Fall Family Fun Around Van Buren County

October 18, 2025

As autumn settles over Southwest Michigan, crisp air and colorful leaves create the perfect backdrop for family adventures. Whether you’re looking for outdoor fun, cozy moments, or hands-on seasonal experiences, Van Buren County offers countless ways to make memories together this fall.

Listen to our Deep Dive Podcast: Fall Fun

🎃 Visit a Local Pumpkin Patch or Orchard

No Michigan fall is complete without a trip to the pumpkin patch or orchard. These local favorites are perfect for a weekend outing:

Harvest Moon Acres (GOBLES) – A family favorite featuring hayrides, a corn maze, and pumpkins galore.
Overhiser Orchards (SOUTH HAVEN) – Enjoy apple picking, wagon rides, a pumpkin patch, and a petting zoo.
Bumbleberry Acres (SOUTH HAVEN) – Combines farm fun, animal encounters, and fall treats in one spot.
Gull Meadow Farms (RICHLAND) – Worth the short drive for its huge variety of fall attractions, from slides to cider doughnuts.

🍎 Apple, Pumpkin & Sunflower Picking

Many of these farms also offer U-pick experiences, giving families a hands-on taste of the season. At Overhiser Orchards, you can pick apples, pumpkins, or even sunflower heads to bring a touch of autumn indoors.

Want to explore even more? Check regional listings like Pumpkin Patches & More for current farm openings, harvest schedules, and special events throughout Van Buren County and beyond.

🍁 Explore Local Trails, Parks & Natural Areas

Fall is the ideal time to get outside and explore the natural beauty of our region. Bring your hiking boots—or your bike—and take in the scenery:

Van Buren State Park (Ruggles Road, South Haven): Expansive dunes, wooded trails, picnic spots, and direct access to the Van Buren Trail.
Kal-Haven / Van Buren Trail: A must for walkers and cyclists who love autumn color.
North Point Conservation Area: Forested dunes and wetland trails with stunning Lake Michigan views.
Portman Nature Preserve (Almena Township): A peaceful hideaway filled with diverse habitats and wildlife.

Make your hike even more engaging for kids—bring a nature scavenger hunt list, leaf ID app, or sketchbook to capture the colors of fall.

📚 Cozy Up with a Fall Reading Challenge

Cooler weather means it’s time to curl up with a good book. The Van Buren District Library (with branches throughout the county) offers reading programs, storytimes, and fun seasonal activities for all ages.

Create your own book bingo or fall reading log, and challenge your family to read outdoors on sunny afternoons—or under a warm blanket with cider in hand. Don’t miss the library’s special fall events like craft sessions, author visits, and “leafy story walks.”

🧡 Fall Fun at Home

When you’re ready to stay in, keep the fall spirit alive with simple, cozy activities:

Bake together—try pumpkin muffins, apple crisp, or caramel apples.
Make leaf rubbings or pressed-leaf art.
Create a family thankful tree, adding a leaf for each gratitude shared.
Host a backyard fire for s’mores, songs, and storytelling under the stars.

🍂 Celebrate the Season

No matter how you spend it, autumn in Van Buren County is about slowing down, connecting, and enjoying Michigan’s simple pleasures. Take a walk beneath golden trees, share a story over cider, and soak up the beauty that makes fall here unforgettable.

Experience South Haven—and all of Van Buren County—this fall. Your next memory is waiting.