ST. LOUIS – Right next to apple picking and pumpkin patches, one of the top traditions to truly embrace the fall spirit is wandering through a corn maze.
When it comes to corn mazes, there’s a little bit of something for everyone. Visitors can snap festive photos, test their wits and navigate twists and turns with family and friends.
Farmers, meanwhile, use the mazes to strengthen community ties and raise awareness about agriculture. Farmers that take advantage of the corn maze craze can generate tens of thousands of dollars each year, according to ModernFarmer.com.
And behind it all, there’s a mastermind who designs the maze, some inspired by pop culture icons of fall trends. To add to the excitement, organizers commonly plan these mazes around apple picking events and pumpkin patches as well.
If you’re looking to conquer a corn maze in the St. Louis area, your options are quite abundant. Here’s a closer look at 13 places you can visit in upcoming weeks.
Eckert’s Millstadt Fun Farm
Location: Millstadt, Illinois (2719 Eckert Orchard Ln.)
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday
Costs: Free for children 2 and under, $12-20 for other ages based on dates
Bloomsdale Fun Farm
Location: Bloomsdale, Missouri (11803 Carron Rd.)
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Costs: Free for children 2 and under, $13.95-$24.95 for other ages
Broemmelsiek Park
Location: Defiance, Missouri (1795 Hwy. DD)
Hours: 7 a.m. to 30 minutes past sunset, seven days a week
Costs: Free for all ages
Brookdale Farms
Location: Eureka, Missouri (8004 Twin River Rd.)
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday
Costs: Free for children 3 and under, $10-15 for other ages
Dickherber Farms
Location: Dardenne Prairie, Missouri (7063 Hwy N)
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
Costs: Free for children 3 and under, $8 for other ages
Eagle Fork Farms
Location: Moscow Mills, Missouri (65 Eagle Fork Ln.)
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday
Costs: $4 for children, $6 for adults
Great Godfrey Corn Maze
Location: Godfrey, Illinois (1401 Stamper Ln.)
Hours: 6-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday
Costs: Free for children 5 and under, $5-7 for other ages
Meert Tree Farm
Location: Festus, Missouri (14560 Dry Fork Rd.)
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday
Costs: Free for all ages
Pierce Century Farm
Location: Hillsboro, Missouri (6085 Butcher Branch Rd.)
Hours: 1-4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday
Costs: Free after $10 admission fee
Rinkel Pumpkin Farm
Location: Glen Carbon, Illinois (2762 Old Troy Rd.)
Hours: 3-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Costs: Free for children 3 and under, $6 for other ages per visit or $20 season pass
Relleke Pumpkin Patch
Location: Granite City, Illinois (473 Sand Prairie Ln.)
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Costs: $3 for all ages
Rowe Crop Farm
Location: Caledonia, Missouri (10766 Webster Rd.)
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday … Also 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday in October
Costs: $10 for all ages
Stuckmeyer’s Farm Market and Greenhouse
Location: Fenton, Missouri (249 Schneider Dr.)
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Costs: Free for all ages
Thies Farm & Market
Location: Maryland Heights, Missouri (14101 Creve Coeur Airport Rd.)
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Costs: Free with $10 general admission to Pumpkinland