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Florida fall does not come with falling leaves, but it does come with corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and wagon rides across farm fields. Around Jacksonville, you can reach seven of them in an hour or less, from a historic farm right inside Duval County to a haunted hayride out near High Springs.
Some lean toward little kids with bounce pads and corn pits, while others stay open late for a spookier night out. Save this list before October weekends fill up, and send it to whoever always asks what to do with the kids.
1. Geiger Pioneer Farm, Jacksonville, FL
The Geiger family settled this land back in 1877, and it still sits on 20 acres just off I-295. That makes it the easiest stop on the list for anyone who lives in town.
The gates only opened to the public in 2023, and it runs select ticketed events instead of everyday hours. Check the website before you load up the car.
Fall events pack in a lot. There are hayrides, a children’s corn maze, a separate family corn maze, a pumpkin patch, a bubble barn, goats to feed, and food booths.
I like this one for the history as much as the fun. Several barns now serve as display areas for antique equipment that once worked this exact farm, and the grounds are full of pine trees, native plants, sugarcane, and gardens.
It is a short drive with a real story behind it, which is a rare combo in a city this big.
2. Amazing Grace Farms | Jacksonville Sunflower & Pumpkin Farm, Green Cove Springs, FL
Sunflowers in October sound like a mistake, but in Green Cove Springs they are part of the plan. Each fall this farm hosts the Jacksonville Pumpkin Festival with a pumpkin patch, sunflower fields, a crop maze, and seasonal treats.
It sits on State Road 21, about 30 minutes from Jacksonville. Parking is free and on-site.
Kids tend to gravitate toward the bouncy pads, the ball throwing area, and the tractor pull. Grown-ups usually head for the sunflower photo spots and festival food.
Hours are limited, so plan around Friday evenings from 4 to 9 PM or Saturdays from 10 AM to 9 PM. The farm is closed the rest of the week.
I would save this one for anyone who wants fall photos that do not look like every other pumpkin picture on the feed.
3. Sykes Family Farms, Elkton, FL
Live music and a corn pit make a pretty good pairing. Sykes Family Farms in Elkton adds both to its fall lineup, along with a crop maze and hay rides.
The farm is in rural St. Johns County, roughly 40 to 45 minutes south of downtown Jacksonville. It is farm country out here, so the drive is part of the switch from city to field.
Younger kids get plenty to do with slides, swings, and the corn pit. Food and snacks are on-site too.
Here is a scheduling bonus. Sykes is open Sundays from 10 AM to 4 PM, which many farms on this list are not, plus Friday evenings from 6 to 9 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM to 9 PM.
4. Conner’s A-Maize-Ing Acres Farm, Hilliard, FL
Any farm that puts a pun in its name is setting expectations, and Conner’s backs it up. This Hilliard spot in Nassau County runs a corn maze, pumpkin patch, playground, farm animals, and hay rides.
It is about 35 to 40 minutes northwest of Jacksonville on County Road 121.
After dark, things get spookier with a haunted corn maze. That walk takes around 20 minutes, so it works for teens and braver kids who want a little fright.
A practical tip: buy tickets ahead, and arrive early on busy nights. Lines for the hay ride and haunted maze can run long at peak times.
Dogs are allowed, and parking is free on-site. Bringing the family pup along is a nice perk you will not find everywhere.
5. Cowart Ranch and Farms, Bunnell, FL
Blueberries pay the bills in summer here, but October belongs to Maze Dayz. Cowart Ranch and Farms is a family-run spot in Bunnell that switches from berry picking to a full fall festival.
Plan on close to an hour south of Jacksonville via I-95. The long list of activities makes the trip easy to justify.
There is a corn maze, a corn kernel sandbox, tractor rides, a hayride, and a duck race. Kids can also try the burlap sack slide and a corn shooter.
Animal fans get a small petting zoo and pony rides. U-pick sunflowers, a small pumpkin patch, and food round it out.
Fun fact: the pony rides travel too. The farm can bring them to you for a party.
6. Hollow Oaks Corn Maze, High Springs, FL
Night owls, this one is yours. Hollow Oaks stays open until 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and the hayride turns haunted after dark.
The farm sits outside High Springs in Alachua County, roughly an hour west of the Jacksonville area. Combine it with a daytime stop in town and make a full outing of it.
Daytime visits are calmer, with a children’s area, the maze, and a regular hayride. The goats are friendly and popular with little ones.
The maze is quiet at night, which makes it a nice change from the screams on the wagon.
Hours run Friday 6 to 11 PM, Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM, and Sunday 2 to 6 PM. Parking is free.
7. Crossroads Farm & Apiary, Gainesville, FL
Where else can you milk a cow, race ducks, and buy fresh honey in one afternoon. Crossroads Farm & Apiary is a family-owned farm just north of Gainesville that hosts fall festivals.
It is about an hour southwest of Jacksonville via US-301.
The fall list is long. Expect a train ride, hay ride, cow milking, animal feeding, flower photo spots, a sand pit, duck racing, slides, a tunnel, snacks, and a corn maze.
Pumpkins are available for purchase before you leave. The farm also sells fresh honey, a natural souvenir from an apiary.
Hours change by season, so check the website or social media first. Weekend hours have been Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 2 to 6 PM, with free parking.
Wrap up the season here, and you will have covered Florida fall from Duval to Alachua, one maze at a time.
