---
title: "Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch Near Wilmington: A Fall Day at Trask Family Farms"
description: "Plan a fall outing to Trask Family Farms in Castle Hayne with 2026 corn maze hours, day-by-day ticket prices, pumpkin-patch details and three nearby alternatives."
url: "https://www.wilmingtonbeachrentals.com/things-to-do/corn-maze-pumpkin-patch-near-wilmington/"
published: "2026-09-08"
updated: "2026-09-08"
---

# Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch Near Wilmington: A Fall Day at Trask Family Farms

For a corn maze and pumpkin patch near Wilmington, start with Trask Family Farms in Castle Hayne. Its 2026 maze season runs Sept. 19 through Nov. 1, and the day you choose changes both the ticket price and whether a hayride is included. It's a manageable outing from Wilmington, with longer farm trips available west toward Hallsboro and north toward Beulaville and Clinton.

## At a glance

- **Where:** Trask Family Farms, 3650 Blue Clay Road, Castle Hayne, north of Wilmington.
- **Season:** Sept. 19-Nov. 1, 2026; maze open Wednesday-Sunday.
- **Admission:** $10-$15; children 3 and younger free. Pumpkins cost extra.
- **Tickets:** Buy online or check in at the barn; bring your email receipt for online purchases.

Dates, prices and policies below were checked Sept. 8 against the [farm's corn maze page](https://traskfamilyfarms.com/shop/corn-maze/). Check it again before buying for your chosen day.

## Which day should you go?

| Day | Maze hours | Ticket | Hayride included |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wednesday-Thursday | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | $10 | No |
| Friday daytime | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | $10 | No |
| Friday evening | 4-7 p.m. | $12 | Yes |
| Saturday | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | $15 | Yes |
| Sunday | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | $15 | Yes |

Friday evening costs $3 less than the weekend ticket with a hayride, but gives you a shorter afternoon. For two adults and two children older than 3, the posted admission adds up to $40 midweek, $48 Friday evening or $60 on the weekend. Those totals cover tickets only, before any checkout charges, pumpkins or other purchases.

That makes Friday useful for a family who can get away early enough. If getting everyone out the door after school already takes most of the afternoon, Saturday leaves more time to enjoy the visit. Choose midweek when the maze itself is what you want to do and you can skip the ride.

Last maze entry is an hour before closing. On Sunday, aim to be checked in before 4 p.m.; the store's general opening hours are different from this activity schedule.

## What to do at Trask besides finding the exit

The 10-acre maze has three difficulty levels and four games, with a prize to collect at the store for solving a game. Start with the children's maze if you're unsure how much walking your youngest will enjoy, then decide whether to try a harder one. You don't need to make completing every route the goal of the afternoon.

The [pumpkin patch](https://traskfamilyfarms.com/shop/pumpkin-patch/) and u-pick flowers give the group something else to do after the maze. The farm also describes bubble play and a store with seasonal produce. If one child wants a pumpkin and another wants to keep exploring, choose the next activity together so the adults can stay with the children.

Trask is still a working produce farm. Its [about page](https://traskfamilyfarms.com/about/) describes crops including tomatoes, sweet corn and melons, alongside the flowers and pumpkins. A stop at the barn can be part of the outing even when you've finished walking the fields.

For a visit with young children, allow roughly two to three hours free, including check-in and time to choose pumpkins. That's a suggested allowance for your schedule; the farm doesn't publish a visit duration. You can shorten the visit by picking one maze; leave more room in the afternoon if your group wants several activities. If the children are hoping for a whole day of rides and play areas, compare Galloway and Hubb's below before buying.

## Getting there and getting ready

Use the Castle Hayne address in navigation and check the route from where you're staying. As a rough planning estimate, allow around 20 minutes from downtown Wilmington, with extra time from the beaches or in traffic. A departure from Kure Beach needs its own travel check; a downtown estimate won't cover the drive up Pleasure Island.

The [published farm policies](https://traskfamilyfarms.com/shop/corn-maze/) require an adult to accompany children under 12. Wear shoes you can walk in and bring water. After rain, boots and a change of shoes for the ride home are a sensible choice for a field outing. If stroller access or a particular restroom setup determines whether your family can visit, call Trask at 910-617-3893 before buying tickets.

For a longer fall vacation, the [month-by-month Wilmington beach guide](https://www.wilmingtonbeachrentals.com/things-to-do/best-time-to-visit-wilmington-beaches/) helps with choosing dates around the rest of your trip. Keep the farm outing flexible enough that you aren't rushing back for a dinner reservation.

## Three other farms to consider

These trips suit different plans. Drive times are broad estimates from Wilmington; check your starting address before choosing a farm.

| Farm | Location and approximate drive | 2026 season | Choose it for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Trask Family Farms | Castle Hayne, about 20 minutes from downtown | Sept. 19-Nov. 1 | A nearby maze outing with pumpkins and flowers |
| Galloway Farm (Maze Craze) | Hallsboro, about an hour west | Sept. 26-Nov. 7 | A maze plus rides and games included in general admission |
| Mike's Farm | Beulaville, about an hour north | First pumpkin hayrides Sept. 26, then Tuesday-Saturday in October | A pumpkin-picking hayride and a possible meal afterward |
| Hubb's Farm | Clinton, about 90 minutes northwest | Sept. 19-Nov. 7 | A longer fall-festival day with more play attractions |

**Galloway Farm** is a useful alternative when you want the children to have several activities to choose from after the maze. Its [2026 Maze Craze ticket](https://gallowayfarm.ticketspice.com/maze-craze-2026) includes tractor and train rides, slides, Animal Acres and games. Online general admission for a Saturday or Sunday displays $15.27, made up of a $14 ticket and a $1.27 fee; children under 2 are free. The separate after-dark ticket has different inclusions, so choose the daytime admission for the broader family outing.

**Mike's Farm** makes sense when picking a pumpkin is the main event. At 1600 Haw Branch Road in Beulaville, the hayride stops at the patch, and pumpkins are purchased separately. The farm's 2026 events information lists $3 hayrides for ages 3 and older, with no reservation needed. October rides run Tuesday-Wednesday 1-5 p.m., Thursday-Friday 1-8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday programming also includes magic shows and live music. Check the Events section at mikesfarmnc.com or call 910-324-3422 for the day's arrangements, especially if you're adding a restaurant meal.

**Hubb's Farm** is the longer drive to choose when the festival activities matter as much as the maze. The [2026 fall festival](https://www.hubbsfarmnc.com/fall-festival) includes a 15-acre Champs-themed maze, a giant jump pillow, wagon rides and a toddler play area. Some attractions run only on weekends, and some activities cost extra. Check the activity list for your date before telling the children what they'll be able to do. From Wilmington, leave room for about three hours of round-trip driving as well as the visit itself.

If your family would rather spend the afternoon on a midway, the [county fair guide near Wilmington](https://www.wilmingtonbeachrentals.com/things-to-do/county-fair-near-wilmington-nc/) covers that kind of fall outing.

## FAQs

### Can we pick pumpkins at Trask without a maze ticket?

Trask doesn't state patch-only admission terms or pumpkin prices on its pumpkin page. Call 910-617-3893 before a pumpkin-only trip to ask how entry and purchases work.

### Can we bring the dog to Trask?

Leashed pets may use the lawn, but they cannot enter the maze, flower field or pumpkin patch. Arrange care for the dog if everyone in your group wants to explore those areas together.

### What happens if it rains?

Trask's farm policies say tickets are nonrefundable but can be exchanged for another day. Contact the farm about an exchange before changing your visit.

## Leave time for the pumpkin stop

For a first visit, choose the ticket day around how much time your family has, then let the children try a maze before deciding on the next activity. Leave the pumpkin shopping until you're ready to carry your purchases back to the car. A fall afternoon doesn't need another stop added to it just because there's room on the calendar.