An Ocean County Jersey Shore farm with a 4-acre corn maze and extended season through early November, best for families seeking maze focus with hayrides and light activities.
Argos Farm sits in Forked River in Ocean County, positioning it as both a destination for shore visitors and a local option for Monmouth and central Jersey families. The farm’s operating schedule reflects that dual audience: September is weekends only (Sat-Sun), targeting the lingering summer-vacation crowd. October expands to Thursday–Sunday, capturing fall break and regular fall weekends. This flexibility is useful if you’re planning a September escape or an October weekday outing.
The farm’s core identity is the 4-acre corn maze paired with a 1/2-mile pumpkin-picking trail. Both are moderate-sized compared to the sprawling mazes and fields at larger farms, making Argos approachable for families with younger kids or those who don’t want to spend hours walking.
This is longer than typical field picking at smaller patches but shorter than 365-acre Alstede or multi-field operations. You walk, you select, you pick. It’s a real activity, not a stroll past pre-picked options. Plan to spend 30–45 minutes on the trail depending on how selective you are and how many family members are picking.
The farm lists jumbo jumper (inflatable bouncer), pig racing, pony rides, and cow train rides alongside hayrides. Each is likely a separate fee beyond general admission. Call (609) 693-3513 to confirm the activity menu and pricing. Visiting multiple attractions in a single afternoon will add up, though exact pricing is not published online.
Argos offers an evening flashlight-navigable maze experience, which creates a different sensory experience than daytime walking. Evening options appeal to families looking for something novel or those who want to visit after school/work. The farm does not publish specific dates or times for flashlight mazes, and whether reservations are needed is unclear. Call ahead if this interests you.
September opens Sat-Sun only, so if you work traditional weekdays and want a fall outing in early September, this farm requires a weekend commitment. October expands to Thursday–Friday (2–6pm) plus Saturday–Sunday (10am–6pm), giving you genuine weekday options. Thursday–Friday afternoons might be quieter than weekends if you can rearrange schedules.
Ocean County can catch tail-end hurricanes or fall nor’easters in late September and early October. Rain makes field parking muddy and pumpkin-picking trails slippery. Check the forecast and ask the farm if conditions are bad whether it’s still running and safe. A 1/2-mile muddy trail is less fun than a dry one.
The farm does not appear to offer season passes based on available information. Budget for single-visit admission plus activities, which is reasonable if you’re visiting once but higher if you’re a frequent fall visitor.
Columbus Day (October 12) breaks the typical weekday schedule: the farm opens at 10am–6pm even though it’s technically a weekday. This is useful if you celebrate the holiday and want a full-day farm outing without fighting weekend crowds.
Mid-October on a Saturday or Sunday; September has limited weekend hours (Sat-Sun only), but October-November runs Thursday–Sunday, offering more flexibility.
2 to 3.5 hours
September: Sat-Sun only. October-November: Thu-Sun. More daily availability in fall makes weekday escapes possible. Peak crowds are October weekends; early November is quieter.
Farm parking lot; typical for the region, can mud after rain.
Call (609) 693-3513 to confirm accessibility for the 4-acre corn maze and hayride routes.
You want weekday access in September, extensive pick-your-own operations, or a quiet farm experience; this farm is activity-focused and busier on weekends.
Argos is 45 minutes from Central Jersey farms (Von Thun's, Happy Day, Battleview) and 30 minutes from South Jersey destinations (Russo's, Johnson's).
An evening option where you navigate the 4-acre maze using flashlights, creating a different experience than daytime. Dates, times, and whether reservations are needed are not confirmed; call (609) 693-3513.
The farm lists pumpkin picking (1/2 mile walking trail), hayrides, jumbo jumper (inflatable), pig racing, pony rides, and cow train rides. Most or all are likely separate fees beyond general admission; call (609) 693-3513 to confirm.
September: Sat-Sun, 10am–6pm. October-November: Thu-Fri 2–6pm, Sat-Sun 10am–6pm. Columbus Day (Oct 12) opens at 10am–6pm even though it's a Saturday. The farm is busiest on weekends.
You walk approximately half a mile of the farm property to select pumpkins. This is longer than typical field picking and involves real walking; bring comfortable shoes.
September 12 – November 1, 2026. September: Sat-Sun, October-November: Thu-Sun. Hours: September: 10am-6pm, October-November Thu-Fri 2-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm.
Admission pricing was not published when we last checked.
1250 Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731, in Ocean County. It is one of 1 patches we track in Jersey Shore.
argosfarm.com
Checked August 2026.