A Fall Weekend in Bend: Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes & Haunts

There's a short stretch every October when Central Oregon puts on its best show. The aspens and vine maples turn gold and red, the mornings are crisp enough for a flannel, and the fields out by Smith Rock fill up with pumpkins. It only lasts a few weeks, which is exactly why it's worth planning a getaway around it.

Here's how we'd spend a fall weekend in Bend this year, with pumpkin patches, a giant corn maze, a few good scares and plenty of room for the dog to come along.

Saturday Morning: Pumpkins and Corn Near Smith Rock

Grab a coffee and head north. In about 30 minutes you'll be in Terrebonne, where the pumpkin fields stretch out with Smith Rock's cliffs on the horizon. It's one of the prettiest places in Oregon to pick a pumpkin.

Smith Rock Ranch is the big one. This year's seven-acre corn maze is themed "250 Years of Freedom" for America's 250th birthday, and it's a fun one to get lost in. Once you find your way out, there are pumpkin cannons to fire, horse-drawn wagon rides, mini golf, pony and train rides, a petting zoo and live music on weekend afternoons. The u-pick patch and harvest market are free to wander. The maze is $10 (kids under 5 are free with an adult), and most activities run on $5 tokens. On weekends everything is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Traveling with little ones? Just down the road, DD Ranch is a longtime family favorite, with a hay maze, petting zoo, pony rides, a jack-o'-lantern jumping pad and the DD Ranch Express train. Entry and parking are free, activity tickets are $3.75, and it's open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Good to know: Dogs aren't allowed in the Smith Rock Ranch maze, and DD Ranch asks guests to leave dogs at home, so plan this part of the day as people-only.

Saturday Afternoon: Pumpkin Painting and a Pint

Head back into town and settle in at GoodLife Brewing on Century Drive. All October long they set up a pumpkin patch out front (stocked from Smith Rock Ranch), and on Saturdays from 2 to 6 p.m. there's pumpkin painting, so the kids can decorate one while you enjoy a fresh pint.

Saturday Night: Ghosts, Legends and a Real Scare

Bend has a surprisingly spooky past, and October is the time to hear about it. Bend Ghost Tours leads walks through the historic streets and alleys downtown, sharing macabre tales, buried secrets and famous ghosts, like the Lady in Green on Bond Street. If you want to play investigator, the Ghost Hunt in Old Bend tour (ages 16+) lets you search for paranormal evidence yourself. Spots fill fast in October, so book ahead.

Want something that'll actually make you scream? Scare Me Good runs two full haunts at the ScareGrounds in Redmond, about 25 minutes away: The Asylum and Juniper Hollow, the story of a circus that vanished from a small town. They're open October 16–17, 22–24 and 28–31. Tickets are $25 for one haunt or $45 for both, and it's best for teens and adults.

Sunday: A Pumpkin Patch the Whole Pack Can Enjoy

Bring the dog for this one. Schilling's Garden Market, about 15 minutes from downtown, calls its fall setup the "Patch With a View," and the Cascades backdrop lives up to the name. Leashed dogs are welcome, so the whole family can browse specialty pumpkins, mums and corn stalks for the porch while the kids explore the hay maze and visit the goats and chickens. It's free to visit and open Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) through November 1.

On the way back, stop at Well Rooted Produce in Tumalo for one more round of pumpkins, then grab lunch at one of Bend's dog-friendly restaurants.

Staying Through Halloween?

If your trip lands on October 31, don't miss Halloween in the Old Mill District from 3 to 6 p.m. There's trick-or-treating through the shops, aerial performers, the famous Witches Paddle down the Deschutes and a pet costume contest, so pack a costume for your pup. Grown-ups can keep the night going with the Halloween Bar Crawl downtown (21+). Find more happening around town on our events calendar.

Make Waypoint Your Fall Basecamp

After a full day of pumpkin hunting, come back to Waypoint Hotel, close to downtown Bend with easy access to everything above. We're pet friendly, so your four-legged travel buddy is welcome too, and every stay includes a pet sheet and treats. The pumpkin season is short, so book your fall getaway before it's gone.

Hours and prices can change, so check each farm's website before you head out.