Fall in Oregon isn’t just about pulling on a hoodie and grabbing a pumpkin spice latte. It’s about chasing crisp mornings, soaking in fiery sunsets, and making memories that stick with you long after the leaves are gone. If you want the ultimate place to dive headfirst into autumn, Smith Rock Ranch in Terrebonne delivers it all. We’re talking pumpkins, giant corn maze, a pumpkin cannon, hayrides, and a backdrop so jaw-dropping you’ll be reaching for your camera every five minutes.
And here’s the kicker: it’s right next door to one of Oregon’s most iconic landmarks, Smith Rock State Park. Picture your family picking out pumpkins with those towering golden cliffs glowing in the background. This is Central Oregon in all its glory.
Smith Rock Ranch is Where Fall Kicks Off On The Other Side of the Cascades
Smith Rock Ranch is located in Terrebonne, just a short drive from Redmond and Bend. That makes it an easy weekend outing for families across Central Oregon, or those driving in from the west. Parking is available, and it’s a good idea to wear comfortable shoes since you’ll likely be walking through fields and gravel paths. Bring a camera, because nearly every corner of the ranch offers a photo opportunity, from the pumpkin patch to the views of the towering rocks.
This is a real working farm, specializing in producing carrot, onion, and bluegrass seed, as well as wheat, hay, pumpkins, and squash, which are sold throughout the state of Oregon and beyond. From the end of September through October, they open their farm to the public and provide SO MANY family-friendly activities to celebrate the fall season.
For the 2025 season, Smith Rock Ranch officially opens on September 27th.
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From City Kid Ambition to Farm-Life Reality
The story begins in 1998, when a Portland native named Matt Lisignoli decided to try something bold. Even though the high desert of Central Oregon is not exactly pumpkin country, Matt rented a field near Redmond and planted a small patch. He called it the Central Oregon Pumpkin Patch. Locals at the time thought growing pumpkins in the High Desert was kind of crazy. But Matt persevered.
As the patch grew in popularity, he and his wife, Kendra, saw potential in expanding not just a stand or a patch, but a full farm experience.
In September 2001, the Lisignolis moved their family and business to a historic but neglected farmstead in Terrebonne, just minutes from Smith Rock State Park. The land had seen better days. The family invested sweat, vision, and love to bring it back to life. By 2003, they launched their first large-scale corn maze (or “maize,” as they stylize it). Around that same time the name Smith Rock Ranch was adopted, tying in the iconic landscape right next door.
Pumpkins for Days
Smith Rock Ranch takes pumpkins seriously. You’ll find acres of them, big, small, round, funky-shaped, waiting to be hauled off in wheelbarrows. Whether you’re carving jack-o-lanterns, decorating your porch, or just trying to find the biggest pumpkin your kid can possibly lift, this patch has you covered.
And the photo ops? Endless. Families snap pictures with arms full of pumpkins while Smith Rock towers behind them. It’s the kind of backdrop that makes even the most chaotic family picture look like it belongs on a postcard.
The Famous Corn "Maize"
Every fall, Smith Rock Ranch rolls out a massive corn maze with a brand-new design. We’re not talking about random twists and turns. These mazes are shaped into characters, logos, and full-blown works of art you can actually see from above. They switch it up every year; Star Wars, Wizard of Oz, Pac-Man, you name it, they've done it. Just announced on their Facebook Page: 2025's corn maize theme is "Maize-o-poly"!
Once you’re inside, though, it’s all about laughter and a little bit of getting lost. Parents try to act like they know the way, kids dart ahead, and everyone ends up yelling “this way!” before eventually stumbling out together. It’s pure fall fun.
Farm Fun That Feels Like a Festival
There’s no shortage of activities to keep kids buzzing with excitement. Pony rides, a pumpkin cannon that blasts gourds across the field, wagon rides, put-put golf, and a little train that’s always a hit with the younger crew. Add in a shooting gallery, carnival vibes, and the smell of fresh kettle corn in the air, and you’ve got yourself a fall festival wrapped up in a working farm.
This isn’t the kind of place where you grab a pumpkin and head home. It’s the kind of place where you spend hours laughing, exploring, and loading up on treats you didn’t plan to buy but absolutely had to have.
Giant Pumpkin Cannons: Blastin' Pumpkins Sky-High
It’s just as much fun to cheer on participants as it is to pull the trigger. With one shot per token, you can aim for the targets or simply blast a pumpkin sky-high and watch how far it can soar across the field before making a satisfying splat.
Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides
Hop on a wagon and take a scenic ride across the ranch. It’s a laid-back way to soak in the beauty of the high desert and the jagged cliffs of Smith Rock glowing in the distance. Kids love the ride, and adults love the chance to sit back and take it all in.
All Aboard The Train Ride
A mini-train winds its way through the ranch, and it’s always a hit with younger kids. They’ll feel like they’re on their own little adventure while parents snap photos from the sidelines or choose to hop on themselves.
Try Out Your Skills at The Wild West Shooting Gallery
If you’ve got good aim (or even if you don’t), the shooting gallery is a blast for little cowboys and cowgirls. It’s a chance to test your skills, laugh at your misses, and maybe win bragging rights if you hit the target.
Bottom Line: There's so much to do and see here that you'll want to make a full day of it.
That View Though
Let’s not gloss over the biggest star here: Smith Rock itself. Those jagged cliffs rising up from the Crooked River canyon make every corner of the ranch feel cinematic. Seriously, you’ll want to bring your camera just as much as your appetite.
Pro tip: spend your morning hiking at Smith Rock State Park, then roll into the ranch in the afternoon for pumpkins and kettle corn. It’s the ultimate Central Oregon day.
Dog Friendly Digs At The Bark Park
Folks, this place even welcomes your four-legged sidekicks! There's a fenced-off area, the Bark Park, where your pooches can run wild and free. Just make sure to keep an eye on them, and don't let them venture into the maze.
Planning Your Visit
Smith Rock Ranch is located in Terrebonne, just a short drive from Redmond and Bend. That makes it an easy weekend outing for families across Central Oregon. Parking is available, and it’s a good idea to wear comfortable shoes since you’ll likely be walking through fields and gravel paths. Bring a camera, because nearly every corner of the ranch offers a photo opportunity, from the pumpkin patch to the views of the towering rocks.
Many activities are free to enjoy, while others require tickets, which are available on-site. The ranch also posts schedules for special events and updates on its official website and social media, so checking before you go will help you plan the perfect trip.
From Autumn Straight Into the Holidays
As the days get shorter and the holidays approach, there’s something truly grounding about spending time at Smith Rock Ranch. It connects you to the land, the seasons, and the joy of being with loved ones. Whether you’re choosing the perfect pumpkin or launching one from the barrel of a giant cannon, this Terrebonne destination is pure magic.
So grab your coat, gather your family, and make a trip out to Smith Rock Ranch this season. You’ll leave with more than pumpkins or holiday treats. You’ll carry home memories framed by the stunning cliffs of Smith Rock and the warm spirit of Oregon’s most festive farm.
Check out a complete list of all of the activities at Smith Rock Ranch HERE.
Smith Rock Ranch Pumpkin Patch And Corn Maze Information For 2025
Address: 1250 NE Wilcox Ave, Terrebonne, OR 97760
Phone: 541-504-1414
Hours: See their website for details. Opens September 27, 2025.
Web: smithrockranch.com
Socials: Facebook
