Pick A Bushel Of Washington Apples At These 10 Orchards
A whole apple orchard in Washington sits inside a public city park, and walking in costs exactly nothing. It even has a life-sized horse statue standing near the trees.
That one detail sent me down a delicious rabbit hole. I turned up a fifth-generation farm with more than 50 acres of U-pick fields, plus a hilltop stand known for apple cider donuts in the fall.
I love how different each orchard trip can feel. One farm pairs your apples with a giant corn maze, while another keeps it simple with quiet rows and a picking bag.
Grocery store apples never come with a story attached, and these trips send you home with one. So grab a basket, round up the crew, and tell me something.
Which corner of the state are you heading to first?
1. Bailey Farm
Five generations of one family have worked this Snohomish ground, and they still let you do the picking. That’s a pretty generous handoff for a farm with more than 50 acres of U-pick fruit and vegetables.
Apples earn the farm its spot on this list, but they’re far from the only thing growing. You can fill a bag in the orchard, wander over to the pumpkin patch, and then raid the vegetable rows for dinner.
The season stretches from June through October, so this isn’t just a fall fling. Summer brings one lineup of crops, while autumn pushes the apples and pumpkins into the spotlight.
Families often treat a trip here as an outing with a side of learning. Kids see exactly where food comes from, which might make carrots a little more convincing at home.
The staff have a friendly reputation, and the views around the fields add plenty of scenery. Bring your phone, because the backdrop makes fall photos almost too easy.
Hours run from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily during the season. That gives you time for a lazy breakfast before heading out to the valley.
Free parking is part of the setup, which helps keep the day budget friendly. Save your cash for a few extra pounds of apples instead.
Address: 12629 Springhetti Rd, Snohomish, WA 98296
2. Jones Creek Farms
Bragging rights don’t get much better than being called the longest-running established U-pick in Western Washington. This Skagit Valley farm wears that title well, and it backs it up with a serious apple collection.
Over a hundred heirloom varieties grow here, many of them flavors you’ll never spot in a supermarket bin. Think of it as an apple tasting flight, minus the fancy glasses.
Overwhelmed by choice? Don’t be, because the trees you’re welcome to pick from are clearly marked, and the grounds are easy to navigate.
Asian pears join the party too, along with squash and pumpkins as fall rolls in. The farm leans on sustainable practices, so your haul comes with a side of good conscience.
Your wallet gets a break here as well. There’s no entry or parking fee, and the apple and pear U-pick prices are known for being fair.
The schedule is a little quirky, so plan ahead. The farm opens Friday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and stays closed Tuesday through Thursday.
One more tip before you hit the road to Sedro-Woolley. The farm asks U-pick fans to check its website first, since picking conditions shift as varieties ripen.
Address: 32260 Burrese Rd, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
3. Curran Apple Orchard Park
A free orchard with a life-sized horse statue sounds like something out of a picture book. University Place made it real, and you can stroll in without paying a dime.
Dozens of apple trees fill this community park, and they’re kept in beautiful shape. When the season arrives, plenty of branches hang ready for picking.
Curious kids will find an apple-themed educational area with exhibits about the fruit. It’s a sneaky way to turn an afternoon snack into a mini science lesson.
Summer brings family-friendly concerts, with bands playing from a small shelter among the trees. Then fall rolls around, and the park hosts an apple festival to celebrate the harvest.
Picnic tables make it easy to turn your visit into a full lunch outing. A playground keeps little legs busy, and dogs are allowed, so the family pup can tag along.
The park opens daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., giving you lots of flexibility. Weekend mornings and afternoons tend to be the busiest, while weekday evenings run much quieter.
For budget-minded Washington families, this one is tough to beat. Pack sandwiches, bring a bag, and enjoy an orchard day that costs nothing at the gate.
Address: 3920 Grandview Dr W, University Place, WA 98466
4. Thompson’s Farm
Pumpkin donuts and a corn maze might steal the show, but the orchard holds its own just fine. Out in Naches, this family-run farm serves up a big helping of Yakima Valley abundance.
The U-pick calendar reads like a fruit parade. Cherries and apricots arrive first, peaches follow, and apples and pears close out the season at their peak.
Fall is when things get extra lively. A festive pumpkin patch opens up, and the corn maze gives kids and adults a reason to get happily lost.
Those fresh-made pumpkin donuts deserve a mention too. Grab one after a round of picking, and call it a well-earned reward.
Just a few blocks from the farm, a well-stocked gift shop offers unique finds and seasonal treats. The market there runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, June 1 through October 31.
U-pick hours work differently, since the farm opens seasonally for picking. Weekends are the usual window, so check the farm’s website for what’s ripe before you drive over.
Apple picking here suits grown-ups as much as kids, which makes it an easy multigenerational outing. Grandparents, toddlers, and teens can each find something to enjoy.
Address: 9535 Old Naches Hwy, Naches, WA 98937
5. Cherry Shack Orchards
Don’t let the name trick you into thinking cherries are the whole story. Up on Green Bluff, this family-owned stand also grows apples you can pick straight off the trees.
Spokane folks have been shopping here since 2008. The family grows its own produce and runs a second orchard nearby called Smith’s Hilltop Orchard.
The U-pick menu is wonderfully long. Apples share the spotlight with pears, peaches, plums, apricots, tomatoes, potatoes, corn, peppers, and squash.
Pressed for time? Already-picked fruit and vegetables are on hand too, so you can grab a box and go.
Fall adds the fun stuff. Pumpkins, gourds, apple cider, and apple cider donuts show up, which might be the tastiest reason to visit in October.
Gorgeous produce and fair prices are a big part of the stand’s appeal. That makes it a smart stop if you’re stocking up for pies, sauce, or school lunches.
Hours are limited, so plan your trip carefully. The stand opens Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closes Monday through Thursday.
Free parking keeps things easy once you arrive. Then you can spend your budget on apples and maybe a second donut.
Address: 8709 E Greenbluff Rd, Colbert, WA 99005
6. Hidden Acres Orchards LLC
Calling yourself the sweetest farm on Green Bluff takes some confidence. Four generations of farming in Mead suggest this family has earned a little swagger.
The U-pick fields here stretch out wide. Apples lead the lineup, with peaches, pears, cherries, and squash also in the mix as the seasons change.
Flowers are a lovely bonus, too. Picking a bouquet next to your apple bag turns an ordinary farm run into something worth photographing.
Pumpkins take over the fields in the fall. That makes this a handy one-stop trip for porch decorations and pie supplies.
Pricing is refreshingly simple, with U-pick apples sold by the pound. You pay for what you pick, so a small bag can keep the day affordable.
The farm welcomes visitors daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. That steady schedule is a relief if your weekends are already packed.
Free parking is available on site and along the street. Green Bluff has several farms close together, so you could easily turn this into a two-orchard afternoon.
Fair warning: you’re on a working farm, so earthy smells come with the territory. Consider it part of the authentic Washington country experience.
Address: 16802 N Applewood Ln, Mead, WA 99021
7. Sm’Apples Orchard
Akane, Ruby Mac, Lady in Red, and Triumph sound like a lineup of indie bands. They’re actually apple varieties, and you can pick them in Ferndale.
This little Whatcom County orchard keeps its focus on one thing: the apples. No giant attractions, just rows of trees and a chance to fill your bag.
Familiar favorites grow here too, including Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Fuji, and Cosmic Crisp. Red Gravenstein rounds out the list for folks who love an old-school pie apple.
The selection rotates as different varieties ripen through the season. A September trip could look very different from a late October one.
Thirsty after picking? Fresh apple cider is sold by the gallon or half-gallon, so you can bring home a taste for the whole crew.
Here’s a practical heads-up worth remembering. The orchard takes cash or check only, and bringing your own bags or boxes is a smart move.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sundays are closed, so save this one for a weekday or Saturday adventure.
With plenty of fans calling these some of the best apples in the county, the simple approach clearly works. Sometimes a cute little orchard is all you need.
Address: 1197 Willeys Lake Rd, Ferndale, WA 98248
8. Swans Trail Farms
Picture-perfect? Try a corn maze shaped like the state of Washington.
That’s the kind of playful energy you’ll find along the Snohomish River.
The orchard covers about five acres and holds roughly 4,000 apple trees. Four varieties grow here, and the branches are known for hanging heavy with fruit.
Cosmic Crisp is a standout favorite among pickers. The apples tend to come in big, so a single bag fills faster than you’d expect.
Once your bag is full, the rest of the farm awaits. A huge pumpkin patch and that famous maze can easily stretch your visit into a full day.
Little ones will find plenty to keep them grinning. The farm has long been known for its petting farm, wagon rides, and duck races during the fall season.
Weekend visitors get bonus time, since the farm stays open until 9:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Weekdays run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free on-site parking makes arrival easy, even with a car full of kids. Just leave room in the trunk for apples and at least one oversized pumpkin.
For an autumn outing that hits every classic fall note, this farm delivers. It’s the kind of day that ends up in the family photo album.
Address: 7301 Rivershore Rd, Snohomish, WA 98290
9. Chelan Valley Farms
Room to roam is a real promise here, spread across 20 acres in Manson. Add lake and mountain views, and apple picking starts to feel like a mini vacation.
The farm overlooks Roses Lake with the Cascades rising beyond. It’s a stunning backdrop for a basket of fresh fruit.
U-pick apples usually start in early September and run through October. Varieties include Sweet Maia, Gala, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Cosmic Crisp, and EverCrisp.
Fruit isn’t the only thing you can snip. U-pick flowers bloom here too, and a fall pumpkin patch rounds out the harvest season.
Kids get a treat beyond the trees. Farm animals live on the property, giving young visitors something fun to watch between picking sessions.
The farm follows regenerative growing methods, which adds a thoughtful layer to your harvest. Farm-fresh eggs are another nice thing to bring home.
Want to stay longer than an afternoon? A guest house on the property is available to rent, so you could wake up right next to the orchard.
Hours run Wednesday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m. On weekends, the gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 5 p.m., with Monday and Tuesday closed.
Address: 2389 Green Ave, Manson, WA 98831
10. Chelan Ranch
SweeTango fans, consider this your sign to head toward Lake Chelan. The ranch grows organic fruit, and that crunchy, sweet apple is a picking favorite.
SweeTango has quite the pedigree, since it’s a Honeycrisp offspring bred at the University of Minnesota. It’s prized for a big crunch and a sweet, zesty bite.
Everything here leans organic, grown in the orchards and fields of central Washington. That’s welcome news if you like to snack straight from the branch.
Apples aren’t the only crop worth your basket. Blueberries also draw pickers, so you might leave with a bag of each.
The Lake Chelan area makes the drive part of the fun. Dry hills, orchards, and lake views line the region, which turns a fruit run into a scenic road trip.
Planning matters with a smaller farm like this one. Ripeness shifts through the season, so check ahead before you load the car.
Pair your visit with other orchard stops around the valley for a full harvest day. With Chelan Valley Farms nearby in Manson, a two-farm loop is easy.
As a finale for this list, it’s a sweet one. Crisp organic apples and a gorgeous corner of Washington make a pretty great way to wrap up the season.
Address: 90 Chelan Ranch Rd, Chelan, WA 98816