Family-Friendly Farms Near Clifton Park With Fun Fall Activities

Fall in the Capital Region means crisp air, colorful trees, and a steady stream of weekend trips to local farms. Around Clifton Park, Saratoga County, and the surrounding towns of Ballston Spa, Rexford, Schaghticoke, and Troy, family-owned farms open their fields each September and October for hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and apple picking. These farms grow fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the year, but fall is when many of them add seasonal attractions on top of their usual offerings, turning a simple farm stand visit into a full day out.

Expect to find u-pick apple orchards with dozens of varieties, working farms that host hayrides through the fields, and pumpkin patches where kids can pick their own for carving or decorating. Many farms also run country stores stocked with cider doughnuts, fresh-pressed cider, pies, and other seasonal treats, so it's easy to build a stop for baked goods into the same trip. Some locations, like those further out in Fonda, Fultonville, and Hoosick Falls, make for a good half-day drive if you want to turn the visit into a longer outing through the New York countryside.

Below, browse the full list of farms near Clifton Park and throughout the Capital Region offering fall activities this season, including hours, locations, and what each one has to offer. Whether you're planning a quick weekend outing close to home or a longer day trip to a farm further out, there's a stop on this list worth the drive.