Four Acres, One Way Out
Thirty-five minutes north of downtown Des Moines, there's a four-acre corn maze cut into a brand-new design every fall. Every path looks promising until it doesn't, and finding your way out feels like a genuine victory. Here's what to know before you make the drive.
The Short Answer
The corn maze at Center Grove Orchard is in Cambridge, Iowa, five miles east of I-35 at Exit 102. That's about 35 minutes from downtown Des Moines, 20 from Ames, and 25 from Ankeny. It's included with farm admission, so there's no separate ticket, and it's open daily through the fall season, closed Tuesdays.
Most groups take somewhere between twenty minutes and an hour, depending on how many wrong turns they commit to.
This Year's Design
Every fall the maze gets cut fresh in a new design, which is most of the reason people come back. This year's theme is the American farmer: an American flag and vintage tractor designs carved into four acres of corn.
In 2023 the maze was cut in the shape of Reba McEntire's face as part of a nationwide partnership, which tells you the designs aren't small. They come from The MAiZE, the company that built the modern themed corn maze, and Center Grove has been one of their farms for years.
If you came last year, this year's is different.
How the Corn Maze Works
The maze is included with admission. Take the hayride out or walk over from the main farm, and go in. There's no time limit and no guide.
The corn is tall enough that you can't see over it, which is the whole point. It's a real maze, not a loop with a couple of turns.
- Wear closed-toe shoes. The paths are dirt and get soft after rain.
- Bring a phone with a charge.
- Agree on a meeting spot before you go in. Have a plan for where to meet if you split up.
- Rain or shine. The maze stays open in wet weather, though a few other attractions close for safety.
When to Come
The fall season runs August 29 through November 8, with the farm open 9 AM to 7 PM and closed Tuesdays. Come in September and you're picking apples on the way. Come in October and it's pumpkins. Either way the maze is the same four acres and the bakery is on the way out.
Weekday admission is cheaper: $14.95 online against $19.95 on weekends. Thursdays after 2 PM, gate admission is buy one, get one free.
During Pumpkin Nights, the farm stays open until 9 PM every Friday and Saturday from October 2 through 24, with fireworks every Saturday night.
Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, and Apple Orchard on One Farm
Most people looking for a corn maze are also looking for a pumpkin patch, and the two rarely sit on the same farm. Ours do. The hayride runs between the maze, the pumpkin field, and the orchard, so it's genuinely one trip rather than three stops.
The maze is one stop out of forty-plus. There's a corn pool, jumping pillows, giant slides, a train that runs the property, and a farmyard full of animals. Most groups do the maze first and then lose the afternoon to everything else. For the full rundown, start with our corn maze guide.
Getting Here from Des Moines
We're at 32835 610th Avenue in Cambridge, five miles east of I-35 at Exit 102. From downtown Des Moines it's about 35 minutes north on I-35.
The directions page has drive times from 26 towns, and there's a guide for Des Moines families if you're planning the whole day.
Corn Maze Questions
Is there a corn maze near Des Moines?
Yes. We're 35 minutes north of downtown Des Moines off I-35 at Exit 102. The maze is included with farm admission, so you're not paying separately to get in.
How big is the corn maze?
Four acres. Most groups take between twenty minutes and an hour.
Is the corn maze included with admission?
Yes. The maze, the pumpkin patch, the hayride, and all 40-plus attractions are included. Only You-Pick produce and a few bookable experiences cost extra.
Does the maze change every year?
Yes. It's cut fresh in a new design each fall. This year's theme is the American farmer.
What should we bring?
Closed-toe shoes, a charged phone, and a plan for where to meet if you split up.
Is the corn maze open if it rains?
Yes. The maze stays open in wet weather, though a few other attractions close for safety. The paths are dirt and get soft after rain.