Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm: the best pumpkin patch near Sacramento

Even though the first day of fall isn’t for another couple of weeks, I know most of you are dreaming of pumpkins. From pumpkin spice to pumpkin patches, ’tis the season–whether I like it or not. Truthfully, visiting our favorite pumpkin patch early in the season before the crowds hit is the one early fall trend I can get behind. Well, that and Reese’s pumpkins. So today I’m sharing the best pumpkin patch near Sacramento. It’s actually the largest U-Pick pumpkin patch in the world! At least, according to their website. Read to the end for our family’s full review of Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm in Wheatland, California. Just a short drive from Sacramento, this family-run farm has been creating fall memories since 1973.

why Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm is worth the trip

There are definitely pumpkin patches closer to our home in Auburn. However, one visit to Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm and you’ll realize what makes it special. It’s been fun to visit over the years and see them expand upon what they offered the previous years! Bishop’s is much more than just a place to get pumpkins, it’s a fun fall destination all on its own. It actually reminds me a lot of how Knott’s Berry Farm started. It was just a simple farm stand that slowly added more and more food options and attractions. Plus, how many people can say they’ve been to the largest U-Pick pumpkin patch in the world?!

new and favorite family-friendly activities

The first fall that Mike and I were living in Auburn everyone was telling us about Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm. I was confused why everyone drove so far (about 50 minutes from where we were living) just to go to a pumpkin patch. One visit and I realized there’s a reason Bishop’s is a household name when it comes to fall fun in California. Here are just a few of the things your family can enjoy:

1. take a hayride to the pumpkin patch

This is the main attraction for us and why we come back year after year. Hay rides out to the pumpkin fields are free and depart on a regular basis. Bishop’s rotates their pumpkin fields to always have the healthiest, biggest pumpkins. So you never know quite where the giant tractors are going to drive you. We always like to get off and walk around to take a few pictures–we don’t even always pick pumpkins! The hayride itself is a highlight of a trip to Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm, and several people don’t even get off at the patch.

2. “get lost” in a corn maze

Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm offers three different levels of corn maze fun–and each comes with a different price tag. There is a Kiddie Maze, 2 acre maze, and even a giant 7 acre maze. Kids 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult while in the maze. Older kids (and adventurous parents!) will get a kick out of the giant corn maze. The second weekend of the season half the proceeds from the cord maze go to their seasonal featured non-profit organization, so you can feel good about having fun. Pro tip: for both the pumpkin patch and the maze, make sure you come prepared for sun and bring your water!

3. stop by the farm animals

No trip to Bishop’s is complete without stopping by to see the farm animals. This does come at an additional fee as well, but it’s lots of fun for little ones. It’s also a great way to slow down for a bit in the middle of a busy day.

4. plenty of play areas and rides

Other than the pumpkin patch, our family enjoys all the free play areas the most. There is plenty of room for kids to run around and get their wiggles out, as well as slides to race down. If you’re willing to buy some tickets for rides, it seems like Bishop’s adds more and more each year. From giant slides to train rides and the sunflower labyrinth, there are plenty of attractions that make Bishop’s feel more like a fair than just a farm. The Coyote Mountain Mine, with its mining-style water play, is another favorite for kids.

5. try some food and treats

I can’t write about Bishop’s without mentioning the food! Our family loves their apple cider and especially looks forward to their famous apple cider slushies every year–they’re perfect on a hot fall afternoon. There’s also plenty of options for enjoying a meal at Bishop’s or bringing some baked goods home with you. We also highly recommend the homemade fudge!

6. enjoy a movie night

Another fun activity at Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm is their outdoor movie nights in the pumpkin field. These are offered throughout the season on Saturday and Sunday evenings on two different screens in the back giant pumpkin patch. This is a really fun experience and if you act quickly, you can even reserve one of their fire pits to take your movie-watching up a notch! You can find the list of movies for the season here.

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tips for visiting Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm with your family

Honestly, we mostly just take the hay ride out to the pumpkin fields when we go. The kids also enjoy running around on the playground areas, and we’ve even watched a movie together out in the pumpkin fields. So even if you don’t do everything, it’s still worth a visit to Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm! However, if you want to do more, here are some tips so you don’t get overwhelmed:

1. plan ahead

Weekends in October can be very busy, so if you can swing a weekday visit, you’ll find lighter crowds and shorter lines. Also, admission to Bishop’s is always free, but on weekends later in the season you will need to pay for parking. Check their website ahead of time for hours, attraction pricing, and special events.

2. arrive early

If you are visiting on a weekend, get there early! Not only will you have a better chance at finding close parking, but you’ll also beat some of the crowds to the most popular attractions. If you’re not planning on doing much other than people watching and taking in a hayride, later in the evening is great too because the temperatures are lower.

3. wear comfortable shoes

Between pumpkin fields, the corn maze, and walking between attractions, you’ll easily put in several miles without realizing it. Closed-toed, comfortable shoes are a must—especially for kids who want to run and climb. Even the most comfortable sandals aren’t a great choice when you’re walking around scratchy hay and pumpkin vines.

5. budget for extras–or prepare your kids ahead of time

As I mentioned, admission is free. However, most of the attractions (like the train ride, corn maze, and mining activity) have an additional cost. Setting a budget ahead of time helps avoid meltdowns later. We don’t even get pumpkins every year and usually the only thing we spend money on is some treats we can all share, but we still have a great time! If you’re headed there during a meal time you should know that you can even bring your own food in!

6. pack the essentials

Bring sunscreen, hats, and water bottles—even in the fall, as the California sun can be strong. Hand sanitizer and wipes also come in handy since there’s plenty of hands-on fun.

fun fall memories at Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm

I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface with everything there is to see or do at Bishop’s. At the end of the day, Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm is more than just a place to pick out your Halloween pumpkins. It’s about creating family traditions—whether that’s enjoying a hayride together, tackling the corn maze, or snapping that perfect fall family photo surrounded by pumpkins. Trust me, our family has plenty of those!

Every year looks a little different for us depending on our kids’ ages and interests, but that’s what makes Bishop’s so special. There’s always something new to explore, and it’s a tradition my family looks forward to year after year.