ENID, Okla. — Tucked away near the small town of Covington, there is a place that is perfect for enjoying the autumn weather with friends and family.

Daze in a Maze is a family-owned-and-operated 3,000-square-foot field maze accompanied by four other mazes and additional activities for the family.

James and Kathy Jantz began Daze in a Maze in 2001 and have opened it every fall since then, with the exception of one year, when James was deployed to Afghanistan.

“(James) was always fascinated with mazes,” Kathy Jantz said. “One year, we just bit the bullet and decided to try it.”



Five maze options

The 3,000-square-foot corn maze initially was the main attraction, but it is only one of five mazes the Jantzes create each year.

“He doesn’t draw them out (on paper),” Kathy Jantz said. “He just does it in his head, which is kind of amazing.”

“We cut it when it’s about a foot tall,” James Jantz said. He said the hay bale maze is harder to construct than the corn mazes.

The 3,000-square-foot (7-acre) maze has four possible exits. The first three exits are called “easy outs” and the final exit, the most challenging one, is called the “black exit.”

There also is a 6-acre maze called “The Jungle” which has only one entrance and one exit, and the trails are a bit wilder, said Kathy.

Other mazes include the “Tiny Tot Hay Bale Maze,” the “Round Bale Maze” and the “Big Hay Maze.” Each year, the Big Hay Maze is in a different, Oklahoma-themed shape. This year, the maze is in the shape of a combine. Visitors in the Round Bale Maze can go through the maze, or they can climb up on the bales and walk over the maze.

The Tiny Tot Maze is for toddlers to run around and enjoy, and is in conjunction with Daze in a Maze’s petting zoo.The petting zoo is stocked with adorable farm animals and, for 25 cents per cup, kids and adults can feed the animals.



Other activities

In addition to the mazes and the petting zoo, there are several other activities for families, including hay rack rides, a pumpkin patch, a playground area and a “Dino Dig,” where children can have fun digging for “cowasaurus” bones.

Daze in a Maze offers canopied picnic tables available for reservation as well as fire pits for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. Daze in a Maze also offers a small concession stand.

The Jantzes have managed to keep the maze in operation during the last two years, even though a drought has affected Oklahoma and its crops.

“The last two years have been hard on us with the drought,” Kathy Jantz said. “We do irrigate, but it was just too hot, and it just didn’t grow as tall.”

Each year, the Jantzes try to add something new to Daze in a Maze, and this year, they are in the process of adding an 800-foot-long zip line extending over the largest maze. The zip line is not yet complete, but Kathy and James are hoping they will get it finished before this season is over. Once the zip line is finished, those who wish to take the ride can do so for an additional $10.

Daze in a Maze originally was started to supplement the family’s farm income and give the Jantzes’ three kids something to do, said James Jantz. Now it has become something they look forward to each year, as it draws many people from the area out to their creation.

“We like having the people come out,” James Jantz said.

Daze in the Maze is open on weekends and also is open during the week by appointment.



If you go

Location (from Enid): Drive east on U.S. 412. At Oklahoma 74, turn right (south) to Covington. Continue south from Covington 11 miles.

Admission: $8 per person. Children ages 3 and under who come with their families get in free.

Dates of operation: Daze in a Maze is open from Labor Day weekend to Thanksgiving weekend (weather permitting). It is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. until dusk Sunday. It is open on weekdays by appointment only.

For group rates, reservations or further information, call (580) 234-6293 during the week, or call (405) 550-9177 during weekends.