Find a local pick your own farm here!

Pumpkin U-Pick Orchards in Central Illinois in 2025, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for pumpkins that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a state have pumpkins farms that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

New! We just went live with our latest website, FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings, Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas

Adams County

  • Mill Creek Farm - pumpkins, strawberries, and prepicked produce, restrooms
    2833 S. 48th Street, Quincy, IL 62305. Phone: 217-222-8430. Email: roegge@adams.net. Open: Strawberries- open Monday to Saturday, Pumpkins open daily Strawberries available usually mid May thru early June. Directions: 2.5 miles south of Broadway \\(Route 104\\) on 48th Street in Quincy. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
    Mill Creek Farm Facebook page. 5 miles south of Broadway (Route 104) on 48th Street in Quincy. . Picking Updates: click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in May, June, October., early June begins the strawberry season at. They also have fresh-picked asparagus. They pick asparagus fresh every day as weather conditions allow, usually from mid April through early June. Please call our answering machine to check availability. (UPDATED: May 30, 2025, JBS)
    [ Click here to update the listing ]

Champaign County

  • Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch - apples, pumpkins, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, U-pick and already picked, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, pony rides, petting zoo, birthday parties, school tours
    3902 S Duncan Rd, Champaign, IL 61822. Phone: 217-359-5565. Email: info@curtisorchard.com. Open: July 20 - December 20. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. Store apples: late July to mid December / U-PICK Apples: late July to late October (depending on the year) Click our link for which apples are ready when/ Store peaches: late July thru October / U-Pick and already picked pumpkins: mid-September to mid-NovemberSpend a little time in the country! Visit Curtis Orchard for a fun, inexpensive & educational farm experience for the whole familyWe have apples, pumpkins, kids' activities, a bakery, and a country storeRain or shine, we're open The Flying Monkey Cafe is open for lunch every day from August 17 - November 27This 80-acre entertainment farm features the Flying Monkey Cafe, which serves cookout-style lunchWe also bake pies & donuts every day we're openNo admission feeSorry - no pets(UPDATED: May 30, 2025, JBS)
    [ Click here to update the listing ]

Christian County (Springfield area)

  • Big M Berry Patch - Strawberries, Black Raspberries, Blackberries, pumpkins, corn maze, hayrides,
    928 E 1090 North Road, Taylorville, IL 62568. Phone: (217) 824-6625. Open: Call first: daily, 8 am to 6 pm. Directions: Route 48W, right on County Road 900E, first turn right on CR 1090, first place on right. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Checks, Credit cards, Debit Cards. click here for a map. Big "M" Berry Patch also has hay mazes, and pumpkin picking in the Fall. 2025 prices: Admission - $3.00 per person; Pick your own berries - $4.00 lb. Already picked berries - $6.00/qt - $50.00/flat Estimated season, May thru first week of June. Call 217-824-6625 to place orders for Already Picked Berries. Picking containers are provided, bring containers to take the berries home. [ ] (UPDATED: May 30, 2025, JBS)
    [ Click here to update the listing ]

Greene County

  • Greene Fields Farm - apples, pumpkins,
    311 Daum Station Road, Greenfield, IL 62044. Phone: 217-416-0839. Email: christie@greenefieldsfarm.com. Open: September 9 - October 22, 2023; U-PICK PUMPKIN PATCH & FARM IS OPEN WEEKENDS ONLY; Friday Noon-5:00pm, Saturday 10am-5:00pm, Sunday Noon-5:00pm; Columbus Day, Oct 9, Noon-4:00pm. Directions: Located halfway between Greenfield and Carrollton just north of State Route 108. Watch for our strawberry signs!. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Credit card, Debit Card.
    Greene Fields Farm Facebook page. For the safety of our animals and yours, PLEASE NO PETS. . is a working farm, with pigs, chickens and our family dairy cow and her calf. You are welcome to go into the barn and meet them for yourself. We also pride ourselves on creating an exploration into our Pumpkin Patch, complete with a Milo Maze, a rainbow field of cut flowers, U-Pick Indian Corn, our Giant Bench for photos, our Hay Bale couple in the Land of the Giants and the Lookout Tower. We also have a kids area in our hoop barn that changes year to year. Come and see for yourself. To the best of our knowledge, no child has left disappointed. We have a concession stand with snacks from our farm: (prices from March 2023) Kettle Corn $6, Sliced Caramel Apples $6, Apple Cider Slushies $4, Drinks $1 Apple Varieties:Gala - SeptemberRuby Mac- ..
    [ Click here to update the listing ]

Jersey County

  • Eckert's Grafton Farm - apples, pumpkins, peaches.
    20995 Eckert Orchard Road, Grafton, IL 62037. Phone: (618) 786-3445. Open: 9 am to 5 pm, daily. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Grafton has an expanded entertainment area for both "little" and "big" kids! Watch the goats climb to amazing heights, search for eggs in the real hen house, play a round of miniature golf, bottle feed a calf, swing on an old-fashion tire swing, jump in one of our three inflatable jumping attractions or just relax and enjoy a funnel cakeThere is no admission to the entertainment siteTickets for rides may be purchased(UPDATED: May 30, 2025, JBS)
    [ Click here to update the listing ]

Macoupin County

  • Broom Orchard - apples, pumpkins, restrooms, picnic area, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
    112803 Broom Road, Carlinville, IL 62626. Phone: 217-854-3514. Email: info@broomorchard.com. Open: See our website for current hours or call. Directions: Broom Orchard is located 2 12 miles southwest of Carlinville. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
    Broom Orchard Facebook page. . Red Haven peaches start the 3rd week in July (usually) . REMINDER: WE DO NOT HAVE STRAWBERRIES ANYMORE; ONLY PYO apples and pumpkins. Visit our website for current approximate ripening dates of our locally grown seasonal fruit or "like" us on Facebook; has an annual Apple Festival in September and a Pumpkin Festival in October with various entertainment and activities. . Our Farm Market is open July thru December. This is where we sell our fresh peaches, apples, blackberries, nectarines, plums, pears and pumpkins when in season. The market is also stocked with Amish-made apple butter, Illinois honey, popcorn, preserves, butters and all fruit spreads. Don't forget our award winning sweet cider, too! Peaches are freestone. Early Gold Apples and Bi-Color Sweet Corn are also available. White Lady Peaches, Nectarines, and Blackberries (UPDATED: May 31, 2025, JBS)
    [ Click here to update the listing ]

Sangamon County

  • The Lazy T - 2025 assumed permanently closed, peas, pumpkins, Turkeys (organic, not-hormone-fed), prepicked produce, farm market, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, farm animals
    103 Clear Creek, Dawson, IL 62520. Phone: 217-415-6846. Email: littlefarmer@thelazyt.com. Open: permanently closed. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me.See our website for current hoursCrops are usually available in September, OctoberWe minimize use of pesticides and other chemicalsFall Festival the third weekend of September every year with apple butter cooking, straw mazes and build a scarecrow.
    [ Click here to update the listing ]

Tazewell County

  • Schaer's Country Market - strawberries, pumpkins,
    1118 Spring Bay Road, East Peoria, IL 61611. Phone: (309) 698-2234. Open: June, 10 am to 6 pm on Monday thru Friday, 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 12 pm to 5 pm on Sunday; Call 309-369-8034 after 8 am to make appointments. Directions: 1 and 12 miles off Rte. 116 on Rte. 26 \\(Spring Bay Road\\). We are a farm market specializing in U pick strawberries, fresh picked homegrown sweet corn, cantaloupe, watermelon, tomatoes and more. Fall takes us into pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks etc. Click here for a map and directions. . 116 on Rte. 26 (Spring Bay Road). We are a farm market specializing in U pick strawberries, fresh picked homegrown sweet corn, cantaloupe, watermelon, tomatoes and more. Fall takes us into pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks etc. Christmas trees, wreaths, garland, grave blankets begins day after Thanksgiving. (ADDED: December 05, 2020, JBS) (UPDATED: May 31, 2025, JBS)
    [ Click here to update the listing ]

 

Pumpkin

Pumpkin Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Do you want it for a party, decoration or eating?

For a wedding or party:

See this page: Finding pumpkins for weddings

Decoration to paint or carve:

OK, Then you need only look for any pumpkin that is
  • visually appealing, evenly a deep orange. The shape is just whatever appeals to you. If it grew on its side and has a flat spot, you can either make that the make or use it as part of your design!
  • free from cuts, soft spots, bruises. The flesh should feel hard, and not give easily. Infections can invade easily and cause rot
  • Make sure the stem is attached.

Store it carefully, especially if you pick it from the vine yourself. Cure a fresh-picked pumpkin by keeping it in a dry place. Don't handle or disturb it. Curing toughens the rind, making it less prone to rot. Pumpkins will keep for months in a cool (50 F to 65F dry, low humidity environment; such as a cool, dry basement.

Tip: If you like roasted or baked pumpkin seeds, you can save the seeds from any pumpkin!

To make a pumpkin pie!

Then you need a small, sweet type of pumpkin that has been developed for eating. They are smaller, typically about 8" to 10" diameter. The meat is much less stringy and smoother than a decorative pumpkin variety. Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A and potassium. One-half cup of cooked pumpkin provides more than the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A. One cup of cooked pumpkin contains only 81 calories. It's low in fat and sodium! Usually you can get these at the grocery store, and some of the pumpkin patches and farm stands have them. Be sure to tell them that you intend to use it for a pumpkin pie. Again, look for firm, no soft spots, or signs of any rot. See this page for easy, illustrated directions to make a pumpkin pie from a fresh pumpkin!

Varieties of Pumpkins

  • Sugar - Excellent for baking
  • Jack O'Lantern - most common for carving
  • White Lumina - unusual, medium-sized white pumpkin
  • Mini - Great for decoration
  • Gourds - Many varieties, used for decorations

For a very complete, detailed list of many varieties of pumpkins and where to get the seeds, see this page!

Want to Grow Your Own Pumpkins?

Then see this page!

Pumpkin recipes

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)