A corn maze in daylight is a pleasant fall stroll, but after dark it turns into a whole different game. Across Minnesota, a handful of farms and haunted attractions wait until night to unleash actors, hayrides, and twisting rows of tall stalks.
This list covers six spots where the corn gets creepy, from the Twin Cities suburbs to the woods near Carlton. Grab a flashlight, round up your bravest friends, and pick the one that matches your scare level.
1. Harvest of Horror Haunted Attraction, St Augusta, MN
Out in St Augusta, just south of St. Cloud, the scares start before your feet ever touch the ground. The night opens with a hayride featuring creepy characters and psycho clowns.
Then comes the long walk back. The trail winds through a corn maze, patches of forest, small haunted buildings, old buses, and more mazes along the way.
The actors here are a big part of the appeal. They interact with guests and time their jump scares well, so groups of friends tend to come out laughing as much as shrieking.
Plan around a tight schedule. Harvest of Horror runs Friday and Saturday only, from 7 to 11 PM, and restrooms are on site at 4108 200th St.
2. The Dead End Hayride, Wyoming, MN
Forty minutes. That is roughly how long the main event lasts at this Chisago County favorite, split between a 20-minute haunted hayride and about 20 minutes on foot through haunted houses.
The set design is where this place stands out. Scenes are packed with detail, the makeup is sharp, and the actors commit fully to the role.
A corn maze rounds out the lineup, and there is extra entertainment around the grounds while you wait. That makes it an easy pick for a full evening out.
The schedule is generous, with nights open most of the week, though Tuesday is dark. Buying tickets ahead is a smart move, and both free and paid parking are available at 28186 Kettle River Blvd N.
3. Dehns At Dark, Dayton, MN
Three haunted attractions and a hayride for one evening is a tidy deal for families with teenagers who want variety.
Dehns At Dark in Dayton packs its scares into short bursts. Each haunted house moves quickly, and one ends with a slide that tends to get a reaction.
The corn maze adds a freaky stretch through the fields, while the hayride is more of a ride in the dark than a scream fest. I would save this one for a group that wants steady, manageable frights rather than a marathon.
Hours are Friday and Saturday from 7 to 11 PM at 17270 125th Ave N.
4. Haunting Experience, Cottage Grove, MN
Back in 1986, a family-owned operation in Cottage Grove started scaring Minnesotans, and it has kept going ever since. The Haunting Experience claims the longest-running haunted hayride in the state.
The corn is where things get intense. Its haunted corn maze has a chainsaw-filled reputation that pushes nerves hard.
Massacre, the newer outdoor attraction, begins with a walk through dark corn fields that sets the mood before anything even jumps out. There is also a haunted house for anyone who wants walls around their screams.
Not ready for all that? Fall Fest offers a family-friendly side of the property.
Find it at 10900 E Point Douglas Rd S, open Wednesday through Sunday evenings during the season.
5. Scream Town, Chaska, MN
Strobe lights, a clown, and a chainsaw. That trio greets anyone brave enough to enter the corn maze at Scream Town.
Size is the selling point here. The Chaska park runs a signature haunted hayride, two haunted trails, and five haunted houses, including a spooky forest and a zombie maze.
Costumes and makeup are detailed enough to feel like stepping into a horror film. Even so, the park is considered kid-friendly and welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community.
Tickets in advance are recommended, since evenings draw crowds from across the metro. Parking options include free lots and street parking near 7410 US-212.
Doors open Thursday through Sunday nights, with the latest hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
6. Ru-Ridge Corn Maze, Carlton, MN
Up near Duluth, the farm vibe takes the lead before the spooky stuff kicks in. Ru-Ridge is a family-run spot with corn mazes, a hayride, a petting zoo, and horse rides.
Daytime visits on weekends suit younger kids. Once it gets dark, the corn maze and haunted house become a hit with teens.
Friday is the late night, running from 4 to 10 PM. Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday hours vary, so check the farm’s Facebook page before heading up.
Free on-site parking and a gender-neutral restroom keep things simple at 1781 Co Rd 1. It makes a nice North Shore road trip add-on with a little fright mixed in.
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