15 ways to get the most fun out of fall just outside Sioux Falls

This paid piece is sponsored by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Chris Kasten’s fall focus centers on pumpkins, while 30 minutes to the southeast, Paula Bell concentrates on offering chills and thrills on the family farm.

Their goal is the same, however: giving area residents a way to salute autumn and the season of Halloween. Kasten’s That Pickin Patch and Bell’s Haunted Farm join multiple other families and organizations in serving up a variety of events and activities for all ages.

Kasten and his wife, Missy, are the fifth generation to farm between Parker and Humboldt; their children are the sixth. It was only 20 years ago, however, that the Kasten family started raising pumpkins. This year, they devoted 5 acres to the fall crop, providing enough, Kasten said, that “we should make it all the way to Halloween night.”

That Pickin Patch offers customers two options: Choose from pumpkins already picked or make an appointment to be taken out to the field to pick their own. The farm also offers photo opportunities and a small petting zoo.

People have asked why the Kastens don’t offer more activities, but they have decided to offer an option that is low-key and affordable.

“Corn and soybean farming is our priority,” Kasten said. “We also want to stay affordable for families that can’t afford extra. Kids light up seeing all the pumpkins we have, and parents walk away spending maybe $20 total.”

Low-key doesn’t mean lack of variety, however. The Pickin Patch offers pumpkins in white, yellow, pink, blue and green. Oddity pumpkins cost $7 each, while the farm also has gourds, mini pumpkins, ears of corn and pie pumpkins.

The Kastens use the honor system for customers who come to The Pickin Patch.

“When you come to visit, you will find a hassle-free experience,” Kasten said. “Take your time as you walk around, and take in the whole adventure.”

For a more haunting experience, the Haunted Farm northeast of Worthing is back for the seventh time in eight years. One year was skipped because of the pandemic, Bell said. This year promises an entirely new experience with Bell’s granddaughter, a senior at Harrisburg High School, entrusted with turning the family barn into a horrifying place to visit.

“I always knew that girl had talent,” Bell said of Kaitlynn Bell. “Now, she’s figured it out. I’m really proud of that barn.”

The Haunted Farm also offers three haunted mazes, a hayride and a petting zoo along with a sit-down snack shack where visitors can socialize.

The Dark Trail has been turned into a scary maze with ideas that came out of Bell’s imagination and those of several helpers. The natural surroundings give the Haunted Farm a unique atmosphere, she said. Even the quarter-mile drive from the road to the barn can give people the chills as they wonder what to expect.

“We do things no other haunted house does,” Bell said. “We use a lot of sounds to scare people. It’s a good starting point for kids. We had a little boy about 6, and his little brother wasn’t having it. So I said I’d go take him to the barn, and he can play with the animals, and you can pick him up later. We tell all the actors if there are kids involved to go after the adults. Kids laugh because their parents scream so much.”

About 40 actors work at the Haunted Farm during the scary season.

Not all activities need to be scary, but there’s a lot going on for families and individuals, including apples, goats and a class on the animals that call Good Earth State Park home. Here’s a sampling of what’s going on across the Sioux Falls metro area:

Cherry Rock Farms, 48105 264th St., Brandon: Open from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for pumpkins, hay rides, s’mores fire pit and a corn maze.

Country Apple Orchard, 27249 SD Highway 115, Harrisburg: Fall festivals run 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through October.

They include a pumpkin patch, hay-bale and corn mazes, petting zoo, jumping pillows, apple cannon range, MegaChess, ring toss, fall madness basketball, country store (opens at 11 a.m. Fridays), zip line course, rubber duck races, kiddie train rides and more. Admission: $10 Friday and $14 Saturdays and Sundays for anyone taller than 35 inches. There is no charge for people who come just to pick their own apples.

And while you’re in Harrisburg, check out Hugh Robinson Park. It’s the oldest park in town, at 203 Prairie Street, and it just unveiled a brand new fully accessible playground and upgraded the picnic shelter.

Glean for Good, 25638 487th Ave. Garretson: Glow Goat Yoga with Bee Fit South Dakota Yoga and Wellness, 6:45 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20. Glow Goat black-light party. Wear neon colors, and bring glow sticks. Register here. Fright Night grand finale goat yoga with Bee Fit, 6:45 to 8 p.m. Oct. 27. The goats will be dressed up for Halloween. Cost: $10. Register here.

Good Earth State Park, 26924 480th Ave., Sioux Falls: Creepy Critters of Good Earth, 2 p.m. Oct. 29. Includes information on the educational animals at Good Earth such as Rizzo the tarantula to Cheese the bull snake. Offers a nature story and craft. Park license is required.

Haunted Farm, 47449 276th St., Worthing: Open 7:30 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays before Halloween. Includes three haunted mazes, a petting zoo and concessions. Admission: $25 for five activities.

Heartland Country Corn Maze, 27455 SD Highway 11, Harrisburg: Features two groundhog designs over 11 acres. Runs through Oct. 23. Admission: $8 for age 11 and older; $5, children age 5 to 10; free to children 4 and younger. Cash or check only. The maze includes 10 checkpoints. Find the hidden checkpoint, and receive a free treat from the concession barn. A haunted corn maze runs from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 28 and 29.

Hovensten Orchards, 25789 480th Ave., Brandon: Has closed for the season since it ran out of apples, juice and other products. It will reopen the third Saturday in August 2023.

Jaycees Feargrounds, W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, Sioux Falls: This year’s theme is “Backwood Nightmare.” Admission: $12 if purchased online, $17 in person. Bring up to three canned goods, and receive $1 off when purchasing at the gate. Proceeds fund other Jaycees activities such as the Fourth of July fireworks display and Holiday Gifts for Kids. Throwback Day is 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday with reduced ticket prices. Blackout Night is 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 20. Kids Day is 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 23. Hours on Halloween are 7 p.m. to midnight. Other open nights are Oct. 14-15, Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 27-29. Weeknight hours are 7 to 9 p.m., weekend 7 p.m. to midnight. Ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing.

Our Farm, 27253 455th Ave., Parker: Includes a pumpkin patch, 6-acre corn maze, petting zoo, gourd launchers, hay-bale mountain, pedal track, multiple slides, zip lines, corn pit and concessions. Open Fridays through Sundays until the end of October. Admission: $10 for children older than 2, $5 for adults. Admission includes everything except pick-your-own pumpkins, gourd launchers and concessions.

Riverview Pumpkin Festival at Riverview Christmas Tree Farm, 48392 278th St., Canton: Concludes Oct. 15-16. Activities include pumpkin painting; games such as cornhole and giant checker, Connect 4 and tic-tac-toe; pumpkin slingshot; inflatables; train rides; farm animals; food vendors; crafts; and live music. Beer and wine available to purchase. Admission: free.

Screaming Woods Haunted Trails of Sioux Falls announced it will not have an event this year but hopes to return in 2023.

Sioux Falls Zombie Walk, starts at Remedy Brewing Co., 401 E. Eighth St., Sioux Falls: Sioux Falls Roller Dollz will host the event Oct. 29 with makeup from noon to 3 p.m. at Remedy. Parade starts at 3 p.m. $5 button to walk. Prizes awarded in several photo categories. This year’s chosen charity is B-Squad Dog Rescue.

Terror 29, 1420 E. Cedar St., Brandon: Hours through October are 7 to 10 p.m. Thursdays, 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 7 to 10 p.m. Halloween. Lights-out tours will be offered from 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 4-5. Purchase tickets here. Three levels of tickets available. Haunted house uses fog, low-lit scenes, strobe lighting, creepy actors, animatronics, uneven walking surfaces, motion scenes and special effects.

That Pickin Patch, 26711 455th Ave., Humboldt: Pick-your-own pumpkins or choose from those already harvested. Also offers gourds, ears of corn and pumpkin oddities. Small petting zoo. Payment of pumpkins is on the honor system.

Twisted Nightmare Haunted House, South Dakota Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, 9700 E. SD Highway 42, Sioux Falls:  Includes intense audio, strobe lights, challenging physical environment, sudden actions, fog and low visibility. Admission: $15 per person or $13 with a canned-food donation for Feeding South Dakota. Fundraiser for SDFOP and Feeding South Dakota. Hours through October are 7 to 10 p.m. Thursdays; 7 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, and 7 to 10 p.m. on Halloween. Trick-or-treat with the lights on from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct 15. Freewill donation to the FOP. Cost for the haunted house and a mobile escape room is $30. Credit cards accepted.

Unite Church, 432 N. Main St., Salem, will host a Trunk or Treat from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 31. Trick-or-treating will take place on Main Street.

Yogi Bear Corn Maze at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, 26014 478th Ave., Brandon: Includes unlimited mini golf on a nine-hole course and a jumping pillow. Admission: $8 for children older than 12 and adults; $3 for children age 4 to 12; free to the youngest children. Thirteenth annual Monster Mash: 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 29. Games, activities and music included with corn-maze admission.