The Rock Ranch

Here’s the scoop on 2015 Pumpkin Destruction on November 5th.

When my family thinks of Fall, we think of The Rock! No, not the actor/wrestler, and not Rock City, either. But The Rock Ranch in The Rock, Georgia (about an hour south of Atlanta). We have been there several times over the years and plan to go again this year. The Ranch is owned by Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy, and is a working cattle ranch. However, the ranch opens to the public quite a few times a year and is like an amusement park, old-fashioned style!

Where do I even begin to describe all the fun The Ranch has to offer? Let me start by saying there is one admission fee ($15 per person in the Fall) and then you can enjoy an abundance of activities at no extra cost (with the exception of zip lining or rock wall climbing).

Activities include a wonderful corn maze (with clues), cane-pole fishing, paddle boating, giant jump pillow, miniature train ride around the entire activities area, corn crib play box, entertainment (past shows included bluegrass bands and reptile show), paddle boating, and the list goes on and on. This place does it right!

Plus, the dining options DO include hamburgers and not just Mr. Cathy’s famous chicken sandwiches!  Note: This year’s corn maize is a tribute to the Wizard of Oz which is celebrating 75 years. Follow the yellow brick road and try not to get lost!

Small children will love Tiny Town, where miniature buildings beckon you to go inside and see the tiny decorations. You can go inside the jailhouse, courthouse, school, hotel or lunch counter, to name a few. Who am I kidding? Even adults will like exploring this town, which really looks like a town with real little buildings (not just a façade).

Encouraging families to get active, The Ranch also has horseshoes, sand volleyball and the always-fun family dodge ball. A short or long zip line ride is available on the Cow-A-Bunga Ziplines, and anyone can try their skills on the rock climbing wall. Little tykes will love the cow cars and the toddler playground.

My kids personally like going to The Ranch on the Saturday after Halloween, which is Pumpkin Destruction Day! You can bring your own pumpkin to destroy or help destroy the many available at The Ranch. Try your aim at the pumpkin catapult, toss a pumpkin from a tower, or just watch pumpkins being fired out of a pumpkin cannon or run over by a monster truck. The kids will love it!

Once the sun goes down in the Fall, the nights can get chilly, so try the delicious hot chocolate available at carts around the farm. Guests can rent campfire/picnic sites, and many visitors are friendly enough to let you sit and warm your hands by their fire for a spell. Better yet, try camping in one of The Ranch’s Conestoga wagons! Each wagon holds four sets of bunk beds (for a total of eight sleepers per wagon), and a fire pit is provided along with wood, matches and water for hand washing. We camped here with my older son’s Cub Scout pack several years back, and we loved cooking around the campfire at night, hearing the coyotes howl (don’t worry, there’s a fence around the camping area) and waking up to beautiful country views—complete with cows in the nearby pasture. Pure heaven!

Although The Rock Ranch is open on Saturdays during the Fall, they are also open during the Spring and Summer for different events. Check their website for a complete list of activities and operating days. You won’t regret it! Here’s the scoop on 2015 Pumpkin Destruction on November 14th.

For a local OTP list of apple picking and pumpkin patches, click here!