You’re standing at the edge of a field in Spring Grove, Illinois. It looks like a normal farm. Then you see the bridge. You climb up, look down, and suddenly realize you are standing over 28 miles of trails carved into 33 acres of live corn. This is the Richardson Adventure Farm corn maze, and honestly, calling it a "maze" feels like a massive understatement. It’s more like a living, breathing topographical map made of stalks.
Most people show up thinking they’ll be out in twenty minutes. They aren't.
The Richardson family has been farming this land since 1836. That is six generations of dirt under their fingernails. But the maze? That’s a relatively "new" obsession that started around 2001. Since then, they have basically set the gold standard for what agritainment looks like. They don't just mow some paths; they use GPS-guided tractors to create intricate, high-definition art that you can see from a literal airplane. It’s wild.
The Engineering Behind the World’s Largest Corn Maze
How do you even build something this big? It isn't a guy with a weed whacker and a dream.
The Richardsons—specifically George and Wendy Richardson, and Robert and Carol Brown—partner with professional designers. For years, they’ve worked with companies like MazePlay to turn a digital image into a physical reality. The process starts in the spring. They plant the corn in two directions—north to south, then east to west. This creates a thick, cross-hatched grid that makes it nearly impossible to cheat by looking through the rows.
When the corn is only about knee-high, the "magic" happens. A tractor equipped with a special GPS system drives through the field. It’s linked to the design file, and it automatically lifts and lowers the cutting blades to carve out the paths.
Every year has a theme. We’ve seen everything from the Chicago Blackhawks and the Beatles to the 50th anniversary of the Moon Landing. In 2024, they celebrated John Deere. In 2025, the designs became even more abstract and complex. The sheer scale is what gets you. Most corn mazes are five, maybe ten acres. At 33 acres, Richardson Adventure Farm is roughly three times the size of the average "large" maze.
Navigating the Beast
Don't panic. You aren't going to be stuck there until winter.
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The maze is actually broken down into four smaller, separate "games." Each one has its own entrance and exit. There’s a short one for people with toddlers or those who have zero sense of direction. Then there are the long ones. If you try to do the whole thing, you’re looking at a multi-hour hike.
Around the maze, they have these wooden bridges. These are lifesavers. You can climb up, look at the map provided at the gate, and try to figure out where the heck you are in relation to a giant corn-stalk version of a tractor or a famous landmark.
Beyond the Stalks: What Most People Miss
People come for the corn, but they stay for the sheer chaos of everything else. It’s basically a low-tech theme park.
One of the biggest draws is the 50-foot observation tower. If you’re afraid of heights, maybe skip it, but the view of the McHenry County countryside is unbeatable. From up there, the maze design actually makes sense. On the ground, you’re just a rat in a very green, very tall labyrinth.
Then there is the "Zorb" ball. Have you ever wanted to be a human hamster? You strap yourself inside a giant, inflatable plastic sphere and get rolled down a hill. It’s terrifying. It’s hilarious. It’s exactly the kind of thing you don't expect to find on a quiet Illinois farm.
The Logistics of a Farm Visit
Let's talk money and timing. It isn't cheap. Admission usually hovers between $20 and $30 depending on your age and when you go. But unlike a lot of places that nickel-and-dime you, once you’re inside the Richardson Adventure Farm corn maze area, most of the activities are included.
- The wagon rides? Included.
- The carousel? Included.
- The pig races? (Yes, they have pig races). Included.
If you want to do the zip line or the Zorb, you’ll have to shell out extra cash. That’s just the way it goes.
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Timing is everything. If you go on a Saturday in October, expect crowds. Huge ones. If you can swing a Thursday or Friday, do it. The vibe is much more "peaceful farm" and much less "mosh pit in a cornfield." Also, check the weather. If it rained the day before, you’re going to be trekking through Illinois gumbo mud. Wear boots. Real boots. Not your nice white sneakers.
Why This Specific Farm Actually Matters
There’s a lot of "agritourism" out there that feels corporate and hollow. This doesn't. You can tell the Richardsons actually live there. They are part of the fabric of the community.
They use a technique called "no-till" farming for much of their land, which helps with soil health. Even the maze itself is recycled. After the season ends in late October or early November, they don't just let the corn rot. They harvest it. The corn used in the maze is usually "field corn," which is used for cattle feed or ethanol.
It’s a massive cycle. Growth, art, tourism, harvest.
Survival Tips for the Maze
- Hydrate. You are walking miles. Even if it's 60 degrees out, you’ll get thirsty.
- Phone Battery. You’ll want pictures, and you might need the GPS map. Bring a portable charger.
- The "Cheater" Bridge. If you get truly lost, look for the bridges. They are your North Star.
- Food. They have the standard fair food—donuts, cider, kettle corn. The freshly made apple cider donuts are non-negotiable. Get a dozen. You’ll eat them all before you get to the car.
The Nighttime Experience
If you think the maze is tricky during the day, try it at night. They stay open late on Fridays and Saturdays.
Flashlight nights are a completely different animal. The corn stalks seem taller. The sounds of the farm get amplified. It isn't a "haunted" maze—they don't have people jumping out at you with chainsaws—but it’s definitely eerie in a fun, nostalgic way. There are campfires where you can roast s'mores after you finally find your way out.
Honestly, the campfires might be the best part. You can rent a private one for a group, which is a pro move if you’re doing a birthday or a family reunion.
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Is It Worth the Drive?
If you’re coming from Chicago, it’s about an hour to an hour and a half drive. From Milwaukee, it’s about an hour.
Is it worth it? Yeah.
There are plenty of corn mazes in the Midwest. Most are fine. They have a few turns and a pumpkin patch. But the Richardson Adventure Farm corn maze is an event. It is the scale of the thing that stays with you. It’s the realization that someone spent months planning, planting, and carving a 33-acre masterpiece just for it to be knocked down and fed to cows in November.
There is something beautiful about that kind of temporary art.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Visit
To make the most of your trip to Spring Grove, you need to plan beyond just showing up.
- Buy tickets online. The lines at the gate can be brutal during peak season. Having a QR code on your phone will save you at least 30 minutes of standing on gravel.
- Check the "Maze Map" on their website before you go. They usually post the year's design ahead of time. Knowing the "dead zones" where there are no activities can help you pace your walking.
- Pack a change of shoes. Even if it hasn't rained, the dust from thousands of people walking through corn rows will coat everything. Keep a clean pair of shoes in the trunk for the drive home.
- Arrive early. The farm opens at 10:00 AM most days. By 2:00 PM, the "afternoon rush" hits. If you get there when the gates open, you can hit the maze while the air is still crisp and the paths are empty.
- Bring a wagon. If you have kids, don't rely on them walking the whole time. The farm is massive. If you don't have your own, they usually have some for rent, but they go fast.
The Richardson farm is a reminder that farming isn't just about food anymore; it's about connection. It's about getting people off their phones and into the dirt, even if they're only there to get a cool photo for their feed. You’ll leave tired, probably a little dusty, and definitely smelling like woodsmoke and kettle corn. That’s exactly how a fall day should end.