The Amazing Maze: Cornfield Mazes for Family Fall Fun

There’s not much spookier than getting lost in a maze cut through tall stalks of corn — especially in the dark. The first corn maze is attributed to a farm in Annville, Pennsylvania. Since then, mazes have become huge autumn attractions. Many of today’s larger mazes are cut with the help of Global Positioning Satellite technology, allowing maze makers to create intricate shapes that add to navigational challenges.

Test your own course-plotting skills at these locations:

Big corn in the city? Yes, actually. At Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, New York, you can get lost in the only corn maze in New York City’s largest remaining expanse of farmland. The Amazing Maize Maze is open until Oct. 26.

At the Denver Downs Farm Corn Maze in Anderson, South Carolina, visitors attempt to make their way through a labyrinth of corn stalks while finding 12 hidden checkpoints. Make it even more challenging by going after dark and navigating The Flashlight Maze.

Fall season events at Connors Farm in Danvers, Massachusetts, include Flashlight Mazes and the Hysteria-Haunted Cornfield — ideal for spooky family outings.

Maine’s longest continuously operated corn maze can be found at Treworgy Family Orchards in the town of Levant. Each year features a different fantastic design, and past mazes have been shaped like pirate ships, dragons and butterflies. Visitors are provided with maps containing riddles leading to a series of stations located within the maze.

Running through the corn maze. Photo: Jennifer Badeaux | Dreamstime.com

Liberty Corn Maze in Liberty, Montana, is actually a collection of eight mazes appropriate to different ages. Don’t worry about getting permanently lost — there are official Corn Helpers to aid you on your way.

The Big Maze at Great Vermont Corn Maze in North Danville, Vermont, is 24 acres containing three miles of paths hemmed in by thick walls of corn rising 10 feet in the air, and takes an average of two-plus hours to navigate. Those who prefer to have assistance in the way of directions along the way (or who have younger children along for the fun) can choose the Scenic Maze.

In New Springfield, Ohio, the Maze Craze covers 21 acres of cornfields with 9.2 miles of paths. This year’s design is The Wizard of Oz, and is separated into four maze zones of varying difficulties. Clue cards to aid explorers are part of the fun.

Cornbelly’s Corn Maze is billed as Utah’s original corn maze, with eight acres of paths. A separate Candy Corn Acres Maze, Kiddie Maze and Haunted Insanity Point Maze offer alternatives. The Haunted Insanity Point option includes live spooks, animatronics and plenty of night frights.