Quad Cities: Sunflower Fields, Pumpkin Patches & Pumpkin Smashing Are Coming This Fall

If your fall plans include cute outfits, golden-hour photos and a field full of sunflowers, mark your calendar. Pride of the Wapsi in Long Grove, Iowa, kicks off its 2026 fall season on September 19, and the first two weekends are all about sunflower season. From September 19–27, visitors can wander through the sunflower and zinnia fields, snap all the photos, and take home a sunflower while supplies last. Professional photographers can also reserve photography sessions, with bookings available throughout sunflower season.

Photo permission granted by Pride of the Wapsi - Long Grove, Iowa

First Stop: The Sunflower Fields

The sunflower and zinnia fields at Pride of the Wapsi are made for photos, whether you’re planning a girls’ day, family pictures, a date or just want some cute new pictures for your camera roll. And you don’t have to make the trip just for the flowers, the farm’s regular fall attractions are open, too.

Sunflower season is expected to run during the first two weekends of the fall season, September 19–27, although the farm notes that bloom timing can change depending on growing conditions.

Photo permission granted by Pride of the Wapsi - Long Grove, Iowa

Then Comes All the Cozy Fall Fun

Once you’ve taken approximately 700 pictures in the sunflower field, there’s plenty more to explore.

Pride of the Wapsi’s 2026 fall season runs September 19 through November 1, with the farm open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission includes access to more than 40 farm attractions, along with the pumpkin patch, corn maze and hayrides.

And there are some new things to check out this year, too. Wapsi Railway Co. train rides and the new Bear Barn, where you can build a buddy to take home, are joining the lineup. Add in food and treats, local Iowa wine, shopping at the gift shop and themed weekend activities, and you have plenty of reasons to make a full day of it.

End Fall With a Little Pumpkin-Smashing Chaos

And because fall apparently isn’t complete without destroying a pumpkin, Pride of the Wapsi is ending its 2026 season with a Pumpkin Smash & Compost Party on November 1st.

The final weekend, October 31–November 1, is also Dog Days, so you can bring your four-legged bestie along for the last weekend of fall fun. Then on November 1, it’s time to give those pumpkins one final send-off with the Pumpkin Smash before the season wraps up.

So whether you’re showing up for the sunflower pictures, getting lost in the corn maze, picking out the perfect pumpkin or just looking for a fun fall day in eastern Iowa, Pride of the Wapsi has plenty going on this season.

Quick Recap

• Where: Pride of the Wapsi, 14600 305th St., Long Grove, Iowa
• 2026 fall season: September 19–November 1
• Sunflower season: September 19–27, weather and growing conditions permitting
• Hours: Friday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Sunflower perk: One sunflower included with admission while flowers are in bloom and supplies last
• Photography: Professional photography reservations are available for sunflower and pumpkin-patch sessions
• Fall activities: Pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides and 40+ farm attractions
• New in 2026: Wapsi Railway Co. train rides and Bear Barn
• Food & shopping: Food, treats, local Iowa wine and a gift shop are available on-site
• Admission: $16.50 online or $18 at the gate for ages 3+
• Final weekend: October 31–November 1, including Dog Days
• Pumpkin Smash: November 1, the final day of the season

Follow Pride of the Wapsi on FACEBOOK and get your tickets on the WEBSITE.