Overview
Clark's Elioak Farm is a seasonal petting farm on a preserved 540-acre family farm, with restored Enchanted Forest attractions and outdoor play areas. General admission includes the petting-farm animals, restored Enchanted Forest attractions, the Fairy Forest, play areas, slides, and picnic areas. Train, wagon, pony, farm-play, and gem-mining activities cost extra.
The restored storybook pieces are what make this more than a standard petting farm. The original Enchanted Forest opened in 1955, and the Clark family began moving and restoring its attractions at the farm in 2004. Cinderella's Pumpkin Coach, the Three Bears' House, the Old Woman's Shoe, and other familiar structures now appear around the property and Enchanted Pine Tree Forest.
Toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary-age children are the clearest fit. The experience is outdoors and intentionally low-key: animals, imaginative play, picnic time, and simple rides rather than thrill attractions.
What to know before you go
- 2026 season: The petting farm is scheduled to operate March 28 through November 8, 2026. Check the official homepage shortly before visiting because weather can change daily operations.
- Standard hours: The published schedule is 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with selected Monday openings. The fall calendar lists the petting farm and pumpkin patch as open seven days a week from September 19 through November 8. Use the homepage for the current day's schedule rather than assuming every Monday is open.
- Admission: The 2026 price is $8 per person age 1 and older; children under 1 do not need paid admission. Admission covers the animals, Enchanted Forest and Fairy Forest areas, play areas, slides, and picnic areas.
- Paid add-ons: The farm currently lists the Enchanted Express Train at $5; hay wagon, cow train, pony ride or pony pampering, and Working on the Farm play area at $3 each; gem mining at $8–$15; and goat feed at $1. Availability can change with weather or farm operations.
- Tickets: General-admission tickets are purchased after arrival. The farm explicitly says it does not sell advance online admission tickets.
- Food: Families may bring lunch or snacks and use the picnic areas. The Castle Store sells snacks and drinks. The 2026 fall calendar also lists food vendors on pumpkin-patch weekends, but vendor offerings may vary.
- Facilities: The farm's current fall-tour information lists portable toilets and handwashing stations with running water. The public visitor pages do not promise flush toilets, a changing table, or a nursing room, so call (410) 730-4049 if any of those facilities are essential for your visit.
- Rules: The farm lists no dogs, smoking, vaping, alcohol, or drones.
- Terrain and accessibility: The official visitor pages do not publish a detailed accessibility route, surface guide, or mobility-equipment policy. This is an outdoor working-farm setting; contact the farm before visiting if you need step-free routing, firm surfaces, accessible restroom details, or other accommodations.
Tips for families
- Choose add-ons before you arrive. Admission covers plenty of the farm, but rides, the farm-play activity, gem mining, and animal feed are separate purchases. Agree on a per-child add-on budget before everyone sees the train.
- Pack a picnic. Outside food is expressly welcomed, and the farm recommends the picnic area and tables under the trees in the Enchanted Pine Tree Forest.
- Wear practical closed-toe shoes. Expect an outdoor farm visit rather than a paved indoor attraction, especially after wet weather.
- Use the Fairy Forest for a slower activity. Children can look for fairy houses and use the storybook circle; costumes and fairy wings are welcomed but not required.
- Treat special events as date-specific. The current 2026 event calendar lists a Fairy Festival on July 18–19, the Sunflower Showcase from August 21–September 13, the pumpkin patch from September 19–November 8, Halloween costume parades on October 24–25, and Pumpkin Chucking Weekend on November 7–8. Recheck the calendar before relying on any event date.
- Do not assume a character appearance. Princess and superhero appearances mentioned in older schedules are not listed on the farm's current 2026 weekend-event page. If meeting a character is the reason for your trip, wait for a specific current announcement from the farm.
- Check the weather the day you go. Most of the experience is outside, and the farm posts operational changes on its homepage and social channels.
Best time to visit
- Spring: The farm describes spring as baby-animal season. It is a good choice when the priority is the petting farm and comfortable outdoor weather.
- Summer: The Enchanted Pine Tree Forest offers a shaded place to explore and picnic. For 2026, the Sunflower Showcase is scheduled for August 21 through September 13; the event page does not promise a separate admission price, acreage, or extended evening hours.
- Fall: The pumpkin patch is scheduled for September 19 through November 8, 2026. The farm's calendar says this period operates seven days a week, with weekday hours of 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and weekend hours of 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
- Weather: Choose a dry, moderate day when possible. There is no indoor equivalent for most of the animal, ride, forest, and play experiences.
FAQs
How much does it cost? For 2026, admission is $8 per person age 1 and older. The train, wagon, cow train, pony activity, Working on the Farm area, gem mining, and goat feed are separately priced.
Do I need a reservation? Not for general admission. Buy admission at the farm when you arrive; advance online admission tickets are not offered. Birthday parties, school visits, and fall educational tours use separate booking processes.
What ages is it best for? Toddlers through early elementary-age children are the strongest fit for the animals, play areas, Fairy Forest, and simple rides. Older children may be most interested in gem mining, the historical Enchanted Forest pieces, or a scheduled seasonal event.
Can I bring food? Yes. The farm invites visitors to bring lunch or snacks and picnic under the trees or in its picnic area. Snacks and drinks are also sold at the Castle Store.
What bathrooms are available? The official fall-tour page lists portable toilets and handwashing stations with running water. The general visitor information does not advertise flush toilets, changing tables, or a nursing room. Call ahead if you need a specific facility.
Is it stroller- or wheelchair-friendly? The official site does not provide enough detail to promise an accessible route or describe all walking surfaces. Contact the farm at (410) 730-4049 with your specific stroller or mobility needs.
Are dogs allowed? No. The farm's visitor rules prohibit dogs.
Is it a good rainy-day activity? No. The main attractions are outside, so the experience is weather-dependent. Check the official homepage on questionable-weather days.
Is it open year-round? No. The published 2026 petting-farm season runs from March 28 through November 8.
What is the Enchanted Forest connection? The original Enchanted Forest storybook park opened in Ellicott City in 1955 and closed to the public in the early 1990s. Clark's Elioak Farm obtained Cinderella's Pumpkin Coach in 2004, then moved and restored many more structures and figures over the following years. The farm maintains an official restoration history with a year-by-year account.
Do they take credit cards? The current 2026 visitor pages say to buy admission after arriving but do not state accepted payment methods. Bring a backup form of payment or call the farm before your visit; do not rely on older cash-only or card-policy claims.
Helpful links
- Official farm homepage — current-season hours, admission, add-on prices, rules, and day-of operating notices.
- Visiting the petting farm — included activities, picnic guidance, and current logistics.
- 2026 special events — the current Sunflower Showcase, pumpkin-patch, festival, parade, and pumpkin-chucking dates.
- Enchanted Forest history — the farm's account of moving and restoring the original storybook attractions.
- Fairy Forest — what children can explore in the fairy-house and storybook area.
- Official directions PDF — the farm's address and driving directions from the Baltimore, Washington, Columbia, Clarksville, and Route 70 areas.
- Fall educational tours — reservation requirements and facilities for organized fall groups.
