It’s a sunny spring morning as I make the drive out to Paradise Hill Farm for a day of family fun. As I turn down the long, tree-lined driveway leading up to the farm, I can already envision the adventures that await. This bustling, family-owned farm in rural Nanton, Alberta has been operating for over 40 years, offering visitors young and old a glimpse into traditional farm life.
Arriving at the Farm
I pull into the large gravel parking lot with eager anticipation. Before me sprawls Paradise Hill’s sprawling fields and pastures, dotted with charming red barns and outbuildings. Families are already flocking in for the day’s activities.
As my family exits the car, we stop first at the Farm Store, which sits at the top of a gentle hill overlooking the farm. The store is crammed with shelves stuffed full of Paradise Hill’s own fresh produce and dairy items, local goods, home décor items and old-fashioned toys and candy.
My kids beg me to buy the ingredients for a picnic lunch later in the day. We gather crusty bread, farmhouse cheddar cheese, fresh apples and cider and homemade chocolate chip cookies to enjoy in the picnic area.
Meeting the Animals
Bellies full of tasty treats, we head straight for the Children’s Barn to visit the furry and feathered residents. As we enter the red barn, the smells of hay and animals mingle in the air. My children rush from pen to pen, squealing with delight at cute bunnies, baby lambs, piglets, calves, kittens and ducklings.
In a spacious pen of it’s own, a hugely pregnant sow lies calmly watching people mill around. A farmhand explains that the mama pig will welcome a litter of 10-12 adorable piglets very soon.
My little ones giggle wildly as pygmy goats climb atop wooden platforms and sleepy-eyed cows swish their tails casually. Alpacas gaze inquisitively at the crowd gathered at their enclosure, while free-roaming chickens scuttle underfoot.
Tractor-Drawn Wagon Ride Tour
After an hour visiting the cuddly critters in the Children’s Barn, my family heads back into the sunshine for a tractor-drawn wagon ride around the extensive farm property. We climb aboard the creaky wooden trailer hitched to a bright red vintage tractor with giant wheels.
As the tractor putters slowly along dirt lanes, our tour guide entertains us with tales of Paradise Hill’s long history, from it’s founding as a small family vegetable farm to it’s current operation with diverse livestock, produce fields, orchards and more.
We pass by grazing horses, goats and sheep in sprawling pastures as our guide identifies each breed or type. My son gasps when we catch a glimpse of two draft horses grazing majestically on a hillside, swishing their tails at flies.
In the east orchard, peach, apple and cherry trees bloom in neat rows, while the west fields boast pumpkins vines and other vegetable crops. Our guide invites us back in autumn to pick our own fruit and veggies.
Family Picnic Lunch
After an hour touring Paradise Hill’s beautiful grounds and facilities, our wagon returns to the parking area. My family claims a roomy picnic table not far from the duck pond to feast on our farm-fresh picnic lunch. We sip sweet cider and munch on crusty bread, sharp cheddar and juicy apples while watching a family of ducks paddle through the pond, flapping their wings happily.
Reenergized by our wholesome meal, the kids beg me to allow them to feed the goats at the two coin-operated feed dispensers. I surrender a handful of quarters while trying not to imagine the germs on those feed pellets. Oh well, building farm kids’ immune systems I guess!
Hayrides and Corn Mazes Galore!
Our last adventure of the afternoon is the best one – a ride on a hay wagon hitched to a tractor! Our friendly driver invites us to climb aboard the towering hay stacks, where soft hay cushions our ride. The tractor rumbles slowly along, allowing us to appreciate Paradise Hill’s natural beauty. Wildflowers and butterflies dot vibrant green meadows while fluffy white clouds drift across the brilliant blue sky.
After 15 minutes ambling through scenic pastures and lanes, our hayride delivers us to the famous corn maze, cut annually into 10 acres of tall, lush corn planted just for this epic adventure. My kids dash excitedly towards the maze mapped out by high corn walls. Hay bales stacked around the perimeter depict funny farm characters like pigs and cows.
Before scattering into the winding maze pathways with other children, my kids stand obediently for the customary corn maze photo to memorialize this unforgettable farm experience. This year’s maze configuration pays homage to Paradise Hill’s 40 years in business. I can’t wait to frame our photo with the 40th Anniversary maze image to always remember this special day on the farm.
For nearly an hour, shrieks of joy emanate from the maze as kids navigate the puzzling switchbacks and dead-ends to locate numbered checkpoints amid the towering stalks. By the time my children emerge, flushed and breathless, I feel confident they will sleep very soundly tonight!
Farewell to Paradise Hill Farm
As the sun lowers over the western meadows at Paradise Hill, families begin packing up after a memorable day on this special farm. My kids beg for five more minutes to revisit their favorite animals one last time before I bundle them, sleepy but happy, back into the car.
I make a final pit stop at the Farm Store for homemade fudge and jars of blackberry jam to enjoy later. As I turn the car slowly under an archway of crimson maple leaves toward the highway home, I watch my children nodding off, no doubt dreaming of baby animals, hayrides and mazes under the sky. Our day-long taste of farm living surpassed all my hopes for wholesome family fun. I know we’ll be back to make more memories at Paradise Hill Farm very soon!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We are open year-round! Our spring, summer and fall hours are 9am to 6pm daily. For the winter season we are open 10am to 4pm on weekends or weekdays by appointment. Some attractions like the wagon rides, corn maze, etc. may be closed in winter.
General admission is $8 per person. Kids ages 3 and under are free. Discount passes and annual memberships are also available on our website.
Parking is free and available right at our Visitor Center in a large gravel lot with spaces for cars and buses. Overflow parking spills over into our west field on busy days. Golf cart shuttles run to/from west field as needed.
The farm can get muddy, so wear closed toe shoes and clothes that can get a bit dirty! Bring layers in case the weather changes. We run rain or shine.
Absolutely, we welcome picnics! We have over 40 picnic tables scattered around for your family’s use. No alcohol allowed. Grills prohibited.
Leashed dogs are permitted at the farm with proper vaccinations. No dogs inside barns/mazes. Owners must clean up after dogs.