Harvest Time in Minnesota: Top Apple Picking Spots
One of Minnesota’s most beloved autumn traditions is loading up the car (SUV, minivan, etc.) and heading to an orchard to pick your apples. The cool autumn air, the bursting autumn leaves, and the sweet smell of apples lure Minnesotans by the thousands. Here are some of our favorite spots to pick fall fruit from the tree.
Apple Jack Orchards, Delano, MN
Apple Jack Orchards, tucked into a meander on the North Fork of the Crow River, has won several Minnesota “Best of” nods and is easily one of the state’s more beautiful orchards. Beyond pick-your-own apples, you can hop on a wagon ride, fire the apple cannon, or get lost in the orchard’s corn maze.
Sekapp Orchard, Rochester, MN
Rochester folks looking for a fresh apple fix ought to head out to Sekapp Orchard. Apart from their dozens of varieties of vegetables, they also open their orchards to you for picking during apple season. All you need to do is buy a bag or two and fill it up with crisp, delicious fruit. Enjoy a wagon ride during your day at the orchard.
Jacobson's Pine Tree Apple Orchard, White Bear Lake, MN
Another gorgeous orchard, this one in the East Metro, is the intriguingly named Pine Tree Apple Orchard. With trails, forested hills, and frontage on Pine Tree Lake, the orchard is an awesome place to hike and enjoy some fall foliage, as well as pick your own apples.
Afton Apple Orchard, Hastings, MN
With a bluff-top location and views of the St. Croix River valley, Afton Apple Orchard is one of the prettiest apple orchards you’ll find in Minnesota. Take a scenic hayride and pick your apples while enjoying a steaming cup of the orchard’s delicious cider.
Pleasant Valley Orchard, Shafer, MN
A gorgeous orchard near the St. Croix River, Pleasant Valley offers more than a dozen varieties for the picking, including the Minnesota-born-and-grown Honeycrisp. In addition to apple picking, you can take a hayride, enjoy the vendor fair, or partake in the old-fashioned pie social.
Aamodt’s Apple Farm, Stillwater, MN
One of the most popular orchards in the Twin Cities area, Aamodt’s Apple Farm offers dozens of apple varieties from all seasons, including summer, fall, winter, and even crab apples. In addition to apple picking, you can enjoy a hard cider or even a hot air balloon ride over the gorgeous St. Croix River Valley.
Gilby’s Orchard, Aitkin, MN
Every year, during their harvest an Apple Fest, Gilby’s opens its orchards to the public and hosts concessions, pony and carriage rides, a petting zoo, as well as arts and crafts vendors. Come out while the orchard is open and choose your own apples from more than a dozen varieties.
Whistling Well Farm, Hastings, MN
More than just an orchard, Whistling Well Farm is a working farm that opens its grounds during apple-picking season. You can choose from an impressive variety of apples to pick. Pick a bunch of one kind or mix and match as you please. Bring a picnic lunch or pick up a snack from the farm store.
Sponsel’s Minnesota Harvest, Jordan, MN
For an authentic apple-picking experience that feels almost as if you’re in a vineyard, head to Sponsel’s Minnesota Harvest in the Minnesota River Valley. The main buildings are covered with vines and smell of pressed cider. From the business end of the orchard, take a wagon out to the blufftop apple trees and pick until your bags are full.
