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Fall is the time for Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches. Visit Cottonwood Farms. Watch »

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Boulder residents find their ways out of the maize labyrinth at Cottonwood Farms in Boulder. Watch »

Ah, pumpkins. The first sight of them for most is enough to kiss a sweet summer good-bye in anticipation of velvety pies, toasted seeds and carved, candle-lit expressions. To pick out a pumpkin is to make it all your own, and with many pumpkin patches offering field full in the Boulder County area this year, everyone can find the perfect pumpkin.

Bob Condon and his wife, Amy, run Cottonwood Farm on 75th Street and Arapahoe Ave. in Boulder. This will be the 12th season the farm will have a pumpkin patch, as well as a hay maze, animals and antique farm equipment.

"It's a nice fresh air place for people to walk around and spend some time," Condon said. "It's the last season to get out and about and to enjoy the fresh air before it starts to get cold and wintry."

Like most pumpkin patches, admission to Cottonwood Farm is free, but it is a chance for local farmers like the Condons market their crops, including winter squash, tomatoes and peppers, in addition to their pumpkins.

"This is the time we sell the harvest from our farm operation here," Condon said. "We are always looking forward to seeing a group of happy and friendly people and hoping the weather holds nicely for us."

Many of the pumpkin patches offer additional activities, with mazes, petting zoos, handcrafted gifts and baked goods. Condon said this year Cottonwood will bring back its prized 1906 Case steam engine tractor to the grounds after rebuilding it for two years, although Condon said the tractor will not be running quite yet.

History is a part of many of the farms, and in Jo Kuhn's case, a part of the changing seasons. Kuhn, 67, is an antique dealer from Fort Collins, and worked this year during the Country Market Day at Osborn Farm in Loveland. She said that this time of year always brings back memories, especially when she is at a place like the historic Osborn Farm, which has been in existence since 1861.

"I think it's unique that this place has been owned by the Osborns for more than 100 years," Kuhn said. "It's a wonderful atmosphere and reminds me of my childhood and nature and friendly people and beautiful Colorado fall days."

Many of the farms are also just far enough east to see over the foothills onto the Rocky Mountains, offering a perfect backdrop for a memorable day picking pumpkins and sipping cider.

Here's a list of some pumpkin patches and harvest mazes in the area:

Anderson Farms, 6728 WCR 3¼, Erie. Fall Festival, features farm tours and handicapped accessible pumpkin fields and wagon rides, corn maze, farm animals. Pumpkins range in price from $2 to $12. Pumpkin patch closes at dark. Fall Fest, $10 for adults and $8 for kids and seniors: open at 10 a.m. daily through Nov. 2, closes 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 p.m. Sunday 303-828-5210, www.andersonfarms.com

Terror in the Corn, Anderson Farms "haunted" corn maze and ghost town, 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, 7 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission $15 to $20.

Burch Maze , 4225 WCR 32, Longmont (East side of I-25 Frontage Road between Longmont Exit 243 and Mead Exit 245). Pumpkin patch, petting zoo, hay wagon, barrel train, straw-bale mazes and a corn crib for the kids. Open through Oct. 31, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday. (303) 772-1350, www.burchmaze.com.

Cottonwood Farm , 75th Street and Arapahoe Ave., Boulder County. Offers a pumpkin patch, hay maze, animals and antique farm equipment. Free admission, (charge for the wagon ride). Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., through Oct. 31. 720-890-4766, www.cottonwoodfarms.com.

Miller Farms, 9040 Colorado Hwy. 66, Platteville. Features hay rides to a you-pick pumpkin and vegetable patch, "haunted" hayride beginning Oct. 10 through Oct. 31 from dusk to 10 p.m., petting zoo, Indian village, corn maze, hay maze, giant slide, pedal cars, farm tours, market. Open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through mid-Nov., farm tours: Admission $10 to $15, (970) 785-6133, www.millerfarms.net.

Munson Farm , Valmont Road and 75th Street, Boulder County. Pumpkins and fall fruits and vegetables, starting in October also offers hayrides, a corn maze, and pick your own pumpkins. Free admission. Open daily 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 720-971-8847, www.munsonfarms.com

Osborn Farm , 1933 S. E. 14th St., Loveland. Historic farm since 1861, pick and cut your own pumpkin in the field with a wheelbarrow, barn also available to rent for special events. Free admission. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 970-669-4407

Rock Creek Farm U-Pick-em Pumpkin Patch , 2005 S. 112th St., Broomfield. Offers traditional jack-o'-lantern and pie pumpkins in more than 100 acres of pumpkins, also features corn mazes, baked goods, handcrafted gifts. Free admission, cash or check only for harvest goods. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., through October, weather permitting. Three corn mazes, $5 to $8, open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 303-465-9565, www.rockcreekfarm.com.

Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch , 9057 Ute Highway, Longmont. In addition to pumpkin picking, and an open door market, this organic pumpkin ranch has honeybees in their hive; Fall Festival on Saturdays and Sundays in October, featuring a straw maze, paint your own pumpkin, petting zoo, inflatable obstacle course, store with fresh produce and cider. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily in October. Free admission, $6 self-guided tours, weekend tickets for activities. 303-684-0087, www.rockymtnpumpkinranch.com.

Sunflower Farm, 11150 Prospect Road, Longmont. Pumpkin carving, pony rides, animals, tire swings, tree houses, egg collecting, giant sandbox/playhouse, bonfires on Sundays, live music, hay wagon rides. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, $6 Saturday and $8 Sunday; (303)-774-8001, www.sunflowerfarminfo.com.