Vermont Apple Picking Orchards: A Guide to the Best
The Green Mountain State is home to some of the most lush and beautiful apple orchards. So when fall rolls around and you’re looking to bake up a sweet apple pie, sip on some cider, or simply take a bite of a farm-fresh apple, head over to one of Vermont’s expansive orchards. While you and your family are picking, you’ll also be afforded some stunning views. Here are the best apple-picking spots in the state.
Green Mountain Orchards, Putney, VT
Most autumn days you can come on down to Green Mountain Orchards for some apple pie and warm, fresh cider doughnuts, and hand-pressed sweet apple cider. The cider is so fresh, you can drink it unpasteurized, or maybe you will want to peruse the store for house made jams and butter, as well as quality cheese and maple products. You-pick apples and berries are in full swing too.
Mad Tom Orchard, East Dorset, VT
Planted in 1940 by the Parsons family, restoration on the orchard began in the late 1990s and now features 100 original McIntosh and Cortland trees. Additionally, 1,200 new trees complete eight acres of production. Enjoy pick-your-own apples, cherries, and raspberries, as well as mountain views and fresh-pressed cider.
Hacketts Orchard, South Hero, VT
Hacketts is a family-owned and operated farm on 50 acres established in 1967. It features 47 varieties of apples, fresh cider doughnuts, apple cider, vegetables, pumpkins, Vermont maple syrup, local honey, and more. Enjoy a picnic and play area, fall wagon rides, orchard tours, and u-pick. Also, don’t miss frozen cider and frozen apple crisp or community events, like the local Easter Egg Hunt in the spring.
Happy Valley Orchard, Middlebury, VT
Happy Valley is an orchard, a specialty grocery store, farm stand, and a bakery all in one. Come pick McIntosh, Empire, Cortland, Gala, and heirloom varieties, such as Northern Spy, Keepsake, Spitzenburg, Russet, Vermont Gold, and Rhode Island Greening. And don’t forget about the famous cider doughnuts made fresh daily, the fresh-pressed cider, or the produce from local growers.
Wellwood Orchards, Springfield, VT
In business for over 50 years, Wellwood Orchards is a family-owned and operated farm that features wagon rides and pick-your-own apples. Find strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, plums, pumpkins, and more, or enjoy many fresh-baked items from the country store. Also, don’t forget the camera because this hilltop orchard offers panoramic views.
Burtt’s Orchard, Cabot, VT
Burtt’s packs over 40 varieties at their orchard, but this little apple plot may be worth a look if you are in the Montpelier area. That is because Burtt’s features many varieties that other larger orchards do not, like Northern Spy, St. Edmund's Russet, Pixie Crunch, Ashmead's Kernel, Binet Rouge, Summer Mac, Summer Rambo, Cox's Orange Pippin, William's Pride, Blue Pearmain, Winter Banana, Jonagold and more.
Champlain Orchards, Shoreham, VT
Self-proclaimed as one of Vermont's oldest continuously operating orchards, Champlain Orchards grows 100 types of apples, peaches, cherries, nectarines, and berries. Careful to minimize their carbon footprint for maximum sustainability, they follow Eco Apple guidelines and are certified Organic by Vermont Organic Farmers (VOF). The farm is also electrically solar-powered, supporting its sustainability mission.
Scott Farm Orchard, Dummerston, VT
The Scott Farm is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been in active cultivation since 1791. The first apple orchard on the 571-acre farm was established in 1911 and is now owned by the Landmark Trust USA. The Scott Farm now utilizes “ecologically grown” practices and boasts over 120 varieties of heirloom apples, plums, blueberries, peaches, pears, medlars, and apricots.
Chapin Orchard, Essex Junction, VT
Situated just 20 minutes from Burlington, Essex Junction’s Chapin Orchard is a wonderfully family-friendly location to pick fresh apples for the season. Chapin is open seven days a week from early September through October. Available apples include Cortland, Empire, Macoun, Golden Rusett, Northern Spy, and much more!
Shelburne Orchards, Shelburne, VT
You can pick your apples, sour cherries, peaches, and table grapes at Shelburne Orchards. The Paula Reds, McIntosh, Cortland, Empire, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Gala, and more will ripen at different times. Also, don’t miss cider doughnuts and the Tractor Petting Zoo!
