This Colorado Restaurant Tucked Inside An Apple Orchard Is A Fall Must-Visit

Giant tree swings sway beside a café serving their own apple juice. That’s my kind of lunch stop.

The orchard around it stretches across 30 organic acres in a western Colorado valley packed with farms. Big B’s has no U-pick tree fruit available in fall 2026 because of a damaging April freeze, although its organic vegetable garden remains active.

I like how the food here keeps pace with all that pretty scenery. Burgers, smoked pulled pork, Mexican-inspired dishes, crisp salads, and ice cream all have a place at this laid-back café.

It’s the kind of Colorado lunch stop I’d happily turn into an entire afternoon.

On music nights, free live performances fill the outdoor stage, and campsites sit right among the fruit trees. I can’t imagine a better way to spend a crisp autumn evening with apple trees all around you, can you?

The Story Started With Rows Of Trees Planted Back In 1965

Back in 1965, a man named Bob Kokes planted the trees that would grow into Big B’s Delicious Orchards – Café & Tasting Room. Those first rows have had plenty of time to settle into the Colorado soil since then.

Bernie Heideman started Big B’s Fruit Company in 1973, independently of the orchard Bob Kokes planted in 1965. The orchard became part of Big B’s in 2006.

Today the property covers 30 organic acres. That’s a lot of room for trees, gardens, picnic tables, and a whole lot of wandering.

I love that the café grew out of the orchard, not the other way around. The fruit came first, and everything else followed the harvest.

Fun fact for your next road trip quiz: the juice company is older than plenty of the folks who drink it. Over fifty years of pressing apples is a serious commitment to one fruit.

So when you sit down for lunch here, you’re eating in a spot with deep roots. Literally.

Those trees have been doing their job for decades, and they still look ready for more.

Grab A Basket Because The Fruit Is Waiting For You

Picking your own apples beats grabbing a bag at the grocery store by a mile. Big B’s normally offers U-pick fruit, but tree-fruit picking is unavailable in 2026 because of spring freeze damage.

Apples and pears are the stars once autumn arrives. Raspberries and tomatoes also show up on the U-pick list, depending on the season.

The fields usually open in early June and run through October. Although fall is normally a popular time for apple and pear picking, neither is available for U-pick at Big B’s in 2026.

A quick tip from a fellow fruit lover: crops depend on the weather and the calendar. Checking what’s ripe before you drive out can save you from staring at empty branches.

Kids tend to treat U-pick like a treasure hunt, and honestly, so do grown-ups. There’s real pride in carrying home a basket you filled yourself.

Everything grows in an organic orchard, so you can feel good about snacking on the walk back. Just maybe save a few for the car ride home.

Your apple pie plans will thank you later, and so will anyone waiting in your kitchen.

Lunch Here Covers A Surprising Amount Of Ground

Smoked BBQ and fresh Mexican food on the same menu? That’s a combo worth the drive by itself.

The café at Big B’s Delicious Orchards – Café & Tasting Room keeps things varied. You’ll find burgers, smoked BBQ, fresh Mexican dishes, crisp salads, and hearty sandwiches.

That mix makes group trips much easier. One person wants a burger, another wants something green, and nobody has to compromise.

Dessert keeps it simple with ice cream cones. After an afternoon of picking apples, a cold cone feels like a well-earned reward.

The dining setup is a laid-back courtyard, so meals happen outside under the open Colorado sky. It feels more like a backyard picnic than a stiff sit-down restaurant.

The café opens for lunch and stays open into the evening during the season. That makes it easy to stop by for a midday meal or stick around for dinner.

My advice? Pair your plate with one of the house juices.

Eating BBQ next to the trees that made your drink is a pretty great way to spend an afternoon.

Your Juice Glass Is About To Get A Serious Upgrade

Ginger Apple Juice. Cherry Apple Juice.

Peach Apricot Apple Juice. The list reads like a fruit stand decided to throw a party.

Big B’s has been crafting organic juices and ciders since 1973. Everything comes from real, fresh-pressed fruit, using a blend of sweet and tart apples.

Fall fans should look for the Fall Harvest Apple Cider and the Honeycrisp Apple Cider. The Cold Pressed Apple Cider is another option for purists who want straight-up apple flavor.

The process matters here too. Big B’s presses apples in small batches and uses UV treatment for its Cold Pressed Apple Cider, while its other juice products undergo thermal pasteurization.

Lemonade lovers get their own lineup. Choices include Orchard Recipe Lemonade, Lavender Lemonade, Hibiscus Pomegranate Lemonade, and Matcha Mint Lemonade.

There’s even a lemonade and iced tea blend called the Bernie Palmer. I see what they did there, and I approve of the nod to one of the founders.

Trying just one flavor feels almost impossible. Bring a friend so you can swap sips, compare notes, and argue about which bottle deserves the top spot on your list.

Those Tree Swings Are Not Just For The Kids

Large tree swings hang right on the property, and nobody checks your age at the rope. Go ahead and act like you’re ten again.

Big B’s Delicious Orchards – Café & Tasting Room treats play time as part of the visit. The 30 acres give everyone plenty of room to roam between meals.

Pond paddling is another option for anyone who wants a little water time. It’s a relaxing break after a busy morning of fruit picking.

Families will appreciate how much space there is to burn off energy. Kids can swing, explore, and wander while the adults finish their lunch nearby.

The courtyard even offers WiFi access. So if someone in your group needs to check messages, they can do it without leaving the fun behind.

I think this is where the place really wins people over. A restaurant with a view is nice, but a restaurant with giant swings is memorable.

Bring comfy shoes and maybe a change of clothes for little ones. Between the pond, the swings, and the orchard paths, someone is bound to get a bit messy.

Weekend Nights Come With A Free Soundtrack

Free concerts in an orchard on a Friday night sound almost too good to be true. Yet that’s exactly what the Courtyard Stage delivers.

Big B’s hosts free live music on Friday and Saturday nights. The Friday Nights Live series and the Saturday Sessions concerts both run from May through October.

That schedule means early fall still has music on the calendar. A cool October evening with a band playing sounds like a pretty perfect plan.

Here’s a feel-good bonus. The parking fee for Friday Nights Live goes entirely to a local nonprofit, so your parking spot helps the community.

Don’t feel like driving? A free shuttle runs from nearby Paonia for those Friday shows, which takes the parking puzzle off your plate.

I like how the music turns a quick meal into a whole evening. You can grab dinner from the café, find a table, and let the night unfold.

Pack a light jacket for autumn concerts. Colorado evenings cool off fast once the sun drops behind the mountains, and you’ll want to stay for the last song.

Mark Your Calendar For Three Days Of Apple-Filled Fun

CiderFest took place at Big B’s from October 9 through 11, 2026, featuring live music, food, and family activities.

The festival packs three days with free live music. Vendors and a farmers market fill the grounds, so there’s plenty to browse between sets.

Food lovers get barbecue and a pig roast. That’s a hearty lineup for a chilly autumn weekend in the mountains.

Families aren’t left out either. Kids activities are part of the plan, and a costume contest adds some early Halloween spirit.

Got a competitive streak? The cornhole contest is your chance to prove those backyard practice sessions were worth it.

CiderFest isn’t the only event on the property. Big B’s also hosts HESTIVAL, so the orchard stays busy with more than just fruit picking.

I’d suggest planning early if you want to camp during the festival. A big weekend like this can make campsites a hot item.

Honestly, a harvest festival in an actual orchard just makes sense. The setting does half the decorating before anyone hangs a single banner.

Sleep Under The Apple Trees And Skip The Drive Home

Campsites spread throughout the orchard itself. Waking up surrounded by fruit trees beats a hotel parking lot any day.

The campground handles a range of setups. Tents, small campervans, pop-up trailers, and larger RVs can all find a spot.

Comfort basics are covered too. Showers, restrooms, and an on-site dump station are available, and many sites come with fire rings.

A crackling fire on a fall night in Colorado? That’s the kind of evening people talk about for years.

The campground has a lively reputation, especially on music nights. If you want to fall asleep early, that’s something to keep in mind.

On the flip side, staying overnight means you can enjoy a concert and simply stroll back to your site. No car keys or long drives required.

Camping gives visitors more time to enjoy the orchard, although tree-fruit U-pick is unavailable in 2026. There is no tree-fruit U-pick at Big B’s in 2026, but visitors can still explore the orchard and enjoy its other activities.

My tip is to pack warm layers for autumn. Mountain valley nights cool down quickly once the sun disappears.

Getting There Puts You In Colorado’s Organic Farm Country

The North Fork Valley has the highest concentration of organic farms and orchards in Colorado. Big B’s sits right in the middle of all that growing goodness.

You’ll find Big B’s Delicious Orchards – Café & Tasting Room at 39126 Highway 133, Hotchkiss, CO 81419. It’s about a mile west of Paonia along the highway.

The drive itself is a treat in autumn. Farms and orchards line the valley, and the Rocky Mountains frame the whole scene.

Before you leave, swing through the on-site farm store. It sells Big B’s juices, local produce, and Colorado-made gifts.

That store is a smart stop for souvenirs. A bottle of juice or a bag of local produce lasts longer than a photo, and it tastes better too.

Timing matters, since the orchard operates seasonally from April through November. Fall falls right inside that window, which makes it a great time to visit.

So load up the car and point it toward the valley. Between the fruit, the food, the swings, and the music, you’ve got a full day planned.