Sauvie Island is Portland’s seasonal source for you-pick berries, nude beaches, and corn mazes where you might actually get lost. As fall’s spooky-autumnal air creeps in, we’re drawn the island’s three major corn mazes—all found within its southern portion, just on the other side of the Wapato Bridge. One is a long-running institution, another is a relative newcomer, and the last is a labyrinth of nightmares filled with bloodthirsty psychos who will chase you through corn. But which is right for you?
The Maize at the Pumpkin Patch
Billing itself as Portland’s original corn maze, the Maize at the Pumpkin Patch has been operating for over 25 years now.
Vibes: Sunny and welcoming. Large, open walkways through the corn ensure that you’ll never feel lost or hemmed-in by the maze. Wood shavings create a walkable path that’s not too muddy, and the whole feeling is one of a nice walk in the fall. This year’s Maize celebrates the United States’ 250th birthday with a pattern paying homage to George Washington’s historic crossing the Delaware River, during the Revolutionary War. You wouldn’t know that from just walking through the Maize—that vibe is more a simple celebration of corn.
Difficulty: Not difficult. Choose left or right at 10 stations throughout the maze by answering trivia questions. Select from a variety of quiz topics at the start; all of the questions are about as tough as a light night of pub trivia. If you’re looking for an added challenge, you can seek out things like colorful painted signs hidden around the maze.
Good for kids? You can take literal babies to this. The maze also has an exit halfway through, so there’s an easy out if any member of your party is having a meltdown.
Non-maze stuff: A cafe serving tried-and-true fare like burgers, beer, and mac ‘n cheese, an animal barn, and (of course) pumpkins to buy and take home. The pumpkins are more than just the standard, orange variety. They come in all shapes and colors, so if you’re looking for something particularly gnarly or notable for decorative gourd season, this is the spot.
(Maize at the Pumpkin Patch, 16511 NW Gilihan, open through October 31, daily 10 am-6 pm, $11.25, FREE for children under 5, all ages)
Topaz Farm
A relative up-and-comer in the corn maze game, Topaz Farm opened in 2020. This year’s maze celebrates local pollinators with a maze shaped like a bee, and offers much of what the Pumpkin Patch does, but with fewer crowds.
Vibes: A maze for puzzle-lovers. Narrow pathways through the corn make this one feel like you’re actually lost, dead ends abound, and claustrophobes might have a bad time. Wood shavings are down to prevent things from getting muddy, but you are going to brush up against a lot of corn stalks in this one. If you’re looking for the feeling of being in a shadowy corn labyrinth, though, this one delivers.
Difficulty: How much do you know about pollinators? Topaz Farm also uses trivia questions to nudge mazegoers in the right direction. Here, though, all the questions are about pollinators and the role they play in the local ecosystem. Unless you’re really up on etymology, some of them will stump you, and you’ll end up making a wrong turn. But getting lost is part of the fun with these things.
Good for kids? Topaz Farm has fewer crowds than the Pumpkin Patch, but you’re more likely to get lost in this maze, which very small kids might find a touch scary. It’s still a very kid-friendly spot overall.
Non-maze stuff: Like the Pumpkin Patch, Topaz Farm has pumpkins. However, here you get to stroll around and choose your own gourd—some of which are truly massive! The farm also has a cafe, farm animals, and a hayride. And you can walk around with a beer, if you want. If you want even more maze, Topaz also offers a winding stroll through the flowers of its Butterfly Maze. It’s a shorter route, but very pretty.
(Topaz Farm, 17100 NW Sauvie Island, open through October 31, Tues-Sun, 9 am-5 pm, weekday admission is FREE, weekend is $12-$15, all ages that can solve pollen puzzles.)
Bella Organic Farms Haunted Maze
Not only is Sauvie Island home to wholesome agricultural day trips, you can also find one of the most terrifying (and fun!) autumn attractions in the Portland metro area. The haunted corn maze at Bella Organic Farms is pee-your-pants scary!
Vibes: You will be chased by multiple guys with chainsaws. The route is broken up into sections via several miniature haunted houses with different themes:. a Leatherface-esque butcher shop, some scary pirates, that girl from The Ring, and more than a few shadowy figures in robes.
Some of the characters will chase you, but it’s up to you to play along and run away. The Leatherface guy isn’t actually going to chop you up, after all. If he catches up to you, he’s just going to make noises in your general direction and try to scare you along to the next ghost or goblin.
It can get intense, though. When I walked through, one participant loudly proclaimed that they had peed their pants—no way of knowing if this was true, I did not verify with a pants inspection. At another point, we saw a mazegoer crying in the corner and hugging a friend. If it gets too much, though, the scare actors can help you out. We saw Art the Clown break character to give someone directions, so just know you’re not locked into the terrors against your will.
Difficulty: Are you good at solving mazes while guys with chainsaws chase you around? This maze has more loops than dead ends, though every so often you will have to turn around and retrace your steps. When that happens, you might have to reverse course and walk past the creepy guy who’s been following you for the last hundred feet. (Awkward!)
The maze is no contact, so scare actors will not touch you and you’re not supposed to touch them. However, they will bar your way by standing ominously at choke points. Sometimes the only way forward is by uncomfortably scootching past the creepy plague doctor looming in the darkness ahead. To be clear, if you’re a horror sicko this absolutely rules. Anyone who watches slasher flicks to relax is going to have a great time.
Good for kids? Kids under 5 are not allowed in the haunted corn maze, but kids aged 5-13 can be chased by a chainsaw-wielding maniac with an adult. Teenagers will probably have a great time screaming at this one. The scares are tried-and-true Halloween stuff like creepy clowns and werewolves—nothing is too disturbing for the 13-18 set. The feeling is more Friday the 13th and less Hereditary.
Like anything aimed at giving you a jolt, the organizers advise caution to those who are pregnant, have a heart condition, phobias, or who may be sensitive to strobe lights.
Non-maze stuff: You’ll find walking around food, like corn dogs, hot cider, beer, and cider of the boozy variety. There’s also a little store hocking a mashup of farm produce and Halloween-theme toys. Bella Organic Farms also offers a non-haunted corn maze during the day.
(Bella Organic Farms, 16205 NW Gilihan, through October 30, Fri & Sat, 6:30 pm-10 pm, $35-$45 depending on the night, 13+)
