A Michigan pumpkin farm that planned to close after 2025 is back for another fall season. BJ Farm in Temperance changed course after longtime customers urged the family to keep its 40-year tradition alive.
The farm reopened with its search-and-find corn maze, fresh donuts, apple cider slushies, pumpkins, and family games. Admission to the property is free, with separate charges for certain activities.
This year’s setup is a little smaller, and there’s a new addition: crafts in the barn. But the biggest surprise is that families almost lost this longtime fall destination altogether.
A Family Pumpkin Stop on Secor Road
Pumpkin season in southeast Michigan has a home base at BJ Farm, a family-owned spot at 9777 Secor Rd in Temperance, Michigan. Temperance sits in Monroe County, just a short drive north of the Ohio state line and Toledo.
The setup is refreshingly simple. You’ll see piles of pumpkins, a farm stand, a corn maze, a hayride, and a play area for kids, all on one easygoing property.
What I like most is the size. It feels small enough to explore in an afternoon without a map, a schedule, or a long list of add-ons to figure out.
The farm runs on a fall schedule, and its hours lean toward the weekend. It has typically opened Friday through Sunday during the season, with weekdays closed.
That rhythm makes planning easy for families with busy school weeks. Still, schedules can shift from year to year, so checking the farm’s official page before you go is a smart habit.
Families have been making this drive for a long time, with some bringing their kids and grandkids back each autumn. That long tradition starts making sense once you step into the corn.
The Corn Maze Comes With a Crayon
Hand a kid a crayon and a checklist, and suddenly a walk through cornstalks becomes a mission. BJ Farm turns its corn maze into a search-and-find scavenger hunt.
Objects are hidden among the rows, and you check them off as you spot them. One visitor counted around 60 items on the list, which keeps sharp eyes busy for quite a while.
I find this twist clever because it changes the whole goal. Instead of racing to the exit, everyone slows down and actually looks around.
Adults don’t get a pass, either. Couples and groups of grown-ups have made a habit of tackling the hunt together, sometimes laughing over which items they keep missing.
A few simple tips can help. Wear shoes that can handle dirt, bring a little patience for younger kids, and split up the list if your group is competitive.
The maze has its own entry fee in past seasons, so plan for that if you’re budgeting. Once you’ve crossed off every item, the next adventure rolls by on a wagon behind a tractor.
Tractor Wagons Head for the Patch
Few sounds say autumn quite like a tractor engine pulling a wagon full of hay bales. At BJ Farm, the hayride is how you reach the you-pick pumpkin patch.
The ride has been known to run on Saturdays and Sundays. Riders mention fun things to spot along the way, which gives kids something to point at while the wagon bumps along.
Here’s a detail dog owners will appreciate. Well-behaved dogs have been welcome to ride along, which is rare for a farm outing.
Once you arrive, the patch is yours to wander. Pick a pumpkin that feels right, whether that means tall and skinny, short and round, or a little lopsided.
I’d bring a wagon-friendly bag or gloves if your family likes picking the heavy ones. Pumpkins pulled straight from the vine can be dirty and awkward to carry.
If you’d rather skip the ride, the farm stand back near the entrance has plenty of pumpkins already picked. Either way, the ride itself is half the point, and it sets up a nice moment for photos when you return.
Fresh Cake Doughnuts and Apple Cider Slushies
Fresh cake doughnuts and apple cider slushies give families another reason to visit BJ Farm beyond the pumpkin patch. The farm’s snack counter has become a popular stop for visitors who want a classic fall treat before heading home.
The doughnut selection has included cinnamon sugar and apple-flavored varieties, with visitors reporting batches made fresh that morning. Some families even stop by specifically for the doughnuts rather than the seasonal activities.
Apple cider is another favorite, served both as a traditional drink and as a frozen slushie. The cold version is especially appealing during warmer September weekends, and pairing one with a cinnamon sugar doughnut makes an easy afternoon snack.
Regular apple cider is available for visitors who prefer the classic option. The farm has also offered cider to take home, making it possible to enjoy another taste of the season after the visit.
Unlike some larger Michigan fall destinations, BJ Farm isn’t an apple orchard and doesn’t offer apple picking. Pumpkins remain the main attraction, while the doughnuts and cider provide a welcome break between activities.
Popcorn has also appeared among the snack options, giving families something savory alongside the sweeter treats. Past visitors have mentioned a credit card surcharge, so bringing cash may be useful, although current payment policies should be checked.
The snack counter is a natural stopping point after exploring the corn maze or returning from the pumpkin patch. Families can take a break, enjoy their treats, and give younger kids a chance to recharge before heading back to the play area.
It’s a simple combination that fits the farm’s approach to autumn. No elaborate food court or oversized menu is needed when fresh doughnuts, apple cider, and a few familiar fall favorites are part of the experience.
Room to Climb, Run, and Toss
Kids with energy to burn get their own corner at BJ Farm. A play area with climbing structures gives little ones a place to run, scramble, and explore.
Yard games are set up around the property too. These simple, old-fashioned games let families play together without screens or tickets.
I appreciate that the fun stays low-key. There’s no pressure to buy tokens, just open space to play.
Parents often mention how the play zone fits into the day’s flow. Kids can play while adults browse pumpkins or wait on a doughnut order.
A quick tip from the setup itself: dress kids in clothes that can get dusty. Farm play areas and hay bales aren’t kind to brand-new outfits.
Keep in mind the farm doesn’t have animals. If your child expects goats or ponies, set that expectation early so nobody feels surprised.
Once the kids have climbed everything twice, it might be time to round everyone up. Luckily, the farm has plenty of colorful spots to line them up for a picture.
Photo Spots Around Every Corner
Phones come out fast at BJ Farm, and the farm makes it easy. Photo spots are scattered across the property for families, couples, and friends.
The options are nicely varied. You’ll see natural settings, wooden cutouts to poke your face through, and backdrops with props.
I’d suggest taking a slow lap before snapping anything. Each spot has a different feel, so picking a few favorites saves time with restless kids.
Pumpkin piles and hay make easy backgrounds too. Even a simple shot next to a stack of gourds can look seasonal and cheerful.
Some couples have even returned for their anniversary year after year. A yearly photo at the same farm builds a fun little timeline.
Afternoon light can be flattering, especially as the day winds down. Just be aware that weekend afternoons may bring more families sharing the same spots.
Once you’ve got the keeper shot, you’ll probably want to bring a bit of this autumn look home. The farm’s decor selection makes that easy.
Pumpkins in Every Shape and Shade
Orange is only the starting point here. BJ Farm stocks pumpkins in a range of colors and sizes, from tiny tabletop ones to big carving candidates.
Heirloom baking pumpkins have been part of the mix too. Those are a nice find for anyone planning homemade pie or soup.
Gourds and hard squash fill out the selection. One longtime visitor makes a point of picking up fall squash every single year.
I like the idea of grabbing a few different types. Mixing shapes and colors on a porch looks more interesting than a row of matching orange globes.
Here’s a fun little extra. Homemade pumpkin carving tools have been sold at the stand, which makes carving night at home a lot easier.
If you’re planning to carve, pick pumpkins with sturdy stems and no soft spots. They’ll last longer on the porch before Halloween arrives.
Pumpkins are just one piece of a fall display, though. The farm also offers mums, corn, and hay to finish the look.
Mums, Cornstalks, and Hay for the Porch
Dressing up a front porch for fall takes just a few pieces, and BJ Farm carries most of them. Mums are a big draw at the farm stand.
Shoppers have praised the mums for looking full and lush. Several have compared other stores and still came back here for their flowers.
Corn and hay bundles are sold for home decor too. Pair them with pumpkins and gourds, and your entry suddenly looks ready for autumn.
I’d recommend keeping mums watered once they’re home. They can dry out quickly on a sunny porch, especially early in the season.
Bringing a vehicle with some cargo room makes shopping easier. Hay and cornstalks can be bulky, and mums take up more space than you’d expect.
Many families have praised the farm’s prices on decor over the years. Specific costs change by season, so it’s best to check when you arrive.
Shopping might be the practical reason to stop by. But for many families, the real draw is something harder to buy: a tradition.
Traditions That Span Generations
Back in 2015, one visitor shared how her grandpa first brought her to this pumpkin patch when she was little. Now she brings her own kids and her mom every fall.
Stories like that come up again and again at BJ Farm. Grandparents bring grandkids, couples mark anniversaries, and families return more than once a season.
A friendly family runs the place, and longtime guests often mention the owners by their kindness. That personal touch keeps the farm feeling small and familiar.
The farm has even changed over the years in little ways. A newer parking area off Secor Road replaced an older spot off Erie Road.
I find that kind of continuity rare. Many attractions grow bigger and flashier, while this farm sticks to pumpkins, doughnuts, a maze, and a hayride.
Maybe that’s the secret to its staying power. Kids remember the crayon checklist and the slushie, then pass those same memories on years later.
For a fall outing that feels simple and steady, this Temperance farm keeps doing exactly what families hope it will.
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