Fall arrived on the calendar, and right on cue, the Sacramento Valley’s corn mazes flipped their signs to open. The season runs from mid-September through early November — long enough for a return visit when the October air finally cools — and two farms within an hour of the city deserve a spot on every Sacramento family’s fall checklist.
Neither of these is a roadside novelty. Both operate serious, multigenerational farm operations that happen to cut world-class mazes through their fields each year. Plan a few hours, wear shoes that can handle dirt, and leave the stroller at home.
Cool Patch Pumpkins — Dixon, CA
Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon holds a distinction it has been defending for years: the world’s largest corn maze. The design changes every season and is drawn entirely by hand — no software, no GPS planning, just the farm family sketching out the year’s theme on paper before sending a tractor through the rows. Past mazes have covered more than 60 acres, and the path winds long enough that most visitors spend 90 minutes to two hours finding their way out.
The 2026 season opened on September 19, and the farm runs daily through the end of October, with the maze accessible from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day (weather permitting). Dixon is roughly 35 minutes southwest of Sacramento via I-80 — a straightforward drive that makes this an easy Saturday morning trip. Plan to arrive early on weekends; the parking lot fills by midday in October.
A few practical notes from the farm: the maze is not accessible for strollers or wheelchairs, so families with very young children should plan accordingly. The field terrain is uneven. Bring water, especially on warmer September afternoons when valley temperatures can still push into the 90s.
Admission pricing is available on their website and varies by age. Buy tickets in advance when possible — October weekends sell out.
Cool Patch Pumpkins
6150 Dixon Ave West, Dixon, CA 95620
Phone: (530) 746-8725
coolpatchpumpkins.com
Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm — Wheatland, CA
Drive 40 minutes north of Sacramento on Highway 65 and you hit Wheatland, a small foothill town that hosts one of the region’s most comprehensive fall farm experiences. Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm is less about a single maze and more about a full afternoon of activities — the corn maze anchors a lineup that includes U-pick pumpkins, hayrides, a petting zoo, a carousel, and several food vendors. It’s the spot for families with kids who need more than one thing to do.
The 2026 season runs through November 15, making Bishop’s one of the later-closing farm operations in the area. Hours during the heart of the season (September 18 through October 30) are Monday–Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday–Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. — the extended Friday and Saturday evening hours are worth noting for families who want a less crowded experience after school pickup.
Wheatland sits close to Beale Air Force Base in the Sierra Nevada foothills, and the drive up Highway 65 gives a taste of the valley’s agricultural fringe — flat rice fields give way to oak-dotted rolling hills before you reach the farm. It’s a noticeably different landscape from Sacramento proper, which adds to the day-trip feel.
The farm has a no-pets policy through most of the season, with one exception: the final weekend in November is designated Dog Dayz, when leashed dogs are welcome.
Check the farm’s website for current admission pricing, as rates vary by activity package and age group.
Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm
1415 Pumpkin Lane, Wheatland, CA 95692
bishopspumpkinfarm.com
The Details
- Cool Patch Pumpkins season: September 19 – late October; daily 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm season: Open through November 15, 2026; extended hours Fri–Sat evenings through October 30
- Drive time from Sacramento: Cool Patch ~35 min (I-80 west toward Dixon); Bishop’s ~40 min (Hwy 65 north toward Wheatland)
- Stroller access: Not available in the corn maze at Cool Patch; Bishop’s has more paved paths for younger visitors
- Pets: No pets at Bishop’s (except Dog Dayz in late November); check Cool Patch’s current policy before going
- Tickets: Check each farm’s website for current 2026 pricing — both farms offer online purchase options
- Best time to visit: Weekday mornings in October have the shortest waits at both farms
Tips for First-Timers
The Sacramento Valley is still capable of 90-degree afternoons in late September, so early morning arrivals are cooler and less crowded. By the second week of October, afternoon temperatures drop enough to make any time of day comfortable. Wear closed-toe shoes — both farms involve walking on uneven dirt and hay-covered ground. The maze at Cool Patch in particular involves long stretches of dry, packed field with no shade, so a hat and water bottle are non-negotiable on warm days.
If the goal is combining the maze with pumpkin picking and you have young children in tow, Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm gives more options for keeping multiple ages entertained. If the maze itself is the point — if solving a multi-acre labyrinth is the activity — Cool Patch is the clear choice.
Bottom Line
Sacramento families have easy access to two legitimately excellent corn maze operations, each within 40 minutes of the city. Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon offers the world’s largest maze for visitors who want to fully commit to the experience; Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm in Wheatland adds hayrides, petting zoo, and U-pick pumpkins for families who want a full afternoon of farm activities. Both run well into October, and Bishop’s extends to mid-November — plenty of time to make it a fall tradition rather than a one-time trip.
For more fall ideas around Sacramento, see the guide to the best pumpkin patches and farms near Sacramento, the full Apple Hill day-trip guide, and a roundup of fall festivals and markets in the Sacramento area.
