10 Illinois Apple Orchards Where You Can Pick Your Own Bushel This Fall
Fall in Illinois means crisp air, colorful leaves, and rows of apple trees just waiting to be picked. Grabbing a bag and filling it with your own fresh apples is a fun way to spend a weekend with family or friends.
Across the state, dozens of orchards open their gates for picking season, each with its own charm. Here are ten great spots where you can head out this fall and bring home a bushel of your own.
1. Royal Oak Farm Orchard (Harvard, IL)
Stretching across more than 160 acres, Royal Oak Farm Orchard turns apple picking into an all-day adventure. The trees seem to go on forever, and there is plenty to explore beyond the fruit.
Kids love wandering through the orchard’s apple tree maze, while grownups tend to drift toward the bakery for warm treats. A gift shop rounds out the visit for anyone who wants a keepsake.
Picking season kicks off in August, giving early birds a head start on the harvest. With so much space and so many activities packed in, this Harvard spot feels more like a destination than a quick stop.
2. Tanners Orchard (Deer Creek, IL)
Just outside Peoria, Tanners Orchard has built a reputation for serious apple lovers. With 17 different varieties spread across roughly 11,000 U-pick trees, choosing your favorite is half the fun.
Whether you crave something tart and crunchy or sweet and juicy, there is a good chance you will find it here. The sheer variety means you could visit twice and taste completely different apples.
Picking runs from September through October, hitting the sweet spot of prime harvest weather. It is a premium experience that keeps folks coming back season after season.
3. All Seasons Orchard (Woodstock, IL)
Northern Illinois has plenty of orchards, but few can match the scale of All Seasons Orchard in Woodstock. With over 16,000 apple trees and more than a dozen varieties, it ranks among the biggest U-pick spots in the region.
That size means longer picking windows and lots of room to spread out. The season stretches all the way from late August into early November, so there is no rush to squeeze in your visit.
If you like having options and hate feeling crowded, this place delivers on both counts. Fill a bag once and you will understand why so many families make it a yearly tradition.
4. Kuipers Family Farm (Maple Park, IL)
Spread over 230 acres, Kuipers Family Farm gives visitors plenty of ground to cover during picking season. The apple orchard is only part of the draw here.
U-pick apples tie right into the farm’s Blooms and Bushels Festival, a lively celebration that usually runs from late August through mid-September. That means your picking trip can double as a full day of festival fun.
Between the sprawling acreage and the festive energy, Maple Park makes for a memorable outing. Bring the whole crew and plan to stay awhile.
5. Goebbert’s Farm & Apple Orchard (Pingree Grove, IL)
Weekend crowds got you down? Goebbert’s Farm and Apple Orchard in Pingree Grove keeps its gates open seven days a week during the season.
That flexibility is a big deal for anyone whose schedule does not line up with the usual Saturday rush. You can swing by on a quiet Tuesday morning and enjoy the trees at your own pace.
Being able to pick any day of the week makes this orchard a favorite for planners and last-minute wanderers alike. Fewer crowds often mean better picking too.
6. Jonamac Orchard (Malta, IL)
Variety hunters, take note. Jonamac Orchard in Malta offers over 20 different kinds of apples for U-pick, which is a jaw-dropping lineup for one farm.
Picking typically starts on Labor Day and keeps going as long as apples hold out on the trees. That gives you a nice long window to sample the different flavors as they ripen.
With so many varieties in one place, it is easy to turn a simple picking trip into a tasting tour. You might just discover a new favorite apple you never knew existed.
7. Keller’s Farmstand (Oswego, IL)
Straight from the branch to your hand, that is the appeal at Keller’s Farmstand in Oswego. Their location lets visitors pick apples directly off the trees rather than sorting through bins.
The picking window opens in late August and runs until late October, or as long as supplies last. Timing your visit early in that stretch usually means the best selection.
There is something satisfying about plucking your own apple and knowing exactly where it came from. Keller’s keeps that hands-on experience front and center.
8. Stade’s Farm & Market (McHenry, IL)
Bring your appetite and your picking bag to Stade’s Farm and Market in McHenry. The orchard grows nearly 20 varieties of U-pick apples, so choosing gets pleasantly complicated.
One handy perk is the range of bag sizes available, letting you decide just how many apples you want to haul home. Small snack run or a big baking project, they have you covered.
The mix of variety and flexible portions makes it easy to tailor your trip. Whether you are feeding a crowd or just yourself, Stade’s fits the bill.
9. Heinz Orchard (Green Oaks, IL)
Not every orchard needs bells and whistles to win you over. Heinz Orchard in Green Oaks is a family-run operation that keeps things refreshingly simple.
The focus here is squarely on apple picking, with a no-frills approach that lets the fruit be the star. If you skip the corn mazes and petting zoos and just want great apples, this is your kind of place.
Season usually gets going in September, when the trees are heavy and ready. Come for a quiet, honest picking experience without the extra fuss.
10. Rendleman Orchards (Alto Pass, IL)
Down in southern Illinois, Rendleman Orchards offers something the others cannot match: a setting tucked right into the Shawnee National Forest. The scenery alone is worth the drive.
Rolling hills and forest views turn a simple apple run into a mini getaway. You get a good selection of apples for picking, all framed by some of the prettiest country in the state.
Picking runs from August through October, lining up nicely with fall road-trip season. For folks who want beauty with their bushel, Alto Pass is a hidden gem.