Saunders Farm

About Saunders Farm

Saunders Farm is a 100-acre working farm located in Munster, about 25 minutes southwest of downtown Ottawa. Founded in 1976, it has grown into one of Ottawa's most popular seasonal attractions, welcoming over 1.2 million visitors over its history. The farm is best known for its massive collection of hedge mazes — the largest in the world — along with signature seasonal events that run from May through December.

The farm is family-run and operates seasonally with five main events: Tulipfest in spring, Summer Maze Days, PumpkinFest and FrightFest in fall, and A Country Christmas in winter.

Seasonal Events

Tulipfest (May)

A spring event featuring nearly half a million tulips in bloom across the farm grounds, combined with access to the hedge mazes and outdoor play areas.

Summer Maze Days (Late May – August)

Daytime family fun with access to the full maze collection, splash pad, play structures, and outdoor activities. Farm Camp programs are also available for kids during summer months.

PumpkinFest (Mid-September – October 31)

The farm's flagship daytime fall event features:

• Hedge Mazes — 10–15 hedge mazes of varying difficulty
• Pumpkin Patch — 28 varieties of pumpkins ($0.89/lb, max$15 per pumpkin)
• Play Structures — Pirate Ship, Farmer Bill's Treehouse, Witch's Mountain (40-ft slide), Woodland Adventure
• Jumbo Jumpers — Inflatable jumping pillows (bring extra socks)
• Wagon Rides — Hourly from 11 AM to 2 PM
• Live Entertainment — Puppet shows and performances
• Splash Pad — Weather-dependent

FrightFest (Late September – Early November)

Ottawa's premier haunted attraction runs on weekend evenings in fall, expanding to nightly during Halloweek. Features 7 professionally designed haunted attractions with live actors trained through an in-house "Ghoul School" program:

1. Haunted Hayride — A dark tour of the farm grounds with lurking ghouls
2. Barn of Terror — Navigate the maze of Dr. Saunders' failed experiments
3. The Sawmill — Explore a hidden colony of millworkers cut off for over a century
4. The Shambles — The goriest haunt, featuring genetically modified livestock and chainsaws
5. The Coven — A witch-themed attraction designed to rattle your nerves
6. Circus Macabre — A clown-themed experience with modern effects and sound design
7. The Cemetery Scare Zone — A stroll through a haunted cemetery

Additional entertainment includes the Ghost Town Stage (fire and sword swallowing) and roaming street theatre characters. Each attraction is rated on a "Chainsaw-o-meter" from Unsettling to Seriously Scary.

Note: FrightFest is recommended for ages 12 and up. It is not suitable for young children. Expect to visit 2–3 haunted attractions per night due to 45–90 minute wait times during peak periods.

A Country Christmas (December)

A holiday event featuring a Holiday Light Stroll through illuminated hedge mazes and forest paths, plus daytime activities including:

• Santa meet & greet
• Mrs. Claus' Cookie Class
• Bear Factory (custom bear building)
• North Pole Post Office
• Reindeer Food Workshop
• The Elf Academy

On-Site Dining

• MacIntosh's CiderHouse — Wood-fired pizza and locally produced hard cider
• Farmer's Table — Burgers and meals
• Annabelle's — Snacks and treats
• Farmshop — Pies, cider, housewares, and toys

Note: Outside food is officially not permitted on the grounds. Budget approximately $80+ for a family meal at the farm.

Visitor Information

Admission (Based on 2025 Pricing)

Money-Saving Tip: The best deals are during the January pre-sale (typically $17–20 per ticket) and Valentine's Day sale (50–60% off). Annual passes are also available for access to all seasonal events.

Extra-Cost Activities

• Zipline (600 feet): ~$15
• Gem Mine & Diggers
• Arcade (Casket Ball)
• Saunders Safari Jeeps

Hours

Hours vary by season and event. As of spring 2026, specific 2026 hours have not been announced — check saundersfarm.com for the latest schedule.

Typical PumpkinFest hours:

• September – early October: Weekends 10 AM – 5 PM
• Thanksgiving weekend: 10 AM – 6 PM
• Halloweek (late October): Daily 10 AM – 5 PM

Typical FrightFest hours:

• Fridays & Saturdays: 6 PM – 11 PM
• Halloweek: Nightly 6 PM – 11 PM
• Timed 30-minute arrival slots required

Policies

• Cashless — Credit and debit cards only
• Pets — Not allowed (service animals excepted)
• Costumes — Encouraged, but no masks or face coverings
• Weather — Open rain or shine
• Accessibility — All buildings are wheelchair accessible with accessible washrooms near the entrance and paved walkways, though some attractions require rugged terrain access

Tips for Families

• Footwear is critical — The fields get extremely muddy, especially during fall. Bring waterproof boots
• Bring extra socks — Required for the Jumbo Jumpers
• Dress in layers — Weather can change quickly on the open farm
• Plan your time — PumpkinFest takes 3–5 hours to enjoy fully; FrightFest 2–3 hours; Country Christmas 2–3 hours plus the light stroll
• Avoid peak weekends — Late October and Halloweek see the longest wait times (90–120 minutes). Weekday visits and early-season dates are significantly less crowded
• Buy tickets early — January and Valentine's Day pre-sales offer the best prices

Getting There

• By Car: About 25 minutes southwest of downtown Ottawa. Take Highway 416 South to Fallowfield Road, then west to Bleeks Road. Free, supervised, well-lit parking on site
• Public Transit: Not practical — driving is strongly recommended
• Distance: Approximately 25 km from downtown Ottawa