Cornbelly's Corn Maze & Pumpkin Fest, a prominent Utah agritourism destination founded by Brett Herbst, prepares for its fall season with two locations in Lehi and Spanish Fork. The organization, which began as a single maze in 1996, has grown into a global consulting operation that manages over 330 locations worldwide.
From Local Maze to Global Consulting
The expansion of the Cornbelly's brand traces back to the mid-1990s. When Brett Herbst launched his first corn maze in 1996, he drew motivation from his roots as a Salmon, Idaho native raised on a family ranch. A 1995 Brigham Young University agribusiness graduate, Herbst spent two years working for a worldwide Farm Management Company before entering the maze industry.
His original labyrinth in American Fork, Utah, achieved significant scale, becoming the largest corn maze created in the western United States at the time. Following the success of the first venture, which drew 18,000 people in just three weeks, the business transitioned into The MAiZE. This entity has since become the world's largest agritourism consulting company, with the Herbst team designing more than 6,000 mazes globally.
Dual Locations and Diverse Attractions
The Cornbelly's operations are currently divided between a flagship location and a second farm site. The Lehi location, situated at 3003 North Thanksgiving Way, features two mazes cut into 10 acres of corn: a main maze and Frightbelly's, a haunted maze designed for older children and adults. The Spanish Fork location features a 5-acre maze.
According to Cornbelly's, the maze design process is a trade secret that involves planting entire fields in the spring and cutting designs into the corn when the plants are short. The designs are created on computers and then transferred into the field. While the mazes are a primary draw, the sites offer over 90 attractions, including a locomotive train, Jumbo Jumper air pillows, ropes courses, gemstone mining, and various amusement rides.
Seasonal Harvest Festivities
The fall festivities include seasonal activities such as pumpkin and sunflower picking. The cornfield mazes are typically available during September and October. To ensure a continuous supply for the September and October sunflower festivals, the farm rotates the planting of its sunflower fields.
Beyond the mazes, the sites host various events and themed activities. Visitors can access attractions such as Corn Cob Beach, a cow train, a bee train, duck races, and a dog show. For those seeking a more intense experience, Frightbelly's is noted as being most appropriate for individuals aged 12 and older, though parents are encouraged to decide if the haunted experience is suitable for their children.
Dining and Group Services
The facilities offer numerous food and dining options to accommodate large crowds. Visitors can access more than a dozen food venues serving items such as farm-fresh donuts, kettle corn, caramel apples, cinnamon rolls, homemade cookies, apple cider, fresh lemonade, hand-dipped corn dogs, pizza, and turkey legs.
For groups, Cornbelly's provides catering options and the ability to pre-purchase food gift cards. Private tent areas are also available for reservations for groups or parties. While food is sold on-site, guests are permitted to bring their own food and utilize the large grassy areas and picnic tables available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Safety and Site Rules
The organization maintains specific safety and accessibility guidelines for its guests. Because the grounds consist of unpaved farm land, the company works to ensure accessibility for wheelchairs, strollers, and wagons, though the terrain can be bumpy in certain areas.
To maintain a family-friendly environment, Cornbelly's enforces several rules: alcohol, smoking, vaping, weapons, pets (except service animals), and full-face masks are prohibited. Chaperones are required for children under 15 in the corn maze after 6:30 pm, and guests aged 12 and under must be accompanied by a chaperone when attending Frightbelly's. Additionally, certain activities like the mechanical bull or bungee bouncer require specific age or height requirements and signed waivers.
A Growing Legacy
As the 2026 season approaches, Cornbelly's continues to build on the reputation established by the Herbst family. The brand has captured international media attention from outlets including CNN, USA Today, Time, National Geographic, Family Circle, and The Today Show. The company currently employs 10 year-round staff members to manage its growing agricultural and entertainment enterprise.
