Every September and October, the Maize Maze attracts thousands of visitors to Rio Grande Community Farm.  The corn grown through the summer becomes 6 feet or taller – and has paths precisely cut by GPS technology to form the Maze.  Proceeds from the Maze fund Farm operations, including growing corn for wildlife – and next year’s Maze!

The Maze is a puzzle designed with elements of deception. This type of design requires decision making and each move depends on the previous one. Solving the Maze is a great interactive family or group activity, yet each individual must walk their own path, and choose their own way. There are information stations providing hints to explorers within the Maze. Depending on how carefully you choose – and how many times you get lost! – “solving” the Maze takes about 1 hour.

We especially need volunteers for the Maize Maze each September and October.  This is a good way to get involved with the Farm for the first time or to help out if you only have limited time.  Maze volunteers can help with ticket sales, concessions and promotional items, providing information and helping at special events, such as the  Moonlight Maze, Starlight Maze or Haunted Maze.  You can also help during weekdays with school and community groups visiting the Maze.  Please learn more about the benefits of Maze Volunteering or fill out the Maze Volunteer Form.

2009 Maize Maze

Spend time outdoors as you explore a 7-acre corn maze cut in the shape of a Monarch butterfly. Plus, a hay bale labyrinth for the kids.

The 2009 Maize Maze will depict two stages of the Monarch butterfly: caterpillar, and adult butterfly. The Maze is open to the public every Friday evening and all day on Saturdays (including Saturday evenings) and Sundays.  Special events such as birthday parties can be scheduled to include a Maze visit.

Maze Dates

Saturday, August 29, 2009 – Sunday, November 1, 2009
Grand Opening – Saturday, August 29th at 11:00 am

Days & Hours

Fridays, 6:00 – 9:00 pm;  Saturdays, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm; Sundays, 11:00 am- 6:00 pm

Holiday Hours

Labor Day, Monday, September 7 – 11:00 am- 6:00 pm
Columbus Day, October 12 – 11:00 am- 6:00 pm

Special Days

Moonlight Maze, September 4-5 and October 2-3 open until 10:00 pm.  use the light of the full moon to navigate the maze.

Starlight Maze, Friday October 23 from 7 to 10 p.m.  Volunteers from The Albuquerque Astronomy Society will help you view the stars with telescopes.

Haunted Maze, October 30 and 31st: open until 10 p.m. Wear your costume for a scary good time.

Entertainment

Marimba in the Maze,  come hear the Kubatana Marimba Ensemble play beautiful Monarch Music in the Maze.  Saturday, October 3 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.

Tours

Weekday tours for school, corporate, church and other groups available. Please contact us for Special Event reservation information or call the office at 345-4580.

Pricing

Adults (12 and older) $7.00; Children (4-11) $3.00; Children under 4 are free. Groups

Maze/Farm Location

1701 Montano Rd. NW, Albuquerque  – Get Directions
Public access at Los Poblanos Fields Open Space, including the Maize Maze entrance, is from Montano Road, 1.1 miles west of Fourth Street. Turn north on Tierra Viva, and park in the gravel lot to your left.

Group Visits

Field trips for schools, community groups, corporate team-building or any other group wanting a weekday visit may be arranged by making a reservation. Field trips can also include Farm tours or educational activities provided by Farm staff.  To schedule your group’s visit please visit our group details or call 345-4580.

Rio Grande Community Farm in collaboration with the Albuquerque Public Schools transportation office is pleased to offer a special bus transportation rate of $125 for a bus. This rate applies to school groups attending the 2009 Maize Maze during the week. Please call Herrera Coaches at (505) 836-4742. Speak with Nicole Martinez or Bernadette Martinez. Make sure and mention the special APS/RGCF maze rate.

Free parking is available at the Open Space parking lot on Tierra Viva.  Take Montano 1 mile west from 4th street NW or 1.5 miles east from Coors Boulevard NW.  Turn north into Tierra Viva. The parking lot is on the left.