Plumper Pumpkin Patch | A Sauvie Island Alternative

What you need to know

There are many local farms to explore this Fall and perhaps find yourself a place that’s, maybe… a little less intense than Sauvie Island in October. Make sure you get out to a local farm this year and support their future, whether it’s out on the island or somewhere around town. Local farm listings can be found here.

Have suggestions for other readers? Drop them in the comments area!

MY FAVORITE: THE PLUMPER PUMPKIN PATCH
There are plenty of reasons to visit Sauvie Island. Fresh produce Spring through Fall, nurseries abound, access to the river, a Christmas tree farm to pick up a holiday tradition…and even to sun your buns on the nude Collins Beach in mid-summer. But, I have to say, for me Halloween is out for Sauvie visits. From October 1 to November 1, Sauvie Island is a mess.

Out toward Hillsboro, a beautiful Fall drive over the St Johns Bridge and Germantown Road gets you most of the way there. And no Sauvie Island traffic nightmare. It’s called the Plumper Pumpkin Patch and I discovered it while commuting over Germantown Road to Hillsboro. Coworkers and I made an afternoon trip or two to share pumpkins with friends and family over the years.

The Plumper Pumpkin Patch has all of the good things that Sauvie has, but less of it. A more intimate, family atmosphere. The Plumper Pumpkin Patch and Tree Farm is located on 65 acres of what used to be a century dairy farm. The rolling hills and beautiful view of the Willamette Valley provide the setting for our family owned and operated farm.

WHAT TO DO?

• HayMazes
• Rubber Duck Races
• Pumpkin Bowling
• Pumpkin Flinging Trebuchet-Demonstrated each weekend from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the hour. Watch videos of theses machines!
• Pumpkin Cannon
• Pumpkin Slingshots (3 small pumpkins for $2)
• Pony Rides during October on the weekends from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. for $5
• Fresh Produce from a real Country Store
• Farm Kitchen
• Kettle Corn Shack
• Playstructure, Teepee, and Picnic area
• U – cut Flowers
• Barrel Train
• Petting Zoo: Pot Belly pigs, Llama, Calves, Goats, Rabbits, Turkeys, Chickens, and more.
• Document it. Get a family photo by Shortcake Photo. Book a time on their site.
• And of course…..the Pumpkin Patch

Download a Map of the Plumper Pumpkin Patch

Directions:
From Portland: Take Hwy 26 West to Cornelius Pass Exit. Turn RIGHT/NORTH onto Cornelius Pass Road. Drive about 3 miles and turn LEFT at the blinking yellow light onto OLD Cornelius Pass Rd. Drive 2 miles up the hill passing Rock Creek Tavern and turn LEFT into our driveway. The pumpkin signs will point the way.

Or, simply head over the St. Johns Bridge, take a left onto Germantown Road, cross Skyline and continue on to the end point, where there will be signs. Who’s in a rush anyway? Exporegon!