Most fall farms do not have a candy machine tall enough to need its own staircase. This Missouri farm does.
Inside the barn, a three-story gumball coaster sends candy racing through a giant wooden track, while outside, a sixteen-acre corn maze takes over the fields.
Add pumpkin picking, hayrides, and other seasonal activities, and the place feels more like a full fall outing than a quick stop.
The maze gives you plenty of room to wander, but the gumball coaster is the detail people tend to remember.
It is weird, playful, and exactly the kind of thing that makes this farm stand out from the usual pumpkin-patch crowd.
The Corn Maze That Swallows Your Whole Afternoon
Okay, picture yourself standing at the edge of a cornfield so big that the paths seem to stretch on forever in every direction. That is exactly what you get at this farm, because the maze here is one of the largest you will find anywhere around mid-Missouri.
The stalks grow tall enough that you lose sight of everything except the sky above you.
Here is the fun part, which is that the family changes the design every season, so even regular visitors end up walking brand new routes each fall. You usually get a map, and there are checkpoint signs hidden throughout the field for you to hunt down as you go.
Plenty of people treat it like a scavenger hunt, while others just wander and enjoy the rustle of the leaves.
My honest advice is to plan on spending a few hours in there, because finding every checkpoint is a real accomplishment. Bring water and maybe a snack, since you will be doing a lot more walking than you expect.
Comfy shoes are a smart idea too, especially after a rainy week when the trails can get muddy.
Would you rather race to the exit or take your sweet time getting lost? Either way, you are in for a good time out there.
Finding Your Way Out To The Farm
Before you get lost in any corn, you have to actually get there, so let me give you the details. Shryocks Callaway Farms sits at 2927 County Road 253, Columbia, MO 65202, tucked into the rolling countryside of northern Callaway County.
The drive takes you away from busy streets and into the kind of open farmland that makes you want to roll the windows down.
What I love about the setting is that this is a real working family farm, not something built just for tourists. The Shryock family has been farming this land for generations, and they decided to open their gates so visitors could share a taste of country life.
You can feel that history in the wide fields and the way the whole place is laid out.
During maze season, the farm usually opens in the afternoons on Fridays and Saturdays and runs a little shorter on Sundays. It is a good idea to check their website before you head out, because hours can shift with the weather and special events.
Give yourself a little extra time for the country roads, since they wind around a bit. Once you spot that big red barn rising over the fields, you will know you have arrived.
The Gumball Coaster That Climbs To The Rafters
You know those little gumball machines at the grocery store that just drop candy straight down a chute? Well, imagine one of those grew up, got ambitious, and decided to take over an entire barn wall.
That is basically what is waiting for you inside the Big Red Barn.
The coaster stretches up through several stories, reaching all the way into the rafters near the peak of the roof. You drop in a coin, and then you get to watch your gumball ride up high before it starts winding back down along twisting tracks, ramps, and clever little gadgets.
It was handmade, which makes the whole thing even more impressive when you really stop and study it.
Kids tend to stand there with their heads tilted back, following every loop and turn, and grown-ups usually end up just as hooked. It is the kind of thing you want to watch more than once, just to catch the parts you missed.
One friendly heads up is that the machine works a bit like a game of chance, so not every turn ends with a gumball for you. It helps to mention that to little ones ahead of time, so the fun stays all about the wild ride.
A Big Red Barn With Real Personality
Some barns just hold hay, but this one feels more like the heart of the whole farm. The Big Red Barn is honestly a landmark on its own, with charming dormer windows poking out of the roof and a wide front porch that practically begs you to sit down for a minute.
During corn maze season, this barn works as the main hub for everything happening on the farm. You will probably pass through it more than once, whether you are grabbing info, checking out the gumball coaster, or just taking a quick breather between activities.
Step inside and you will notice the warm wood everywhere, since the interior is finished with yellow pine from southern Missouri. That golden wood gives the space a cozy, homey glow that feels right at home on a crisp fall day.
It is also air-conditioned, which is a lovely surprise if the afternoon turns out warmer than you planned.
If you like snapping pictures, the outside of the barn makes a classic backdrop, especially with fields and pumpkins nearby. Just think about how nice that red paint looks against a bright blue sky.
You will probably want a family photo right on that porch before you leave for the day.
Bouncing, Hayrides, And Wide Open Play
Out on the grounds, there is a giant jumping pillow that kids absolutely flock to, and you will probably hear the giggles before you even see it. It is like a huge inflated cushion stretched across the ground, and bouncing on it feels a lot like a trampoline with extra room to spread out.
The farm uses time limits on the pillow, which actually works out nicely because everyone gets a fair turn. It keeps the crowd moving and makes sure younger jumpers are not stuck waiting forever.
Then there is the hayride, which is about as classic as farm fun gets. Climbing onto a wagon and rolling across the fields gives you a relaxed way to soak up the countryside without walking another step.
There is also a little lawn mower train that little kids tend to love, and it chugs around in a way that feels both silly and sweet.
Do not forget the hay bales scattered around for climbing, along with basketball hoops for anyone who still has energy left. Between all these outdoor options, you can easily fill a whole afternoon without ever setting foot in the maze.
Who knew a farm could have this much bounce?
Picking The Pumpkin With Your Name On It
There is something oddly satisfying about walking through a field and choosing the exact pumpkin you want to bring home. Later in the fall season, the farm opens a pumpkin patch where you can do just that and pick your own straight from the vines.
Here is a sweet detail I really like, which is that the Shryock kids have taken over growing and selling the pumpkins. That makes the patch a true family project, and it is fun knowing the pumpkin on your porch came from young farmers learning the ropes.
If you would rather skip the long walk into the field, there are usually pumpkins already picked and waiting near the main area. That is a lifesaver if you have tired little legs in your group or you are short on time after the maze.
My advice is to think ahead about what you plan to do with your pumpkin. Are you carving a spooky face, or are you just setting it out by the front door?
Taller, smoother ones are easier to carve, while the bumpy, lopsided ones have their own funny charm. Bring a sturdy bag or wagon, since the bigger ones can get surprisingly heavy fast.
Gathering Around A Crackling Campfire
As the sun starts to drop and the air turns chilly, nothing beats settling in around a warm fire with the people you love. The farm has campfire areas you can reserve, and they make the whole thing wonderfully easy for you.
Staff will start the fire and keep it going, so you do not have to worry about hauling wood or fiddling with matches. Each spot comes with a picnic table and roasting sticks, which means all you need to bring is the food.
Hot dogs, marshmallows, and everything for s’mores are popular picks, and you are welcome to pack your own picnic.
This is a lovely option for birthdays, school groups, or a big family outing where everyone wants a home base. It gives you a place to gather before heading into the maze or a cozy spot to land when you finally find your way out.
I would suggest reserving ahead of time, especially on busy weekends when the fire pits fill up quickly. Bring a blanket or an extra layer too, since Missouri evenings can cool down faster than you would guess.
Few things feel more like fall than sticky marshmallow fingers and the smell of woodsmoke drifting across the fields.
Handy Tips Before You Load Up The Car
A little planning goes a long way, so let me share a few things that will make your trip smoother. First off, younger kids need to stay with an adult, which makes sense on a farm this big where it is easy to wander off.
Pets are not allowed inside the barns or the corn maze, so it is kinder to leave your furry friends at home for this outing. The farm also keeps the barns and maze free of smoking and vaping, which helps keep the air fresh for everyone enjoying the day.
Wear shoes you do not mind getting dirty, because the trails can turn muddy after a good rain. Layers are smart too, since afternoons can feel warm while evenings get crisp in a hurry.
Sunscreen and a hat are worth tossing in your bag on bright days.
Give yourself plenty of time, because between the maze, the barns, the snacks, and the fire pits, hours slip by fast. So many families around Missouri come back to this place every fall that it has become a real tradition for them.
Once you have spent an afternoon here, you might find yourself already planning your next visit before you even pull out of the parking lot.
