Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon is celebrating its 24th season with its world-famous corn maze—this year honoring America’s farmers.
“Back in the 1700s, 98% of Americans were farmers and now it's only 2%,” said Taylor Cooley, whose family owns Cool Patch Pumpkins. “If you go deep enough in your heritage, everyone has a farmer in their family tree. That really brings us all together, and we can celebrate what farmers do to support our society and feed our nation.”
Located along I-80, the family farm has twice earned the title of the world’s largest corn maze from the Guinness Book of World Records, first in 2007, then again in 2014 when they broke their own record.
“We want it to be difficult and challenging for people,” Cooley said. “But our goal is not necessarily to have the largest every single year, more how can we make this fun and exciting and communicate a fun message.”
From high above the 40 acres of corn, an image forms that makes up a mural of iconic symbols of farming such as a windmill, a tractor, sunflowers, and of course the farmer himself. That image is based on the “founding farmer” of Cool Patch Pumpkins, Matt Cooley.
The creation of the maze begins weeks before planting in July and starts with an Excel spreadsheet. Cooley’s team selects a theme and a corresponding graphic, which is overlaid on a map of the property to design the pathways. When the corn is about an inch tall, the paths are cut according to the layout.
“We do everything by hand. Some people ask us like, ‘Oh, do you use AI or do you use a corn maze design company?’ And we don't. We do it all ourselves. We do it by hand,” Taylor Cooley said.
The idea for the maze came in 2007 when the family was contemplating what they should do with a piece of property located near their pumpkin patch, according to Cooley.
“What if we did a corn maze and what if we made it like the world's largest,” Cooley recounted. “There wasn't really anything like that at the time.”
The record was surpassed in 2022 by Canadian farmer Luc Pelletier in Quebec, with a measurement of 65 acres, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
The maze opens to visitors in September and runs through Halloween, after which the corn is harvested. The corn is used for feed by local dairies and their pumpkins act as rich fertilizer for future years as the crops are rotated.
Stepping into the labyrinth
Inside Cool Patch Pumpkin’s world famous corn maze. The curved furrow pathways lead through a network of loops and straight lines which can lead to the finish or dead ends. October 10th, 2025.Chris Felts/CapRadio
As you enter the maze through the pumpkin arch with a paper map in hand, it’s easy to underestimate how disorienting the experience can be.
Your patience, and even your relationships, may be tested as you weave through a complex network of circles and dead ends, all while avoiding twisted ankles on the uneven furrows that make up the paths.
While the description may sound intimidating, the experience can be exhilarating, especially for first-timers.
There are moments of triumph as you begin to understand the mechanics of the map’s grid system and follow navigation posts hammered into the soil. Then there are moments of confusion, getting lost among the towering corn stalks only to turn a corner and spot one of five different colored bridges overlooking the field, offering a bird’s-eye view to help plan your next move.
“When you come out of the maze, you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, I was lost for an hour running in circles!’” Cooley said. “We love hearing your stories.”
Cooley said if you’re ever truly lost and feeling claustrophobic, you can walk straight through the corn until you get to the other side of the maze though you may get a little itchy.
Still, the experience doesn’t have to be overwhelming, especially if you’re handy with a map. That was the case for Dan Hernandez, who has traveled from the East Bay to Dixon with his father, Frank, for the past decade to visit the maze.
“Usually we take about two hours to do the maze and now we did it in just about an hour," Hernandez said moments after completing the maze. “I felt like it was a little less challenging, not as crazy as previous years. It's still always nice to come out here and just do it because it's fun. It's our tradition”
Hernandez first came across the maze through a Facebook post in 2014, the year Cool Patch Pumpkins had just been named the world largest corn maze for the second time.
“We thought it would be a fun challenge to do. We’ve just been coming back ever since,” Hernandez said.
With his father in front, Hernandez acts as a navigator steering Frank left or right while he holds the map. He enjoys puzzles and cherishes the time they’re able to spend together.
“I've been busy these last few years with school and work and stuff. It's just nice to set aside a day, come out here, go to the maze and maybe pick up a few pumpkins too. It's nice to support local farmers as well.”
Cool Patch Pumpkins, a family business
A sign at the end of Cool Patch Pumpkins’ 40 acre maze congratulates the participants on their completed journey.Chris Felts/CapRadio
The pumpkin patch originally started with a “happy” accident. In 2001, after a contract fell through which left them with extra pumpkins, founder Matt Cooley decided to sell them with his kids on the side of the road.
From there grew an entire fall tradition. Cool Patch Pumpkins eventually added the corn maze and other family-friendly attractions, including hay rides, a giant hay castle, and a corn bath filled with thousands of kernels.
“Just have fun with your family. Spend time together with your family. However you can, however that looks like, that is so important to us,” Taylor Cooley said.
Family coming together is obviously a theme for Cool Patch Pumpkins which has operated under three generations of farmers. Cooley said she understands the next generation may have different desires, adding there’s no pressure to join the family business.
“I think our kids see that and so we're raising up the fourth generation right now and they are out here all the time,” Cooley said. “They want to work, they want to be out here. They're invested and I think that our perspective of how much of a blessing this business is for our family is what translates to the next generation wanting to take that torch.”
Cool Patch Pumpkins is located at 6150 Dixon Ave W, Dixon, CA 95620 and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Halloween.
The main entrance of Cool Patch Pumpkins is greeted by two large orange orbs with stylish glasses alluding to the family name of the farm’s owners, Cooley. October 10, 2025.Chris Felts/CapRadio
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