A giant chipmunk is hiding in a cornfield, and you can walk right through it. The 2026 maze design is a chipmunk, carved across five to six acres of corn.
Past years brought a praying mantis.
I love that the picture only makes sense from the sky. Down on the ground, you just see tall stalks, twisting paths, and trivia signs nudging you along.
It usually takes 35 to 45 minutes to find your way out.
This New Hampshire farm also runs night mazes with flashlights. Finish in the dark, and you get a cider donut and a crackling bonfire waiting at the exit.
I can’t imagine a better reward for getting a little lost.
The maze is only the start, though. Draft horses, sunflower fields, and a farm stand full of homegrown goods round out the visit.
Ready to see what else grows here?
The Maze Picture Changes Every Single Year
Every fall, Coppal House Farm in Lee turns a cornfield into a giant piece of art. Each year brings a brand-new design, so last season’s map won’t help you one bit.
The 2026 theme is a chipmunk, which feels perfect for a New England autumn. A past design from 2022 showed a praying mantis, legs and all.
You’d only spot those shapes from high above the field.
Size is what really sets this maze apart. It stretches across five to six acres, and it’s considered the largest corn maze in the New Hampshire seacoast region.
That’s a lot of corn to get confused in.
Plan on spending about 35 to 45 minutes inside. Of course, some groups move faster, and some groups argue about left versus right for a while.
Both count as fun.
The very first maze here opened in the fall of 2005. That means the farm has spent two decades perfecting the art of getting people pleasantly lost.
My tip is simple. Snap a photo of the aerial map before you head in, then see how long you resist peeking at it.
Bragging rights go to whoever gives up last, naturally.
Trivia Questions Will Keep You On The Right Path
Wrong turns happen, but brains help. Inside the maze, trivia questions are built right into the paths to guide you along.
Here’s how it works. You answer a question, and your answer points you toward the next direction.
Get it right, and you’re moving forward. Get it wrong, and you’ll probably meet a dead end and a few stalks of corn.
It turns a simple walk into a team game. Kids love shouting out answers, and grown-ups secretly hope they know them too.
Nobody wants to be the parent who missed the easy one.
The paths are wide enough for wheelchairs, which is a thoughtful touch. Still, the ground is outdoor farm terrain, so it can be uneven.
Some extra help may be needed in bumpy spots.
There are a couple of rules worth knowing before you go. Children under 16 must be with a paid adult inside the maze.
Pets aren’t allowed anywhere on the farm, so leave the pup home for this one.
Wear sneakers or boots you don’t mind getting a little dusty. Corn mazes aren’t exactly runway material, and your nice shoes will thank you later.
Bring A Flashlight For The Spookier After-Dark Version
Same corn, totally different vibe. On select evenings, the farm hosts Public Night Mazes, also called Flashlight Mazes.
For 2026, the dates are September 26, October 10, and October 24. Hours run from 6:30 to 9:00 PM, with last admission at 8:30 PM.
Mark your calendar early, because three nights go by fast.
Walking a maze in the dark changes everything. Paths you’d breeze through at noon suddenly feel mysterious.
Every rustle in the stalks sounds a little more interesting.
Now for the best part. Night maze admission includes a cider donut when you exit.
You also get access to a bonfire, which feels like a victory party after all that wandering.
Bring your own flashlight and make sure the batteries are fresh. A dim beam halfway through is nobody’s idea of a good time.
Headlamps work great too, since they keep your hands free for map holding.
Dress warmly, since fall evenings in New Hampshire can get chilly quickly. Layers are your friend here.
Then you can peel one off when you’re toasting by the fire with a donut in hand.
Gentle Giants Called Belgians Do Real Work Here
Fun fact: the word Coppal is Gaelic for horse. That name tells you a lot about how this farm runs.
Three Belgian draft horses live here, and they aren’t just for show. The farm uses them for fieldwork as part of its sustainable farming practices.
Picture tractor power, but with manes and big hooves.
You can catch them in action on a horse-drawn wagon ride. Rides last about 30 minutes and roll through pine-lined woods and open fields.
It’s a slower pace that lets you actually notice the scenery.
Each ride ends at a bonfire. Guests can bring their own snacks or drinks to enjoy by the flames.
Hot cocoa in a thermos sounds like a smart move to me.
Both private and public rides are offered. A private ride works nicely for a family outing or a small celebration.
Public rides are great when you just want to hop on with others.
Here’s a bonus for winter fans. When snow covers the fields, the wagon trades its wheels for a sleigh.
Yes, an actual horse-drawn sleigh ride, right out of a holiday card.
Grab Pumpkins, Mums, And Homemade Sunflower Oil Before Leaving
Leaving empty-handed is basically impossible. The farm stand stays open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM all year.
From August to October, it runs full service. The rest of the year, it switches to self-service.
Either way, the goodies are waiting.
Fall shoppers can load up on pumpkins, mums, corn stalks, and winter squashes. There’s plenty of fall decor too, so your front porch can look just as festive as the farm.
The real star might be the sunflower oil. It’s non-GMO and cold-pressed right on the farm.
The oil is pressed, filtered, bottled, and labeled on-site, and it has even won awards.
Other finds include pasture-raised lamb, pork, and free-range chicken eggs. You’ll also see jams, spices, honey, and maple syrup on the shelves.
Spring and summer bring asparagus, garlic, rhubarb, and more.
Paying is easy, since cash, credit, and local checks are all accepted. Want to go deeper?
The farm offers CSA programs for lamb, pork, and eggs, plus a Farm Share Card. That’s a tasty way to keep the farm in your kitchen all year.
Sheep, Hogs, And A Very Busy Flock Call This Place Home
Count the animals and you’ll run out of fingers fast. Coppal House Farm is home to seventy-five Dorper Katahdin breeding ewes.
That’s a whole lot of wool-free sheep.
Add five hundred heritage breed chickens, and the numbers get even sillier. Twenty-five hogs also live here.
Three sentry cats keep watch over things, which sounds like a very serious job.
The sheep have their own bodyguards too. Two Great Pyrenees dogs protect the flock.
These fluffy white guardians are built for the role.
The farm uses rotational grazing for its livestock. That means animals move between pastures, giving the grass time to grow back.
It’s smart for the land and good for the animals.
One thing to know before you go. This isn’t a petting farm, so hands-on cuddles aren’t the plan.
However, certain events do allow visitors to view the livestock.
Open Farm Days are a great chance to learn how everything works. The farm also offers educational field trips for school groups.
Teachers looking for a lesson that beats a textbook should take notice. Kids remember a pasture tour way longer than a worksheet.
Summer Brings Five Acres Of Sunflowers Taller Than You
Over 10,000 people show up every year for one golden reason. The annual Sunflower Festival takes over the farm each summer.
The festival features five acres of sunflowers. Walking those paths feels like stepping into a sea of yellow.
There’s also a sunflower variety garden to show off different types.
For 2026, the festival is scheduled for late July into early August. Check the farm’s announcements for the final dates before you plan your trip.
Flowers are only part of the fun. You’ll find live music, children’s activities, and food vendors.
Ice cream and gelato are on hand for hot summer afternoons.
Weekends bring a craft fair with lots of vendors. It’s a great spot to find handmade gifts and support local makers in the area.
Here’s my favorite detail. The farm donates 10% of all Sunflower Festival proceeds to local nonprofits.
So your sunny day out actually helps the community around Lee.
Bring sunscreen and a hat, because those fields don’t offer much shade. A water bottle is smart too.
Then go find the tallest bloom and grab that photo.
An Old Dairy Farm With A Story Going Back To The 1740s
History runs deep on this land. The farm site dates back to the 1740s, long before anyone dreamed of corn mazes.
John and Carol Hutton established Coppal House Farm in Lee in 2005. They settled on a 78-acre property that used to be a dairy farm.
Today it’s a diversified small grain, livestock, and agritourism farm.
Their farming story actually started much earlier. It began 31 years before the move, in Stratham, New Hampshire.
Back then, the operation went by the name Coppal House Station.
The farm grows small grains, corn, oilseed, and pumpkins. Those sunflowers aren’t only pretty, either.
They become the oil sold right at the farm stand.
All that hard work earned some serious recognition. In 2016, the farm was named the New Hampshire Farm of Distinction.
That’s a big honor in a state that takes its farms seriously.
I like knowing a place has roots like this. Every maze path and sunflower row sits on ground that’s been farmed for generations.
Somehow that makes a cider donut taste even better. History, it turns out, pairs nicely with fried dough.
Plan Your Visit Around These Handy Hours And Dates
Timing is everything with a seasonal maze. For 2026, the corn maze opens Saturday, September 12, and closes Saturday, October 31.
Daytime hours run Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 12 to 5 PM. Weekends open earlier, from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are closed, so don’t show up then.
Last admission is at 4:30 PM. The maze is also open on Columbus Day from 10 AM to 5 PM, which is handy for a long weekend.
You’ll find the farm at 118 North River Rd, Lee, NH 03861. It sits along Route 155 in the New Hampshire seacoast region.
Parking is free, which always feels like a small win.
Keep an eye out for Appreciation Weekend. In 2026, it falls on October 3 and 4.
Teachers, first responders, police, nurses, and medical professionals get discounts.
Fall also brings artisan craft fairs to the farm. Pair one with a maze run, and you’ve got a full day planned.
Then finish with a stop at the farm stand for a pumpkin. Your porch will look great, and you’ll have stories from the corn.
