Maryland

This year's organically grown Corn Maze in The Plains is carved in the shape of a monarch butterfly. (Roger Snyder)

FORREST HALL FARM & ORCHARD -- 39136 Avie Lane, off Route 5, 1 1/2 miles from intersection with Route 235, Mechanicsville. 301-884-3086 (recording with directions). www.forresthallfarm.com. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 to dusk through Oct. 31. Also open until 10 for evening maze walks Oct. 22, 23, 39 and 30. $6, free for ages younger than 3. Haunted hayrides, offered during the maze's evening hours, are $3, $6 if combined with the maze. The five-acre Crazy Corn Maze, designed and cut by the Wood family, who own the farm, features a locomotive, a tribute to the former Forrest Hall Depot. Designed to be difficult, the maze includes six mailboxes containing tokens. Collect all six and exchange them for a small mum, pumpkin or three apples. Visitors who get lost on the almost three miles of trails can wave flags for assistance from employees stationed in three lookout towers, which mazegoers also can visit. Three water stations provide cups and cold water. Other activities include hayrides, kids' games, farm animals, face painting, a hay wagon slide, a stationary tractor to play on and a grain pit playground (a small building filled with six inches of wheat). Picnic tables are available. Visitors can purchase souvenir photos and concessions. The new Forrest Hall Farm Shop specializes in apples from the farm's orchard, produce, gifts and gourmet pies baked to order.

Virginia

Fairfax County

KIDWELL FARM AT FRYING PAN PARK -- 2709 West Ox Rd., Herndon. 703-437-9101. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fpp/index.htm. The corn maze is open to groups of five or more with at least two days' advance notice through Oct. 31. $3. Designed for ages 13 and younger, the three-acre maze at this Fairfax County Park Authority site features farm-related questions, which visitors answer to determine which way to turn. The maze also is open during Harvest and Fun Day Oct. 16 from 10 to 3, which includes cow milking, corn shelling, pumpkin painting, games and farm demonstrations. The maze is included in the $5 admission. The working 1930s-era farm, open daily 9 to 5, includes numerous animals. Interpretive 20-minute hayrides generally take place on a drop-in basis Monday through Saturday between 10 and 4 through the weekend after Thanksgiving. $2 ages 2 and older, free for ages younger than 2. The country store sells gifts, candy, drinks and snacks. The park also hosts frequent free equestrian events.

Fauquier County

THE CORN MAZE IN THE PLAINS -- Route 245 north, just off Interstate 66 west, adjacent to the Archwood Green Barns Farmers Market, The Plains. Look for the big white dairy barn. 540-456-7339. www.circleofseeds.com (includes directions). Open Saturdays and Sundays 10 to 6 through Nov. 7, plus Fridays in October and Columbus Day (Oct. 11). $7, $6 ages 5-12 and free for ages 4 and younger. Carved in a monarch butterfly design, a five-acre, organically grown corn maze designed and built by owners Hub and Kate Knott offers 2 1/2 miles of trails. Each visitor receives a signal flag to wave if lost, along with a crayon and "survival guide" with facts that later answer butterfly trivia questions found at eight hidden stations. Correct answers help guide visitors through the maze. Each station also includes a raised portion of a maze map for crayon rubbings, enabling each walker to complete a map on a designated section of the survival guide. The maze contains an area for birthday parties. The rural site also features pick-your-own pumpkins, educational hayrides, a hayloft, a petting zoo, a mini-straw bale maze, a rope maze, an obstacle course, a nature trail and spacious play area with giant slides and tunnels. New highlights include a goat walk, large tubes in which to roll and another slide. Visitors also can picnic and purchase concessions and specialty food items such as pumpkin pie fudge and Virginia-made products.

COWS-N-CORN -- 5225 Catlett Rd., Midland. 540-439-4806. cows-n-corn.com (includes directions). Open Fridays 4 to 9, Saturdays 10 to 9 and Sundays 12:30 to 5 through Oct. 31. $7, free for ages younger than 3. A farm couple modeled after Grant Wood's "American Gothic" painting highlights this Maize company-designed, 10-acre maze, which also includes a sun, barn, tractor and the name of the sponsoring Fauquier Times-Democrat newspaper. Visitors can navigate a simple, smaller section and a larger section featuring a bridge and more twists and turns. Mazegoers receive sets of questions relating to the dairy farm and corn, and to the Fauquier Times-Democrat; correct answers guide walkers along the right paths. A narrated hayride tour of the farm includes answers to the farm-related questions. Evening maze visitors should bring flashlights. Other highlights, included with admission, are pedal-powered go-karts for all ages, a straw bale maze, farm animals and a new farm-themed play area with a corn-filled sandbox. Visitors also can pick their own pumpkins and register to win a giant pumpkin weighing more than 100 pounds, to be delivered to a randomly drawn winner living within 100 miles of the farm. Nighttime activities include family-oriented movies shown on a big screen and a campfire, with sticks provided for s'more fixings, which can be purchased at the concession stand. The farm has picnic tables. Food items include milk, cookies, ice cream and apple and cherry ciders. Check the Web site for additional activities.

Frederick County

HEDGEBROOK FARM MARKET AND PUMPKIN PATCH -- 690 Shady Elm Rd. (Route 651), two miles south of Winchester. 540-450-0310. www.hedgebrook.com (includes directions). Open Saturdays and Sundays 10 to 6 during October. $5. An eight-acre corn maze was designed and built by the farm's owners. The farm also offers a small maze for ages 6 and younger, $2 with accompanying adults admitted free. Other highlights at this 97-year-old working dairy farm include five acres of pick-your-own pumpkins and free children's activities such as a straw "rock" for climbing, games, a play area, lots of farm animals and an Agricultural Discovery Barn filled with antique tool displays. Miss Kitty's Straw Ride ($4) features an educational tour led by farm manager Kitty Nicholas. Rides run Saturdays and Sundays 11 to 4:30 and include an apple for each passenger. Pony rides (vendor's fee) are available Oct. 9, 10, 23 and 24. The farm has a picnic area. Snacks are available. A country store sells produce, cider, antiques and Virginia-made products. The Herds Inn at Hedgebrook, a family-friendly log cabin inn on the premises, is open all year. Check the Web site for a schedule of special events, such as a pig roast at noon and performance by the Dixie Wind Bluegrass Band from 3 to 5 on Oct. 23.

HILL HIGH FARM -- 933 Barley Lane, Winchester. 540-667-7377. www.thepumpkin-patch.com (includes directions). Open Saturdays and Sundays 10 to 5 through Oct. 31. Special hours for evening visits are Oct. 8 and 22 from 7 to 10 and Oct. 9, 23 and 30 from 10 to 10; arrive an hour before closing. $7, $6 ages 5 to 12 and ages 65 and older, free for ages 4 and younger. A patriotic-themed, eight-acre corn maze designed by farm owner Wendy Wright incorporates "9-11," "We Remember" and the American flag, Statue of Liberty, Old North Church, an eagle and stars. Eight checkpoints display questions for visitors to answer for help with directions along approximately 3 1/2 miles of trails. A smaller corn maze cut in a Liberty Bell shape is geared toward ages 5 and younger; $3 per child accompanied by an adult. The Pumpkin Patch play area features two straw mazes, farm animals and antique farm equipment; admission is free. Hayrides, $6 but free for ages 2 and younger, start about every 30 minutes and include an apple and small pumpkin for each passenger. On "Make a Difference Day," Oct. 23, 20 percent of hayride proceeds benefits cancer research. A high-tech, walk-through haunted house of more than 4,000 square feet features intense scenes and is not recommended for ages 7 and younger, people with heart conditions or pregnant women. Admission is $8. It opens for previews Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5; in October, it's open Fridays from 7 to 11, Saturdays from 1 to 11, Sundays from 1 to 5 and Oct. 28 from 7 to 11. Kids ages 12 and younger can visit a new inflatable haunted maze, $2; adults may accompany young children. Helicopter rides, which include an overhead look at the maze, take place on Oct. 23 and 24. R.E. Aylor Middle School Future Farmers of America group makes apple butter and helps with scarecrow making ($20, all supplies provided) on Oct. 16; proceeds benefit chapter and community service activities. A Johnny Appleseed celebration Oct. 23 and 24 features face painting, live bluegrass and food items such as homemade apple butter. Admission is free. Pumpkins carved during a free contest Oct. 23 from 2 to 4 will be stacked on a tower and illuminated after sundown and on Halloween (free pumpkins are provided). The farm has a picnic area and a variety of animals to pet. Hill High is a Virginia Century Farm -- it's been in the same family for more than 100 years. It also boasts 30 acres of pick-your-own pumpkins and a 30-acre pick-your-own apple orchard. The Packing Shed sells antiques and collectibles during farm hours and by appointment.

Loudoun County

TEMPLE HALL FARM REGIONAL PARK -- 15789 Temple Hall Lane, Leesburg. 703-777-6732 (recording with directions). www.nvrpa.org/maize. Open Fridays 4 to 10, Saturdays 10 to 10 and Sundays and Columbus Day 11 to 6 through Oct. 31. $7 for ages 12 and older, $5 for ages 6 to 11 and free for ages 5 and younger. The 11-acre, 2004 Maize at Temple Hall Farm Park, designed by the Maize company, features a football-field shape, accented with a portrait of Joe Gibbs and the Washington Redskins' team logo, celebrating Gibbs' return as the team's head coach. To help determine how to turn along approximately four miles of pathways, participants answer posted trivia questions related to the Redskins, Halloween, corn, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. "Corn Cops" ready to aid lost walkers watch from two look-out bridges. The admission fee at this Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority site also includes hayrides to the 15-acre pick-your-own pumpkin patch, a small No Left-Turn Maze and a sandbox filled with shell corn. The farm's free interpretive area features animals, including Kavi, the kissing llama, miniature horses, Polish chickens with wild "hair-dos" and Silkie chickens with feathers on their feet. An additional $3 fee covers unlimited use of a Corn Cannon, Water Balloon Wars, a giant wave slide, Cow Belly Bounce and cow train. The extra activities close at sunset. The park offers a snack bar and picnic tables. New this year, "Nightmare Manor" adventures include surprises lurking in the maze, along with a haunted barn and hayride, Oct. 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30, 6:30 to 10 p.m. Admission is $10. Visitors can buy flashlights and glow sticks.

Orange County

ROUND HILL FARM -- 6347 Everona Road, off Route 522, 12 miles south of Culpeper. 540-854-7398. No Web site. Open daily 10 to 5 during October. The farm offers an unthemed two-acre corn maze as part of its free Harvest Festival activities. Other highlights include picnic tables, hayrides to the pick-your-own pumpkin patch, a two-acre round-bale hay maze and a petting zoo. Pony rides and face painting only on weekends require small fees, and weekend concessions such as barbecue sandwiches are available. The farm also grows pick-your-own gourds and sells apples and fall decorations.

Shenandoah County

MAIZE QUEST AT BRIDGEMONT FARM -- Route 720, four-tenths of a mile off Route 11, Mount Jackson. 540-477-4200. www.cornmaze.com/mq_location.asp?ID=5 (with directions). Open Fridays 4 to 10, Saturdays 11 to 10 and Sundays 1 to 7 through Nov. 7. Families and groups can schedule visits during weekdays. $6 ages 13 and older, $5 for ages 5 to 12 and free for ages 4 and younger. Tickets are sold up to an hour before closing. This farm adjacent to historic Meems Bottom covered bridge features Maize Quest's "deep-sea adventure"-themed, eight-acre corn maze, resembling a giant octopus from overhead and containing 2 1/2 miles of trails. "Maize-o-Vision" secret decoders help visitors solve a puzzle at five of the 23 checkpoints, where they collect stamps throughout the maze. Signal flags are available, and lookouts stationed on two bridges keep an eye on walkers. Evening visitors should bring flashlights. Admission includes a castle-themed straw bale maze and a half-acre seahorse-shaped maze constructed of 2 1/2- to 3- foot-tall soybean plants. The farm sells pumpkins, cornstalks and straw bales, as well as light snacks and drinks. Picnic tables are available. Saturday, Youth Challenge Day features prizes such as snow-tubing passes and pizza parties for participating youth groups; call for reservations.

Spotsylvania County

BELVEDERE PLANTATION -- Route 17 south, seven miles southeast of Fredericksburg. 540-371-8494 or 800-641-1212 (recordings with directions). Call 540-373-4478 for group reservations. www.belvedereplantation.com. Through Nov. 6., the maze is open Fridays 5 to 10, Saturdays 10 to 10, and Sundays and Columbus Day 10 to 5. $8, $6 for ages 3 to 12 and free for ages younger than 3 and 65 and older. The last maze entry is an hour before closing. The historic, 1,000-acre farm this year features a "Lostalot in Space"-themed Great Adventure Maize Maze designed by Adrian Fisher and built by Belvedere staff. The overhead view features a planet with rings, along with a star positioned in the left-hand corner. Visitors to the 14-acre maze, now in its fifth year, travel 3 1/2 miles of paths with special features such as four bridges (one with a slide), space-themed music and sounds, and a mystery game in which they help Captain Lostalot recover his lost dog, Fyndo. Mazegoers visit five rubbing stations to put together a map of the maze. Those who successfully cross the Liberty Bridge dig in sand for "space rocks." Snacks, including NASA astronaut foods, are available along with portable toilets inside the maze. Visitors can wave flags if they're in distress. Lights-out Moonlight Mazes take place this Friday and Saturday and Oct. 29 and 30. Participants can bring their own flashlights or purchase inexpensive flashlights or glow sticks on site. Call the information line for details about the maze's Hoedown Party on Oct. 31. Through Oct. 31, the Great Pumpkin Patch is open Fridays 4 to 7, and Saturdays, Sundays and Columbus Day 10 to 5. Admission ($8, free for ages younger than 3 and 65 and older; half-price on Fridays) includes hayrides to the 40-acre pick-your-own pumpkin patches; a fun barn; pygmy goats, miniature horses and other animals (most of which are pettable); a zip-line ride, a straw pile, a moon bounce and a "Little Farmers" area with pedal tractors, playground equipment and talking pipes. A maze and pumpkin patch combo ticket offers a $2 discount. Additional weekend activities include free face painting, Clydesdale-pulled wagon rides ($3 adults, $2 children) and scarecrow making workshops ($15, including all supplies). Check the Web site for details about special events such as concerts, a tractor pull and living-history presentations. Specialty foods include pies, doughnuts and kettle corn. The plantation has picnic tables.