This Massive Central Florida Farm Is A Fall Wonderland You Have To See To Believe

A five-acre corn maze grows on this farm, and it has been named one of the best corn mazes in the country. That alone made me sit up.

Then I learned there’s an app to help you find your way out.

The fun keeps stacking up from there. Hot apple cider donuts come out of the bakery.

Fire pits wait for anyone holding a s’mores kit. A Tilt-A-Whirl spins near fields where you can pick your own sunflowers.

I like how this place takes fall seriously in a state famous for beaches and heat. Florida doesn’t hand out crisp autumn days very often.

So a family farm decided to build the season from scratch, one pumpkin at a time.

I can’t imagine a better spot to fake sweater weather. Ready to see what’s waiting in those 120 acres?

A Family Farm Grew Into A Full-Blown Fall Festival

Blueberries started it all back in 2010. That’s when the Hill family, third-generation farmers, planted their first bushes at Southern Hill Farms.

Four years later, in 2014, they opened the gates to the public. Now the farm spans 120 acres and grows blueberries, strawberries, peaches, and seasonal vegetables.

Fall is when the place really shows off. The farm hosts its 11th Annual Fall Festival from September 26 through November 22.

It runs on select Thursdays and every Friday through Sunday, plus Monday, October 12.

That schedule matters more than you’d think. This is a working farm with planned events, not a park that’s open every day.

Check the calendar before you load up the car.

Tickets are required for anyone 3 and older. Little ones 2 and under get in free, which feels like a fair trade for carrying their snacks.

You can’t buy tickets at the gate, so grab them online ahead of time. The farm is also cashless, taking debit, credit, and mobile payments.

I believe a little planning pays off here. Show up prepared, and the rest of the day can simply be fun.

Bring Your Sense Of Direction To This Five-Acre Corn Maze

Five acres of corn is a lot of corn. That’s the size of the maze at Southern Hill Farms, and it ranks as one of the farm’s star attractions.

The maze has been recognized as one of the best corn mazes in the U.S. That’s a big honor for a field in Central Florida, where corn mazes aren’t exactly on every corner.

Themes often change, so the design can feel fresh from one fall to the next. It’s included with admission, which means you can wander as long as your legs agree.

Worried about getting lost? The farm offers an app to help you move through the maze.

Think of it as a friendly nudge when every turn starts looking the same.

Wear comfortable shoes for this one. The farm has grassy, unpaved ground, and the maze is no exception.

My advice is to pick a meeting spot before anyone darts ahead. Kids love racing around corners, and corn stalks are excellent at hiding small people.

Give yourself time to enjoy it. Finding the exit feels great, but the wrong turns are half the story you’ll tell later.

Carnival Rides Are Waiting In The Fun Zone

Tilt-A-Whirl at a farm? Yes, and it’s only the start of the lineup.

The Fun Zone packs in a carousel, Scrambler, Cyclone Swing, and Pirate Ship Swing. There’s also a Giant Fun Slide that kids eye from across the field.

Got climbers in the family? A Rock Climbing Wall and Bungee Jump give them something to conquer.

Jump Pillows handle the bouncers, along with bounce houses and an inflatable obstacle course.

Younger kids get playful picks like the Berry Go Round, Berry-Trooper, and Papa’s Roadsters. Inflatable sports games round things out for kids who like a challenge.

My favorite name might be the Southern Hill Farms Express. It’s a motorized train, and it’s hard not to grin at a farm with its own little railway.

The best part is that these attractions are included with admission. That makes it easier to say yes when someone asks for one more ride.

Plan some rest breaks between spins. A Scrambler followed right away by a donut is a bold choice, and maybe not the wisest one.

Save Room For Hot Apple Cider Donuts

Warm apple cider donuts sit at the top of the bakery’s fall menu. Honestly, they might be the strongest argument for arriving early.

The bakery at Southern Hill Farms also serves pumpkin cookies, warm apple cobbler, and apple crisps. Blueberry lemonade makes sense here too, since blueberries launched this whole farm.

On Saturdays and Sundays, the bakery opens at 9 AM. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Monday, October 12, it opens at 11 AM.

Craving something heartier? The farm runs its own food trucks, including a Pizzeria, Taco Truck, Crispy Chicken, and Burgers and More.

Guest food trucks often join them on-site.

Weekend food trucks open at 10 AM. That gives you a neat window to grab a donut first and lunch a little later.

Snack lovers can track down freshly roasted nuts, kettle corn, and snow cones. Kettle corn and a corn maze feel like a matching set.

Leave the cooler at home, though. Outside food isn’t allowed during the Fall Festival.

With this many choices, I doubt anyone will mind.

Pick Your Own Sunflowers And Zinnias

Sunflowers in the fall feel like a happy little rule-breaker. At Southern Hill Farms, you can walk the rows and cut your own.

Zinnias grow here too, adding pops of pink, orange, and red. Field access is included with your festival ticket, and you pay for flowers by the stem.

That setup is great for anyone who wants a bouquet without buying a huge bundle. Grab one perfect bloom or build a bright armful for the kitchen table.

Photographers will feel right at home. The farm sets up seasonal photo spots around the property, and flower fields make easy backdrops.

Keep the gear simple, though. Drones and large photography props generally aren’t allowed during the Fall Festival.

Bring something to carry your stems on the ride home. A bucket or a damp paper towel can help them stay perky in the car.

Wear shoes you don’t mind getting dusty. These are real working fields, not a garden behind glass, and that’s what makes them fun.

Head To The Pumpkin Barn For The Perfect Pick

Orange, white, warty, tiny, or huge? The Pumpkin Barn has a wide spread of pre-cut pumpkins and gourds in all kinds of shapes and colors.

Florida weather isn’t exactly friendly to classic pumpkin growing. So this barn setup makes a lot of sense, and you still get that thrilling hunt for the perfect one.

Here’s a smart touch. The farm offers a complimentary holding area for pumpkins you’ve purchased.

That means you don’t have to haul a heavy pumpkin through the corn maze. Nobody wants to carry a pumpkin up a Rock Climbing Wall.

Shop near the end of your day if you can. Then you can collect your pumpkin from holding and head straight to the car.

Kids usually love choosing their own. Let them pick a small gourd while you hunt for a porch-worthy giant.

Don’t forget a picture with the pile. Pumpkins stacked in a barn are about as fall as Central Florida gets, and it’s a fine look on anyone.

Meet The Animals And Climb Aboard A Wagon

Goats and wagon wheels make a pretty good pairing. Both are part of the slower, sweeter side of the festival.

The petting zoo lets guests meet farm animals up close. It’s a nice break after the louder rides, especially for younger kids.

Covered wagon rides take you on a tour of the farm. The shade is welcome when the Florida sun decides fall is optional.

A ride is also a smart way to see how big this place is. With 120 acres, a lift saves a lot of steps.

Little ones have their own spot too. A covered playground offers swings, chalk, LEGOs, sand, tunnels, and a checkerboard.

That mix feels thoughtful for families with kids of different ages. Older siblings can tackle the maze while the youngest plays in the sand.

Please leave pets at home for the Fall Festival. They generally aren’t allowed, though the farm sometimes hosts a special pet-friendly evening event with a different setup.

Settle The Score With Giant Jenga And Live Tunes

Giant Jenga brings out everyone’s competitive streak. At Southern Hill Farms, it’s free to play along with other yard games.

You’ll find bean bag toss, washer toss, and giant Connect Four too. They’re perfect for grown-ups who aren’t ready for the Cyclone Swing.

Live music plays throughout the festival. Good tunes and a slow game make an easy way to rest your feet.

Covered barns with picnic tables give you shade while you eat or play. There’s also a rooftop deck for a higher look across the grounds.

Sports fans get a treat on weekends. Flat-screen TVs under the food truck barn show select sporting events.

That’s a clever move for mixed groups. One person can catch the game while the kids finish their pizza.

Permanent restrooms are on-site too, which matters more than any ride on a long day. Find them early, and you’ll thank yourself later.

End The Night By The Fire Pit With S’mores

Toasty marshmallows make a perfect last stop. Fire pits at Southern Hill Farms are ready for roasting, and s’mores kits are sold separately.

It’s the kind of ending that feels like real fall. Even in Florida, a glowing fire pit at dusk can trick your brain into sweater mode.

Finding the farm is simple. It sits at 16651 Schofield Road, Clermont, FL 34714, in Central Florida.

The setting feels rural, yet it’s close enough to plan a day trip from much of the region. Parking and walking happen on grass and unpaved ground, so pack comfortable shoes.

Before you leave, swing through the Southern Hill Market. It sells handmade lotions, sugar scrubs, lip balms, bar soaps, and hand-poured candles.

Raw unfiltered honey and organic pure maple syrup are on the shelves too. Branded merchandise is there if you want a souvenir.

Honestly, a jar of honey beats any fridge magnet. Grab one, finish your s’more, and start planning your next visit to this Florida fall favorite.