Get Lost in the Fun of Our Corn Maze
If you’ve lived in the Midwest for any amount of time (especially when you were young), you’ve likely experienced corn mazes before. One minute you’re walking in with a plan… the next, you’re second-guessing every turn and laughing about how you ended up right back where you started. Now, you and your kids can experience the fun of a corn maze all over again!
At Tanners Orchard, our corn maze is one of those activities that brings everyone together. Kids take the lead, parents try to keep up, and somewhere along the way, it turns into a mix of problem-solving, teamwork, and a whole lot of laughs.
It’s not about getting through it as fast as you can—it’s about enjoying the experience of conquering the maze together, as a group.
What Makes the Corn Maze at Tanners So Special
Tanners Orchard doesn’t hold back when creating our mazes—it’s a carefully designed experience that changes every single year. It’s something not just for show; jump in with friends and family and experience a dizzying labyrinth of corn!
- A New Design Every Year – Each season brings a completely different layout, so no two visits feel the same. One year you might be walking through Bigfoot, the next a butterfly or a cowboy. It’s something people look forward to seeing each fall.
- Built with Precision – Fun fact: we don’t cut the designs into our corn mazes, we grow them that way! It’s planted that way from the start, using mapped designs and precise machinery, which means every turn, path, and dead end is exactly where it’s meant to be.
- Two Ways to Navigate – If you want something more relaxed, you can follow the easier path right from the start. If you’re up for a challenge, the harder route will definitely make you think a bit more.
- Checkpoints Along the Way – As you move through the maze, you’ll come across checkpoints where you can stamp or punch your map. Be sure to hit every checkpoint if you can!
- A Prize for Completing the Maze – Make it to every checkpoint, and you’ll have something to show for it at the end. You won’t know what it is until you try the maze yourself.
- A True Family Activity – This is one of those things where everyone gets involved. Kids lead the way, parents second-guess directions, and before long, everyone’s working together trying to figure it out.
Can You Make It Through the Corn Maze?
Once you step into the maze, it’s up to you to figure out your way through—and that’s where the fun really starts.
Start at the U-Pick Building Pick up your tickets and get ready to head into the maze. From there, you’ll make your way over to the entrance and step inside.
Grab Your MapYou’ll be given a map to help guide you, but it doesn’t always make things easy. Some groups stick to it closely; others barely look at it at all.
Choose Your PathFrom the start, you can decide whether you want the easier route or something more challenging. Either way, you’ll have to make plenty of navigation decisions along the way.
Find the CheckpointsAs you explore, look for stations where you can stamp or punch your map. Some are easy to find, others take a little more searching.
Work TogetherThis is where the fun begins! Everyone has an opinion on which way to go, and not everyone will agree. It’s a challenging experience, and it feels even better when you finally make it out.
Make Your Way OutYou might take a few wrong turns, double back once or twice, and question your choices—but that’s all part of the experience.
Corn Maze Season at Tanners Orchard
The corn maze opens the first Saturday in September and runs through October, making it a perfect fall activity to enjoy throughout the season.
- U-Pick Hours – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
- Ticket Location – Tickets are available at the U-Pick building until 5 PM, then at the Farm Market afterward
Whether you visit early in the season or later in the fall, the maze offers a different experience each time.
A New Maze Design Every Year
One of the things that makes the corn maze at Tanners Orchard so unique is that it’s completely redesigned every year. It’s not something that stays the same—it’s something you get to experience fresh each season.
In the past, the maze has featured designs like Bigfoot, butterflies, cowboys, and more. Each design starts as an idea before being carefully planned out and programmed into the planting process.
Because of the way the maze is planted, everything lines up exactly the way it was designed. There aren’t random paths or areas that feel off—it all fits together the way it’s supposed to. Plus, not having to cut through the corn makes for cleaner, easier paths through the maze.
It’s this uniqueness and precise maze design that makes it fun to come back year after year. Even if you’ve done the maze before, you’ve never done this version of it.
Tips for Navigating the Corn Maze
A little strategy (and a good sense of humor) can make your time in the maze even more enjoyable.
- Take Your Time – There’s no rush to get through it. The maze is meant to be part of your day, not something you try to finish as quickly as possible.
- Work as a Team – Everyone will have a different idea of which way to go, and that’s usually what makes it fun. Sometimes the best route comes from the person you least expect.
- Use Your Map – It’s there to help, but it won’t always give you the full picture. You’ll still have to make decisions along the way.
- Visit the Checkpoints – Keep an eye out so you don’t miss any. It’s easy to walk right past one if you’re not paying attention.
- Enjoy the Moments – Getting turned around, retracing your steps, and laughing about it is half the experience.
More Farm Fun to Explore at Tanners Orchard
Our corn maze is just one part of the Tanners Orchard experience. There’s plenty more to explore during your visit.
- U-Pick Apples
- Pumpkin Patch
- Sunflower Field
- Back 40 Fun Acres
- Farm Animals
- Seasonal Events & Festivals
You can also explore all available activities on our main Farm Attractions & Activities page, check out our Farm Market & Bakery for fresh treats, or start planning your visit with details on hours, directions, and pricing and options for groups & parties.
Corn Maze FAQs
That really depends on how you approach it. Some people move through pretty quickly, especially if they stick to the easier path. Others take their time, stop at every checkpoint, and turn it into more of an experience.
It is. There’s an easier route for younger kids or families who just want to enjoy it without too much challenge, and a more difficult option if you want to test yourself a bit.
Yes—you’ll get a map when you enter. Whether you follow it closely or just use it as a reference is up to you.
They’re there to give you something to work toward as you move through the maze. You can stamp or punch your map at each one to track how far you’ve made it and receive a fun reward at the end if you get them all!
You can grab your tickets at the U-Pick building when you arrive. If you’re coming later in the day, tickets are available at the Farm Market as well. It’s quick and easy, so you can get into the maze and start exploring without much wait.
Start Planning Your Visit to the Corn Maze
Ready to take on the maze? Whether you’re coming with family, friends, or a group, the corn maze at Tanners Orchard is one of those experiences that turns a simple day at the farm into something memorable.
From the first turn to the final checkpoint, it’s all about the laughs, the teamwork, and the little moments along the way.
Call 309-493-5442 to learn more, or check out our hours, directions, and pricing before you head out. Then come see if you can make it all the way through!