12 Places To Experience Fall In Arizona

The desert has a lot to offer, unfortunately, Fall is not one of them. We may not have colorful leaves scattered across sidewalks, we may be sweating while drinking hot chocolate, and we may have to wait two more months to wear those new boots we purchased.

But despite the warm weather, there are still some great places to experience Fall in Arizona. Here are a few of our favorites!

Best Place to Go in Arizona During the Fall

Table of Contents

• 1. Schnepf Farms
• 2. Vertuccio Farms
• 3. Mother Nature’s Farm
• 4. Tolmachoff Farms
• 5. Mortimer Family Farms
• 6. Grand Canyon Railway Pumpkin Patch Train
• 7. McCormick Train Park Halloween Spook-Track-ula
• 8. MacDonald’s Ranch Pumpkin Patch
• 9. Salt River Fields Spooktacular Balloon Festival
• 10. Apple Annie’s Orchard
• 11. Lockett Meadow Trail
• 12. White Mountains
• Bonus: Ghost town and haunted hotels

1. Schnepf Farms

Address: Schnepf Farms 24610 S Rittenhouse Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142

What to expect:

• Hayrides, carnival rides, petting zoo, mini-golf, firepits for roasting marshmallows, corn maze, pig races, zipline, slides, and other activities.
• Live music and fireworks on the weekends.
• A variety of dinner options are available for purchase.

Things to note:

• Admission: $22 +tax | children under 2 free. Season passes available for $62.
• Discounts: $17 tickets available at Fry’s Food and Drug |$19 tickets if purchased online |Thursdays are BOGO with an SRP coupon | Military and Grandparent discounts are available. See the website for more information.
• Hours: Every Thursday-Sunday in October 10 am- 9 pm (open until 10 on Fridays and Saturdays).
• Wristband includes all activities, food is an additional cost.
• Voted best Fall family event in the Valley by Phoenix Magazine.
• This is our family’s favorite fall festival. It is a little more expensive than other events, but you get a lot for your dollar!

2. Vertuccio Farms

Address: Vertuccio Farms 4011 S Power Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212

What to expect:

• Corn maze, barrel train ride, air pillow, giant tube roll, petting zoo, tube slide, mini-golf, zipline, and other activities.
• Food and drinks are available for purchase.

Things to note:

• Admission: $10 | 2 and under free. Season passes available for $30.
• Hours: End of September to the beginning of November. Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm |Friday-Saturday 9am-10pm | Sunday 10am-6pm
• Discounts: $1 off with non-perishable food donation |Toddler Tuesdays 9 am-1 pm $5 | Discounts for military, grandparents and hometown heroes. Check the website and facebook for additional discounts.
• We feel like this farm offers great value. Admission is reasonable and there are a lot of activities included.

For more things to do in Mesa, check out our guide 15 Fun Things to Do in Mesa with Kids!

3. Mother Nature’s Farm

Address: Mother Nature’s Farm 1663 E Baseline Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85233

What to expect:

• Pumpkin forest and patch, hayride, bounce house, hay maze, petting zoo, tube slide, a few activities and play areas.
• Plenty of shaded picnic tables
• Concession stand

Things to note:

• Admission: $10 per child | $5 per adult
• Kids admission includes a free pumpkin from the pumpkin forest and stickers to decorate the pumpkin.
• Hours: End of September to the end of October. Open every day from 9 am-9 pm.
• You can purchase a bag of carrots at the concession stand for $1 to feed the animals.
• You can bring in outside food to enjoy at the picnic areas, or purchase food from the concession stand.
• This farm doesn’t have as many activities available, especially for the price. However, it does offer the best photo-op with pumpkins in their pumpkin forest!

4. Tolmachoff Farms

Address: Tolmachoff Farms 5726 N 75th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85303

What to expect:

• 6-acre themed family corn maze
• Mini corn maze for kids
• Haunted corn maze
• Pumpkin patch
• Petting zoo
• Train ride
• Pedal cart track
• Jumping pillow

Things to note:

• Admission: $15 | children 2 and under free
• Admission includes:  Family & mini maze, petting zoo, play areas,  Jumping pillow
• Train ride: $2
• Haunted Maze: $25
• Additional charge to purchase pumpkins
• Hours: Open October 1 – November 1| Wednesday-Thursday 12pm-8pm | Friday 12pm-11pm | Saturday 10am-11pm | Closed Mondays & Tuesdays

5. Mortimer Family Farms

Address: Mortimer Farms 12907 E State Rte 169, Dewey, AZ 86327

What to expect:

• U-pick pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides, farm animals, a variety of attractions and activities.
• Friday night barn dances
• Food and craft vendors
• Daily line-up of live shows and entertainment
• Sunflower field with pick-your-own flowers for only $1 per bloom!

Things to note:

• Admission: Monday-Thursday $10 | Friday-Sunday (and Columbus Day) $14.50 | Other add-ons available with ticket purchase.
• Hours: Open the end of September through the end of October. Monday-Thursday 7 am- 7 pm | Friday-Saturday 9 am-9 pm | Sunday (and Columbus Day) 9 am-6 pm
• There are a limited number of tickets sold at the farm on the day of the event, so be sure to purchase tickets in advance.
• U-pick pumpkins are .75/lb, specialty pumpkins are $1/lb
• Shows and entertainment include a magic show, variety circus, pig races, mini dog races, karaoke, and fire dancers.
• Games and activities include such things as a barrel train, tractor swings, peddle cart races, zip lines, slides, jumping pillow, playground and more.
• Campfire rentals are available for $35/2 hrs and seat around 15-25 people.
• Escape the heat in the valley and experience some real Fall temperatures on the farm.
• We love that there is a real pumpkin patch, those are a rare find in the desert!

6. Grand Canyon Railway Pumpkin Patch Train

Address: Grand Canyon Railway 233 N. Grand Canyon Blvd., Williams, AZ 86046

What to expect:

• Train ride to a pumpkin patch where guests can pick a pumpkin.
• Walk-through the “Colorao Shiver” Haunted Train Car at the depot.
• Maze and pumpkin arts and crafts at the Williams Depot until 5:00 PM.
• Hot chocolate, homemade fudge, and other Halloween treats available for purchase at Harvey’s Cafe inside the Williams Depot.

Things to note:

• Admission: $29 16 yrs+ | $22 2-16 yrs | under 2 free (lap-sit only)
• Hours: Train departs every Saturday and Sunday in October at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm.
• Discounts available for AARP, AAA, Armed Forces, and First Responders
• Guests are encouraged to dress up in costumes to add to the experience.
• Bring jackets as the weather is much cooler than the Valley.
• Located near the Grand Canyon if you want to make a side trip.
• If you want to make a weekend out of it, consider booking a room at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel.

7. McCormick Train Park Halloween Spook-Track-ula

Address: McCormick Train Park 7301 E Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85250

What to expect:

• Spooky train ride
• Outdoor Halloween movie (one night only)
• Trick-or-treat stations on Halloween night from 4:30 – 9 pm
• Guest appearances by characters on specific nights

Things to note:

• Admission: $5 single ride tickets | 2 and under free
• Fast passes are available for $15 and can be purchased online. They are good for one ride and allow the pass holder to skip to the front of the line. A limited number of fast passes are available.
• Hours: The event runs for one week at the end of October and is open from 6:30-9 pm.

8. MacDonald’s Ranch Pumpkin Patch

Address: MacDonald’s Ranch 26540 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255

What to expect:

• Train Ride, hayride, face painting, Caterpillar Bounce, petting zoo, gold panning, hay maze, pedal car track, lawn games
• Pony rides and mechanical bull (additional charge)
• Food trucks
• Pumpkin Patch

Things to note:

• Admission: $10 Monday, Wednesday-Friday | $12 Saturday & Sunday | 2 years and under free
• Hours: Daily 9 am – 5pm | Closed Tuesdays
• Discounts: $1 off with canned food donation | $2 discount for veterans, military, teachers, first responders and seniors | $2 off for parents and grandparents on Thursdays
• All activities included in the admission except the pony ride and mechanical bull
• Pumpkin prices vary from $4-$25
• “To-go” pumpkins available for purchase without purchasing an entrance ticket

9. Salt River Fields Spooktacular Balloon Festival

Address: Salt River Fields 7555 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

What to expect:

• 20 hot air balloons with balloon glows throughout the night
• Tethered hot air balloon rides ($25 adults | $15 kids)
• Each balloon will be passing out candy for trick-or-treating
• Food and craft vendors, live music
• Haunted spooky trail
• Fireworks at 9 pm each night
• Free Kids Zone with games, bounce houses, slides, obstacle course, and activities
• Nightly costume contests with prizes

Things to note:

• Admission: $15 adults | $10 kids | 2 and under free
• Hours: the event is held Friday and Saturday 5-9:30 pm the weekend before Halloween
• The event is located at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, home of the Diamondbacks Spring Training field.
• Costumes are encouraged

10. Apple Annie’s Orchard

Address: Apple Annie’s Orchard 2081 W Hardy Rd, Wilcox, AZ 85643

What to expect:

• Pick your own apples, peaches, pears, and pumpkins
• Country store with homemade goodies like pumpkin pies, pumpkin bread, and homemade cider donuts.
• The 20-acre corn maze is the largest in Arizona
• Hayride
• Enjoy an all-you-can-eat pumpkin and buttermilk pancake breakfast and an apple-smoked burger lunch at the Orchard Grill (weekends only).

Things to note:

• Admission: Corn maze $8 12 yrs+ | $6 3-11 yrs | additional $2 for hayride
• Hours: Orchard open daily from 9 am-5:30 pm through October | Corn maze open daily mid-September to the end of August 9 am-4 pm
• Plan for about 2 hours to complete the maze.
• There are only two U-pick apple orchards in Arizona, and this is the best one.
• Voted the best place to eat an apple pie by Lonely Planet.
• Seasonal U-pick orchards and gardens are available year-round.

11. Lockett Meadow Trail

Address: Lockett Meadow 522 W Beal Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001

What to expect:

• 3-mile trail (or 3.5-mile loop trail) through a beautiful aspen grove with Fall leaves.

Things to note:

• See our guide Lockett Meadow: The Best Fall Hike in Arizona for all the details.
• One of the best trails to see fall leaves in Arizona.
• The aspen grove is about 1 mile into the trail.
• The beginning of October is the best time to go. The Fall leaves last about 3-4 weeks.
• Easy family-friendly hike.
• This is a popular hike in the fall. Traffic and parking can be difficult particularly on the weekends, so plan to arrive early.
• The road near the trailhead is unpaved and narrow so use caution.
• The trail takes you to the inner basin of an ancient volcano.
• Located near Sunset Crater if you want to plan a side trip.

12. White Mountains

Best Places to see Fall leaves in the White Mountains:

• Patches of Aspen trees and Gambel Oaks can be found in the White Mountains near Sunrise Ski Resort and Greer.
• As you are driving to the Los Burros Campground you will see groves of golden Aspen trees along the way. Some oak trees with colorful leaves can also be found near the campground as well as an old historic barn (see our Pinetop Guide for more details).
• The Mount Baldy Wilderness Area has several hiking trails through forests of colorful changing leaves. Take the East Baldy Trail across open meadows, through a forest of mixed conifers and Aspens, and out to a panoramic view over the eastern slope of Baldy Mountain.
• For a beautiful view of the trees below, drive up to Greens Peak along Forest Road 117 between Sunrise Park and Greer.
• Blue Vista Overlook is located on the edge of the Mogollon Rim and offers views across the valley dotted with changing leaves.
• The primitive dirt roads surrounding Alpine and Big Lake are lined with Aspen and oak trees showing off a spectacular display of fall foilage.
• Lee Valley Reservoir has a backdrop of fall leaves. As a bonus, this lake is never crowded and you’ll most likely have it all to yourself!
• Woodland Lake Park offers scenic walking trails around the lake where you’ll see leaves that vary in shades of gold and red.

Notes:

• The best time to see fall leaves is from the end of September through the second week of October.
• After a scenic fall leaf drive, be sure to stop in at the Rendezvous Diner in Greer for the best homemade cobbler in the White Mountains!

Other places to spot Fall leaves in Arizona:

• Aspen Nature Loop Trail near Snowbowl Ski Resort in Flagstaff, as well as the Weatherford Trail, Abineau Trail, and Bear Jaw Loop Trail near Flagstaff.
• Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona is a colorful destination in the fall. The West Fork Trail is one of the best places to see the Maple and Oak leaves.
• The Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park hosts a Fall Foilage Finale from mid-November to December.
• Fall leaves can be found on Mount Lemmon in Tucson as well. Be sure to stop by and grab a slice of pie at Summer Haven while you’re there!
• See our guide 8 Places to See Fall Leaves in Arizona for more information and recommendations.

[convertkit form=3250084]

Bonus: Ghost town and haunted hotels

For some spooks and frights, spend the night at the haunted Jerome Grand Hotel, one of the most haunted hotels in America!

Jerome is a living ghost town with a fascinating history. Even if you don’t spend the night, it is still a fun place to visit, especially during Halloween when it is all decked out.

Take a ghost tour, grab a bite to eat at the Haunted Hamburger, and watch out for the ghost of Headless Charlie! Be sure to check out our Jerome Guide for information and recommendations.

Flagstaff also offers a free haunted walking tour of historic downtown. Discover ghost stories and local haunts while exploring historic buildings. You can even spend the night in a haunted hotel!

Hopefully, these fun activities will help bring the feeling of Fall in Arizona even when the temperatures don’t!

Pin it for later: