There’s a certain moment each year when you realize summer has finally loosened its grip.
Maybe it’s the first cool morning that calls for a light jacket.
Maybe it’s the sight of pumpkins stacked outside a roadside stand or the smell of kettle corn drifting through the air at a local festival. However you experience it, fall invites families back outdoors.
In Stone County, autumn sets the stage for long afternoons on the farm, hayrides through open fields and weekends spent making memories that quickly become family traditions.
If you’re looking for a classic fall getaway in South Mississippi, here’s how to spend the perfect autumn weekend in Stone County.
Start With the Pumpkin Patch
Start your fall adventure at Charlie’s U-Pik in Wiggins, where seasonal displays bring fall to life in one stop.
Browse pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks and hay bales while stocking up on fresh, locally grown produce. Families stop here to grab porch décor, pick the perfect pumpkin and kick off their fall traditions with an easy, relaxed farm visit.
From there, head to Williams Family Farms, where pumpkin picking turns into a full fall experience. Rows of pumpkins stretch across the farm, creating plenty of space to explore, snap photos and find the perfect one to take home. Kids move from pumpkin picking to wide open fields while parents slow down and enjoy the scenery. Expect hayrides, seasonal activities and plenty of time outdoors built into the visit.
And somehow everyone leaves with more pumpkins than they planned to buy.
Get Lost in a Corn Maze
There are two kinds of people in a corn maze. The first studies the map carefully and develops a strategy. The second confidently announces they know exactly where they’re going and immediately leads everyone in the wrong direction. Fortunately, both approaches make for a good afternoon.
At Williams Family Farms, the corn maze turns a simple walk into a friendly competition. Every turn looks familiar. Every dead-end spark debate. At some point, someone volunteers to get a better view only to realize the maze stretches farther than expected.
Even if you’re excellent with directions, plan on getting turned around at least once. It’s part of the experience.
Build a Day Around the Festivities
Start the morning with coffee and breakfast in downtown Wiggins, then ease into a slower pace as you explore Stone County.
Spend time browsing local shops or stretch your legs along the Tuxachanie National Hiking Trail, where cooler weather makes fall one of the best times to enjoy the outdoors. From there, head out to Flint Creek, where crisp air and calm water create the perfect setting for a picnic, fishing or kayaking.
If you want a more scenic drive, follow the roads through De Soto National Forest, where tall pines and quiet stretches of highway make the journey just as memorable as the destination. During this beautiful fall season, be sure to also check out our Scarecrow Convention.
Suggested Fall Itinerary in Stone County
Looking for a plan? Here’s one way to spend a Saturday in Stone County:
9:00 a.m. – Grab breakfast and coffee at Sleepy Bear in Wiggins.
10:00 a.m. – Start at Charlie’s U-Pik for pumpkins, produce and seasonal décor.
12:00 p.m. – Enjoy lunch at one of Stone County’s local restaurants.
1:00 p.m. – Head to Williams Family Farms for pumpkin picking, hayrides and the corn maze.
3:00 p.m. – Walk Tuxachanie National Hiking Trail or enjoy Flint Creek.
6:00 p.m. – End the day with dinner and one last look at the sunset over the fields before heading home.
Of course, many visitors decide one day isn’t enough and turn the trip into a full weekend getaway.
Start Planning Your Fall Getaway
Gather the family, pick a weekend and discover why fall keeps people coming back year after year. For trip ideas, places to stay and seasonal inspiration, explore Stone County and start planning your autumn adventure today. The pumpkins will be waiting!