🏔️ Highlands Ranch, Pick a Pumpkin. Catch a Train.

Good morning, Highlands Ranch

The Scoop has an intern. She has four paws, works for treats, and helped pick this week’s pumpkin patch.

Zella and I used to head to Hildebrand Ranch Park, just beyond Chatfield Farms, every Saturday morning after a pup cup. One weekend, our usual drive came with a whole lot of traffic. Turns out, everyone else had pumpkin plans as the Chatfield Pumpkin Festival was in full swing.

It’s back this weekend. And if your fall plans call for a little more adventure, I’ve also rounded up three scenic train rides within about two hours of South Denver.

Onto this week’s Scoop:

Let’s get into it.

—Grace Hody
Editor, The Ranch Scoop

Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms — Littleton
🗓️ Friday–Sunday, Oct. 9–11 (9 a.m.–4 p.m.)
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Pick your perfect pumpkin from the 10-acre patch, wander the corn maze, and enjoy live entertainment, craft vendors and seasonal treats. Admission includes the corn maze; pumpkins cost extra. Timed tickets must be purchased in advance; none will be sold onsite.

Lone Creek Farms Fall Festival — Franktown
🗓️ Friday–Sunday, Oct. 9–11 (10 a.m.–9 p.m.)
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Make a day of pumpkin picking, a corn maze, hayrides, pig races and the candy cannon—with 20+ attractions included in admission. Stay after dark for the new Harvest Glow Lights walking light show. Online admission: $29.95 including fees; ages 3 and under free.

Gilly’s Pumpkin Patch — Castle Rock
🗓️ Friday–Saturday, Oct. 9-10 (10 a.m.–dark)
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Gilly’s is open for the season on a Castle Rock homestead dating to 1889. Wander the patch for specialty pumpkins with a date or bring the kids and let them play and grab a fall treat beneath the cottonwoods.

Fieldhouse Fright Night — Parker
🗓️ Saturday, Oct. 10 (5:30–8 p.m.)
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Bring the kids in costume for trick-or-treating, games, a haunted house and climbing-wall fun. $17 resident/$19 non-resident per child; parents free. Register by 3 p.m. Saturday to avoid a $7 walk-up surcharge.

Harvest Festival — Littleton Museum
🗓️ Saturday, Oct. 10 (10 a.m.–3 p.m.)
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Head to Littleton Museum for pumpkins, wagon rides, carnival games and historic demonstrations. Admission is free; pumpkins, select activities and refreshments cost extra.

Baby Goats at Lone Tree Brewing — Lone Tree
🗓️ Saturday, Oct. 10 (2:30–4:30 p.m.)
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Take a break from pumpkin picking to meet a new batch of baby goats visiting the brewery. Bring the family, snap a few photos and enjoy a relaxed afternoon. Free to attend at the Lone Tree location.

Georgetown Loop Railroad — Georgetown
🚗 About 1–1½ hours from South Denver
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Ride through Clear Creek Canyon, across the railroad’s famous high bridge, and past mountain scenery. Pumpkinfest runs Oct. 9–11, with a take-home pumpkin for every ticketed child.

Pikes Peak Cog Railway — Manitou Springs
🚗 About 1–1½ hours from South Denver
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Watch forest scenery give way to sweeping mountain views on a roughly three-hour round trip to the summit of Pikes Peak. The railway lists late September through mid-October.

Royal Gorge Oktoberfest Train — Cañon City
🚗 About 2 hours from South Denver
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Follow the Arkansas River between towering canyon walls, with optional bratwurst and Oktoberfest brews to complete the outing. Runs through Oct. 31. Tickets start at $109 adults/$104 children, with meals, drinks and fees extra.

📬 Before You Go

Hit reply: If you could pick just one this weekend, would you head to the pumpkin patch or hop aboard a train?

Know someone who needs a few fall plans? Forward them the Scoop!

Until next week,
—Grace

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