Shryocks Callaway Farms

Our take

Shryocks Callaway Farms is one of Missouri’s largest and most-talked-about corn mazes. With a 4.7 rating on Google from 217+ reviews, it has built a genuine reputation. But reputation here means one thing: the corn maze is the main event, and you will need 2+ hours to explore it.

The Maze is the Story

This is not a festive pumpkin patch with multiple activities stacked on top of each other. The farm focuses on a single draw: a large, creative corn maze. Reviews and the farm’s own framing suggest the maze is the destination. If you’re visiting to spend an hour picking pumpkins and taking a hayride, you’re coming to the wrong place. If you’re visiting to navigate a complex puzzle over the course of 2–3 hours with your family, you’re in the right spot.

The record doesn’t specify maze difficulty or whether the farm marks checkpoints or provides solutions. It’s worth asking ahead (573-592-0191) whether this is “casual family fun” difficulty or “intentionally confusing” difficulty. That distinction matters if you’re bringing children ages 6–9 versus teenagers.

Practical Logistics and Time Budgeting

The farm operates Friday through Sunday only, with hours that tilt toward longer days: Friday 12pm–9pm, Saturday 12pm–9pm, Sunday 12pm–6pm. That schedule is worth noting. If you work a typical Monday–Friday job, a Sunday visit is easiest, but the farm closes at 6pm on Sundays. Late-season Sundays in October close at dusk, so a late afternoon start means you’re navigating a darkening maze. Friday nights offer more buffer, though mid-week visitors have no option.

A family of four pays $35–47 depending on children’s ages (adults $13, children 5–12 $11, under 4 free). That’s a reasonable admission price for 2–3 hours of entertainment. Budget separately for pumpkins and any food. The record notes on-site campfires are available but does not specify whether they’re included or paid separately. Contact the farm to clarify whether a campfire gathering is included with admission or costs extra.

Season, Crowds, and Weather

Mid-October is the busiest period (school fall breaks, peak foliage interest, and October-themed urgency). If you can visit in late September or early October on a Friday or Saturday, you’ll have a better experience than waiting until the last two weeks. Sunday is less crowded than Saturday, but closing time is 6pm, so plan an early afternoon start to avoid rushing the maze in dwindling light.

Humidity lingers into September in Missouri, so early-season visits may still feel muggy. By mid-October, mornings are cool and afternoons pleasant. Bring sunscreen and water; corn mazes offer little shade, and a 2-hour walk in October sun is real.

What You’re Getting and Not Getting

You’re getting a purpose-built maze with a strong local reputation, pumpkins for sale, and on-site campfire gatherings. You’re not getting a festival atmosphere, multiple activities, or quick-visit options. You’re also not getting abundant details: parking type, accessibility facilities, water stations, or campfire pricing are not documented. If any of these matter to your trip, call 573-592-0191 before you drive.

The farm’s Friday–Sunday-only schedule is the real constraint. If your family’s weekends are packed in October or you were hoping for a weekday visit, this place doesn’t accommodate. That’s not a flaw; it’s a feature that suits some families and excludes others.