The Best Place to Go Apple Picking in Every State
Updated: Nov. 02, 2022From family-run farms to orchards growing the juiciest heirloom apples, these are the best places to go apple picking in each state
The top spots to go apple picking in America
There’s a reason fall is the preferred season of so many people. The crisp air, fall foliage and Halloween festivities make people count down to the first day of fall with anticipation. Another great fall activity people look forward to? Apple picking, of course. There’s something about picking apples that gets us in the fall spirit. We love going to an apple orchard, picking our own apples and using them to bake delicious apple treats. Plus, it’s an activity anyone, at any age, can enjoy.
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Alabama: Crow Mountain Orchard, Fackler
The apples from Alabama’s largest fruit-growing operation are some of the prettiest in the state. Their bold red hue comes courtesy of the orchard’s high elevation on top of Crow Mountain, offering warm days and cool nights. If you’re really hungry, snag some Granny Smiths or Braeburns in early October. Speaking of apples—do you know why we bob for apples around Halloween? The reason has interesting roots.
Alaska: Fire Apple Orchard and Gardens, Wasilla
If you’re looking for a place to pick apples in The Last Frontier, head to Fire Apple Orchard and Gardens in Wasilla. This apple and cherry orchard grows 58 varieties of apples and 12 varieties of cherries, along with other berries and plums. Make sure you call ahead (907-373-6317) before visiting, though—it’s open seasonally and their hours may change. Also ask if they accept credit or debit cards. And don’t forget to pick the perfect fall-themed caption to use when you post pictures from the orchard on social media.
Arizona: Apple Annie’s, Wilcox
You know it’s officially fall when My-Oh-My Apple Pie Weekend rolls around at this Arizona orchard. The annual event, held at the beginning of apple season in September, kicks off with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast (with apple pie syrup, of course) and features wagon rides, a corn maze and apple picking galore. The Fall Pumpkin Celebrations in October sound delightful too! Check out these hilarious fall memes to kill time between activities.
Arkansas: Cadron Crest Orchard, Guy
Stop by Cadron Crest Orchard in Guy to get your hands on some delicious apples, or even some juicy peaches. According to the orchard’s Facebook page, U-pick apples go for $3.50 per pound. People rave about this orchard in its review section on Facebook—you’ll see lots of great comments about the family that runs it and the quality produce too. Walking through this orchard will make you think of these fall quotes that perfectly capture autumn’s allure.
California: Willowbrook Apple Farm, Oak Glen
Willowbrook Apple Farm is more than just a place to pick apples—you can also press your own cider, play with farm animals and take a fall family photo on one of their vintage tractors. And after you pick a peck of the Stayman Winesap apples in the orchard, fuel up with treats like caramel apples and gooey apple hand pies. It’s a great spot to check out on a fall weekend getaway!
Colorado: Ya Ya Farm, Longmont
Reservations are required to pick apples at Ya Ya Farm. What’s so special about this Colorado orchard? They use natural, organic methods to grow a signature heirloom apple variety you can’t find anywhere else. You can even adopt an apple tree—your $100 fee pays for everything from fertilizing to harvesting. By the way, this is why Americans say “fall” instead of “autumn.”
Connecticut: Lyman Orchards, Middlefield
Deep in the Connecticut River Valley, you’ll stumble upon Lyman Orchards, 1,100 acres of sprawling farmland. Fill your basket with flavorful eco-certified apples (grown sustainably with minimal chemicals), then grab a slice of their scratch-made, award-winning Hi-Top Apple Pie in the Apple Barrel, the farm’s market, which sells tons of fresh-baked goodies.
Delaware: Fifer’s Orchards, Camden-Wyoming
On select Saturdays at Fifer’s, you can hop on the back of a tractor and be toted out to the orchard to do all the apple picking your heart desires. Just make sure you leave Fido at home—the farm has a strict “no pets” policy for safety and health reasons. By the way, here’s why Black Diamond apples cost at least $7 each.
Florida: Showcase of Citrus, Clermont
Sadly, there aren’t any places in Florida where you can pick your own apples. So instead, go harvest the “apple of the South”—the orange! Head to Showcase of Citrus in Clermont to get your citrus picks, including oranges, grapefruits and lemons. Prepicked fruit options are also available onsite at the Old Time Country Store. The U-pick season typically runs from November to May, so mark your calendar for a fun weekend of citrus picking in the Sunshine State.
Georgia: B.J. Reece Orchards, Ellijay
Georgia may be known as the Peach State, but don’t be fooled—it has plenty of places to pick delicious apples too. Head to B.J. Reece Orchards in Ellijay to choose from a variety of apples. Get your hands on some Ginger Golds, Red Delicious and more. The U-pick season runs Aug. 27 through Oct. 30, and Farm Fun activities are offered each Saturday from Aug. 27 through Oct. 30. Feel free to bring your leashed pup in the orchard too!
Hawaii: Aloun Farms, Kapolei
There’s no apple picking to be found in Hawaii, but there is pumpkin picking. At Aloun Farms, home to 90% of the island’s fall squash harvest, you’ll want to attend the annual Pumpkin Festival. Kids can take educational hayride tours around the farm and pick their own perfect pumpkin to carve for Halloween. The best part? The leftover pumpkins are donated to the Honolulu Zoo to feed the animals as treats.
Idaho: Tyler’s Rocky Point Orchard, Emmett
Come for the apples, stay for the cider at Tyler’s Rocky Point Orchard. Just a short drive from Boise, the farm is known for its fresh-pressed cider made from nothing except juicy red apples (yep, no sugar or additives). It’s open seven days a week, so there’s really no excuse not to make it out on a Saturday afternoon for a jug of cider and a bucket of apples to take home.
Illinois: Royal Oak Farm Orchard, Harvard
Start a wonderful fall family tradition by heading to Royal Oak Farm Orchard in Harvard. The orchard has around 20,000 apple trees and 30 varieties of apples to choose from. You can also pick pumpkins on the weekends starting in late September. If you want to have a little bonus family fun, check out their apple tree maze (just don’t get lost in it!).
Indiana: County Line Orchard, Hobart
Stop and smell the pastries at the bake shop, where County Line Orchard sells plenty of delicious apple cider donuts each season, along with apple pie and their famous fudge. Once you satisfy your sweet tooth, take the scenic route to the orchard via tractor ride and pick crowd favorite Pink Lady or Snow Sweet apples. When the sun starts setting, trek back to the main barn to warm up by a crackling campfire.
Iowa: Wilson’s Orchard, Iowa City
A gurgling creek winds its way through fields of wildflowers and farmland, making Wilson’s Orchard the perfect rural getaway. There are many varieties of apples to pick, but don’t feel intimidated—head to the barn first to taste-test the apples that are currently ripe for harvesting. Adults will also enjoy the Ciderhouse, where you can order a glass of the orchard’s hard craft cider paired with a hot apple turnover.
Kansas: Cider Hill Family Orchard, Kansas City
The apple picking season at Cider Hill starts with the Pristine apples, ends with the Golden Delicious and is full of tons of family fun and apple cider slushies in between. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy under the shade of the 900 apple trees, go fishing in the pond or let the younger ones ride the kids train.
Kentucky: Evans Orchard, Georgetown
With 15 acres dedicated solely to juicy apples, Evans Orchard has got you covered when it comes to fall fruits. While there aren’t any U-pick apples available for the 2022 season, there are plenty of apples in their store. You can still browse through the pumpkin patch, though. And apples and pumpkins aren’t all you’ll find here: They also have a play area for kids, which includes everything from a hay castle to pony rides, plus a farm market where you can pick up homemade jams and jellies, baked goods and fresh cider.
Louisiana: Eddie Romero’s Orchard, New Iberia
It takes a brave man to try to grow apples in the muggy heat of the Deep South. But Eddie Romero has done just that in his bountiful fruit orchards. The only place to pick apples in Louisiana, the property also raises peaches, muscadine grapes, blackberries, pears and figs. It’s best to call before you go to check what is currently available for picking.
Maine: Treworgy Family Orchards, Levant
Add this family farm to your fall bucket list: You can fill a basket with crisp apples from the orchard, make your own bouquet with fresh-cut flowers or spend a half hour feeding and cuddling with baby goats. Bring a flashlight and stay after sunset for the night corn maze adventure—good luck finding your way out!
Maryland: Baugher’s Orchards, Westminster
We’re not sure what the best part is about an afternoon spent at Baugher’s Orchards in western Maryland: The scenic hayride to the orchard to pick your own apples, the Fall Harvest Festival (held every weekend in October) or the restaurant serving classic country cooking and more than 20 types of pie. Tip: Bring cash, as there are no credit card machines or ATMs.
Massachusetts: Honey Pot Hill Orchards, Stow
With more than 80 pick-your-own apple spots across Massachusetts, it’s tough to single out just one. While you can’t go wrong with any fruit farm, Honey Pot Hill is one of our favorites. Five people can share a half bushel bag and fill it with New England apple varieties like Cortland, Macoun, Empire and Red Delicious. Afterward, let the kids burn off extra energy in one of three quirky hedge mazes. These are the best places to see New England fall, by the way.
Michigan: Blake’s Orchard, Armada
To the delight of everyone in the state of Michigan, Blake’s Orchard is open year-round. This haven of fall festivities includes pick-your-own apples as early as mid-July, the famous Funland for kids (a straw bale maze, tricycle track, haunted village and more) and hard cider on tap at the Tasting Room. You definitely won’t be bored at what was one of Michigan’s first U-pick farms.
Minnesota: Pine Tree Apple Orchard, White Bear Lake
You weren’t expecting to run for your apples, were you? OK, you don’t have to, but every year, for more than three decades, Pine Tree Apple Orchard has hosted the 5-mile Run for the Apples race through their trees, strawberry fields and pumpkin patch. At the finish line, dive into some apple-themed sweet treats before picking your own fruit—they have more than 20 types, including the unique Dolgo Crab.
Mississippi: Briar Creek Vineyard, Tremont
Head to Briar Creek Vineyard in Tremont for some great Mississippi apple picking. They offer a number of U-pick fruits throughout the year, with apple season starting Sept. 1. Delicious fruit awaits!
Missouri: Schweizer Orchards, St. Joseph
Bite into a River Bend apple grown on the bluffs above the Missouri River and you’ll likely forget any other types of apples even exist. With four generations of farming under their belt (and orchards dating back to the early 1900s), Schweizer Orchards has perfected the apple-growing process. Don’t leave without a jar of handmade jam or relish from the country store.
Montana: Anderson Orchards, Rudyard
Head to Anderson Orchards in Rudyard to pick a variety of apples, including Honeycrisps and Harlareds. Don’t forget to grab a cup of delicious cider to enjoy while picking!
Nebraska: Arbor Day Farm, Nebraska City
Warning: You might never want to leave the fall paradise of Arbor Day Farm. There’s a 50-foot-tall treehouse that kids can explore as part of the Tree Adventure program. You’ll want to pick your own apples, of course, but don’t forget to stop at the Preservation Orchards, where you can taste some of the rare heirloom apple varieties that are no longer available in stores.
Nevada: Gilcrease Orchard, Las Vegas
What happens in Vegas … is apple picking? Trust us on this one—the delicious crunch of a hand-picked apple from Gilcrease Orchard is a better payout than you’ll get from any of the casinos. Even better is the farm’s famous apple cider naturally sweetened with Gala, yellow Gala and an early red variety of apple.
New Hampshire: Gould Hill Farm, Contoocook
Standing in the orchard at Gould Hill Farm, you can see for 80 miles on a clear fall day—as far as the White Mountains. There are an overwhelming 80-plus types of apples to pick from, but you’ll definitely want to toss a few of the Hampshire variety into your basket. Exclusive to the orchard, this apple is rich and sweet and perfect for baking an apple pie.
New Jersey: Battleview Orchards, Freehold
No joke: This New Jersey orchard is owned and run by the Applegate family, and they definitely know apples. The 120-acre farm produces 14 different varieties of crunchy apples alongside juicy peaches and giant pumpkins. Visit on the weekend and you can enjoy a warm apple cider donut before taking a hayride across the property.
New Mexico: U-Pick Mesilla Valley Apple Orchard, Las Cruces
New Mexico apple picking thrives in Las Cruces’s U-Pick Mesilla Valley Apple Orchard. It features more than 400 apple trees that are just waiting to be picked by people of all ages. After U-pick season is done, check out the Apple of Joy Home Bakery, which features homemade pies from the apple and pecan orchards.
New York: Masker Orchards, Warwick
Combine your apple picking with cups of steaming spicy cider, brightly colored leaves and wagon rides under a blanket at Masker Orchards, which is nestled in the breathtaking Hudson Valley. And it doesn’t get more convenient than being able to drive your car right up to the trees.
North Carolina: Sky Top Orchard, Flat Rock
If you don’t leave Sky Top Orchard with a belly full of apple cider donuts, you’re doing something wrong. The warm donuts, dusted in cinnamon sugar, are made using fruit from the 70-plus acres of apple trees out back. There’s plenty to do, from going on hayrides to exploring the bamboo forest, and pro pickers recommend getting there early if you want to snag the coveted Honeycrisp apples.
North Dakota: Papa’s Pumpkin Patch, Bismarck
Head here on Thursdays and you pay just $3 per person for admission (it’s usually $6). That grants you access to Papa’s nature trails, horse-drawn hayrides and, of course, apple picking. Grab one of Papa’s pumpkin cookies for dessert when you’re done.
Ohio: CherryHawk Farm Apple Orchard, Marysville
Consider your fall weekend planned. Pick a peck of produce (say that five times fast) from the almost 1,000 apple trees spanning CherryHawk’s orchard, or frolic in the blossoming sunflower fields and enjoy a picnic. Either way, we love that this farm focuses on one thing and one thing only—apples.
Oklahoma: Livesay Orchards, Porter
In the fall, Porter’s Peach Barn should really be renamed the “Apple Barn” because it’s one of the only places in the state where you can pick your own juicy red apples. Or grab a bushel to go, then browse the open-air farmers market for other fresh fruits and veggies. Let the kids pick out a jack-o’-lantern for Halloween from the pumpkin patch too.
Oregon: Kiyokawa Family Orchards, Parkdale
The stunning view of snow-capped Mount Hood is reason enough to make the trip out to Kiyokawa Family Orchards, never mind the 25 unique varieties of apples ripe for picking. Plan your trip during the Honeycrisp Harvest in October, when you can listen to live folk music as you munch on apple slices dripping with gooey caramel and fill a bucket of everyone’s favorite apple.
Pennsylvania: Brown’s Orchards, Loganville
What started as a roadside stand has grown into a massive family-run farm, one that people flock to every fall. Before taking a hayride out to the orchards to pick your apples, fill up at the Brown Bean Cafe, where you can sit outside on a crisp sunny afternoon—just make sure you leave room for dessert from the award-winning bakery.
Rhode Island: Jaswell’s Farm, Smithfield
Follow Rhode Island’s Apple Blossom Trail, along which you’ll find Jaswell’s Farm, a farm that’s been in operation for a whopping 123 years. The pick-your-own fruits are a must, of course, but the real attraction? Their famous candied apples. Choose from three kinds (red candy, caramel or chocolate), or go for the gourmet apple, coated in caramel, toppings and milk chocolate. Finished with a white chocolate drizzle, it weighs almost two pounds!
South Carolina: Bryson’s Apple Orchard, Mountain Rest
You’ve heard of apple picking, you’ve heard of the Blue Ridge Mountains … but have you heard of the stunning orchard nestled among said mountains? Bryson’s is where you can either pick your own or buy a pre-packed bag before exploring the nearby natural attractions by way of hiking trails—waterfalls, the Chattooga River and panoramic views await!
South Dakota: Country Apple Orchard, Harrisburg
If you have a pair of boots and a warm jacket, you can get a bushel of apples with a trip to Country Apple Orchard during harvest season. With more than 6,000 trees and seven acres of pumpkin patches, they host a different festival every weekend in September, boasting pony rides, homemade pies, an inflatable playground and more.
Tennessee: Apple Barn Winery, Sevierville
Apple picking and wine tasting in one spot? Not only does this Tennessee vineyard grow their apples similar to the way grapes are grown (using a trellis system), they also use fresh apple cider as the base for most of their wine. Tour the winemaking area, where you’ll watch the production process and get to sample their signature dry Apple wine.
Texas: Love Creek Orchards, Medina
Craving a fresh apple in the middle of summer? You’ll have to make the trip to Love Creek Orchards, the only place in the United States with tree-ripened apples ready to be picked in early July. No ladder climbing or heavy lifting necessary, either: The orchard comprises 500 dwarf apple trees (don’t worry, the apples themselves are full-size), which only grow as tall as six feet.
Utah: Allred Orchards, Provo
In the foothills of Utah County lies Allred Orchards, a pick-your-own destination for apple lovers everywhere. While the orchard’s most popular apple (and the founder’s favorite) is the snappy Honeycrisp, they also offer a wide range of varieties, from the tart Valstar to the super sweet Blondee. If you get thirsty from all that picking, grab a glass of their fresh-pressed apple juice.
Vermont: Scott Farm Orchard, Dummerston
Celebrate the season during the Annual Heirloom Apple Day at historic Scott Farm Orchard. Learn about the apple growing and harvesting process from the orchardist, and sample slices of the 120-plus different heirloom varieties grown in the orchards—and don’t miss the Esopus Spitzenburg, one of Thomas Jefferson’s favorites. You’ll also be treated to live fiddle music, wood-fired pizza and local hard apple cider.
Virginia: Carter Mountain Orchard, Charlottesville
A day at Carter Mountain Orchard is well worth the wait and the crowds (it’s a popular place!). Enjoy the apples you just picked from the orchards while you lounge on the observation deck, soaking in the view of the Charlottesville vineyards below. And the warm apple cider donuts from the bakery pair perfectly with a pour of Bold Rock Hard Cider from the on-site tasting cellar.
Washington: Bellewood Acres, Lynden
With more than 25,000 fruit trees, Bellewood Acres has become one of the largest pick-your-own operations in Washington. Catch a ride out to the orchard on the Apple Bin Express (the farm’s train), which even makes a stop at the pumpkin patch when you’re finished. The first apple to pick this season? The Gravenstein, a tart variety perfect for making fresh applesauce.
West Virginia: Morgan Orchard, Sinks Grove
Rotate upward and twist—never pull. That’s the proper way to pluck an apple from its branch, and it’s a technique you can use at Morgan Orchard. There are 23 tasty varieties to choose from, but you should make sure to leave with at least a few sweet Golden Delicious apples—it is the state fruit, after all.
Wisconsin: The Elegant Farmer, Mukwonago
A big pile of leaves isn’t the only thing you want to dive into this fall. Meet the famous “Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag,” which has been voted the best pie in America by Gourmet Magazine, the Wall Street Journal and Food Network. The sweet-yet-tart and flaky-yet-crunchy pie is the perfect treat after an afternoon of apple picking in the orchard.
Wyoming: Laramie Farmers Market, Laramie
Unfortunately, the cold weather climate of Wyoming doesn’t make for ideal apple-growing conditions. But you can still enjoy your favorite fall fruit with a trip to Laramie’s Farmers Market. Held downtown from June to September, the open-air market boasts all sorts of fresh produce (including crisp apples grown in neighboring states) along with crafts and live music. Bonus points if you find the apple butter.
