The Best Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches in America

Nothing says fall like a day on the farm choosing pumpkins and navigating a giant corn maze. Perusing the pumpkin display usually is free, and although many corn mazes cost more than $10 a person, that tab often covers access to a host of family-friendly activities (and toddlers often get in free). Cheapism found farms across the country with must-see corn mazes and the requisite pumpkin patches to explore in time for jack-o'-lantern carving. Many farms are open weekends only and might have coronavirus restrictions — including limiting the number of people allowed — so check the schedule before heading out.

Related: The Spookiest and Funniest Face Masks You Can Buy for Halloween

Moriarty, New Mexico 
Visitors can frolic in the pumpkin patch and wend their way around a 16-acre corn maze.

McCall's Pumpkin Patch is open through Oct. 31 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only, and daily attendance is limited for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. Tickets are $15 through $19.

Kuna, Idaho
This year's 18-acre version is about "What a Gem!" Idaho is — it's the Gem State — but younger kids without the patience for such an expansive challenge can attempt a mini-maze.

The Farmstead Corn Maze & Pumpkin Festival is open six days a week (closed Sundays) through Oct. 30. Admission is $13 Monday through Thursday and $18 on Friday and Saturday.

Clarence, New York
This 5-acre corn maze is a mysterious "Farm Scene Investigation" this year. There's a hay maze too, as well as other attractions.

The Great Pumpkin Farm is open through Oct. 31, with free admission on weekdays and $12 admission on weekends. Masks and social distancing are required.

Related: 16 Places With Spectacular Fall Foliage

Brunswick, Ohio
Mapleside Farms' 7-acre corn maze is just part of its Pumpkin Village, along with a stage production of "The Princess and The Pumpkin," orchard tours on Cow and Pig Trains, hayrides, and chance to go down the self-proclaimed longest slide in America — the 311-foot Super Slide.

Mapleside Farms calls for visitors to wear masks, and it's selling fewer tickets to limit the number of people inside. Tickets for its themed weekends are $13 to $16.

Dawsonville, Georgia
Visitors happy to be surrounded by pumpkins and enjoy the autumn scene pay no admission fee. Trying the corn maze costs $15, something of a deal considering the 15-acre course includes 4 miles of trails. This year's maze has a theme celebrating Uncle Shuck’s 20th anniversary.

Uncle Shuck's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch is open through Nov. 14, mainly on weekends.

Danvers, Massachusetts
Previously named one of the top 10 corn mazes in the country, according to the Travel Channel, this year's 7-acre maze has a “Barnyard Friends” theme.

Connors Farm is open through Oct. 31. Tickets are $13 to $17.

Related: 32 Charming Small Towns With Stunning Fall Colors

Manalapan Township, New Jersey
Rise to the challenge of New Jersey's largest corn maze. The 10-acre maze sends visitors off in search of each square on a "Maize-O-Poly" game board. Non-maze activities include pig racing, tractor rides, and a playground.

Happy Day Farm is open through Oct. 31 mainly on weekends, with required advance tickets (due to coronavirus capacity limitations) costing around $15.

Lodi, Wisconsin
This 15-acre corn maze has been cited by media outlets such as Destinations Travel Magazine and USA Today as one of the best to visit, especially with children. (There's also a pumpkin patch and other farm fun.) This year's design theme is "Schrödinger’s Cat and Other Thought Experiments," which requires not just intrepid explorers but some serious reading ahead of time. Well, okay, no one has to read about Schrödinger’s Cat, the Ship of Theseus, The Trolley Problem, and Zeno’s Arrow Paradox, but it's on the website for full appreciation. 

Treinen Farm is open every day but Monday through Nov. 14. Admission is $13 to $18.20. Coronavirus restrictions have forced timed ticketing and limited entry, meaning you must have a reservation to visit, and masks are required in indoor areas.

Shakopee, Minnesota
Now in its 25th year, this corn maze challenge invites visitors to participate in a hunt of sorts and enter answer sheets in a prize drawing. This year’s maze has a mythical creatures in which maze visitors hunt for “Skeptical Sever.” Staff maintain a presence to help disoriented navigators.

Sever's Fall Festival is open through Oct. 31 with limited capacity because of Coronavirus, and the $17 tickets are being sold online only.

Related: Best Weekend RV Trips to Take This Fall

Mount Dora, Florida
It's the 19th season for this 6.5-acre combination maze and game, now with a dinosaur theme. Additional attractions include a 0.5-acre mini maze, a giant jumping pillow, a 60-foot slide, and a castlelike playground.

Scott's Maze Adventures' corn maze season runs through Dec. 12. Admission is $15. Scott's urges online ticket sales and warns that walk-up customers may have to wait to get in. Managers call for social distancing, and masks when visitors get close to people outside their party.

Dixon, California
Here's a chance to experience a corn maze featured by Guinness World Records as largest ever — 60 acres. (At least in years past, visitors have been able to choose intermediate or advanced paths.) This year's theme honors the country's military.

Cool Patch Pumpkins is open every day through Oct. 31. admission is $18, but kids 5 and under are free. 

Janesville, Wisconsin
It's double the fun at this farm, where visitors can test their mettle against two mazes — one covering 7 acres and a more difficult "Impossible Maze" stretching over 9 acres. GPS and interactive games are available to maze-goers with smartphones. This year's theme: "The 2021 Scarecrow Games."

Skelly's Farm Market is open seven days a week; the $9 admission includes access to both mazes.

Minooka, Illinois
Visitors can frolic in the pumpkin patch, known for producing extra-large pumpkins (hence the farm's name) and take on the family-friendly corn maze. There are other activities as well, including a bean maze and moonlight hayrides.

Heap's Giant Pumpkin Farm is open mainly on weekends. Admission is $12, with advance tickets highly recommended. 

Related: 38 Spots for a Cheap Fall Weekend Getaway

Colchester, Vermont
The entire family can enjoy the two mazes — a total 3 miles — at Sam Mazza's Farm Market.  After emerging, celebrate with a visit to the petting zoo.

Sam Mazza's Farm Market is open seven days a week from Labor Day Weekend through Oct. 31. Adults pay $9 and children 3 to 11 get in for $6. Repeat visitors receive a $1 discount, as do area students with a school ID.

Ronks, Pennsylvania
This 5-acre corn maze offers color-coded cues for easy, intermediate, and difficult paths, making it suitable for all ages. There's also a flashlight maze version included in the price of admission, adding a challenge even after you've solved the maze once.

Cherry Crest Adventure Farm is open Wednesday through Saturday. Prices start at $18 on weekdays and up to $30 on Saturdays through Nov. 6. 

New York
This historical farmland (dating to 1697) is considered New York state's longest continuously farmed site. The grounds host numerous features, including a 3-acre corn maze — which, because this is New York, this year celebrates Andy Warhol. There are there moonlight maze excursions this year as well, for an extra challenge.

Queens County Farm Museum is open daily for free, except for occasional special events, while the maze open through Oct. 30 costs $12 for adults, or $8 for children. People who are not yet vaccinated are required to wear a mask and social distance.

Related: Under-the-Radar National Parks to Visit This Fall

Spring Grove, Illinois
This farm in northern Illinois boasts 28 acres of corn maze made up of four sub-mazes. This year’s theme looks at the farm’s past 20 years of corn mazes, with literal looks at the maze offered from three wooden bridges. When you get through it there's still a zip line, 50-foot observation tower, rides inside an 11-foot inflatable ball, rides, a pumpkin patch, and more.

Richardson Adventure Farm is open Thursdays through Sundays, with tickets $22 for adults and $18 for kids on weekends, and cheaper on weekdays by $3 to $4. 

Brookshire, Texas
Roam this 8-acre maze with no fear — there's usually a "corn-cierge" available at the entrance to help confused maze runners. This year also bring Spooky Hollow, 7 acres of trails you can walk for experiences set at friendly, freaky, or frightful.

Dewberry Farm is open through Nov. 14, admission is $20 to $34, with fewer tickets available this year.

Related: 40 Restaurants Where You Can See Dazzling Fall Foliage