Autumn In Maryland Means These 8 Corn Mazes And Hayrides Are Finally Ready for Visitors

Autumn has a rhythm. The air changes, the leaves turn, and certain traditions come back around right on schedule.

Corn mazes and hayrides are part of that rhythm, and this list highlights eight Maryland spots where the season is officially open for business. You can get lost in a maze, climb onto a wagon, and let the kids burn off energy while the adults enjoy the crisp air.

Some farms go all out with pumpkins, cider, and activities that stretch the visit into a full afternoon. Locals treat these as annual traditions, while visitors often make them part of the plan.

A reminder that fall is meant to be experienced, not just observed. The kind of outing that makes the season feel complete.

The kind of day that ends with hay in your shoes and a smile on your face.

1. Bowles Farms, Clements

Fifteen acres of corn. That number alone should tell visitors they are in for a real adventure at the biggest maze in Southern Maryland.

Every season brings a brand new design, and the 2026 layout celebrates America turning 250 with a giant Statue of Liberty carved into the stalks. From the ground, of course, nobody can see Lady Liberty.

Down inside the paths, it is all tall green walls, crunchy dirt, and the fun kind of confusion that makes kids giggle and parents pretend they know the way. Bring water and patience, because the paths go on for quite a while.

After the maze, a wagon ride is a welcome break for tired legs. It rolls slowly around the property, giving riders a chance to soak up the open fields and crisp Southern Maryland air.

The pumpkin patch waits at the end, packed with choices for front porches and carving nights.

Little ones will find plenty to keep them busy. A barnyard full of animals, a playground, barrel rides, a corn pit, a mini straw maze, and a straw mountain give them room to burn energy.

Climbing the straw mountain is basically a rite of passage here.

Hungry visitors can grab snacks at the concession stand, but the cupcake shop is the real secret. Those cupcakes tend to sell out, so a smart plan is to stop by early in the day.

The fall season runs on weekends only from late September through Halloween, so mark the calendar ahead of time.

Address: 22880 Budds Creek Rd, Clements, MD 20624

2. Gaver Farm, Mt. Airy

Over sixty-five attractions spread across one farm sounds almost impossible, yet that is exactly what the Fall Fun Festival delivers in the hills of Frederick County. Plan for a full day.

Seriously.

A seven-acre corn maze sits at the heart of the action, and it offers a satisfying challenge for older kids and grownups who like a good puzzle. Smaller mini mazes give tiny explorers their own chance to feel brave without getting lost for too long.

Hayrides are free and loop around the grounds, carrying passengers out to a huge twelve-acre pumpkin patch where picking straight from the vine feels wonderfully old-school.

Early September brings sunflower picking, and those bright yellow faces make some of the happiest photos of the whole season. Apple picking is taking a break in 2026, but there is no shortage of other things to do.

Giant slides, the Beeline Zipline, pedal karts, jumping pillows, playgrounds, and a low ropes course keep energy levels high from morning until late afternoon.

The barnyard is a crowd favorite. Goats, sheep, cows, alpacas, pigs, and ponies all hang out there, and the goats usually act like they own the place.

Before heading home, a stroll through the farm market is a must. Shelves hold gourds, festive decorations, local jams, fresh cider, and baked goods, including apple cider donuts that disappear fast once the bag is opened in the car.

Food stands around the grounds serve farm-fresh meals for anyone needing more than a snack. The festival runs daily from early September to the start of November.

Address: 5501 Detrick Rd, Mt. Airy, MD 21771

3. Summers Farm, Middletown

Hockey fans, get ready for a surprise. The 2026 corn maze here honors Washington Capitals legend Alex Ovechkin and his record-breaking goal count, all stamped into five acres of corn.

Multiple difficulty levels mean everyone can choose their own adventure. Casual wanderers can stroll and enjoy the breeze, while determined navigators can grab a maze passport filled with clues and hunt for every checkpoint.

A smaller mini maze keeps younger kids happy and close by.

Wagon rides carry guests out to the pumpkin patch, which bursts with pumpkins in every shape, size, and color imaginable. Some are bumpy and odd.

Those are often the best ones.

The rest of the farm feels like a playful carnival with a country twist. Jumping pillows, giant slides, pedal car tracks, a pumpkin train, rubber ducky races, and a flying pigs zipline fill the rolling hills.

Pig races draw cheering crowds, and themed weekends like Heroes Weekend and Teachers Appreciation Weekend add extra fun.

Select Saturday nights in October light up with fireworks, which is a magical way to end a farm day. Campfire rentals give families a cozy spot to warm up and relax as the sky turns orange and then dark.

Keep in mind that this is a working farm with natural hills and unpaved paths, so sturdy shoes make the visit much easier. Strollers with big wheels handle the ground better too.

And yes, the apple cider donuts are famous for good reason, so save some room. The Fall Festival runs from late September through the first day of November.

Address: 7503 Hollow Rd, Middletown, MD 21769

4. Larriland Farm, Woodbine

Some farms shout. Larriland hums, in the best possible way, with a calm country rhythm that makes slowing down feel natural.

The tractor-pulled hayride is the star of the show. It lasts about twenty minutes and winds past open fields and through woods decorated for the season, with friendly ghosts and goblins peeking out between the trees.

Nothing too scary. Just enough to make little riders squeal and point.

Two mazes wait for curious feet. A giant corn maze offers the classic fall challenge, and a second one, made from sorghum-sudangrass and called the Sudex maze, gives a slightly different feel with its thinner, leafy walls.

Fun fact: sorghum-sudangrass is a tough plant that farmers often grow to feed animals and protect soil.

Throughout October, free pumpkin picking hayrides run every day, so getting out to the pumpkin fields is easy. Apple picking is also on the menu, which means a visit can fill both a pie dish and a front step.

Younger kids usually love the Boo Barn, a gentle spooky walk that is much more silly than frightening, and the petting zoo is close by.

The Red Barn Market buzzes on weekends with live music from local artists, homemade jams, fresh produce, and apple cider. Fresh-made apple fritters, mini donuts, kettle corn, and food trucks keep everyone well fed.

Weekdays are quieter with most core activities, while weekends bring the full festival energy, so pick whichever pace fits best. Fall fun runs through Halloween.

Address: 2415 Woodbine Rd, Woodbine, MD 21797

5. Clark’s Elioak Farm, Ellicott City

Old Maryland families might get a little misty-eyed here. Many of the fairytale figures and buildings once lived at the Enchanted Forest theme park, and they found a new home on this farm.

That history gives the place a sweet, storybook mood that no other stop on this list can match. A corn maze is not the main focus.

Instead, the magic comes from hayrides that roll through the fields and past these beloved storybook treasures, letting riders spot familiar faces from nursery rhymes along the way. The Enchanted Pine Tree Forest adds a little wandering and discovery too.

The petting farm stays open daily through early November. Goats, sheep, cows, piglets, bunnies, and ponies are all ready for attention, and the bunnies are extremely hard to walk away from.

Pony rides with resident ponies like Captain Jack and a playful Cow Train ride offer gentle fun for small riders.

Kids can also try farm chores in the Working on the Farm play area, gathering pretend eggs and picking apples. Who knew chores could be this popular?

Slides and play spaces give them more room to run.

Special weekends add extra sparkle. Halloween Costume Parades happen in late October, and the Pumpkin Chucking Weekend in November lets visitors fling pumpkins with a catapult.

Watching a pumpkin fly is oddly satisfying.

Food vendors serve kettle corn, lemonade, hot dogs, and pizza, while weekends bring apple cider, cider donuts, and pies from local makers. The pumpkin patch rounds out a visit that feels both nostalgic and new.

Address: 10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042

6. Jake’s Produce, Port Republic

Newcomers can bring big surprises. The corn maze at this Calvert County farm only appeared in 2023, and it has quickly become a favorite October tradition for local families.

Known also as Jake’s Produce and Linda’s Greenhouses, the farm has deep roots in growing fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers. That farm stand spirit shines through during the Fall Festival, which runs across four October weekends.

The produce stand stays open during festival hours, so visitors can grab seasonal goodies to take home along with their pumpkins.

For 2026, the maze goes patriotic with stars and stripes cut into the corn to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. It is a fun way to sneak in a little history lesson while getting happily turned around.

Kids might not even notice they are learning.

Instead of a classic hayride, a trail ride with a scavenger hunt carries guests through the autumn scenery. Riders keep their eyes open for hidden clues, which turns a simple ride into a mini mission.

Competitive siblings, beware.

The pumpkin patch is open from September into November, filled with pumpkins of many colors and sizes. Some are tall and skinny, some are round and squat, and a few look like they have personality.

Festival weekends add giant slides, face painting, a jump pad, ball pits, corn pits, and a bounce house. Farm animals are around for gentle visits too.

Food trucks park on site, offering plenty of options when stomachs start rumbling. The relaxed, small-town feel makes this stop easy and cheerful.

Address: 2985 Yoes Corner Ln, Port Republic, MD 20676

7. Montpelier Farms, Upper Marlboro

Fee-fi-fo-fum, the giant has arrived. The 2026 corn maze here follows a Jack and the Beanstalk theme across seven interactive acres, and it fits the farm’s playful spirit perfectly.

Little ones get their own story too. A smaller maze themed around Spookley the Square Pumpkin includes storyboards along the path, turning a walk into a cozy read-aloud.

When dusk arrives, a flashlight maze opens for those who want adventure in the dark without any haunted scares.

Hayrides offer a relaxing way to see the giant maze and the whole farm from a new angle. It is a nice break from all the running around.

And there is a lot of running around.

More than thirty attractions keep the day moving. Two huge tube slides, a hundred-foot hill slide, and a slide built to look like a combine draw constant lines of happy kids.

Pedal karts zoom around a trike track, the hay and play area invites climbing on giant straw bales, and a wide corn pit is perfect for digging. Pig races, puzzle mania, barnyard basketball, and pumpkin bowling add goofy, friendly competition.

The petting zoo hosts alpacas, sheep, bunnies, cows, pigs, and goats. Alpacas have a way of looking unimpressed, which somehow makes them even more charming.

As the air cools, public bonfires give everyone a warm place to gather, and private campfires can be reserved for groups. October weekends bring kettle corn, hamburgers, fries, and more seasonal eats.

The festival runs from mid-September into early November.

Address: 1720 Crain Hwy, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

8. Rolling Acres Farm, Port Republic

A mile and a half of twisting paths makes this corn maze a true test of direction. Better bring a buddy with a good sense of north.

Now in its fourth annual Fall Festival, the farm has grown into a lively seasonal stop with an America 250 theme carved into its 2026 maze. Toddlers get their own hay maze, small and safe, where every turn ends in a proud grin.

Rather than a big hay wagon, a barrel cart ride loops around the corn maze, and grownups can squeeze in alongside small kids. It is cute and a little bumpy.

A farm trail leads to the petting zoo for friendly animal encounters. Along the way, antique tractors sit on display, and tic-tac-toe tables made with pumpkins invite quick matches between family members.

Active play is everywhere. A jump pillow, a pedal-kart track, giant racing slides, ball pits, a corn pit, and a tire mountain with a toddler slide keep feet moving.

Apple cannons and slingshots let visitors launch fruit toward targets, which is surprisingly addictive. An obstacle course and yard games fill in any quiet moments.

The fun does not stop at sunset. A night maze adds a spooky-ish thrill, and Saturday campfires with s’mores make evenings feel warm and sweet.

Weekends often bring food trucks and live music too.

Panoramic views stretch across the countryside, creating lovely backdrops for fall photos. A farm stand sells fresh seasonal produce before the drive home.

The festival runs from early September through the first day of November.

Address: 3305 St. Leonard Rd, Port Republic, MD 20676