Get lost at the Cold Mountain Corn Maize this fall

Sep. 14—Have a hay day at Cold Mountain Corn Maize in Bethel — navigating the labyrinth cut among the corn stalks, taking a hayride to pick out a pumpkin, or waiting until dusk for a haunted experience.

Farmer Skipper Russell started the corn maze 20 years ago, bringing the first and only fall attraction of its kind to Haywood County. Finding your way through the maze can be a challenge, even with the provided map, but there's help along the way if you get stuck.

Markers inside the maze serve up trivia questions, and if you choose the right answer it will lead you in the right direction. Russell said that the trivia ranges from questions about pop culture and Halloween to American history.

"Questions like how many kernels of corn are on the cob, just all sorts of trivia," Russell said. "If you get the answer right, that's gonna take you in the direction you need to go. But if you get it wrong, you might need to backtrack."

Maze goers who make it to the middle will find two platforms about 12 feet high to climb and get a full view of the maze design — and a bird's eye view to help them out of a pickle.

After dusk, the maze unmasks new thrills, with costumed scarers ready to frighten maze goers at any given twist or turn.

A hayride is included in the labyrinth of fun, and includes a haunting twist at the corner of the field.

"The hayride will stop right there, and whoever's driving the tractor will all of a sudden kill the tractor and cut the lights off — that's when the interaction with the actors comes out to scare people," Russell said.

You have to be 18 with an I.D. and sign a waiver for the elevated scare experience, or parents can sign a waiver for older teens who aren't yet 18. A wristband will be given to those participating in the interactive experience.

The Cold Mountain Corn Maize is open 4 — 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 1 — 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through the month of October. Admission is $12, which includes a hayride.

An elevated scare experience — with live costumed scarers haunting the maze after dusk — is an additional $3. Season passes are $50. Corn shucks, fall decor and pumpkins are also available, along with concessions.

Russell said that the maze has something for everyone, whether you're family looking for some fall fun, a thrill seeker in search of a spooky activity, celebrating a birthday — or even rallying up your co-workers for some unique team building.

"A couple of years ago, we had a group from a lawyer's office come out. The people were having trouble with employees not getting along and not really working together. So, they came out here and kind of challenged themselves to work together, to navigate their way through the maze," Russell said. "It's really rewarding."

The corn maze is located at 4168 Pisgah Drive in Bethel.