Used to be, a pumpkin patch was just that: a small plot of farmland dedicated to the raising of these uber-popular seasonal squashes. Families with young children would make a pilgrimage during October, pick out a jack-o'-lantern-to-be, maybe enjoy the farm’s “petting zoo” and a hayride.
Not anymore. Since the introduction of ginormous corn “mazes” in the 1990s—elaborate walkable warrens of towering corn stalks, many with intricate designs viewable only with drones (or planes!)—local farms featuring these challenging labyrinths and myriad other activities have become travel destinations in their own right.
“Seasonal fall activities like pumpkin patches and corn mazes have blossomed into major attractions,” says Allison Keeney, spokesperson for Travel Oregon.
Here’s a look at some of the best pumpkin patches and corn mazes across the Northwest.
Idaho
Lowe Family Farmstead, outside Kuna near Boise, is nearly a harvest-themed amusement park. Along with the usual suspects—think pumpkin patch and petting zoo—Lowe’s provides a ropes course, potato sack slide, apple launcher, candy cannon, pig races, three different “trains” (cow, bee and grain)—and, of course, pumpkins and mazes. Its corn labyrinth—the largest in Idaho, covering 13 acres—is designed by MAiZE, an agritourism consulting company that has crafted more than 4,000 mazes across the globe since 1996. “Sure to get you corn-fused!” Lowe’s website quips.
At Wild Adventure Corn Maze, a short drive from Idaho Falls, the maze is actually three separate mazes with differing levels of difficulty, each with a corresponding game for visitors to play. Winners of the pumpkin carving contest could take home TVs, Nintendo Switches or Apple watches. Another unique offering: The Candy Drop—twice each season a two-seater plane flies low over the farm and showers visitors with sweets. Crazy fun!
Oregon
For pumpkin aficionados, Bose Family Farm, near Albany, boasts an astounding 35 varieties of the orange (and white and green and yellow) squash. Their 8-acre corn maze—one of the largest in the state—is creatively designed each year, showcasing intricate artwork (a recent offering portrayed The Big Bad Wolf). Six scarecrows are hidden among the stalks. Those who find all of them earn a chance to win half a hog. How appropriate is that as a visit-to-the-farm prize?
Fort Vannoy Farms, near Grants Pass, offers a full range of fall fun including a mini-cow train, horse-drawn hayrides, a pumpkin chunker/blaster—and 23 acres of pumpkins. Its 8-acre maze has corn stalks reaching up to 14 feet high, ideal for their haunted version that promises “adrenaline pumping scares.'' It’s (understatement alert) “not recommended for young children.”
Washington
Outside Olympia, the Rutledge Corn Maze offers a smorgasbord of activities—from wagon rides and calf roping to a cow train, a corn cannon and “Zach, the singing tractor.” By day you can tackle the zig-zagging corn labyrinth; by night, a haunted maze promises to scare the bejesus out of you. Fire pit rentals are popular—private spots, set among the corn fields, including a covered tent and picnic tables—even electricity.
Bob’s Corn and Pumpkin Farm, in Snohomish, is another fire-pit-friendly destination with 18 of the popular rentals available, all located within the humongous 12-acre corn maze. Navigating a gigantic, minimally-lit corn maze at night can be challenging—no worries, there are plenty of “corn cops” to help should you lose your way. With over 40 acres of pumpkins and plenty of other fall favorites like apple cannon shooting, hayrides, gem mining and two kid-friendly mazes, Bob’s delivers something for everyone.
British Columbia
Maan Farms, outside Abbotsford, British Columbia, offers over 20 varieties of pumpkins—in a 10-acre “forest pumpkin patch” nestled among the trees. Other fun possibilities include a petting zoo, pedal gokarts, a zipline and a family-friendly corn maze. At night that labyrinth becomes decidedly NOT family friendly—it’s dubbed “the scariest corn maze in Canada.” Farm owners warn that it “may be too intense for children under 14.” Or even some scaredy-cat adults; one reviewer quipped, “bring a change of underwear!”
Located a short drive west in Chilliwack, Greendale Acres has the distinction of having had the first corn maze in Canada (2024 is their 25th anniversary). The farm features a hay bale maze (great for the little ones) and a charming sunflower maze. Rainy fall days posed a challenge for the owners for years, so they decided to “embrace the mud” and now offer a Mud Maze for visitors who don’t mind getting a little dirty during their annual corn labyrinth experience. They also offer a shorter corn maze with a wood-chipped path for those who aren’t looking for a mud bath. The folks at Greendale Acres have a theory about the popularity of these harvest-themed locations.
“We believe that our farm and many agricultural attractions are destinations because our area is becoming increasingly urbanized,” says owner Vanessa Oddy.
That sounds about right. Places like Greendale Acres—and the rest of these fall fun venues—give city folk a much-needed connection to the land. They also provide an economic boost for local farms and they’re a ton of fun. It’s a win-win-win for all concerned!