Pick-Your-Own Farms Near Boulder, Colorado Where A Small Budget Can Fill Your Basket

The name of this farm comes from what cowboys shout to get their horses moving. Giddy up, basically, and Percheron draft horses still share the property with mini donkeys, peacocks, turkeys, ducks, and chickens.

My favorite detail might be the apple cider donuts, made fresh every day at the farm stand. Admission to the farm and stand is free during open hours, which makes a tight budget feel roomier.

I like that this little Colorado orchard keeps things simple. Around 1,000 fruit trees fill just eight acres, and the land itself has been worked since way back in 1896.

So how far can a small budget stretch on a crisp fall day out here? Further than you’d guess, especially when fresh donuts, pick-your-own flowers, and a pair of very curious donkeys are all waiting.

Cowboys, Horses, And A Name That Means Get Moving

Every good farm name has a story, and this one starts with a horse command. YA YA Farm & Orchard takes its name from what cowboys say to tell a horse to giddy up.

That fits, because Percheron draft horses run all through this property’s history. The Goss family farmed this land with those big, steady animals for decades.

Percy Goss moved here in 1896 and began farming with his wife, Jennie. In 1934, they gifted their son Jim an apple orchard, which is a far better present than socks.

The Goss family relocated in 1979, and the orchard sat neglected for years afterward. Then new owners founded YA YA in November 2003 and brought fresh energy to the old ground.

U-Pick-It opened to the public in 2006. In Spring 2011, the farm finished turning a hay field into more apple orchard, which expanded things in a big way.

Today the property covers eight acres with roughly 1,000 fruit trees. Most are apples, though cherry, plum, pear, grapes, blackberries, and raspberries share the space too.

It’s still a small, family-run operation. That’s part of the charm, and it helps your dollars go further.

Free Entry Means Your Whole Budget Goes Straight To The Good Stuff

Here’s a pleasant surprise for anyone counting coins. There’s no admission fee to visit the farm or the farm stand during open hours.

That means you can wander in, say hello to the animals, and look around without paying a cent at the gate. Every dollar you bring can go toward food, fruit, or flowers.

The farm stand is where the shopping happens. Fresh-picked apples, apple cider, apple butter, honey, apple pies, and other local farm products fill the shelves when in season.

Bulk and utility grade apples may also show up, depending on how the season goes. Those can be a smart pick for baking, sauce, or anyone feeding a crowd at home.

Availability changes, so it’s best to email the farm before you count on them. The family recommends email over calls, since fall gets very busy.

Keep in mind that this is a seasonal working farm. Shelves reflect what the orchard produces that week, so stock can shift from one visit to the next.

Flexibility helps here. Show up with a loose shopping list, and you’ll probably leave with a bag that feels bigger than your spending suggests.

Good Luck Driving Home With A Full Bag Of Apple Cider Donuts

Apple cider donuts get made fresh daily at the farm stand. They may be the most famous snack on the whole property.

These are cake-style donuts, so don’t expect the light, airy kind from a chain shop. Think sturdier, cozier, and very much in the fall spirit.

Apple pies are another big draw at the stand. Early in the season, pies may need to be ordered ahead, so planning pays off.

Year-round snackers, take note. Apple pies and apple cider donuts can be preordered throughout the year, even when the farm stand is closed.

That’s handy for birthdays, holiday tables, or a random Tuesday that needs rescuing. Just reach out by email, since that’s the family’s preferred way to connect.

Pair your donuts with a jug of apple cider for a classic orchard combo. Apple butter and local honey make good take-home picks too, especially for toast fans.

On a small budget, a few treats can stretch across several breakfasts. Splitting a donut order with a friend also counts as smart money management, at least in my book.

Self-control on the ride home is a separate challenge. You’ve been warned.

Snag A U-Pick Spot Before Everyone Else Does

Reservations are the golden ticket for picking your own fruit at YA YA Farm & Orchard. U-Pick-It visits require a confirmed reservation ahead of time, so walk-up picking isn’t how this works.

Spots go fast, too. The 2026 U-Pick-It season is already sold out, which tells you how popular this orchard has become.

So what can you pick when a spot opens up? Apples, pears, cherries, and flowers are all part of the U-Pick lineup here.

Apples typically ripen from late July through mid-October. Pears usually follow in September and October, which lines up nicely with sweater weather.

Cherries arrive in early July, but supply is limited. First rights often go to orchard and CSA members, so don’t build your summer around them.

Weather plays a huge role, as it does on any Colorado farm. A tough growing season can shrink a harvest, so stay flexible with your expectations.

Check the farm’s announcements early for the next season’s reservation window. Setting a reminder now could save you some heartbreak later.

Missed out this year? The farm stand still sells fresh-picked apples, so your fruit bowl won’t go empty.

Cut Your Own Bouquet Without Booking A Thing

Flowers are the easy win at this farm. Unlike fruit picking, flower picking generally doesn’t need a reservation.

You can cut stems during farm stand hours from mid-August through the first frost, when blooms are available. That’s a long window for anyone who likes a little color on the kitchen table.

Store-bought bouquets can add up quickly. Picking your own lets you choose exactly what you want, stem by stem, and skip the plastic sleeve.

Kids may enjoy this part, since it feels like a small treasure hunt. Adults get a quiet moment in the garden, which is a bargain all by itself.

Timing matters a bit. Blooms depend on the season and the weather, so what’s growing in late August may look different by October.

Bring something to carry your stems home safely. A bucket or a damp towel in the car can help your bouquet survive the drive.

CSA members get a sweet perk here too. They can cut a fresh bouquet of flowers at each weekly pickup.

Once that first frost hits, the flower season closes for the year. Go early in fall if a farm-fresh bouquet is on your list.

The Donkeys Might Steal The Show From The Apples

Mini donkeys, giant horses, and strutting peacocks all live on this farm. That’s a pretty great lineup for a place that charges nothing at the gate.

The Percheron draft horses are the gentle giants of the bunch. They connect straight back to the farm’s roots and its giddy-up name.

Mini donkeys make a fun contrast standing near those huge horses. Visitors can see, and sometimes feed, the animals, so keep an eye out for chances to help with snack time.

Chickens, turkeys, ducks, and peacocks round out the barnyard crew. Spotting all of them could become a fun little scavenger game for younger kids.

Leave your dog at home for this trip. Pets aren’t allowed on the farm out of respect for the resident animals.

That rule keeps things calm for the critters who live here full time. It also means no surprise standoffs between a curious terrier and a turkey.

For families, animal time is one of the best budget-friendly parts of the visit. It costs nothing to say hello, and the memories last far longer than a snack.

Just follow any posted rules about feeding. The animals will thank you.

Pack A Lunch And Ride Around Like Farm Royalty

The farm has offered tractor-drawn hayrides on Saturdays and Sundays for a per-household fee, but availability for the 2026 season has not been confirmed. Big families, that’s your cue to smile.

Dates and availability can change, so check the farm’s website before planning around a ride. Weekends from mid-September through mid-October are the busiest stretch of the year.

Prefer to explore at your own pace? Self-guided tours of the orchard are available too.

Now for the real money saver. Picnic areas are on site, and visitors are welcome to bring their own lunch.

That one detail can save a family a surprising amount. Pack sandwiches, fruit, and water, then spend your budget on donuts and cider instead.

A picnic also slows the day down in a nice way. You get time to enjoy the mountain views instead of rushing back to the car.

Planning tip: pack a blanket and a trash bag. Leaving your spot cleaner than you found it keeps the farm happy for everyone.

Between the hayride, the walk, and a homemade lunch, this can easily fill a few hours. Not bad for a day that started with a cooler and a full tank of gas.

Watch For Red Flags, The Good Kind

Finding the entrance takes a little attention, since the drive is a bit hidden. The farm sits at 6914 Ute Highway, Longmont, CO 80503, on the south side of the road.

Coming west on Highway 66, go one mile past the intersection of 75th Street. Look for a lake, then a water treatment plant.

The farm is the second drive after that treatment plant. Red flags mark the entrance, which is the only time red flags are good news.

Parking can get tricky, especially on busy weekends from mid-September through mid-October. Carpooling is strongly encouraged, and parking on Highway 66 is not allowed.

Carpooling helps your budget too, since splitting gas with friends is a classic money move. Plus, someone else can hold the donut box.

October hours run Tuesday through Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM. Saturday and Sunday stretch from 8 AM to 4 PM, with Mondays closed.

November keeps things steady at 9 AM to 3 PM, Tuesday through Sunday. Mondays stay closed then too.

Want a calmer Colorado farm outing? Weekday afternoons are usually the quietest time to visit.

Save Room On The Calendar For Pumpkins, CSA Boxes, And More

One visit might not be enough once you see the event calendar. Gourd and Pumpkin Painting is a seasonal favorite, and it often sells out quickly.

Applefest celebrates the harvest in true orchard style. BooFest takes a grown-up turn as an adult-humored mystery dinner held outdoors in the orchard.

Teachers can book Johnny Appleseed School Tours from mid-August through November for Pre-K to 3rd graders. Kids get a walking tour, Johnny Appleseed history, honey bee hives, barnyard animals, and apple cider donuts.

Want a steady supply all season? The farm’s CSA program can include apricots, peaches, plums, grapes, berries, greens, carrots, winter squash, and more.

Each weekly share typically includes a gallon of fresh-pressed sweet apple cider and a pint of raw honey. Members can also cut a fresh bouquet at every pickup.

The farm practices natural and organic methods, though it isn’t certified organic. It also hosts weddings and corporate events for up to 150 guests with mountain views.

Colorado has plenty of farms, but few pack this much into eight acres. Your basket and your calendar may both fill up fast.