Sure, picking out costumes and trick-or-treating are huge parts of Halloween fun, but nothing beats the spooky glow of a front porch filled with jack-o’-lanterns.

Grabbing a pumpkin in front of the grocery store or from of one of those parking-lot pumpkin patches will do in a pinch, but there’s nothing quite like going to an actual pumpkin patch to roam the rows in search of your perfect jack-o’-lantern match — and drink some apple cider or take a hay ride while you’re at it.

Here are a couple Durango-area pumpkin patches that will fulfill all your fall fantasies and Halloween hopes:

• Falfa Pumpkin Patch: Falfa Pumpkin Patch is probably the closest to downtown Durango — just about a 15-minute drive south of the city. Take Highway 160 south from Durango and follow it as it curves east, then turn right onto Colorado 172. Follow 172 south for about a mile until you come to Falfa Pumpkin Patch on the corner of County Road 221. Falfa’s address (for all your Googling needs) is 54 County Road 221, Durango, CO 81303. Be sure to call ahead to check their hours: 970-769-0252.
• Chimney Rock Farms: This pumpkin patch is a bit farther away, but the bounty is totally worth the 45-minute drive from Durango. Chimney Rock Farms’ pumpkin patch activities run the final three weekends in October and include draft-horse wagon rides, apple cider pressing, costume contests, lunch specials and a professional photographer on hand for family photos. And, of course, pumpkins. Chimney Rock Farms is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and is located at 500 County Road 175, Bayfield, CO 81122. Admission is free. You may contact Chimney Rock Farms at mail@chimneyrockfarms.com or 970-731-1700.

If we’ve missed any pumpkin patches in Durango or in the Durango area, let us know in the comments. What’s your favorite pumpkin patch in Southwest Colorado?

If you’re planning to be in Durango for Halloween, be sure to stay with us at the Durango Quality Inn and bring your pumpkins along!