North Georgia Mountain Corn Mazes & Pumpkng Patches
If you are looking for some good old-fashioned harvest fun, come to the North Georgia Mountains this fall. You’ll find an abundance of Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes for your family to enjoy.
Corn mazes have become a really big business, as I learned from Uncle Shuck. They’re run by independent farmers/entrepreneurs. Corn is planted in a checkerboard—rows going in one direction, then cross-planted in the other direction—to create thickness. A professional is hired to use a Roto-tiller to cut the corn anywhere from ankle high to head high. The farmer chooses a pre-determined pattern or designs one of his own. The “cutter” uses a GPS system to make the pattern. Mazes are designed to be challenging, fun and entertaining, but never frustrating. The idea is to be the first in your group to finish the maze. Most mazes take 30-40 minutes to complete, depending upon your ability to navigate. At Uncle Shuck’s and at Reece’s Corn Mazes they use a game system with punchcards and checkpoints. The punchcard is your map. The checkpoints help to orient you to where you are in the maze and where you should go next. There are lots of choices to be made in the 4 miles of trails. I asked Uncle Shuck what age these mazes were designed for and he said that children must be 11 years old to go in alone. Younger kids need to be accompanied by their parents. The Haunted Mazes are for teenagers and older. Uncle Shuck’s is one of the largest corn mazes in the nation. He expects 40,000 people between Labor Day and Thanksgiving.
Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze has two separate mazes cut into his 12 acre field. In addition to the two mazes, he has a separate Haunted Maze open at night. No flashlights are allowed, so it’s pretty spooky. There’s a huge Pumpkin Patch, featuring pre-gathered pumpkins of every size, shape and color. The hayrides are always a favorite and can be combined with the mazes for a Combo Value Deal. The evening hayrides include a bonfire, marshmallows to roast and a campfire sing-along. On October weekends Uncle Shuck’s has pony rides, face painting, a corn cannon and a Climbing Goat Show. There’s fun for the whole family. The “least crowded” times to visit are Saturday and Sunday mornings. Uncle Shuck’s is located in Dawsonville, just 2 miles west of GA400 on Hwy 53. Call (888) 674-8257 for hours of operation.
Reece’s Corn Maze is located in Ellijay, 9 miles east of Hwy 515 on Hwy 52, close to Amicalola Falls. David and Robin Reece operate their maze from mid September through November. They’re open 10 AM to midnight Mon-Sat and from 10 AM-9 PM on Sunday. B. J. Reece’s Apple House is closeby and features pumpkins, hayrides, a petting zoo, an apple cannon and a farm store full of yummy things to eat. The Apple House is open 9 AM-6 PM. They’re real nice folks with an expanding array of farm entertainment.
Also, in that same area on Hwy 52 is Hillcrest Orchards. I haven’t been there yet, but it sounds like quite an operation. They have a Petting Zoo with baby animals wandering around un-caged (but in a restricted area) that are “eager to be hugged and fed.” They have mule-drawn wagon rides Wednesday – Sunday. You can milk Buttercup the cow; watch a live honeybee demonstration and learn how honey is made; join Hillbilly Billy at the Pig Races and cheer on your favorite oinker; visit the Farm House Museum which depicts life in the early 1900’s; visit the Moonshine Museum and see many working stills; go bungee jumping; pedal at the John Deere Derby Tractor Trike Track (try saying that 3 times!); and go to the Children’s Area for apple bobbing, corn shelling & a ride down the 50’ slide! If that isn’t enough for you, take the Nature Trail through the woods and along the creek, where you’ll be surrounded by nursery rhyme and fairy tale characters. Be sure to visit Grandma’s Bakery and the Ice Cream Parlor, while being entertained by country bands and clogging dancers. Last, but not least, stop by the Farmer’s Market for apples, pumpkins and other locally grown produce. Come enjoy all these activities during September and October weekends. Hillcrest Orchards is open September 1st through mid December, 7 days a week, from 9-6, but only the Petting Zoo and the wagon rides operate on weekdays. Call (706) 273-3838 for directions.
Burt’s Farm is another large enterprise. Open September 1st through November 10, 2010, it has a Pumpkin Patch with literally thousands of pumpkins. Eight tractor-pulled wagons take visitors through popcorn and pumpkin fields and along a stream on a 2-mile trip down a winding country road. You get a panoramic hilltop view of Amicalola Falls and Burt’s Farm—lots of photo ops here. The hayride is only $3.00 for children and $4.00 for adults. During the ride you’ll meet Autumn and Gourdy, the Talking Pumpkins. Be sure to visit the big gift shop in the Barn. It carries all kinds of fall decorations and food items. Go to www.burtsfarm.com all (800) 600-2878 for current hours of operation and directions.
Now, if you’re looking for something on a smaller scale, try Bradley’s Pumpkin Patch and Uncle Buck’s Corn Maze. They’re located just 6 miles apart in Dawsonville.
Bradley’s Pumpkin Patch is a small working farm started by Bradley Weaver at age 5. Now, at 19, he’s the boss and his Mom and Pop are “the help,” according to Mr. Weaver. Bradley has been learning and building the business, and views this as his ministry to children and youth. He loves being able to work in nature and is excited to share that love with others. Bradley is the youngest member of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce, which developed a Youth Scholarship Program so he could participate. The farm offers lots of pumpkins and an old fashioned hayride in the rural setting. You can bring a picnic lunch or visit the refreshment stand. They have a well-stocked gift shop including Halloween items. The Weavers are a real friendly family and welcome the opportunity to share their farm. They’re busy year round with Christmas trees, pre-Civil War Heritage daffodils and many varieties of daylilies. The farm is located north on GA 400, west on Hwy 53, just 8 miles north of the Dawsonville Town Square on Hwy 183 at the 5 Mile Marker, on the left. (770)380-3632
Buck’s Corn Maze is located at 1923 New Hope Road, Dawsonville, GA, 30534 and is near Bradley’s. They can tell you how to get there. Buck’s is named after W.Z.”Buck” Samples. He was born in 1916 and farmed the land for over 50 years before retiring. Buck loved to have his friends drop by. Although Buck is gone now, his family still welcomes visitors to enjoy the tranquil countryside and they hope you will make coming out to Buck’s Corn Maze one of your family traditions. They offer hayrides and a 12 acre maze in a beautiful setting next to Cochran’s Creek with a view of the Appalachian Mountains. The maze is fun during the day and double the fun at night. Bring your flashlight for the Haunted Maze. Drinks and snacks are available, and you can bring a picnic lunch to eat under the trees. (706) 344-8834
As you can see, there are a lot of opportunities for a good time in the mountains of North Georgia. There are Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches of all sizes to suit every budget. The important thing is to make some memories that will last a lifetime. And, what better place to do that than while enjoying the crisp autumn air and the gorgeous colored leaves? Come to the mountains this fall and let Rainbow Cabins be your guide - every cabin is located on a North Georgia river or trout stream.