The pigs would like a word with whoever called this a pumpkin patch.
They have races to run, and they are not exactly interested in being background entertainment.
You may arrive ready to pick a pumpkin and head home. Then the pig races start. Somebody disappears into the corn maze.
The jumping pads suddenly become non-negotiable.
So much for that tidy little plan.
With more than 45 activities, this Arkansas farm gives everyone a reason to wander in a different direction.
The 2026 season runs on weekends from September 26 through November 8, plus Columbus Day. Some activities are included with admission, while others cost extra.
Pick a few favorites and leave room for whatever steals the afternoon.
And if the pumpkin actually makes it back to the car before the pig races?
Impressive discipline.
Why This Farm Becomes A Fall Destination Every Year
Every autumn, Jackson Farm opens for Arkansas Pumpkin Fest between Black Rock and Smithville in Northeast Arkansas. The farm combines seasonal attractions, flower fields, food stops, and special events across its fall calendar.
A big part of the appeal is variety, since the festival features more than 45 fall activities. The lineup includes a custom corn maze, hayrides, jumping pads, a petting barn, photo ops, flower fields, giant slides, and other attractions spread around the farm.
The setting matters too. Open farmland gives the day room to breathe, and the mix of activities makes it easy to move at your own pace rather than follow one fixed route.
Special events change the calendar from weekend to weekend. The 2026 schedule includes the Blooms & Butterflies release, Jeepin’ for Jude, Bring Your Pet Weekend, a Twilight Maze, Halloween activities, and Christmas on the Farm.
Start by choosing one or two must-do activities, then leave room for whatever catches your eye next. That keeps the day flexible without turning it into a race from one attraction to another.
More Than 45 Activities Fill The Farm With Autumn Fun
Forty-five activities sounds like a lot, and there is plenty of ground to cover.
General admission includes a long list of attractions, including the corn maze, hayride, cow train, ziplines, giant corn pit, petting barn, pig races, jumping pillows, obstacle course, ball zone, barn swings, tire mountain, western town, giant slides, trike track, and pedal kart track.
A few extras cost more than the entry ticket. Pony rides, face painting, pumpkin cannon shots, extreme cornhole, paintball, gem mining, and pet feed carry additional charges.
Because there is so much to choose from, pacing becomes your best friend. Pick a handful of must-dos first, then work in the rest as time allows. A family that wants the maze, hayride, animals, and slides can build around those four and still have room for food or a special event.
Here’s a practical idea worth trying. Let each person choose one favorite activity, then build the day around those picks. It keeps the schedule simple and gives everyone a say.
If one area is busy when you reach it, move on and circle back later. With this many options, there is no need to wait around when something else is just a short walk away.
Take A Hayride Through The Arkansas Countryside
Few sounds match the steady rumble of a tractor pulling a wagon across a farm road. That gentle bump and sway is part of the hayride experience.
At Jackson Farm, hayrides run throughout the day during the festival. The last hayride leaves at sunset, so timing one later in the day can give tired legs a break before the gates close.
The ride also offers a different way to see the property. Instead of moving from attraction to attraction on foot, you can sit for a while and watch the farm roll past.
Long pants can be useful for a hayride, especially if you prefer a little more coverage while sitting. A light layer also makes sense on cooler fall evenings.
Timing your ride can change how it fits into the rest of the day. A midday trip works well between active stops such as the maze and slides, while a later ride can make an easy transition toward the end of your visit.
Since the final ride leaves at sunset, do not save it until the last possible minute. If a hayride is high on your list, work it into the plan before the afternoon gets away from you.
Either way, expect a few stray pieces of hay to follow you home.
Get Lost In Jackson Farm’s Custom Corn Maze
Left or right? That tiny decision can spark a surprising amount of debate inside a corn maze.
Jackson Farm grows a custom themed corn maze for the fall season, and it comes with general admission. With plenty of turns to work through, it can add a substantial stretch of walking to the day.
Take your time inside. A maze is more fun when nobody is treating every wrong turn like a mistake, and the extra distance adds a little more walking to an already active day.
For a different version of the experience, the 2026 season includes a Twilight Maze on October 17. That special event shifts the maze later in the day, so check the date before planning a visit around it.
Comfortable shoes are the practical choice here. Farm ground can be uneven, and the maze adds more walking on top of everything else you may already have planned.
If you’re visiting with younger children, decide on a simple regrouping plan before entering and keep everyone together at intersections. Then let the maze do what it is supposed to do: slow you down, send you the wrong way once or twice, and turn one patch of corn into a small fall puzzle.
Pumpkins, Sunflowers, And Photo Ops Bring The Farm To Life
Bright orange pumpkins beside sunflower and zinnia fields give this part of the farm plenty of fall color.
Jackson Farm includes pumpkin displays, flower fields, and dedicated photo ops during the festival season. The General Store and Pumpkin Tent also sell pumpkins, mums, corn stalks, and straw bales for anyone who wants to bring part of the seasonal setup home.
Pumpkins are not included with admission, so plan for a separate purchase if choosing one is part of the day.
The flower fields add another stop between larger attractions. Sunflowers and zinnias appear in the farm’s fall offerings, and the Blooms & Butterflies event on September 26 takes place in the zinnia field.
For photos, late afternoon can be useful if you want softer light, but there is no need to turn the visit into a full photo session. A quick stop at a display or flower row can fit between the maze, animals, and food without taking over the schedule.
If a pumpkin is coming home with you, consider picking it up later rather than carrying it around through the rest of the farm.
That small timing choice can make the next few hours much easier.
Pig Races, Pony Rides, And Giant Slides Keep Families Busy
Pig races are part of the regular festival schedule, with races held several times on Saturdays and Sundays. They make an easy fixed point around which to plan the rest of the day.
Pony rides offer another animal-focused activity, but they are an add-on rather than part of general admission. They close at 6 p.m., so move them earlier if they are on your list.
Giant slides, ziplines, the cow train, jumping pillows, and the obstacle course add more movement to the mix. These are useful choices when you want an active stretch between slower stops such as the hayride or flower fields.
Animal lovers can also spend time in the petting barn. Pet feed is available for an additional charge, so decide beforehand whether feeding the animals is part of the plan.
The daily schedule also includes a candy cannon and a magic show with balloon art on Saturdays and Sundays. Pig races are scheduled at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sundays.
With fixed-time activities mixed among open attractions, it helps to check the day’s agenda before heading into the maze or settling in for food.
What To Know Before Visiting Jackson Farm’s Fall Festival
A little planning can make a farm day easier. The 2026 Fall Festival runs September 26 through November 8 on weekends, plus Columbus Day on October 12.
Saturdays are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays from noon to 7 p.m., and Columbus Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The final weekend, November 7 and 8, closes at 6 p.m.
General admission is discounted online compared with the full gate price. The farm is cashless for regular festival purchases and accepts credit and debit cards.
Food stands sell meals, snacks, sweets, and non-alcoholic drinks. Current options include hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken tenders with fries, funnel cakes, kettle corn, pies, fresh-squeezed lemonade, soft drinks, and bottled water.
Outside food and drinks are also allowed, which gives you another option if you want to pack part of the day’s meal.
Comfortable shoes belong near the top of the packing list, and sun protection makes sense for time spent outdoors. If your group wants several of the larger attractions plus a meal and a special event, give the visit enough room rather than trying to squeeze everything into a short stop.
You’ll find Jackson Farm at 2798 Hwy 117, Black Rock, AR 72415.
Pick the maze, hayride, animals, flowers, or food as your first priority, then let the rest of the day fill itself in.