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Apple Picking in 2026: Best Time to Visit Orchards

By Alex•Updated October 2, 2026•7 min read

Spring freezes in April 2026 hit orchards from Virginia and Maryland to New York and Colorado, so this fall it pays to check before you drive. We checked the apple orchards in our directory against their own websites on October 1, 2026.

2026 apple season: orchards reporting a short or lost crop

  • Evans Orchard & Cider Mill (Georgetown, KY): Heat and heavy rain limited the apple crop, so pick-your-own apples ended after the September 12–13 Apple Festival weekend.
  • Orr’s Farm Market (Martinsburg, WV): A late April frost closed most pick-your-own crops this year; apples are mainly sold pre-picked. The pumpkin patch is open.
  • Weaver's Orchard (Morgantown, PA): A spring frost left a light apple crop. Pick-your-own apples reopen October 2 at discounted prices while they last.
  • Apple Dave’s Orchards (Warwick, NY): An April freeze took most of the farm's own apples, so there is no picking from the trees; New York apples are sold in bags and picking bins.
  • Big B’s Delicious Orchards U-pick, Cafe & Tasting Room (Hotchkiss, CO): The fruit trees did not survive the April freeze, so there is no u-pick fruit this year. The garden u-pick, cafe, and tap room are open.
  • Stribling Orchard (Markham, VA): A freeze took this year's apple and peach crops. The farm sold pre-picked apples September 30 through October 4 and posted no later dates.
  • Soons Orchard (New Hampton, NY): An April freeze left very few apples. Apple picking is by paid reservation on select dates only; the market sells pre-picked apples daily.
  • Nelms Farm (Golden, CO): An early spring freeze took the peaches and apples. The farm's only public day this year was September 20.
  • Fruit Basket Orchards (Grand Junction, CO): The apples have all been picked for 2026; pre-picked apples are still for sale and the season is ending.
  • Ya Ya Farm and Orchard (Longmont, CO): Reservation-only apple picking is sold out for 2026. The farm stand is open.
  • Pine Tree Apple Orchard (White Bear Lake, MN): Apples are sold pre-picked in the salesroom this year; pick-your-own pumpkins and the corn maze run through October 25.
  • Chileno Valley Ranch (Petaluma, CA): A short crop means fewer u-pick days. Picking runs on select Sundays by reservation only.
  • Swanton Pacific Ranch (Davenport, CA): The ranch is mostly out of apples for 2026; pumpkins are available Friday through Sunday while supplies last.

Orchards with posted 2026 hours

These orchards published their 2026 fall hours, which appear on each listing.

Browse every apple-picking farm in the directory →

When to Go Apple Picking: Regional Timing Guide for Families

I learned the hard way that timing is everything when it comes to apple picking with toddlers. One fall my wife was traveling for work, so I planned a special daddy-daughter adventure to a local orchard with our 2- and 4-year-old. We showed up in late October only to find mostly bare trees and very disappointed little ones. That's when I realized I needed to create this guide, not just for myself but for other parents planning apple picking with young kids.

Apple season depends on latitude, elevation, and each year's weather, so treat these windows as rough guides. A warm spring can pull the harvest earlier, and a late frost can thin it out, as many growers saw in 2026. The listing pages and the orchard's own website are the best source for what is ripe this week. After visiting dozens of apple orchards across the country and talking to countless farm owners, here's what I've learned, region by region:

Northeast (New York, New England, Pennsylvania)

Typical window: late August through October, busiest from mid-September to mid-October
Many orchards here pair picking with fall foliage, cider, and farm stands, which makes October weekends the most crowded time of year. The Northeast has some of the most beautiful orchards I've visited with my daughters, and we've had our best experiences in late September, when the trees are still full but the crowds haven't hit their peak.

Pro tip from a dad: If you're visiting with toddlers, aim for the third week of September. The weather is still comfortable for little ones, and you'll avoid the October rush when every family in the tri-state area descends on the orchards.

Midwest (Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota)

Typical window: late August through October
Early varieties often appear in late August, and September tends to bring the broadest selection. Many Midwest orchards also run fall attractions such as corn mazes and pumpkin patches, which usually open from September into October.

Visiting at least two Michigan orchards each season has become an annual tradition for us. My daughters' favorite trip was in early September, when we could pick Honeycrisp (their absolute favorite) and the farm already had its corn maze open. That combination made for a perfect family day out.

Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon)

Typical window: late August through October
The region grows a large share of the country's apples, and its range of elevations and microclimates spreads ripening over several weeks. U-pick seasons vary widely from farm to farm, so confirm dates before planning a trip. That spread-out season is great for busy families: when my wife was on a three-week business trip, it saved us, and we found a good weekend in early September for our apple picking adventure.

Southern Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic (Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Maryland)

Typical window: August through October
Mountain orchards often start earlier than northern ones, with many reaching their busiest weeks in September and early October. Hot spells can affect both fruit quality and how comfortable a midday visit is, so mornings are often the better choice early in the season.

Best Apple Varieties for Kids (And When to Pick Them)

After a few years of apple picking with toddlers, I've learned which varieties work best for little hands and taste buds. Each variety ripens over a few weeks, and the order below is typical rather than fixed. Exact timing shifts by region and year, so check which varieties an orchard is picking before you go.

Early Season (Late August to Early September)

  • Paula Red: Soft and tangy, great for making applesauce with kids
  • Gala: Mild, sweet, and easy to bite, a perfect first apple for toddlers
  • Honeycrisp: My daughters' absolute favorite: crisp, sweet, and holds up well in little hands; usually ready in September

Mid Season (September)

  • McIntosh: Tender and tart-sweet, a classic for baking with kids
  • Cortland: Slow to brown once sliced, great for packed lunches
  • Empire: A sweet-tart balance that even picky eaters enjoy
  • Jonagold: Large, sweet, and slightly tart

Late Season (October and Later)

  • Red Delicious: Mild, classic eating apple, though not my kids' favorite
  • Fuji: Super sweet and crisp, another kid favorite, and it stores well
  • Granny Smith: Too tart for most toddlers, but tart and firm for pies

Dad Tip: Let your kids taste-test different varieties. It's a great way to discover new favorites: my 4-year-old surprised me by loving tart Jonagolds, while my 2-year-old stuck to sweet Galas. Ask the orchard before eating anything in the field, since sampling policies differ from farm to farm; trying a few side by side at home works just as well.

Apple Picking Tips from a Dad of Two Toddlers

Planning apple picking trips while my wife travels for work has taught me some hard-earned lessons. Here are my top tips for orchard visits with young kids:

  • Always check before you drive: I learned this the hard way when we drove 45 minutes to a closed orchard. Now I always confirm hours, which varieties are ready, and any weather closures on the orchard's website or by phone before loading up the car. Picking can end early when a block is picked out.
  • Start early (but not too early): Mornings tend to be cooler and less crowded, and the best fruit has not been picked over yet. With my girls, 9:30 AM is the sweet spot: early enough for good selection, late enough that they're fully awake and fed.
  • Weekday visits are golden: Weekends in late September and October are usually the busiest days of the season. When I can, I take the girls on a weekday, which means more space for them to run around and photos without strangers in the background.
  • Bring a wagon if the farm allows it: A game changer with more than one young child. I can pull both girls when they get tired, plus carry our apple haul. Rows can be uneven or muddy, and some farms provide wagons while others let you bring your own, so ask first.
  • Pack like you're going camping: Snacks, water, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, extra clothes, a first aid kit, and closed-toe shoes. Layers help, since fall mornings and afternoons can feel very different. An orchard with toddlers is basically an outdoor adventure.
  • Pick gently: Lift and twist each apple off the branch rather than pulling, which protects the tree and next year's buds.

What to Look for in a Family-Friendly Orchard

Not all orchards are created equal when you're dealing with a 2- and 4-year-old, and amenities vary a lot from farm to farm. Here's what I check on a farm's listing or website:

  • Dwarf or semi-dwarf trees: Low branches that kids can actually reach without ladders
  • Wagon or tractor rides: Save little legs on the walk out to the rows and add to the fun
  • Clean restrooms and handwashing stations: Non-negotiable with potty-training toddlers
  • Farm animals or play areas: My girls love the goats and chickens as much as the apples
  • Farm stands and bakeries: Many orchards sell cider and baked goods, and fresh cider donuts make the perfect bribe for good behavior during picking
  • Age-appropriate mazes: Look for smaller "mini mazes" designed for young kids

Real Talk from a Solo Dad: Some days the apple picking is secondary to just getting the girls outside and tired enough for good naps. Don't stress about filling bushels; focus on making memories. My best apple picking photos are of my daughters eating more apples than they picked!

Ready to find an apple orchard? Browse apple-picking farms or other fruit-picking farms in our directory, and see our pumpkin patch guide for more fall outings.