie; $13.50-$50, kids 3 and under free; andersonfarms.com.
Bee Hugger Farm: This sunflower and honey farm sprouts pumpkins in the fall. Head to the farm during its opening hours, snag a pumpkin, no appointment needed, and purchase your pumpkin at the VW bus. Open 8 a.m. to sunset daily; 12590 Ute Highway, Longmont; thebeehuggerfarm.com.
Cottonwood Farms: Visit the pumpkin patch for fun family activities, including corn and straw maze. Wagon rides are offered on Saturdays and Sundays for an additional $5. The farm also sells pumpkins and fall produce. Open through Oct. 31; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, 10600 Isabelle Road, Lafayette, $10; cottonwoodfarms.com.
Fritzler Farm Park: The farm comes alive during fall with a variety of family-friendly activities, including a giant corn maze, carnival rides, a petting zoo, mini-golf, a grain train, pumpkin picking (straight off the vine), festival food and a beer garden; This weekend’s Oktoberfest includes family costume contest, a scary costume contest, whiskey tasting, stein-hoisting competition and fireworks to follow, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday; Open weekends, check website for times. 20861 County Road 33, La Salle; $24.95-$51.95 (discounts when bought online); fritzlerfarmpark.com.
Hergenreder Farms: Enjoy a pumpkin patch and corn maze at this fourth-generation family farm. There will also be a bale maze, bale pyramid, corn boxes and more; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Monday; 13332 County Road 5, Longmont; free admission, pumpkins priced from $2-$25; facebook.com/hergenrederfarms.
Munson Farms pumpkin patch: Farm-fresh produce and pumpkins are available for picking. Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, 7455 Valmont Road, Boulder; free admission, pumpkins are priced by the pound; munsonfarms.com.
Rock Creek Farm: Explore 80 acres of prime pumpkins, and get lost in the three different corn mazes. Also be sure to check out the hay bale maze, farm animals and plenty of opportunities to snap the perfect picture. Open through Oct. 31; 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, 2005 S. 112th St., Broomfield; $10; rockcreekfarm.com.
Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch: The pumpkin patch is open daily, with carnival activities on Saturdays and Sundays in October from Oct. 1-31. For November, the ranch will remain open for the farm stand and holiday market from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays-Sundays, Nov. 1-29; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, 9059 Ute Highway, Longmont; rockymtnpumpkinranch.com.
Sunflower Farm: Kids and adults can hang out with farm animals, feed the goats, sheep and llamas and enjoy the free-roaming chickens, peacocks, turkeys and guinea pigs; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, then 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays and Sudays in October. Check website for hour changes; 11150 Prospect Road, Longmont; $18; sunflowerfarminfo.com.
Ya Ya Farm and Orchard: Visit with the farm animals, bring a picnic and enjoy all things apple in the farm stand; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 6914 Ute Highway, Longmont; free; yayafarmandorchard.com.
Mollie McGee’s Fall Craft Market: Shop over 150 booths with unique, hand-made artisan crafts; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct.18-19, Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont; $5 admission good for both days, children under age 12 are free; molliemcgee.com.
Pumpkin Pie Days: St. Vrain Historical Society hosts this two-day event that will feature art vendors from all over Colorado and slices of pumpkin pie at the cafe; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11-12, Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont; $11 (children under 12 free); stvrainhistoricalsociety.com/vintage-antique-markets.
