Places to Pick Your Own Fruit

Fall is here. The air is crisp, the leaves are changing, the sun is still warm enough to enjoy spending time outdoors.

Sounds pretty great, right?

We like to think so too. And one of the best fall activities for families, friends, and couples is picking fruit. That can be anything from apples, to pumpkins, to pears, and plums. Of course, we advocate picking your own fruit any time of year (don’t worry there are plenty of opportunities year round).

In fact picking fruit is a great weekend activity to plan around. Chances are, no matter where in the country you live, you can find a local area farm within a few hours drive to spend a night or two.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the top spots around the United States where you can head out on a day or weekend trip and spend some time out in nature picking fruit.

Pacific Northwest

Only an hour or so outside of Portland, Oregon is the beautiful Mt. Hood. In the surrounding bucolic hills and valleys around this snow capped peak there are plenty of places to pick your own fruit. Plus, it’s an idea (and beautiful) spot for a quick getaway.

Both Draper Girls Country Farm and Mt. View Orchards are perfect spots to spend time picking fruit. Both of these orchards have hundreds of acres, dozens of varieties of fruit, and fun activities like hay rides and area hiking.

Southwest

It might come as a surprise, but there are plenty of great pick your own fruit spots in naturally desert climates like Arizona. Surprise, is just on the outskirts of the suburban Phoenix metropolitan area and offers a number of fruit picking options.

During the citrus picking season, both Truman Ranch and Cotton Lane Citrus offer opportunities to grab delicious, fresh, and organic oranges, lemons, and tangelos. These two farms also make sure all their fruit and citrus is pesticide free.

South

Of all the Southern states, Georgia stands out as one of the very best places for picking your own fruit at many of the local farm stands. Right outside the capitol of Atlanta you can find a number of great farms and orchards.

Not far from Atlanta there are a number of farms and orchards including Hillcrest Orchards, not only is there apple picking, but also a petting farm and live music on the weekends. At family run Mercier Orchards pick fruit on 300 acres, taste cider and wine, and even fire an apple cannon.

Midwest

The Midwest comes alive with amazing fruit throughout the summer and fall months of the year. It’s the perfect time and place to really jump in and get your hands dirty picking your own fruit. Around the greater Minneapolis area there are plenty of options.

Afton Apple Orchards has a lot more than just apple picking, there is a 15 acre corn maze, and petting farm. Aamodt’s Apple Farm is a great spot to bring the kids, with both tractor and hay wagon rides, as well as lots of tasty treats to try.

Northeast

Massachusetts is home to a number of pick your own farms and orchards all across the state. Since much of the state is within a two to three hour ride of Boston, making for plenty of day and weekend trips.

Two such orchards include George Hill Orchards, which offers fruit picking, home made snacks, hay rides, and even educational programs. Closer to the coast, CN Smith Farm offers pick your own fruit, a farm stand, corn and harvest festivals, and a garden center.