Guide to Milwaukee's Best Corn Mazes (2025)

There's no better way to celebrate the season than by getting delightfully lost together in a towering corn maze. For North Shore families looking to create lasting fall memories without traveling far from home, the Milwaukee area offers an incredible variety of maze adventures that cater to every family's needs and interests.

Whether you're seeking a quick afternoon adventure or planning an all-day fall festival experience, we've mapped out the best corn maze destinations that are perfectly positioned for North Shore families. From budget-friendly options just minutes away to elaborate themed adventures worth the drive, here's your complete guide to navigating the 2025 corn maze season.

Barthel Fruit Farm (Mequon)

Distance: Less than 30 minutes from most North Shore communities
Season: Mid-August through late October
What makes it special: No general admission fee

Sometimes the best family adventures are the ones you don't have to plan weeks in advance. Barthel Fruit Farm stands out as the ideal destination for those spontaneous fall moments when you want to get the kids outdoors without breaking the bank or spending your entire day traveling.

This family-owned gem has been welcoming visitors since 1840, and their approach to fall fun is refreshingly simple. Instead of charging hefty admission fees, they integrate their seasonal corn maze into their pay-per-bag apple picking experience. This means families can enjoy fresh apple picking, sample their famous hot ham and rolls, indulge in apple cider donuts, and navigate the corn maze all in one affordable outing.

The proximity to North Shore communities makes this perfect for after-school adventures or weekend morning excursions that still leave plenty of time for other family activities.

Basse's Farms Pumpkin Fest (Colgate)

Distance: 25 minutes northwest
Season: September 22 - October 31
Admission: $14.49 (weekdays) / $22.99 (weekends)
What makes it special: 65+ activities and interactive maze experiences

When you want to give your family the full fall festival experience, Basse's Farms delivers in spectacular fashion. This isn't just a corn maze visit – it's a complete autumn adventure that easily fills an entire day.

The maze experience itself is exceptionally creative, featuring an expansive 8-acre design with unique variations including a "Trivia Corn Maze" that challenges your family's knowledge and a "Who Done It Corn Maze" with a farm-style murder mystery theme. These interactive elements transform a simple maze walk into an engaging family challenge that keeps everyone entertained.

Beyond the maze, the sheer variety of activities is impressive: pig races, candy cannons, dog shows, pony rides, apple blasters, a massive animal barn, towering straw mountains, and even a corn kernel beach where kids can play. The "De Scheier" Beer Barn offers craft beverages for adults on weekends, making this a destination that truly caters to all family members.

Pro tip: Weekday visits offer a more budget-friendly option and smaller crowds, though some activities may be limited. Weekend visitors should arrive early, especially during the first three weekends of October when crowds peak.

Skelly's Farm Market (Oconomowoc Area)

Skelly’s introduces a new maze theme each year, such as this Olympic theme in 2021

Distance: 30-45 minutes west
Season: 2025 season confirmed (check website for dates)
What makes it special: Escape room-style puzzles integrated into the maze

Skelly’s is known for epic corn mazes since 1998, with a different theme reveal each year. For families who love a mental challenge, Skelly's offers something completely different. Their two distinct mazes – the "Everglades Mystery" adventure and the "Impossible Maze" – incorporate escape room-style puzzles and games directly into the corn stalks.

This innovative approach appeals particularly to tweens and teens who might find traditional mazes too simplistic. Instead of just finding your way out, you're solving mysteries and completing challenges, making it an engaging experience for older kids and adults who enjoy problem-solving together.

Polly's Pumpkin Patch (Chilton)

Distance: 60+ minutes north via I-43
Season: September 13 - October 30
Admission: $9 (daytime) / $10 (night maze)
What makes it special: Two distinct mazes for one price, plus timely NFL Draft theme

Sometimes the best family memories come from venturing a bit further from home, and Polly's Pumpkin Patch makes the drive worthwhile by offering exceptional value. For one admission price, families get access to two completely different maze experiences.

The first is a classic challenge spanning 15 acres with 18 hidden checkpoints where players collect unique paper punches. The second, "Dottie's Maze," is shorter and more navigable, featuring a 2025 NFL Draft theme that's particularly relevant with Green Bay hosting the draft. This football-themed maze adds an extra layer of excitement for sports-loving families.

The dual-maze concept is brilliant for families with children of different ages and attention spans – younger kids can tackle the simpler themed maze while older siblings and parents can challenge themselves with the more complex adventure.

Red Barn Corn Maze

Distance: Day trip destination (specific location to be confirmed)
Season: September 13 - October 26 (weekends only)
Admission: $10 (includes everything!)
What makes it special: Incredible value with all activities included

Red Barn Corn Maze consistently earns rave reviews from families, and it's easy to see why. The $10 admission price includes not just the 9-acre corn maze, but hay rides, barrel train rides, lawn games, apple slingshot tickets, and access to farm animals. This all-inclusive approach means no surprise costs or constant "can we do this?" negotiations with the kids.

The 2025 maze features an educational theme focusing on Oliver tractors and early Wisconsin farm life, complete with interactive checkpoints and a "Farm Scenes Investigation" scavenger hunt. Beyond the maze, kids can interact with goats, calves, peacocks, rabbits, and ducks, while the whole family enjoys activities like corn hole, bowling, and rubber duck races.

Visitors consistently praise the genuinely friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere, noting that the experience extends "so much more than a corn maze" with "TONS of activities" all included in that single admission price.

Treinen Farm (Lodi)

Treinen Farm corn maze

Distance: 90-120 minutes (near Madison)
Recognition: USA Today's top ten mazes in the U.S.
What makes it special: Intricate, artistic designs with expert-level challenges

For families with dedicated maze enthusiasts or those planning a broader Wisconsin fall excursion, Treinen Farm represents the pinnacle of corn maze artistry. This USA Today-recognized destination creates "mind-blowing" experiences that are "part work of art, part outdoor game, part social experiment."

The main maze can take anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours to complete, depending on your family's puzzle-solving skills. For the ultimate challenge, they offer an "Expert level!" maze-within-the-maze that must be navigated without a map.

This is definitely a destination for families who want to make maze navigation a significant part of their day and who appreciate the artistry and complexity that goes into world-class maze design.

Planning Your Perfect Maze Adventure

Best Times to Visit: Early season (September) and weekday visits typically offer smaller crowds and better weather. October weekends are peak season with maximum activities but larger crowds.

What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, layers for changing temperatures, hand sanitizer, and a fully charged phone for photos and potential emergency navigation.

Age Considerations: Most mazes are suitable for all ages, though very young children may get tired or frustrated in larger, more complex mazes. Many farms offer simpler, shorter maze options specifically designed for little ones.

Weather Backup Plans: Most farms operate rain or shine, but call ahead during questionable weather. Muddy conditions are common after rain, so plan footwear accordingly.

The Milwaukee area's corn maze offerings provide something for every North Shore family, from quick local adventures to elaborate day-long excursions. Whether you choose the budget-friendly convenience of Barthel Fruit Farm, the comprehensive experience at Basse's Farms, or venture further for the award-winning artistry of Treinen Farm, you're guaranteed to create lasting fall memories.

The key is matching your choice to your family's interests, energy level, and available time. Some families thrive on the challenge of complex, artistic mazes, while others prefer the simplicity of apple picking with a maze as a fun bonus activity.

Whatever you choose, these corn maze adventures offer the perfect opportunity to disconnect from screens, enjoy the crisp fall air, and remind ourselves that sometimes the best family fun comes from simply getting lost together – and finding your way out as a team.

Ready to plan your corn maze adventure? Visit individual farm websites for the most current hours, pricing, and special events. Most farms recommend checking weather conditions and calling ahead during uncertain conditions.