Apple Picking in Illinois – The notion of apple picking is one that conjures up romantic images of happy families exploring picturesque orchards and picking crisp red fruit with golden leaves. Add to that fascinating and diverse surroundings of Indiana and the perfect family activity has been created, with no tech in sight!
As you explore Illinois in the autumn be sure to get out into the countryside to enjoy the delights of the traditional, bucolic orchards and take some time enjoying the most classic of fall activities – pick-your-own apples!
Apple picking season in Illinois begins in mid/late August and continues through to the end of October.
Please do check opening times and more details with each farm before your visit, just in case anything has changed since we published this post. Enjoy your apple picking!
Terrapin Orchards
1063 US-20 e, Elizabeth, IL 61028
At Terrapin Orchards they are passionate about the produce they grow and whole heartedly invite you and your family to visit, pick fruit and enjoy a day in the sunshine.
“At Terrapin Orchards we are committed to producing the best fruit you can find, while being friendly to natural pollinator, our customers, and mother nature. We depend on Integrated pest management as the backbone of our growing practice.
Apples are king at Terrapin Orchards. We wander through the early part of the year anticipating the taste of the first ripe Apples. We have 26 different varieties between our 2 northwest Illinois orchards. We also have a few varieties of pears and some other top secret crops we are tinkering around with growing. Our fruit is picked at the peak of perfection. We wait for the fruit to be fully mature to make sure that your eating experience is second to none. All varieties are available for sale at our orchard in Elizabeth, once they’re ripe of course. We will have multiple varieties ready at any point throughout the picking season. The varieties we grow in Elizabeth are also available for pick your own!
August
Moonglow pears, Zestar, Sansa, Premier Honeycrisp (not available until 2019)
Early September
Gala, Lindamac, Liberty
Mid September
Honeycrisp, Jonathon, Mcintosh, Ultramac, Jonared, Cortland, Bartlett Pears
Late September
Fuji, Wolf River, Golden Delicious
Early October
Red delicious, Honeygold, Jonagold, Rome
October
Winesap, Gold russet, Blushing Golden, Evercrisp“
Stade’s Farm and Market – U-pick Apples IL
3709 Miller Rd, McHenry, IL 60051
Stade’s Farm and Market has everything you need for a fun packed family day out in the country!
“Located in scenic McHenry County, Stade’s Farm & Market is approximately 50 miles Northwest of Chicago, Illinois. We produce 2,200 acres of corn, soybeans, and fresh fruits and vegetables that we sell directly to consumers through our Farm Market.
Stade Farm is a popular pick-your-own destination. We are offering both fruits and vegetables for you to harvest, including strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, sugar snap peas, green beans, peppers, and more. We offer a beautiful apple orchard with many of your favorite apples and about 30 acres of pick-your-own pumpkins in the fall. Stade’s is home to a large entertainment area, including a petting zoo, corn maze, giant slides, hayrides, and a large variety of unique attractions. Our fall festival, Shades of Autumn, is a harvest time extravaganza featuring 35+ farm-related attractions, pumpkin picking, special events, great food, and lots of family-orientated fun.
Available apple varieties and the approximate picking times:
- Zestar, Sansa, and Blondee, and Brookfield Gala Apples are available late August/early September
- Honeycrisp, Flaming Early Red, Red Jonaprince, Empire, and September Wonder Fuji Apples are available mid/late September.
- Red Cameo, Orange Cox Pippen Apples are available late September
- Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Winecrisp, and Rosalie Apples are available early/mid-October
- Goldrush, Evercrisp, and Granny Smith Apples are available late October”
All Seasons Orchard
14510 IL-176, Woodstock, IL 60098
All Seasons Orchard is an apple orchard, pumpkin patch and corn maze located in Woodstock, IL in McHenry County.
“We are near the Chicago metropolitan area and Rockford and are open daily in September and October. View our hours and directions. Stop by to pick your own apples in our orchard or play in our Barnyard.
We’re a favorite fall destination for families and groups alike and offer the ideal activities for a day of all fun! If you’re interested in apple picking or pumpkin picking near you, we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you at All Seasons Orchard this Fall!”
Cody’s Farm & Orchard
19502 River Rd, Marengo, IL 60152
When you visit Cody’s Farm and Orchard LLC be sure to treat yourself to their speciality – Strawberry Glazed Donuts – delicious!
“Cody’s Farm & Orchard LLC will provide high quality, fresh home grown fruit and vegetables to our customers.
Cody’s is a family business that values health, happiness of children, education and making family memories. We would invite people of all ages to come and visit our farm. Each year during the month of June Cody’s Farm & Orchard welcomes families from the greater Chicagoland area to come visit our farm and pick strawberries.
Fresh Vegetables we have by season…
July:
Sweet Corn, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Beets, Radishes, Green Beans, Onions, Summer Squash, Potatoes, Zucchini, Cucumbers, Peppers, Tomatoes(late July)
August:
Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Sweet Corn, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Beets, Radishes, Green Beans, Onions, Summer Squash, Potatoes, Zucchini, Cucumbers, Peppers, Tomatoes
September:
Fall Squash, Pumpkins(end of month), Apples & Peaches, Watermelon, Sweet Corn, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Beets, Carrots, Radishes, Green Beans, Onions, Potatoes, Zucchini, Cucumbers, Peppers, Tomatoes
October:
Apples, Sweet Corn(until 1st hard frost), Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Beets, Radishes, Peppers*, Onions, Zucchini*, Cucumbers*, Fall Squash”
The Valley Orchard
811 E State St, Cherry Valley, IL 61016
The Valley Orchard is “a 35 acre family-owned orchard with approximately 5,000 apple trees. You have a choice of either picking your own apples or purchasing pre-picked apples in our store. We do, however, usually pick our own Honey Crisp and they’re also in the store.
Also available to pick: rhubarb, raspberries, (both summer and fall), blueberries, cherries, red, white and black currants and blackberries (in the summer).
We make our own 100% pure cider – no additives. Slushies are available of course made with our oh- so- refreshing cider. We also have yummy cider donuts, delectable apple pies, really good cinnamon bread, scrumptious caramel apples and to die for fudge.
Our store offers many fall decorations, linens, candles, and other unique items for your home. You will find a variety of jams, jellies, salsas, honey, squash, pumpkins, gourds, and much, much more.”
Curranʼs Orchard
6385 Kilburn Ave, Rockford, IL 61101
Curranʼs Orchard is a “smaller family-run destination orchard located in the rolling hills of northern Illinois near Rockford. We are known for our award-winning cider, our awesome apple donuts, our ginormous caramel apples, and most all, for the way we don’t spray our apples.
Curran’s Orchard grows luscious fruit sprayed with 1/3 of the typical amount of chemicals.
Growing apples this way is a difficult task, but we think that the challenge is worth it. Our goal is to provide you with pure, delicious, worry-free fruit without a lot of chemicals!
We know that you will enjoy eating freshly picked apples without having to wash them first. Come and enjoy the Fall season at Curran’s Orchard!”
They also have upick red raspberries, pick-your-own Balaton tart cherries, pure local honey and a pumpkin patch.
Braeutigam Orchards
2795 Turkey Hill Ln, Belleville, IL 62221
Braeutigam Orchards “has been in the family since 1831, but it wasn’t until 1935 that Rollin Braeutigam started raising fruit. Rollie enjoyed selling fruit to his friends so much that he raised more than he could sell! So he decided to take his beautiful ripe peaches to the St. Louis Market.
Lester, his son, and Marie, his daughter-in-law, helped him load those peaches in a truck and drove to St. Louis. Unfortunately, they did not realize that the market wanted greener fruit and they did not receive a good price. But Rollin and Lester believed tree-ripened peaches had the best and most appeal. Marie said, “Don’t worry we will just sell the peaches right on the farm!”
June – Tart Cherries, Apricots, Blueberries, Lettuce, and other spring Vegetables
July – Peaches, Blackberries, Vegetables – Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants, Summer Squash and others
August – Peaches, Blackberries, Plums, Grapes, Tomatoes, Sweet Corn, Peppers, Eggplant, Summer Squash, Watermelon, Muskmelon and others
September – Apples, Apple Cider, Fall Decorations, Gourds, Fall Squash, Pumpkins, and other vegetables
October – Pumpkins, Apples, Apple Cider, Fall Decorations, Gourds, Fall Squash
Braffet Berry Farm and Orchard
9010 E 2250 North Rd, Carlock, IL 61725
The Braffet Berry Farm is located in central Illinois in the northwest part of Mclean County. Owners, Curt & Peggy Braffet, have been growing strawberries there since 1995. You are invited to visit with you family to enjoy picking your own beautiful juicy berries.
“We at Braffet Berry Farm worked very hard to plant, mulch, weed, and water to get the strawberries ready for you to pick.
Sun Berry Orchard Farm – Woodstock
2318 Greenwood Rd, Woodstock, IL 60098
“Hours: Opening Mid Summer for Vegetable Picking
Welcome to the Farm! Here we have our fields with products you can pick from as well as lots of family entertainment to offer! From a hayride to a corn maze! Come visit our farm and enjoy a day in nature learning about the supply chain and where all of our tasty products come from!
U-PICK
3712 Greenwood Rd, Woodstock, IL 60098
At this location, we have Pick-Your-Own strawberries, raspberries and apples! As well as our food truck and a picnic area for your family to enjoy refreshments at. Follow our Facebook page for updates on season availability and field weather conditions!”
Also check out our post on farms in Illinois as well as the best places for apple picking near me.