This SC pumpkin patch is among the best in the country, USA TODAY readers say. Here’s why

It may not feel like it just yet, but the first day of fall is less than a week away, on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

Read more Recommendation of the Week: California burrito at Columbia’s Real Mexico

You know what that means? Pumpkin patch season is right around the corner.

Pumpkin patches are one of the most sought-after places to visit during the fall months, and for good reason. Families, friends and strangers are given the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company in a cozy environment filled with fun pumpkin-themed activities.

Pumpkin lovers can’t get enough either. In total, pumpkin production in the U.S. reached 1.44 billion pounds in 2024.

To find the best pumpkin patches in the country, USA Today asked its readers to vote for their favorites in its annual Best Pumpkin Patch Reader’s Choice Awards.

Out of the thousands of pumpkin patches across the country, a South Carolina farm was nominated and named one of the best in the country.

Here’s everything you need to know about the voting process and which SC farm was chosen:

What are the Reader’s Choice Awards?

USA TODAY created the Reader’s Choice Awards to gather its readers’ opinions and find the best of the best across varying industries, travel, and lifestyle categories.

Nominees for each award category are selected by a panel of experts, with the final set of nominees selected via editorial review by USA TODAY 10BEST editors. Once the nominees in an award category are announced, the public is invited to vote for their favorites over a period of four weeks.

Read more Fact check: Where SC governor candidates stand on new data center construction

A person can vote once per day, per category.

There are hundreds of Reader’s Choice Awards this year alone. You can browse all of them by clicking here.

Best pumpkin patch in SC

The SC pumpkin patch that made it on USA Today’s Best Pumpkin Patch ranking is none other than Denver Downs Farm. It came in at No. 7.

Located in Anderson, Denver Downs Farm has been owned by the Garrison Family since 1869. They host a fall festival each year that features a giant pumpkin patch and corn maze, as well as farm animals, pig racing, a zip line, and over 35 fun-filled family activities.

At night, the farm lights up the pumpkins, and you can walk through a Candy Corn Forest trail that features photo ops, as well as rent a private bonfire where you can kick back to excellent live entertainment, according to USA Today.

The festival is open between Sept. 25 and Nov. 14. The address is 1515 Denver Road, Anderson.

Top 10 pumpkin patches in U.S.

If you ever want to go outside SC for seasonal activities, these are the country’s best pumpkin patches, USA Today readers said:

Read more SC has one of best children’s hospitals in Southeast for 2026, US News & World Report says

1. Treworgy Family Orchards, Maine
2. Devine’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch, Kentucky
3. Kelder’s Farm, New York
4. Swans Trail Farms, Washington
5. Sinkland Farms, Virginia
6. Huber’s Orchard & Winery, Indiana
7. Denver Downs Farm, SC
8. Great Country Farms, Virginia
9. Schuster’s Farm, Wisconsin
10. Secor Farms, New Jersey