5 Best Pumpkin Patches With a Petting Zoo in Texas
Jump to: 1. BellCreek Acres 2. Preston Trail Farms 3. Denton Valley Farms 4. Pecan Creek Farm & Ranch 5. Oil Ranch
The 5 best pumpkin patches with a petting zoo in Texas are BellCreek Acres, Preston Trail Farms, Denton Valley Farms, Pecan Creek Farm & Ranch and Oil Ranch — farms tagged for farm animals kids can get close to, alongside the pumpkins. For toddlers and preschoolers especially, an animal barn is often worth more than every other attraction on the farm combined. Below, each gets a closer look — what it offers, how it's rated, and how to get there — followed by answers to the questions we hear most about visiting. See every pumpkin patch we track in Texas, or browse pumpkin patches with petting zoos in every state on our Petting Zoos and Farm Animals near me page.
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BellCreek Acres
BellCreek Acres in Lacoste takes the top spot, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 79 reviews. Visitors come here for hayrides and petting zoo.
1877 Co Rd 4713, 78039
HayridesPetting zooKids play areaBellCreek Acres is ranked #1 on this list, located at 1877 Co Rd 4713, Lacoste, TX, 78039. It carries a 4.8-out-of-5 rating on Google from 79 reviews, which puts it among the more established pumpkin patches we track near Lacoste. Beyond the pumpkin field itself, it's tagged for hayrides, petting zoo and kids play area, so there's usually more to a visit than just picking a pumpkin and heading home.
Google hasn't surfaced a set of recurring review themes for BellCreek Acres yet, so there isn't a themed summary of what visitors say to pass along here — the star rating and review count above remain the clearest public signal until more detail comes in. In the farm's own words: "Petting zoo, playground and pumpkin patch featuring hayrides, a train and a zip-line." BellCreek Acres is one of the farms we track with a hayride, which typically means hayrides run on a loop from the barn out to the pumpkin field, typically ten to twenty minutes, and at many farms they are the only way to reach the picking field at all. some are free with admission, some are a few doll…
Hours aren't listed for BellCreek Acres in our data. Most pumpkin patches run daily or weekends-only from mid-September through the first days of November, but the surest way to know is to call ahead or check the farm's website before you drive out. Admission pricing isn't listed for BellCreek Acres either — pumpkin patches generally charge one of three ways (free entry with pumpkins priced individually or by weight, a flat gate admission bundling attractions, or a per-attraction wristband system), so it's worth asking which applies here before you go. Payment methods aren't listed, and a meaningful share of family-run patches are cash-only for field admission and wagon rides even when the farm store takes cards — bringing some cash as backup avoids an awkward trip back to the car at the gate.
Like most working farms, the exact open and close dates for BellCreek Acres can shift year to year with weather and how the pumpkin crop comes in, even though the general window is fairly predictable. If you're planning a special trip, a weekday morning is consistently the quietest time to go, with shorter waits for wagon rides and easier parking than a weekend afternoon. Wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy — pumpkin fields are working farmland rather than paved lots, and they get soft fast after rain — and call ahead if it's rained heavily in the last day or two, since field access and hayrides are usually the first things a farm closes when the ground is saturated. Layers help too: fall mornings can start cold and warm up quickly once the sun is over an open field.
BellCreek Acres sits, near Lacoste, TX, with parking typically in a grass field rather than a paved lot — allow a few extra minutes on busy weekends for staff or volunteers to direct traffic, and if you're navigating by GPS rather than the link on this page, search the farm name directly rather than just the street address, since rural addresses sometimes route to the wrong gate. See the full profile — hours table, rating breakdown, review themes, FAQ and a map you can route from — on BellCreek Acres's listing page, or tap Directions below to head straight there.
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Preston Trail Farms
Preston Trail Farms, out in Gunter, is next up, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 437 reviews. Visitors come here for petting zoo and farm store.
15102 TX-289 b, 75058
Petting zooFarm storePreston Trail Farms is ranked #2 on this list, located at 15102 TX-289 b, Gunter, TX, 75058. It carries a 4.6-out-of-5 rating on Google from 437 reviews, which puts it among the more established pumpkin patches we track near Gunter. Beyond the pumpkin field itself, it's tagged for petting zoo and farm store, so there's usually more to a visit than just picking a pumpkin and heading home.
Google hasn't surfaced a set of recurring review themes for Preston Trail Farms yet, so there isn't a themed summary of what visitors say to pass along here — the star rating and review count above remain the clearest public signal until more detail comes in. In the farm's own words: "Farm, petting zoo, and pumpkin patch, as well as a cafe and a store." Preston Trail Farms is one of the farms we track with a petting zoo, which typically means for families with toddlers and preschoolers, an animal barn is often worth more than every other attraction on the farm combined. most are included with admission; feed cups usually cost a dollar or two..
Based on its public listing, Preston Trail Farms is typically open Monday 8AM-6PM, Tuesday 8AM-6PM, Wednesday 8AM-6PM, Thursday 8AM-6PM, Friday 8AM-6PM, Saturday 8AM-6PM, Sunday 11AM-5PM. Pumpkin patch hours shift often during the season — expect longer hours the two or three weekends around mid-October and shorter, sometimes weekend-only hours toward either end of the season — so treat this as a strong starting point rather than a guarantee. Admission pricing isn't listed for Preston Trail Farms either — pumpkin patches generally charge one of three ways (free entry with pumpkins priced individually or by weight, a flat gate admission bundling attractions, or a per-attraction wristband system), so it's worth asking which applies here before you go. It accepts credit cards, debit cards and nfc mobile payments, though it's still smart to carry some cash — field admission and wagon rides at farms like this are sometimes handled separately from the main store.
Like most working farms, the exact open and close dates for Preston Trail Farms can shift year to year with weather and how the pumpkin crop comes in, even though the general window is fairly predictable. If you're planning a special trip, a weekday morning is consistently the quietest time to go, with shorter waits for wagon rides and easier parking than a weekend afternoon. Wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy — pumpkin fields are working farmland rather than paved lots, and they get soft fast after rain — and call ahead if it's rained heavily in the last day or two, since field access and hayrides are usually the first things a farm closes when the ground is saturated. Layers help too: fall mornings can start cold and warm up quickly once the sun is over an open field.
Preston Trail Farms sits, near Gunter, TX, with parking typically in a grass field rather than a paved lot — allow a few extra minutes on busy weekends for staff or volunteers to direct traffic, and if you're navigating by GPS rather than the link on this page, search the farm name directly rather than just the street address, since rural addresses sometimes route to the wrong gate. See the full profile — hours table, rating breakdown, review themes, FAQ and a map you can route from — on Preston Trail Farms's listing page, or tap Directions below to head straight there.
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Denton Valley Farms
Denton Valley Farms near Clyde rounds out this stretch of the list, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 276 reviews. Visitors come here for hayrides and u-pick pumpkins.
8750 Co Rd 224, 79510
HayridesU-pick pumpkinsPetting zooHaunted attractionDenton Valley Farms is ranked #3 on this list, located at 8750 Co Rd 224, Clyde, TX, 79510. It carries a 4.6-out-of-5 rating on Google from 276 reviews, which puts it among the more established pumpkin patches we track near Clyde. Beyond the pumpkin field itself, it's tagged for hayrides, u-pick pumpkins, petting zoo and haunted attraction, so there's usually more to a visit than just picking a pumpkin and heading home.
Google hasn't surfaced a set of recurring review themes for Denton Valley Farms yet, so there isn't a themed summary of what visitors say to pass along here — the star rating and review count above remain the clearest public signal until more detail comes in. In the farm's own words: "Large farm featuring pick-your-own produce, paintballing, train rides, homemade ice cream and a petting zoo as well as hayrides and a pumpkin patch." Denton Valley Farms is one of the farms we track with a u-pick pumpkin patch, which typically means true u-pick means walking into a growing field and cutting a pumpkin off the vine yourself. it is the version of the experience most people picture, and it is worth checking for specifically — a great many farms advertis…
Hours aren't listed for Denton Valley Farms in our data. Most pumpkin patches run daily or weekends-only from mid-September through the first days of November, but the surest way to know is to call ahead or check the farm's website before you drive out. Admission pricing isn't listed for Denton Valley Farms either — pumpkin patches generally charge one of three ways (free entry with pumpkins priced individually or by weight, a flat gate admission bundling attractions, or a per-attraction wristband system), so it's worth asking which applies here before you go. It accepts credit cards, debit cards and nfc mobile payments, though it's still smart to carry some cash — field admission and wagon rides at farms like this are sometimes handled separately from the main store.
Like most working farms, the exact open and close dates for Denton Valley Farms can shift year to year with weather and how the pumpkin crop comes in, even though the general window is fairly predictable. If you're planning a special trip, a weekday morning is consistently the quietest time to go, with shorter waits for wagon rides and easier parking than a weekend afternoon. Wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy — pumpkin fields are working farmland rather than paved lots, and they get soft fast after rain — and call ahead if it's rained heavily in the last day or two, since field access and hayrides are usually the first things a farm closes when the ground is saturated. Layers help too: fall mornings can start cold and warm up quickly once the sun is over an open field.
Denton Valley Farms sits, near Clyde, TX, with parking typically in a grass field rather than a paved lot — allow a few extra minutes on busy weekends for staff or volunteers to direct traffic, and if you're navigating by GPS rather than the link on this page, search the farm name directly rather than just the street address, since rural addresses sometimes route to the wrong gate. See the full profile — hours table, rating breakdown, review themes, FAQ and a map you can route from — on Denton Valley Farms's listing page, or tap Directions below to head straight there.
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Pecan Creek Farm & Ranch
Also worth the drive: Pecan Creek Farm & Ranch in San Angelo, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 51 reviews. Visitors come here for u-pick pumpkins and petting zoo.
13101 Door Key Rd, 76904
U-pick pumpkinsPetting zooKids play areaPecan Creek Farm & Ranch is ranked #4 on this list, located at 13101 Door Key Rd, San Angelo, TX, 76904. It carries a 4.6-out-of-5 rating on Google from 51 reviews, which puts it among the more established pumpkin patches we track near San Angelo. Beyond the pumpkin field itself, it's tagged for u-pick pumpkins, petting zoo and kids play area, so there's usually more to a visit than just picking a pumpkin and heading home.
Google hasn't surfaced a set of recurring review themes for Pecan Creek Farm & Ranch yet, so there isn't a themed summary of what visitors say to pass along here — the star rating and review count above remain the clearest public signal until more detail comes in. In the farm's own words: "Kids-friendly spot featuring farm animals, plus an obstacle course, a slide and a maze." Pecan Creek Farm & Ranch is one of the farms we track with a u-pick pumpkin patch, which typically means true u-pick means walking into a growing field and cutting a pumpkin off the vine yourself. it is the version of the experience most people picture, and it is worth checking for specifically — a great many farms advertis…
Based on its public listing, Pecan Creek Farm & Ranch is typically open Saturday 10AM-8PM, Sunday 12-6PM. Pumpkin patch hours shift often during the season — expect longer hours the two or three weekends around mid-October and shorter, sometimes weekend-only hours toward either end of the season — so treat this as a strong starting point rather than a guarantee. Admission pricing isn't listed for Pecan Creek Farm & Ranch either — pumpkin patches generally charge one of three ways (free entry with pumpkins priced individually or by weight, a flat gate admission bundling attractions, or a per-attraction wristband system), so it's worth asking which applies here before you go. Payment methods aren't listed, and a meaningful share of family-run patches are cash-only for field admission and wagon rides even when the farm store takes cards — bringing some cash as backup avoids an awkward trip back to the car at the gate.
Like most working farms, the exact open and close dates for Pecan Creek Farm & Ranch can shift year to year with weather and how the pumpkin crop comes in, even though the general window is fairly predictable. If you're planning a special trip, a weekday morning is consistently the quietest time to go, with shorter waits for wagon rides and easier parking than a weekend afternoon. Wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy — pumpkin fields are working farmland rather than paved lots, and they get soft fast after rain — and call ahead if it's rained heavily in the last day or two, since field access and hayrides are usually the first things a farm closes when the ground is saturated. Layers help too: fall mornings can start cold and warm up quickly once the sun is over an open field.
Pecan Creek Farm & Ranch sits, near San Angelo, TX, with parking typically in a grass field rather than a paved lot — allow a few extra minutes on busy weekends for staff or volunteers to direct traffic, and if you're navigating by GPS rather than the link on this page, search the farm name directly rather than just the street address, since rural addresses sometimes route to the wrong gate. See the full profile — hours table, rating breakdown, review themes, FAQ and a map you can route from — on Pecan Creek Farm & Ranch's listing page, or tap Directions below to head straight there.
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Oil Ranch
Oil Ranch in Hockley is another strong option, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 307 reviews. Visitors come here for petting zoo.
23501 Macedonia Rd, 77447
Petting zooOil Ranch is ranked #5 on this list, located at 23501 Macedonia Rd, Hockley, TX, 77447. It carries a 4.5-out-of-5 rating on Google from 307 reviews, which puts it among the more established pumpkin patches we track near Hockley. Beyond the pumpkin field itself, it's tagged for petting zoo, so there's usually more to a visit than just picking a pumpkin and heading home.
Google hasn't surfaced a set of recurring review themes for Oil Ranch yet, so there isn't a themed summary of what visitors say to pass along here — the star rating and review count above remain the clearest public signal until more detail comes in. In the farm's own words: "Family-friendly ranch featuring pony rides, a petting zoo and a pumpkin patch." Oil Ranch is one of the farms we track with a petting zoo, which typically means for families with toddlers and preschoolers, an animal barn is often worth more than every other attraction on the farm combined. most are included with admission; feed cups usually cost a dollar or two..
Hours aren't listed for Oil Ranch in our data. Most pumpkin patches run daily or weekends-only from mid-September through the first days of November, but the surest way to know is to call ahead or check the farm's website before you drive out. Admission pricing isn't listed for Oil Ranch either — pumpkin patches generally charge one of three ways (free entry with pumpkins priced individually or by weight, a flat gate admission bundling attractions, or a per-attraction wristband system), so it's worth asking which applies here before you go. It accepts credit cards, debit cards and nfc mobile payments, though it's still smart to carry some cash — field admission and wagon rides at farms like this are sometimes handled separately from the main store.
Like most working farms, the exact open and close dates for Oil Ranch can shift year to year with weather and how the pumpkin crop comes in, even though the general window is fairly predictable. If you're planning a special trip, a weekday morning is consistently the quietest time to go, with shorter waits for wagon rides and easier parking than a weekend afternoon. Wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy — pumpkin fields are working farmland rather than paved lots, and they get soft fast after rain — and call ahead if it's rained heavily in the last day or two, since field access and hayrides are usually the first things a farm closes when the ground is saturated. Layers help too: fall mornings can start cold and warm up quickly once the sun is over an open field.
Oil Ranch sits in Hockley County, near Hockley, TX, with parking typically in a grass field rather than a paved lot — allow a few extra minutes on busy weekends for staff or volunteers to direct traffic, and if you're navigating by GPS rather than the link on this page, search the farm name directly rather than just the street address, since rural addresses sometimes route to the wrong gate. See the full profile — hours table, rating breakdown, review themes, FAQ and a map you can route from — on Oil Ranch's listing page, or tap Directions below to head straight there.
Conclusion
BellCreek Acres is our top pick for a pumpkin patch with a petting zoo in Texas, rated 4.8 out of 5, with Preston Trail Farms, Denton Valley Farms, Pecan Creek Farm & Ranch and Oil Ranch rounding out the list. Ratings and review counts reflect public data at the time of writing and can change, and which animals are on site — and whether the barn is open that day — can vary week to week, so always confirm with the farm directly before you drive out. For more options, see every pumpkin patch we track in Texas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best pumpkin patch with a petting zoo in Texas?
Based on rating and review volume, BellCreek Acres ranks first among the pumpkin patches with a petting zoo we track in Texas, with a 4.8-out-of-5 rating. See the full breakdown above, or its full listing for hours and directions.
What animals are usually at a pumpkin patch petting zoo?
It varies by farm, but goats, sheep, alpacas, rabbits and barn cats are the most common. Larger farms sometimes add pigs, ponies or a small aviary. Feed cups are usually available for a dollar or two even when general admission is free.
Is the petting zoo included in admission?
At most farms, yes — the animal barn is bundled into general admission rather than ticketed separately. It's still worth confirming when you call, since a minority of larger destination farms do charge extra for it.
Are petting zoos safe for toddlers?
Generally yes, with normal precautions. Well-run farms provide hand-washing stations near the animal area and it's worth using them properly — animal contact areas are a recognized source of E. coli and salmonella exposure in young children. Strollers are frequently not permitted inside the enclosure itself, so plan for carrying.
Are these pumpkin patches good for young kids?
Yes — a petting zoo is one of the two features (alongside a dedicated kids' play area) that most reliably holds a toddler's or preschooler's attention. Check the listings above for hours, and call ahead if you're planning specifically around animal-barn access.