Getting lost usually isn't the goal of a fall road trip. Unless, of course, there's a corn maze involved.
It's that time of year again around Lake Superior. Pumpkins are showing up at roadside stands, the leaves are turning and farms around the region are getting ready for fall visitors. Some have elaborate corn mazes. Others keep things a little simpler, with wagon rides, cider, animals and pumpkins to haul home.
If you're looking for an excuse to get outside on a crisp fall afternoon, here are a few spots worth checking out around the lake.
Ru-Ridge Corn Maze
MINNESOTA
Ru-Ridge Corn Maze — Carlton
You don't have to travel far from Duluth to find a proper corn maze. Ru-Ridge, near Carlton, has a maze along with hayrides, a corn pit, petting zoo, games and pumpkins.
There's plenty here to fill an afternoon, especially for families with kids. And at roughly half an hour from Duluth, it's an easy trip without giving up the whole day to driving.
Whoopsa Daisy Farm — Duluth
Whoopsa Daisy isn't technically a corn-maze destination, but younger kids probably won't mind.
There's a giant corn pit to dig around in, two playgrounds, an obstacle course and plenty of farm animals. A wagon ride winds through the woods, and Dinoland and Fairyland give kids a few more places to explore.
The farm is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 25 this year.
Farmer Doug — Duluth
Farmer Doug is another Duluth-area option if you're more interested in pumpkins than finding your way through rows of corn.
The longtime local farm is probably best known for maple syrup, but come fall you'll also find locally grown produce and pumpkins. Stop in, pick out a pumpkin and bring a little bit of the harvest season home.
The Burch Barn
WISCONSIN
The Burch Barn — Spooner
You'll have to venture a little farther south of Lake Superior to find a Wisconsin corn maze this year. The Burch Barn near Spooner turns its farm into a full-fledged fall playground, with a corn maze, corn pit and plenty of activities for kids.
Beyond the maze, there are tractor rides, slides, inflatables and other games around the farm. Pick out a pumpkin while you're there and make an afternoon of it.
Palosaari Corn Maze
MICHIGAN
Palosaari Corn Maze — Chassell
Down a country road south of Chassell, the Palosaari family turns about five acres of corn into a new maze each fall.
The maze changes from year to year, and there's a scavenger hunt along the way for younger visitors. But there's quite a bit happening outside the corn, too. The farm has pumpkins, wagon rides, pedal carts, animals, a corn box, kids' activities and local food vendors. You can also grab some of the farm's own apple cider.
The maze opens in late September and continues through October.
Zwart Farm — Calumet
If you're already wandering around the Keweenaw, Zwart Farm in Calumet makes for a good second stop.
This one is less about the maze and more about the simple pleasures of a UP fall afternoon: pumpkins, cider and doughnuts. Add a drive through the Keweenaw while the leaves are changing and you've got a pretty good way to spend a fall day.
Belluz Farms
ONTARIO
Belluz Farms — Thunder Bay
Belluz Farms goes big for fall.
Its Fall Wonderland weekends begin Sept. 26 this year, with a two-acre corn maze among the main attractions. There's also a farm wagon tour, hidden pumpkin hunt, petting zoo and a collection of old-fashioned games.
Families with smaller kids don't have to tackle the full maze, either. Belluz has a mini corn maze and pumpkin hunt designed for younger visitors.
Before heading home, stop at the farm market for pumpkins, seasonal produce and other fall finds.
Gammondale Farm — Thunder Bay Area
Head south of Thunder Bay toward the Slate River Valley and you'll find Gammondale Farm at the foot of Candy Mountain.
Fall here means mazes and trails, animals, activities around the barn and farmyard, and the Pumpkin Train. It's the kind of place where you can spend a few hours without much of an agenda.
And really, that's part of the appeal of these places. Pick a sunny fall afternoon, take the back roads and don't worry too much if it takes a while to find your way out.
