Frightfully Fun: Saunders Farm Is a Gem for All Ages

October Spook Meets Autumn Charm

As our warm weather fades and the days grow shorter, one holiday creeps into the minds of young and old, for Hallowed Eve fast approaches once the green leaves turn colours. Tis the season of ghosts and gourds, and a family-run farm a short drive outside the city aims to scratch that seasonal itch.

Welcome to Saunders Farm!

 
 

Setting the Fun

Located at 7893 Bleeks Road, in Munster (southwest of Stittsville in Ottawa), the 100-acre site has operated attractions since 1976.

As soon as you enter past the admissions gate, you’re hit with the festival-like atmosphere. You’ll find dozens of food stands and vendors lining the paths, music playing, and stilt walkers meandering about. Campfires dot the area, providing pleasant scents and fighting back any chill autumn air that might come along. Signs pointing to restaurants, playgrounds, and trails greet you. Seasonally appropriate spooky décor sets the stage, even in the light of day.

 

One of the newer Saunders attractions. Photo: Hunter Brown

Main Attractions

Of course, Saunders is best known for its Halloween-themed attractions. As the sun sets, the fall fair atmosphere of the “Pumpkinfest” and Octoberfest-themed day is overtaken by a delightfully scary night: “Frightfest!” The coloured lights and fog machines combine to elevate the atmosphere before you even get in line for some of the performances. The screams emanate from all sides as you take your pick of which set you wish to visit first; do you dare venture to the “Barn of Terror,” “The Coven,” “The Sawmill,” or perhaps the infamous “Haunted Hayride?”

 

I hope someone mops up the mess—That drink will go right through him! Photo: Hunter Brown

Culinary De-frights

When you’re in between enjoying the well-choreographed performances at Saunders’ various haunted house variants, why not sample some of the food choices?

Sure, you have your staple fair foods like cotton candy and hotdogs, but there’s also a great deal more to quench and satisfy, including several (pun-based) restaurants and bars.

Speaking of refreshments, Saunders offers various strengths and flavours of hard and soft ciders at its bars and restaurants, as well as bottled and canned versions as take-home options. Their ciders are made right on the farm!

 

Seasonal Sights

A zipline! Photo: Hunter Brown

“Pumpkinfest” and “Frightfest” are both fall and October-centred events, but Saunders offers more than just autumn attractions. Their doors are open from June to September for “Summer Maze Days,” where you can enjoy their permanent maze attractions or wagon rides in shorts and a t-shirt. A splash pad is on-site to cool off on hot days. Their zipline stays open into the fall season as well.

Newer since the pandemic is Saunders’ Christmas-themed “Country Christmas Days,” which opens in late November and runs until New Year's.

 

MOUTH-WATERING scents are everywhere! Photo: Hunter Brown

Family-Friendly

Saunders is a family-run and family-friendly place to take even young kids. What? Parents should be able to find fun in Ottawa, too! The farm has many play structures and games for even young kids.

Pumpkinfest features face painting and toned-down versions of their haunted house-type attractions. Elaborate puppet shows and giant bouncy floors can alternate between sapping their energy and capturing their imaginations. Just because the kids can be entertained doesn’t mean the parents are forgotten.

Did I mention their offerings of ciders?

 

Expect the mazes to take a while! Photo: Hunter brown

Come Alone

Having a place to bring the kids for a memorable autumn adventure is fantastic, but make no mistake, Saunders is for all ages. At night, the kids go home, and the real serious spook begins. If you are brave enough, or perhaps hubristic enough, to try to make it through every attraction alone, I salute you. The actors and performers have lots of practice perfecting their jump scares, and the winding, sometimes claustrophobic passages are deceptively laid out to make you think you know how things are going to go.

Well? Go on. I’m sure that dark hallway is perfectly fine.

 

Come With Friends

Of course, there is no substitute for a group of friends' ability to feed off each other’s energy and elevate the experience. It doesn’t mean you're scared if you tell your friend to go first, honest. It’s their turn. I know you just want to see them have fun, too. I’m not judging. Really.

Bringing friends or family is by far the best way to enjoy the night of festivities. Having company while waiting in lines or sharing a Beavertail with (yes, there’s a BeaverTails, too) makes the experience and memories that much more priceless.

 

Pumpkins! Photo: Hunter Brown

Before You Go

If you enjoy Halloween haunted houses or are just an autumn aficionado, Saunders is a fantastically frightful bit of Ottawa-based fun.

I know I’m going back soon.

 

Hunter Leclerc Brown (he/him) is Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk), born and raised in Ottawa. He is a professional writing student at Algonquin College, class of 2025. A lifelong sci-fi nerd, gamer, and martial artist, he’s now an aspiring author.

You’ll find him most days with a coffee, a good book, and snuggling with his cats.