I visited four Sauvie Island pumpkin patches with Cardinal Times reporter Sonia Modha and senior Helen Colletti. In case you only have time to visit one, read on to see which will be the best fit for you.
Bella Organic – 16205 NW Gillihan Rd
Photo used with permission of Helen Colletti.
The first patch we visited was Bella Organic, a 100 acre, family-owned farm on the southeast corner of Sauvie Island. The farm, which is dog-friendly, is a 25 minute drive from downtown Portland and so much more than a pumpkin patch. In addition to pre-picked and u-pick pumpkins, Bella Organic offers a variety of goods available for purchase at their market, corn mazes (both regular and haunted), and temporary tattoos and face painting.
Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a cheery lineup of scarecrows that directed us to the parking lot. The central hub of the farm was bustling with families but never felt overly crowded. There were stands with foods ranging from elephant ears and kettle corn to gyros and burgers. We purchased a caramel apple and a hot apple cider for a total of $11. If you’re ever looking for an overpriced wad of caramel with a side of apple, then this would be the perfect place. It took several bites to even get to the apple, which was unripe and bitter. On the plus side, the piping hot cider warmed us up with a perfect, slightly sweet apple flavor.
After enjoying our snack, which was cash-only, we took the complimentary hayride to the pumpkin patch. The field was small, yet densely packed with bright orange, perfectly round pumpkins almost too beautiful to carve.
For anyone looking for autumn foods and activities, Bella Organic is the place to go. Keep away from the caramel apples, and you will be set for a bustling day of fall fun!
Topaz Farm – 17100 NW Sauvie Island Rd
Photo used with permission of Helen Colletti
Our next stop was Topaz Farm, the family-owned farm that replaced Kruger Farms in 2020. We were utterly disappointed. To even enter the premises, Topaz Farm charged $15 per person. After paying the entrance fee, visitors have access to all activities on-site, including three separate mazes, an animal barn, hay rides and u-pick pumpkins.
If you’re interested in a day of activities, then this could be the place for you, but anyone looking for a quick, affordable stop to pick up pumpkins or an autumn snack could be equally satisfied for a fraction of the price at one of the many other farms on Sauvie Island.
The Pumpkin Patch – 16511 NW Gillihan Rd
Next, we headed to The Pumpkin Patch. For 54 years, The Pumpkin Patch has been a staple experience of autumn in Portland. The family-owned farm offers a wide array of activities and items for purchase. There are a multitude of food stands, two cafés, a market and a gift shop. The activities include an animal barn, a corn maze that usually takes about 45 minutes, hay rides and a u-pick pumpkin patch.
I found The Pumpkin Patch to be a claustrophobe’s nightmare. The central plaza was packed with people and we waited in lines for food and drinks for over an hour. While the Mexican street corn was tangy, and the corn dogs were fluffy and freshly battered, the drinks were underwhelming. We ordered a lavender honey latte that had absolutely no lavender flavor and a pumpkin spice latte that tasted like a too-sweet pumpkin pie rather than coffee.
Overall, The Pumpkin Patch is a great place to enjoy fall activities, as long as you plan on spending lots of time waiting for food and drinks. If you’re in more of a hurry, Bella Organic offers similar activities and foods and the experiences take a fraction of the time.
Douglas Farm – 15330 NW Sauvie Island Rd
Photo used with permission of Helen Colletti.
The final farm we visited was Douglas Farm. Douglas Farm is a quaint family-owned farm that specializes in u-pick fruits and vegetables. To reach the actual farm, visitors drive down a bumpy gravel road until arriving at a small break in the trees. The farm is small and quiet, which contributes to an intimate atmosphere. The farm does not offer food booths or attractions, but instead has a u-pick vegetable garden, apple orchard and pumpkin patch. If you are looking for a cozy farm to pick up fresh produce, then Douglas Farm is the place for you.
