Prime apple picking season is from September to early October. In the Rochester, Minnesota, area, there are plenty of apple orchards and produce farms open to the public for apple picking, shopping, and tours. If you’re looking for a fun outdoor activity in the fall, apple picking is a great choice whether you’re looking for a peaceful solo activity or a family-friendly trip.
Apple Orchards to Explore in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, and nearby communities are home to lots of apple orchards that have a wide variety of apples, berries, and more for people to pick and take home. Some of the most popular apple orchards in the area include the following.
Sekapp Orchard
Sekapp Orchard is an easily accessible orchard right in Rochester, so locals won’t have to travel far to get there. The property includes an apple orchard and a pumpkin patch, with apple picking available through the end of October. Visitors can come by between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. every day for pictures, produce picking, and other fun activities. The orchard also produces and sells fresh honey.
Wescott Orchard & Agri Products
Wescott Orchard has been serving the local community for over 72 years. Their mission is to establish sustainable, ecologically conscious farming practices that encourage responsible growing and pollinating.
Visitors are welcome to pick apples and other seasonal produce. The staff also offers educational resources so visitors can learn more about bees and natural farming practices. The orchard is open throughout September and October from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. On the farm, you can find some favorites like First Kiss apples and Honeycrisp apples.
Pine Tree Apple Orchard
At Pine Tree Apple Orchard, visitors can pick and keep their own apples, pumpkins, and berries when the produce is in season. Their apple picking season starts in the middle of August and extends through March. The orchard grows its produce with natural, safe farming practices.
Pine Tree also has a shop full of boutique goods, food, and gifts. The bakery offers both frozen and fresh fruit pies, apple pastries, and mincemeat pies. Visitors can also enjoy caramel apples, apple cider, preserves, and more. If you’re in the mood for something more active, the orchard hosts fun events with pony rides, a corn maze, and wagon rides. Pine Tree Apple Orchard is in White Bear Lake, just slightly outside of Rochester, and they offer fun seasonal events and picking opportunities all year long. Call ahead to double-check their hours, availability, and social distancing requirements.
Pepin Heights Orchard, Inc.
Find Pazazz apples, Honeycrisp apples, McIntosh apples, First Kiss apples, and other sweet, tasty varieties of apple at Pepin Heights Orchard. They’ve been a farmer-friendly apple orchard for over 30 years. They also link family farmers with local markets to keep apple farming local, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.
Preston Apple & Berry Farm
Visitors are welcome at this apple and berry farm every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except on Mondays. Also called Blossom Hill Orchard & Farm, this farm has berries, an apple orchard, and a pumpkin patch. They’re open to the public from late August through the end of October for u-picking fun and peaceful walks throughout the apple orchard. The property produces over 30 different types of apples through sustainable farming practices. While the farm is most famous for its delicious apples, visitors can also enjoy a wide selection of fruits and vegetables.
When you stop by, be sure to browse their on-site shop for freshly made baked goods and treats. You can find pies, caramel apples, pastries, preserve, salsas, brownies, and more. They keep hives of bees on the farm to both pollinate the fruit and vegetable plants and produce fresh honey. The store even offers gifts and novelties such as candles, handmade soap, and artisan cutting boards.
If you want to take a little bit of farming home with you, the orchard and farm also have a greenhouse. Buy flowers, young vegetable plants, organic soil, and everything you need to grow tasty produce in your own backyard.
Northwoods Orchard and Berry Farm
The Northwoods Orchard and Berry Farm is open for harvest season this year through November 1. Visitors can safely enjoy modified corn mazes, walks through the apple orchard, and pictures in the pumpkin patch. If you love farm animals, you can also stop by their animal area to see the goats.
Their store is overflowing with freshly harvested apples to satisfy any of your cravings for apple pies, caramel apples, or other baked goods. Their on-site shop also has freshly made donuts and caramel apples you can purchase and enjoy as you stroll through nature.
Ecker’s Apple Farm
Stop by Ecker’s Apple Farm for fresh apple harvests, the on-site beer garden called Hog’s Back Brew Farm, and a fun orchard market with caramel apples, baked goods, and specialty foods. They’re even experimenting with freshly made fudge this year, so stop by for a fresh chocolatey treat!
Their shop has fresh honey, soup mixes, and hearty fall treats so you can load up your pantry. With apple season running from September to November, all visitors can enjoy novelty caramel apples, apple pies and turnovers, and more.
Whether you want to buy freshly picked apples or enjoy apple picking for yourself, you won’t want to miss this farm with over 20 types of apples.
Turkey Hill Orchard
Turkey Hill Orchard has fresh seasonal produce and farm fresh eggs for visitors who love freshly made and sustainable food goods. Their selection includes pears, plums, and apples.
Is the autumn weather putting you in the perfect mood for apple picking? If so, we hope to see you around the community as we join in the seasonal fun! Let us know if we missed any of the top apple picking farms in the area or if you think there are berry picking and farm-fresh adventures in town that we should explore. We’ll be sure to add it to our list of harvest attractions.
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