Pioneer Trail Orchard & Pumpkin Patch
Council Bluffs, IA
At a glance
- Address
- 534 Chestnut Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
- Activities
- 🎃 Pumpkins🍎 Apples
- Phone
- (712) 366-1505
- Typical season
- Sep to Oct (pumpkins, varies by farm)
- Listing updated
- Feb 2024
- Contact details from
- USDA Local Food Directories
- County
- Pottawattamie County, IA
- Hardiness zone
- USDA zone 6a
- Source
- USDA Local Food Directories
Picking weather
National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast…
Weather only. It does not tell you whether the farm is open, so check hours with the farm.
Make a day of it
- Public restroom 2.5 mi
- Playground 3 mi
- Picnic area Margaritaville 2.5 mi
- Gas station Casey's General Store 3.3 mi
- EV charger Tesla Supercharger 4.7 mi
- 26 places to eat within 5 mi 712 eat + drink, DQ Grill & Chill, Village Inn
Farmers markets nearby
- Main Street Farmers Market Council Bluffs · 6 mi
- River City Farmers Market Council Bluffs · 6.1 mi
- Silver Creek Farmers' Market Silver City · 9.3 mi
CSA farm shares nearby
- Iowana Farm 11.2 mi
- Fork N Farm 14.8 mi
Open in Apple Maps · Google Maps directions
Nearby places from OpenStreetMap (straight-line distance). Markets and CSAs from the USDA Local Food Directories.
Weather here in a typical year
Nov here: highs around 50°F, lows around 30°F, about 1.4 in of rain, 9.8 hours of daylight.
- 🌱 Last spring frostApr 18
- 🍂 First fall frostOct 21
- ☀️ Frost-free season185 days
- 🧭 Hardiness zone6a
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Omaha Eppley Airfield, NE station (10.2 mi); USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 (USDA-ARS, Oregon State University PRISM). Averages, not a forecast. Crops ripen earlier after warm springs.
What you can pick here
Typical US ranges from extension service crop calendars, not this farm's own dates. Seasons shift by region and weather, so check with the farm.
Before you go
- Check that it is open. Call the farm: hours and crops change with the weather.
- Bring cash and a card. Some farms take only one.
- Water, sun protection and closed-toe shoes.
- Boots that can get muddy
- A wagon or sturdy bag for heavy pumpkins, if allowed
- Hand wipes
- A bag or box for the ride home, if the farm allows your own
- Comfortable shoes for orchard rows
- Ask about pets before you bring a dog.
More tips: your first u-pick visit.
How to pick like a pro
- Is it ripe?
Look for an even, deep color, a hard rind your fingernail cannot dent, and a dry, firm stem.
- How to pick
Cut the vine with pruners and leave 3 to 4 inches of stem. Carry pumpkins from underneath, never by the stem.
- Best time to go
Late September to mid October for the best selection. Go after a few dry days; patches get muddy after rain.
- Keep it fresh
Uncarved pumpkins last 2 to 3 months in a cool, dry spot. Carved ones last about a week.
Farm country: Pottawattamie County
Pottawattamie County had 1,203 farms in the latest USDA Census of Agriculture (2022). Of those, 41 sold food straight to the public and 4 earned money from agritourism like u-pick and tours.
- 1 acres of pumpkins
- 42 acres of apples #9 of 45 counties in IA
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2022 Census of Agriculture. Some county numbers are withheld to protect individual farms.
Check hours before you go. Listings come from public directories and many were last updated in 2024.
Farms nearby
Farms in Iowa · Pumpkin patches everywhere
Plan your trip
Questions about Pioneer Trail Orchard & Pumpkin Patch
Is Pioneer Trail Orchard & Pumpkin Patch open today?
We do not track live hours. Call the farm at (712) 366-1505 before you go. Our listing comes from public directories and was last updated Feb 2024.
When is the season at Pioneer Trail Orchard & Pumpkin Patch?
Pumpkins typically run Sep to Oct in much of the US. Exact dates depend on the farm, the region and the weather, so confirm with the farm.
Where is Pioneer Trail Orchard & Pumpkin Patch?
The listing gives the address as 534 Chestnut Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51503. Use the Directions button for turn-by-turn directions.
Can I bring my dog to Pioneer Trail Orchard & Pumpkin Patch?
Pet rules vary by farm and by field. Many u-pick farms do not allow dogs in picking areas for food safety. Ask the farm before you go.
Is this listing wrong?
Farms can fix or claim a listing for free on our add or claim your farm page.