See the best, most talked about pumpkin patch in North Texas
The Big Orange Pumpkin Farm at Preston Trail Farms in Gunter, Texas
Open Year-Round for Birthday Parties and Field Trips!
Click here to learn more!
Visit in the Fall from September 14 through November 20, 2024, for the fall festivities.
Visit the nearest pumpkin patch to Frisco, Little Elm, McKinney, Prosper, Celina, Gunter, Allen, Aubrey, and Anna, Texas. The Big Orange Pumpkin Farm at Preston Trails in Gunter, Texas, offers a fantastic way to spend a beautiful fall Texas day with the kids. Our day at The Big Orange Pumpkin Farm at Preston Trail Farms in Gunter, Texas, was fun from the moment we arrived. From the pumpkin-lined entrance to the friendly staff to the numerous activities, our day from start to finish at our new favorite pumpkin patch was well worth the time spent.
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Location
The Big Orange Pumpkin Farm is located in Gunter, Texas, straight down Preston Road (i.e., Texas State Highway 289) north of three of the fastest-growing northern Dallas suburbs Frisco, Prosper, and Celina. Travel approximately 3.6 miles past the Celina High School and a tiny unincorporated community named Marilee, and the farm will be on your right. Turn in the first dirt road entrance before the general store once you see the farm. Drive slow as it’s hard to see where the entrance is, and making a U-turn on this sometimes busy two-lane country road might prove tedious and dangerous. You’ll have to make a U-turn from shoulder to shoulder.
The Big Orange Pumpkin Farm
15102 TX-289, Gunter, TX 75058
Parking
There’s plenty of parking at Preston Trail Farms. The parking lot is right in front of the general store and is almost as big as the entire activities area. So don’t fret about parking – you’ll have a spot waiting for you and your family. A parking spot large enough for your most massive SUV and your largest Texas-sized work truck as parking spots are not marked by lines but rather by your judgment on how close you wish to park next to the vehicle next to you. Ladies, this is a gravel parking lot, so be sure to wear closed-toe shoes and shoes you prefer not to get scuffed by the gravel and rocks you’ll be walking on to get through the parking lot.
Hours
The farm operates the pumpkin farm festivities and activities this year from September 14 to November 20, 2024. Although the onsite general store, the Preston Trail Farms Cafe, and the petting zoo all operate year-round. Click to view the most up-to-date hours of operation.
Admission
Check the Preston Trail Farms website for the most up-to-date admission ticket rates. Our entrance fee included many activities, including an authentic hayride, a super-fun hay maze, an adorable farm train for kids and adults, grilled hot dogs for every guest with a paid ticket, and fresh feed for the animals in the petting zoo.
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Experience
The Big Orange Pumpkin Farm at Preston Trail Farms offers these activities, amenities, and more.
- Petting Zoo
- Hay Maze
- Hayride
- Farm Train Ride
- Dining
- General Store
- Pumpkin Patch
- Photo Ops
- Bathrooms
Pumpkins for Purchase
Be sure to bring home a few pumpkins to decorate your home – and for the pumpkin seeds and pumpkin pie. Preston Trail Farms offers pumpkins in every shape and size for sale.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe
Roasted pumpkin seeds are so fun and easy to make and a delicious healthy snack for you and the kids. Pumpkin seeds are super-high in magnesium and are a great source of iron. One cup of roasted pumpkin seeds has about 650 calories, not including any calories from added seasoning.
One cup roasted pumpkin seeds = 650 calories
High is magnesium and iron
Instructions —
1.) Cut the top of your pumpkin.
2.) Harvest the seeds with your hands into a strainer placed in your sink. The kids will LOVE this part as the seeds are intertwined in the gooey innards of the pumpkin. It’s both oh-so yucky and fun at the same time!
3.) Rinse your pumpkin seeds completely clean in your strainer in your sink using your hands.
4.) Pat dry.
5.) Place your seeds evenly on a parchment paper-covered baking sheet or two.
6.) Coat with seasoning of your choice. Salt is great. Or if you prefer a sweet seasoning use cinnamon and sugar. Try a few concoctions at one time too if you like.
7.) Pop your baking sheets in your oven on 350 for about 10 to 20 minutes. Check after every 10 minutes. If they’re a little crispy they’re done.
8.) Let cool on your counter for about 15 or so minutes. Then dig in and enjoy! A super-easy and fun snack the kids can make with you!
Petting Zoo
The petting zoo was the very first activity the kids raced over to experience. Packed with lively, super-friendly goats, sheep, longhorns, and more. The goats had personalities that made everyone smile. They greeted us by climbing up high onto the fence, eager to grab their cups of feed – and grab they did! So hold on tight to those cups!
The kids loved the Texas Longhorns with their massive horns and friendly demeanor. No matter how many times we see a Texas Longhorn, the reaction is always the same – wonder and excitement!
The goats received the most laughs and giggles from the kids, with the goats persistent pushing and reaching. Everywhere we walked within the goat petting zone, a billy, kid, or doe was sure to be stretching through the fence, waiting eagerly to grab feed from our cups – or devour feed from our hands. They were so comical and cute – and very well cared for!
It’s always so peaceful to witness the immediate connection of a child and a furry friend – and many friends that day the kids made.
Hay Maze
The hay maze was a-mazing! No pun intended, my kids' exact words. They raced to the entrance and throughout the maze from one end to the other several times. Never tiring and asking to run through just one more time each time.
This maze is fun for kids and adults of all ages.
With every race, the kids laughed with excitement.
Hayride
After running through the hay maze, the hayride was a great way to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenic views of the entire farm. Along the ride, we read a cute story of a lost farmer named Rick; at the end of the ride, this lost farmer was found rolled up tight in a hay bale. This ride was relaxing, cute, and entertaining from start to finish. A nice way to unwind and enjoy the moment with family.
Our hayride was indeed authentic. Pulled by a large, green-painted John Deere farm tractor – our hay-lined cart was both comfortable and spacious. This ride could easily fit upwards of 50+ guests dispersed among the three carts making the wait time in the line about ten or so minutes or less.
The cute country-style fencing made great photo-ops while waiting in line.
Tale of Farmer Rick
Keep an eye out for the storyboards along the ride detailing the tale of the demise of Preston Trail Farm’s famous Farmer Rick. See who can find him first!
Farm Train
The farm train was fun for the kids and adults. This adorable green barrel train ran around a pumpkin-lined path around the farm's pumpkin patch, where the kids got great views of all the pumpkins they planned to take home.
Dining
Included with our admission, we received one free hot dog from the grill each. Numerous country-style picnic tables adorned with pumpkins and fun, crazy-shaped squash lined the exterior of the general store. Families gathered at each table to eat and share a moment with their loved ones.
A little spotted farm dog walking around the area made the experience fun and at-home for the kids – but the RingPops stole the show. Adorned with their diamond-shaped RingPop on their finger they ran off again to explore what more the farm had to offer.
RingPops anyone? A must-have for the kids.
The sour RingPops were a sought-after favorite.
General Store
On site was a prominent, well-appointed general store with everything you’d need in a hurry and everything you’d need to operate the day-to-day activities of your local farm. The atmosphere was just as authentic as the farm itself – down-home, comfortable, and welcoming to all who entered.
The kids loved looking at all the adorable trinkets and farm tools. A great place we’ll definitely come back to.
Inside the general store is the Preston Trail Farms Cafe’. Open year-round and a favorite go-to spot among locals.
Super-Clean Facilities
Every aspect of our trip to The Big Orange Pumpkin Farm was top-notch! In addition to a much-appreciated, oversized, well-kept, and well-stocked bathroom, every mom and guest can appreciate.
Holiday Charms for the Kids!
Looking for holiday charms to celebrate the holidays this year? Visit our holiday charms and charm bracelets to create a Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas charm bracelet to celebrate their special moments.
Thank you, Preston Trail Farms!
We’ll be back to visit you again next year! You made our beautiful, lazy-day Sunday a day to remember. Happy Fall, Happy Halloween, and Happy Thanksgiving, Preston Trail Farms!