Miles Of Mazes: Find Fall Adventure In Farm Country

Autumn is in full swing and one exciting thing about this season, if you have not planned it already, is to get lost in a corn maze.

Corn mazes offer plenty of enjoyable activities for families and highlight the importance of bonding, problem-solving and teamwork, particularly among kids.

For individuals looking for more in the spooky month of October, maze corn fields are also offering creepy mazes, haunted hayrides and a host of intriguing attractions for a fun-filled and freaky Halloween experience.

The following six locations offer a truly epic experience for maze aficionados. Or check out one of the many regional corn mazes throughout North America.

See a comprehensive list and related links below.

1. Davis Mega Maze, Sterling, Mass.

With more than eight acres of puzzling pathways for adventure seekers, the Davis Mega Maze earned the praise of CCN as one of the best field mazes in the United States.

There are seven intensity levels. The farm features Mobile Mazing and Geo Questing with your smart phone. It also offers maze games such as Witch & Wizards Trivia, axe throwing, The Slingshots, kids Quest games, I-spy, Bridge Punch Challenge, broom stick golf and celebrity photo ops.

A courtyard features a zip line and kid-friendly attractions such as American Ninja Training Obstacle Course, human foosbal, paintball shooting gallery, hamster wheels, petting farm, adventure laser tag, giant farm volleyball, jump pad  and corn/potato cannons and giant tube slides.

The farm also offers live music and craft beers.

2. Richardson Adventure Farm Corn Maze, Spring Grove, Ill.

Richardson Adventure Farm Corn Maze offers 33 acres and 11 miles of meandering trails. A perimeter path encircles all the maize crops and with no dead ends to worry about.

The theme for 2024 is John Deer and his farming legacy.

Richardson Adventure Farm Corn Maze offers about 10 miles of within 28 acres of live corn. The maze is broken into four smaller areas, each having its own entry and exit. Multiple checkpoints and three bridges help you find navigate through the labyrinth. Look for checkpoints to solve the maze challenge.

Other activities on this farm include a 750 foot zip line, pig races, petting zoo, train ride, 150-foot slide, picnic areas and some 13 acres of sunflowers. It contains three miles of winding trail, towering 12-feet walls of corn, a 100 foot bridge and tunnel.

3. Great Vermont Corn Maze| Danville, Vermont

Thanks to technology, creating an entirely new maze design every year has been made easy. It starts with designing an original template and following it up by using a GPS tracking system to map out coordinates for tractors to do the cutting.  

Great Vermont’s corn maze features a Big Maze, Scenic Maze and Hidenseek Maze.

The Big Maze spans 24 acres of rustling corn fields and requires about 2 or more hours of hiking time. It has three miles of winding trail and a towering 12-feet wall of corn on every side. It also has 32 feet of underground tunnel and a 100-foot bridge as well as some small hills.

Scenic Maze is about a 45-minute walk featuring an underground tunnel, dinosaurs as well as bridges with scenic views.

Hidenseek Maze features a 3,00 square foot blacklight adventure with hidden gnomes and other surprises.

Adult supervision is required for visitors under 15 years of age. Visitors who plan on finishing the maze expected to get started by 1 PM to ensure they have enough time to complete before dark.

4. Cool Catch Pumpkins, Dixon, Calif.

The 2014 Guinness Book of World Records once recognized this corn maze as the largest in the world. Even though it is no longer numero uno, this 40-acre field built from 3 million stalks still remains one of the most challenging mazes in the country.

Every year, the maze is uniquely different and the 2024 theme celebrates American farmers. Visitors are tasked with discovering the mystery image embedded in the maze as they plot their way out.

Cool Catch Pumpkins draws visitors every October, either as a side activity for families picking up pumpkins for Halloween or as a go-to destination for individuals looking to put their critical thinking skills to the test. This labyrinth is intimidating because of its sheer size. There are no shortcuts and it takes over two hours for guests to finish the maze, if they are dogged and determined. If you get lost in the maze, the first thing to remember is not to call 911.

"It can be stressful and intimidating to get lost, but you are never trapped," Tayler Cooley of Cool Patch Pumpkins previously told Fox 40 station in Sacramento. For younger children who might be intimidated by this monstrous maze, Cool Patch offers a mini-maze alternative complemented with backyard-feel of activities like a corn bath and pedal cars.

5. Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, Ronks, Penn.

Cherry Crest has been nominated for USA Today's 2024 10 Best Readers Choice Awards in the corn maze category.  The 2024 theme features dairy cattle.

Three-tier levels allow guests to set their pace and take their time exploring one of the most interactive mazes in the world.

Easy Level: This is a quick trip around the maze following yellow trailer markers. This simple level takes an estimated 20 minutes to complete.

Intermediate Level: Users get to spend about 45 minutes getting through this maze. This level involves several tasks, but orange clues ensure you remain on track.

Difficult Level: This challenge takes a minimum of 2 hours to finish. Do not worry if you end up taking the wrong path—maze masters are always on hand to ensure you play it by ear.

Cherry Crest Adventure Farm has plenty of activities for the kids including pedal cars, hay slides, wagon rides, obstacle courses, rubber ducky rides and a grain bin.

For scary adventure, try the farm's Flashlight Maze.

6. Maze Craze, New Springfield, Ohio

With an expansive 21-acres of corn ground, this field was also named one of the top corn mazes in 2022 by USA Today. It is broken into separate and engaging mazes for tweens, teens and adults.

This year’s maze design was inspired by Steamboat Willy, the original Disney character that began the Mickey Mouse legend.

"Blue Maze" is a parrot with about half a mile of trails for children. Inside the maze is a game called Farm Tracks –an educational, fun adventure for small children to help Farmer Joe identify the footprints of the 6 animals that ate his apple pie.

"Black Maze" features Minnie Mouse, Mickey's longtime sidekick. It comes with 1.5 miles of trail and is a bit more challenging to maneuver. Located inside the maze is the Farm Scene Investigation game, where players are saddled with solving a barnyard crime.

"Green Maze" features Captain Peg Leg Pete. It stretches into two miles of trail and challenges visitors to a game of "Find The Gang," with clues located along the pathway.

"Red Maze" offers the most ground to cover, with some five miles of uneven trail and six challenging checkpoints to find in the game. It features Mickey piloting a steamboat.

The Green and Red Mazes are difficult, with checkpoints inside these mazes much harder to locate. The average time to complete all four mazes is one to three hours. Visitors can expect to walk two or more miles.

List of corn mazes in the US and Canada

Chances are there is a corn maze near your travels this autumn. Here are some more mazes to consider on your autumn travels:

Canada

Ontario: Hanes Farm & Corn Maze located in Dundas, offers a mazy challenge for school field trips, family outings and community events. Hidden clues add elements of excitement and scenic exploration to the experience.

Alberta: Edmonton Corn Maze is located in Spruce Grove, offers an intricately carved cornfield with plenty of twists, turns and dead ends for people looking to have a fun time outdoors. Extra activities include hayrides, petting zoos and flashlight maze tours.

British Columbia: Maan Farms & Corn Maze. This gem in Abbotsford is perfect for family outings and adventure seekers. Night visits include unexpected encounters with monsters and creepy sound effects to startle visitors.

Ontario: Thamesville Maize Corn Maze designs are created with GPS technology and ensure a unique experience every autumn. The site offers tractor rides, pumpkin picking and a picnic area for a full-day outing. 

Alberta: Brooks Corn Maze is meticulously planned and divided into different sections that cater to different age groups and skill levels. It features thick and tall corn stalks that make it easy to lose track of time.

Manitoba: St. Adolphe Corn Maze is made up of 10 acres of winding pathways and few exits for visitors up for a challenge. A farm shop provides pumpkin pies, apple cider donuts and hot chocolate refreshments to energize.

Saskatchewan: Youth Farm Corn Maze in Rosthern is divided into multiple levels for children and adults to find the challenge that suits them. Visitors can take breaks in designated rest areas or grab snacks and drinks at the farm’s food stalls.

Ontario: Cricklewood Farm & Corn Maze, located in Brighton, has ”maze masters” stationed at key points to help lost individuals or people who need a clue to proceed. Participants are also awarded prizes if they can find hidden stamps or tokens inside the maze.

Alberta: Lethbridge Corn Maze found in Shaughnessy, offers a fun and challenging adventure for visitors of all ages. It caters to young children, senior citizens, casual explorers and serious maze enthusiasts who are all looking forward to the challenge of finding an exit.

Saskatchewan: Happy Hollow Corn Maze. Nestled in the valley of Lumsden, this maze delivers an amazing experience of towering corn stalks, cheerful scarecrows and never-ending paths. Families can also visit pumpkin patches and playgrounds to create lasting memories.

United States

California: Cool Catch Pumpkins. This 63-acre field located in Dixon held the Guinness World Record as the largest corn maze in the world. It includes a pumpkin patch, pedal cars and a ”corn bath” where visitors sink their feet into soft rustling corn.

California: Big Horse Corn Maze. Temecula is the home to this maze that spans across 30 acres and features themed designs inspired by local events or pop culture. Food vendors offer special autumn treats like funnel cakes, caramel apples, pumpkin donuts and kettle corn.

California: Fantozzi Farms. Patterson offers us this haunted corn maze, farm games and a giant slide. Educational tours are available for children to learn about the importance of farming and agriculture.

Ohio: Maze Craze. New Springfield is the home of this series of complex mazes spread across different districts of the city. Each maze is packed with interactive obstacles, hidden pathways and challenging puzzles.

Kentucky: Devine’s Corn Maze. Located in Harrodsburg, the annual cornfield challenge promises fresh designs each year to delight visitors. Beyond the maze, guests can enjoy a variety of activities, including shooting corn cannons, exploring a petting zoo, picking pumpkins, and playing in a corn crib.

Florida: Sykes Family Farms Maze. Situated in Elkton, this attraction offers a fresh experience each year with new challenges and surprises for visitors. The excitement extends beyond the usual activities with special events such as a vibrant pumpkin festival, engaging family fun days, and delightful farm-to-table dinners. 

Idaho: Lowe Family Farmstead. Kuna’s exciting maze allows visitors to navigate using a map, scattered clues and interactive checkpoints. The area includes flashlight nights where visitors can explore the maze in pitch darkness.

Illinois: Richardson Adventure Farm Corn Maze in Spring Grove is made up of tall stalks and paths that weave through the maze making it very tricky for visitors. Attractions include a pumpkin patch, animal encounters and corn box for kids to play.

Indiana: Conner Prairie. Fishers ”amazing maze” provides an opportunity to test their navigational skills with every visit. It includes puzzles, games and obstacles that add to the difficulty of finding a way out.

Maine: Treworgy Family Orchards. This maze located in Levant is designed around a different theme every year that includes local landmarks and seasonal motifs. Maze nights are illuminated with lanterns to create an atmosphere for spooky adventures.

Massachusetts: Davis Mega Maze. Sterling is the home to this 20-acre design inspired every autumn by a historical event or local landmark. Night mazes and limited-time events provide an extra layer of excitement for visitors to locate an exit.

New York: Long Acre Farms located in Macedon has scavenger hunts that allow guests to solve riddles and complete tasks in order to challenge themselves. The farm offers family-friendly games like pumpkin bowling, corn cannon and obstacle courses.

New Hampshire: Sherman Farms. Center Conway is the home of this popular maze known for changing its patterns and challenges every year. Visitors can make their way through the labyrinth during daylight hours or opt for an eerie evening experience.

North Dakota: Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch. This maze found in Emerado takes between 30-60 minutes to navigate, depending on the route that is taken. Mini challenges for younger children offer trivia questions and hidden tokens to help them along the way.

Pennsylvania: Cherry Crest Adventure Farm. Located in Ronks, this 8-acre maze is designed with winding paths and takes over 60 minutes to complete. Maps, interactive challenges and hidden clues inside the maze point the right way out. 

South Carolina: Denver Downs Farms features intricate pathways and themed designs that change every year. Attractions include a giant jumping pillow, corn cannons, corn cribs and special events like the ”Moonlight Maze.”

Texas: At’l Do Farms. Lubbock is a popular destination for families and school groups. Timed maze challenges and on-site food vendors make it a great spot for a full-day of fun.

Texas: Rockin’ K Farms. Robstown offers this favorite maze for families and adventure seekers. It has a network of confusing pathways that challenge visitors to think outside the box in a bid to complete the maze.

Texas: P-6 Farms. Montgomery is the location for this maze that has short paths for young children and more complicated routes for adults who want a difficult challenge. Navigation skills, solving clues and finding clues add to the unpredictable excitement of the maze.

Utah: Cornbelly's. With two locations located in Lehi and Spanish Fork, Cornbelly’s provides an enjoyable experience for first-time guests and returning visitors. Side attractions include pumpkin patches, hayrides and interactive games for the whole family.

Vermont: Great Vermont Corn Maze, Danville- The layout changes every year, offering a new experience for first-time guests and repeat visitors. Individuals can choose between the main maze and a smaller maze.

Virginia: Liberty Mills Farm. Located in Somerset, this maze is centered in local history and provides an educational theme for families that want to have fun and solve problems. Area is designed with wide paths to accommodate wheelchairs and strollers.

Wisconsin: Treinen Farm. This Lodi maze offers local events, historical figures or popular culture reflected in its layout every year. Nighttime mazes and friendly competitions add to the autumn excitement.

Tips for corn maze visitors

• If you are claustrophobic, pregnant or have difficulty walking for 30 minutes to an hour, opt for a mini maze or sit around and enjoy the weather.
• Expect the ground to be uneven and dirty in most places. Wear good shoes and old clothes.
• Bring bug spray repellent before entering the corn. The mosquitoes are nasty.
• It gets hot walking in the maze. Drinking water is crucial.
• Always grab a map before you jump in. You might need it.
• Use the restroom before going in. You are not allowed to answer when nature calls in the corn.
• Stay together and work together. If you are lost, ask others for help. 8 times out of 10, they’ll point you in the right direction.
• Be observant. Landmarks are a key part of the puzzle. Note the color-coded areas, intersections and stationed guides as you move through the maze.
• Farmers spend a lot of time planning out their intricate corn maze designs. Don’t cut through the corn. Be respectful.

Article by Toluwalomo Ojo, freelance writer for Sensible Driver. Write to info@sensibledriver.com.