An Essex County farm offering a 5-acre child-friendly corn maze, hayrides, and pumpkin picking, best for families with young kids (ages 2–10) and light snacking options on-site.
Fairfield Farms is explicitly built for families with young kids. The 5-acre corn maze is not a high-difficulty puzzle designed to stump teenagers; it’s a navigable path with turns and choices that younger children can enjoy without losing the thread completely. Hayrides, farm animals, and pumpkin picking round out the afternoon. It’s not elaborate, but it’s coherent and age-appropriate.
The farm is open daily (not weekends only), which is an advantage if you’re looking for a quieter outing. Weekday mornings are markedly less crowded than Saturdays, and the maze is more enjoyable when you’re not queuing behind dozens of other families. A Wednesday morning in late September feels almost private.
On-site, there’s a light menu: burgers, hot dogs, snacks, cider, bottled water. This is not a full-service restaurant. If anyone in your party wants a real meal, bring your own lunch or plan to eat before or after the farm visit. The farm provides basic sustenance to keep you going through an afternoon, which is fine for a 2–3 hour outing.
The farm does not publish specific prices on its website. A family of four should budget for general admission, the corn maze (if charged separately), hayrides (if charged separately), and any pumpkins you purchase. Call (973) 227-1011 to get exact figures before you visit. The structure is probably reasonable, but you should know going in.
If you’re thinking of bringing a classroom or organizing a birthday party, Fairfield offers those services. The farm runs tours for pre-K and early elementary students, so the farm is accustomed to managing groups. Call ahead to request details and available dates.
Fall in Essex County is pleasant in September and early October, with reasonable temperatures and lower humidity than earlier in the summer. The farm’s fields can be muddy after rain, so check the forecast before you go. The maze is outdoors, so dress in layers and bring sunscreen. Peak visit time (October weekends) means higher sun exposure and more people; earlier visits are cooler and quieter.
If you have kids ages 2–6, this is a good fit. If you have teenagers or are looking for challenging activities, the 5-acre child-designed maze will feel too simple. If you want a full meal and extensive amenities, a bigger festival farm (like Alstede Farms in Chester or Conklin Farm in Montville) will satisfy you better. Fairfield is for families who want a focused, manageable afternoon without overwhelming infrastructure.
Mid-to-late September or early October on a weekend morning; the maze is less crowded and the weather is cooler.
2 to 3 hours
Open seven days a week (9:30am–5:30pm), which spreads the crowd better than weekend-only farms. Still busier on Saturdays; weekday mornings are quietest.
On-site parking for the farm; typical unpaved lot that can turn muddy after rain.
Call (973) 227-1011 to confirm wheelchair accessibility for the farm stand area and ground-level activities; the maze itself may be challenging for mobility devices.
You want a full meal, prefer free admission, or have teenagers who find small mazes boring; the 5-acre maze is designed for younger children.
Fairfield is 15 minutes from Ward's Pumpkin Patch (Ridgewood) and 20 minutes from Demarest Farm (Hillsdale). A weekday hopping route is feasible.
No. The farm designed a 5-acre maze specifically for ages 2–10. It's a family-friendly layout, not a challenging puzzle for adults. Younger children may need a hand navigating.
The farm offers a light menu: burgers, hot dogs, snacks, cider, and bottled water. It's not a full restaurant. Bring your own lunch if you want a sit-down meal with more options.
The farm's pricing structure was not published online as of our last check. Call (973) 227-1011 to confirm whether the maze, hayrides, and pumpkin picking are bundled or priced separately.
Yes. The farm offers birthday parties and group outings. Call (973) 227-1011 to request details and availability.
September 19 – November 1, 2026. Seven days a week. Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM.
Admission pricing was not published when we last checked.
177 Big Piece Road, Fairfield, NJ 07004, in Essex County. It is one of 5 patches we track in North Jersey.
We track 5 patches in North Jersey. The farm has not published a gate price, so it cannot be compared on cost — call before you budget.
Its season runs about 44 days against a regional average of 52, so it is a shorter window than most of its neighbours — miss it and the nearest alternatives will still be open.
There are 3 other patches we track in Essex County. All North Jersey patches →
Map pin is set to the town centre. Navigate to the street address above, not the pin.
fairfieldfarms.net · pumpkinpatchesandmore.org
Checked August 2026.