A complete list of our favorite Hudson Valley orchards

Fall is the time of year when families think of taking trips to sprawling farms filled with apples, so heavy that they bend the branches to which they grasp, as well as the taste of freshly made apple cider. There is hardly a person that does not imagine the toothy grin of a recently carved pumpkin, once the change in the air has begun. 

The crisp smell of hay from a child's hayride might also come to mind. That is the beauty of living in the Hudson Valley area. One can get the full experience of such a unique season that others are unfortunate not to be able to see. At the following locations, children and adults alike can witness (and take part in) the fun that accurately describes a "Hudson Valley Autumn." Enjoy!

And remember, Mother Nature is unpredictable so always call ahead to be sure of what varieties of produce are available.

Dutchess County

Barton Orchards, Visit the Midway - home to some of their most fun attractions like the Petting Zoo, the playground (open on festival weekends only), the Tap Room, The Farm Market and more. Pick your own apples from mid-August to November and pumpkins from late-September to mid-October. Sun. - Thur. 11am - 6pm, Fri. & Sat. 11am-9pm. July through November. 63 Apple Tree Ln., Poughquag. 845-227-2306.

Cedar Heights Orchards. They have many heirloom trees to pick from, as well as Galas, Cortlands, Jonamacs, Empires, Macouns, Red Delicious and many more. Some of the new varieties include Liberty, Gold Rush and Baldwin. Picking starts September 2. Saturdays, 9am-5pm. Just 3 miles from the Village of Rhinebeck. 8 Crosby Ln., Rhinebeck. 845-876-3231

Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farms Rd., Hopewell Junction. Open daily, 9am-6pm, year-round. Various fruits and vegetables. Pick your own apples and pumpkins from September to October. 845-897-4377. Must make reservations

Greig Farm, Greig’s features blackberries and raspberries in addition to apple and pumpkin picking from late August to late October. This farm also has an indoor market. Kids can feed the goats behind Gigi’s market and see the Koi fish behind Grandiflora Nursery. If it’s light enough to pick they’re happy to have you. Open 9am-5pm, 7 days a week. 223 Pitcher Ln., Red Hook. Open May to late Oct. 845-758-1234. 

Mead Orchards, This orchard is a great picnic spot with views of the Catskill Mountains. Along with apple picking and pumpkin picking late August through October. Pick-Your-Own peaches, apples, pumpkins. Farm Stand peaches, apples, pears, sweet corn, other veggies. You can also pick up other fall staples. Open weekends; 10am-4pm. 15 Scism Rd., Tivoli. 845-756-5641. 

Rose Hill Farm. Pick delicious apples plus peaches and blueberries. They also have a farm stand and Winery/Cidery. Apple picking late August to mid-November. Thur. & Fri., 2-7pm,  Sat. 11am-5pm. 19 Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook. 845-758-4215

Orange County 

Apple Ridge Orchards, Whether your family loves apple picking or pumpkin picking, Apple Ridge Orchards has a wonderful selection for you to choose from. Pick your own apples opens September 2 through November and pumpkins opens September 16 to November. Saturdays and Sundays from 9am-5pm. Now taking online reservations for group visits. 101 Jessup Rd., Warwick. 845-987-7717. No reservations required. Admission and PYO cash only. Farm Market accepts credit cards.

Apple Dave's Orchard (Formally known as Applewood), 82 Four Corners Rd., Warwick. Open Sat. & Sun. 11am-5pm. Apple picking starts September 3. Relax by the pond or take a stroll through the herb and rose gardens or country store. A variety of foods and ice cream are offered on weekends. 845-986-1684.

Lawrence Farms Orchards, Pick you own apples, berries, grapes, plums, raspberries and lots of veggies September to October. Enjoy chickens, goats, ducks & swans. 39 Colandrea Rd, Newburgh. 845-562-4268

Masker Fruit Farms Inc., Best known for apple picking, the farm will be opening up Saturday, September 2, 9am to 5pm, and continues everyday thereafter till the end of October (weather permitting). Stop by the country store or visit the baby barnyard animals. You can also grab some food and beverages. There are discounts available on the website. Open weekends 9am-5pm. 45 Ball Rd., Warwick. 845-986-1058.

Ochs Orchards, Apple and pumpkin picking. Apple picking starts up mid-September. Depending up on availability, pumpkins should be available for picking through October. There is also a farm market and ice cream is available. Open daily, 9am-5pm. 4 Ochs Ln., Warwick. 845-986-1591.

Pennings Orchard, 169 State Rte. 94S, Warwick. Apples picking starts August 20. Open every day from 9am - 5pm. Stop by the farmer's market, visit the beer garden and cidery and farm animals. 845-986-7080.

Slate Hill Orchards, 2580 Rte. 6, Slate Hill. Pick your own apples and grapes. Pick your own pumpkins starting in late September to October. 8am-6pm. 845-355-4493.

Sleepy Hills Orchard and Greenhouses, Pick you own apples weekends 10am-4pm, September through October. 1328 Rte 284, Westtown. 9am-6pm. 845-726-3797.

Soons Orchards & Farm Market, Apple picking is weekends 10am-4pm, store open daily 9am-6pm. Pumpkin fields are open all day in October. Stop by Soons store for fresh pressed apple cider, homemade fudge and other delicious treats. Apple picking starts September 3, Pumpkins by mid-September. 23 Soons Cir., New Hampton. 845-374-5471.

Warwick Valley Winery & Orchards. Open Saturdays and Sundays in the fall. Apple picking starts Labor Day weekend and goes through November. Open daily 11am-5pm. Choose from over 60 apple varieties in our expanded orchard, all while sipping wine, cider, sangria or cocktails. Gourmet farm-to-table cuisine (brick oven pizzas, locally grown salads, and more). Live music plays every weekend on our outdoor stage. $10/car parking fee Saturday & Sunday only. 114 Little York Rd., Warwick. 845-258-4858.

Ulster County

Clarke's Family Farm, Clarke Family Farms is the only pick-your-own fruit farm in the Hudson Valley that features organic apples.  We also have apples treated with a program called integrated pest management which minimizes the amount of pesticides on the crop. Open weekends beginning September 16th and 17th through October 21st and 22nd, 2023. 2086 Route 44/55, Modena. (845) 901-7442.

Dressel Farms, Pick your own apples every weekend starting September 9 through October. In the fall, in addition to apples, they also keep a vegetable garden to stock the roadside stand with the freshest summer vegetables like zucchini, summer squash, tomatoes, green beans, and more. Saturday and Sunday 10am-4:30pm. Pick up a pint of homemade hard ice cream, along with cider, pies, and apple cider doughnuts. 271 Rte. 208, New Paltz. 845-255-0693.

DuBois Farms, Open everyday from 10am-5pm from June through November 22 for PYO strawberries as well as all of their other offerings. Pick-your-own pumpkins and apples open daily. Farm market and café, bakery with delicious desserts, brand-new pizzeria and ice cream shop, farm animals and local hard cider, craft beer and wine. 209 Perkinsville Rd., Highland. 845-795-4037.

Hurds Family Farm, Families can enjoy apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, a jumping pillow, the cow train and a cornfield mazes. Feed farm pets at the Critter Corner and play at the Kid’s Corral. Apple picking is from September to late October. The pumpkin patch is open end of September through October 31. See website for entry fees. 2187 Rte. 32, Modena. 845-883-7825.

Jenkins-Lueken Orchards, Route 299, West New Paltz. Main U-Pick fields are open Sat. and Sun. 9am – 6 pm. Apples, berries, and pumpkins. Apple picking begins early September. Pumpkin picking begins in September through October. 845-255-0999.

Kelder’s Farm, 5575 Rte. 209, Kerhonkson. Open 10am-6pm daily (closed Wednesdays), April to Dec. Seasonal fruits, corn maze, hayrides, petting farm, playground and jumping pillow. Apple picking is end of August to October and pumpkin picking is in October. 845-626-7137. 

Locust Grove Fruit Farm, 199 North Rd., Milton. Offering U-pick apples, pumpkins, flowers and a variety of seasonal produce, baked goods, cider, home-made cider donuts, refreshments and wagon rides. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-5pm, Sep 30-Oct 30.

Maynard Farms & Orchards, Maynard Farms is nestled in the rolling hills of the beautiful and scenic Hudson Valley. They invite you to the farm to pick apples and to spend a wonderful day in the orchard overlooking the majestic Hudson River. Pack a picnic lunch and visit them! Open Sat. & Sun. 10am-5pm. 324 River Rd, Ulster Park. (845) 331-6908.

Minard's Family Farm, 250 Hurds Rd., Clintondale. Pick your own apples and pumpkins on over 100 acres while embracing the largest corn maze in the Hudson Valley, breathing fresh air and enjoying scenic mountain views. Tons of activities for young and old alike. Apple picking is from August through the first weekend in November. Pumpkin picking is in October. 866-632-7753.

Prospect Hill Orchards, 340 Milton Turnpike, Milton. Open weekends, 9am-4pm. June to Oct. Various fruits. Organic. Apple, pears and pumpkin picking is weekends, September through October. Closed Labor Day weekend. 845-795-2383.

Saunderskill Farms, 5100 Rte. 209, Accord. 8am-4pm. Tuesday to Sunday from April to Dec. Various fruits. Apple picking starts the last weekend of August and continues through mid-November. Weekends in October are for pumpkin picking and corn mazes. 845-626-2676.

Stone Ridge Orchard, 3012 Route 213, Stone Ridge. Organic. Apple picking Labor Day weekend till November. Farm stand is currently open Friday thru Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Produce, baked goods, apple cider, hard cider, and other locally sourced fare. 845-687-2587.

Tantillo Farm, Pick your own apples, pumpkins & vegetables. Saturday after Labor Day weekend thru Columbus Day weekend. Also: Friday & Monday of Columbus Day weekend. Saturday & Sunday 9 am - 5 pm. 730 Route 208, Gardiner. 845-255-6680.

Twin Star Orchards, Their “ugly apples" are bursting with flavor because they are grown for flavor, rather than looks. Come pick your own ugly apples in the fall. They are open for cider tastings, wood-fired pizzas, burgers and barbecue, and live music from April to November. 155 N Ohioville Rd., New Paltz. (845) 633-8657.

Weed Orchards, Open every day starting late August for apple and pumpkin picking 9am-5pm. The orchard features a petting zoo, playground and barbecues. 43 Mt. Zion Rd., Marlboro. Open Sept. to Oct. Every day, 11am-5pm. 845-236-2684.

Wilklow Orchards, Enjoy over 5 acres of apple picking, pumpkins, and  fresh cider. Also a hay jump, hayrides, petting zoo and hot cider. Open daily Labor day weekend to October 31st, 9am-6pm. 341 Pancake Hollow Rd., Highland. 845-691-2339.

Wrights Farm, 699 State Rt. 208, Gardiner. Over 453 acres that produces 100,000 bushels of apples each year. In addition to apples they have cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines, berries, tomatoes, pumpkins and more. The store also carries a large selection of baked goods including their famous cider donuts. Open daily from 9am-4:30pm. Sept. thru Nov. 845-255-5300.

Does your family have a favorite orchard that you don't see here? Email us lcortes@excitingread.com

Updated August 22, 2023