Richardson Adventure Farm travels ‘Back to 1985’ with this fall’s corn maze
If you know what 88 mph in a flux capacitor-equipped DeLorean brings, you are going to love this year’s Richardson “World’s Largest” Corn Maze.
It’s a celebration of the 40th anniversary of “Back to the Future,” of course, with depictions of a guitar-wielding and a hoverboard riding Marty McFly, the legendary time-traveling DeLorean complete with fire-topped tire tracks, a lightning-struck clock tower, and a Doc Brown portrait all mapped out in 28 acres of corn.
“We always have a tremendous time selecting our maze design,” said George Richardson, who operates the farm along with his wife, Wendy; brother, Robert; Robert’s wife, Carol; George’s son, Ryan; and Ryan’s wife, Kristen. “When we realized that this summer marked the 40th anniversary of this iconic film, well ... who didn’t love it?”
Those who want to check out the maze — and all of the other family fun to be had at the farm — should set their car’s circuits for Sept. 6 through Oct. 26, 2025, at Richardson Adventure Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove.
While the MazePlay creation and its 10.4 miles of trail are a chief draw, plenty of other reasons exist to travel to the adventure farm. There are the sunflower fields (typically open throughout September; included with admission), the carousel, train rides, Zorbing, pedal karts, giant jumping pillows, food trucks, a craft-beer serving Barrel House featuring 9th Hour Brewing Co. drafts, a wine bar, 50-foot-tall observation tower overlooking the maze, giant slides, a zip line, gift shop, fresh, cinnamon doughnuts, pumpkins and fall decor, and the always entertaining pig races that occur every couple of hours.
“We do have so much fun,” Wendy Richardson said of emceeing the pig races with her husband, George.
“We use miniature, potbellied pigs,” George Richardson added. “They’re great to work with. Like regular pigs, they’re smart animals, easy to train, and they have a nice disposition. And by the end of October, they aren’t pushing 100 pounds while stepping on our toes.”
New amenities for visitors to enjoy this year include the addition of gelato to the Dairy Depot, with flavors like Sea Salt Caramello, Eli’s Strawberry Cheesecake, Frutti di Bosco and Cookies ’n’ Cream, plus a new soft-serve machine that will add chocolate to the formerly vanilla-only option.
A koi pond with a unique feature — the front-end of a rustic, 1967 Ford F250 with water spilling from its grill — has been built just east of the train station. And there is also a new low ropes course at the farm.
“This year we’re expanding our offerings for climbing adventures and family fun to include a 12-station activity pod,” Ryan Richardson said of the course.
George and Wendy Richardson added that an extra draw this year will be an adjacent haunted trail with a midway operated by Jason Wright and his son, Tristan, with their own parking area and corn trails near the Richardson Tulip Fields. While the entry off English Prairie Road will be the same, admission to the American Nightmare Scream Park will be separate.
“It’s the only haunted corn trail in the Midwest,” George Richardson said. “We think it’s going to be an exceptional haunt.”
The Richardson Adventure Farm will be open Fridays through Sundays starting Saturday, Sept. 6, with Thursdays added in October. September hours are 3-11 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays. October hours are 3-9 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and the same as September for Saturdays and Sundays.
Maze ’til Midnight will be Saturday, Oct. 4. The adventure farm also will be open on Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
For other details, tickets and pricing, visit richardsonfarm.com.
Richardson Farm also is home to the Richardson Tulip Festival in the spring, and a cut-your-own Christmas Tree Farm in the winter. Professional, compensated photographers should view the Photography & Filming page at richardsonfarm.com before visiting.