Want to have a fun experience of picking your own Apples as a summer-end activity? Here are some of the best Pick Your Own Apple Farms in New Jersey with all the fun activities and amenities.
New Jersey, with its lush landscapes and fertile soil, offers a delightful apple-picking experience that has become a cherished summer and fall tradition for families, friends, and fruit enthusiasts. Before undertaking your apple-picking adventure, consider equipping yourself with some essentials. A durable fruit picker tool can be invaluable for reaching those higher branches without the need for climbing.
Also Read: Best Pick Your Own Peaches in New Jersey: Sweet & Delicious
Best U-Pick Apple Farms in New Jersey
North New Jersey
1. Alstede Farms
- Location: Chester, NJ
- Amenities: Hayrides, petting zoo, farm store, homemade ice cream, and pies.
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM daily.
- Activities: Beyond apple picking, enjoy pony rides, a corn maze, and seasonal festivals.
- Address: 1 Alstede Farms Ln, Chester, NJ 07930
- Phone: (908) 879-7189
- Email: info@alstedefarms.com
Located in the heart of Chester, Alstede Farms offers a robust apple-picking experience with several varieties of apples throughout the season. The Farm provides a scenic backdrop for family outings, complete with hayrides, a petting zoo, and a farm store stocked with homemade pies, jams, and fresh produce.
Alstede Farms takes pride in its sustainable farming practices, ensuring a healthy and delicious crop available for picking from late August through October. Their “Pick-Your-Own” admission includes access to the fields, a hayride tour of the Farm, and access to the children’s play area, making it an all-day destination for family fun.
2. Demarest Farms
- Location: Hillsdale, NJ
- Amenities: Orchard-side parking, bakery, farm store, garden center.
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM (Mon-Sun during season).
- Activities: Hayrides, petting zoo, and scenic photo spots.
- Address: 244 Wierimus Rd, Hillsdale, NJ 07642
- Phone: (201) 666-0472
- Email: info@demarestfarms.com
Demarest Farms, located in Hillsdale, offers a picturesque setting for apple picking with over 14 varieties of apples. Starting in September, visitors can enjoy a day in the orchard, complete with a hayride, petting zoo, and a garden center.
The Farm’s market is a highlight, featuring homemade doughnuts, apple cider, and a variety of baked goods. Demarest Farms also offers a unique evening experience with their “Movie Nights in the Orchard,” providing a perfect way to end a day of picking.
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3. Mackey’s Orchard
- Location: Belvidere, NJ
- Amenities: Ice cream stand, bakery, farm store.
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM daily.
- Address: 284 County Rd 519, Belvidere, NJ 07823
- Phone: (908) 475-1507
- Email: info@mackeysorchard.com
- Activities: Hayrides, greenhouse tours, and a children’s play area.
Mackey’s Orchard in Belvidere stands out with its breathtaking views and a family-friendly atmosphere. Their apple-picking season starts in early September, offering a variety of apples, homemade ice cream, and freshly baked goods.
The orchard’s greenhouse and farm store offers a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and local honey. Mackey’s also features a children’s play area and weekend hayrides, making it a fun visit for all ages.
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4. Sun High Orchard
- Location: Randolph, NJ
- Amenities: Animal feeding/petting, farm store, picnic area.
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM daily.
- Address: 19 Canfield Ave, Randolph, NJ 07869
- Phone: (973) 584-4734
- Email: info@sunhigh.com
- Activities: Educational farm tours and birthday parties.
Sun High Orchard in Randolph provides a cozy and intimate apple-picking experience. Known for their friendly animals that visitors can feed and pet, the orchard becomes a family favorite from the start of the season in late August.
Their farm store offers homemade pies, fresh produce, and the orchard’s signature apple cider donuts. Sun High also organizes educational tours, offering insights into farming and apple cultivation.
5. Wightman Farms
- Location: Morristown, NJ
- Amenities: Farm market, loyalty program, bakery.
- Opening Hours: 8 AM – 6 PM (Sat-Sun), 9 AM – 6 PM (Weekdays).
- Activities: Membership-based picking, seasonal events, and a challenging corn maze.
- Address: 1111 Mt Kemble Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960
- Phone: (973) 425-9819
- Email: info@wightmanfarms.com
Wightman Farms in Morristown offers apple picking as part of its membership program, providing a unique approach to the pick-your-own experience. Members enjoy access to apple picking, along with peaches, pumpkins, and other produce throughout the season.
The Farm’s market features a variety of baked goods, homemade jams, and fresh produce. Wightman Farms also hosts a variety of seasonal activities, including hayrides and a corn maze.
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6. Melick’s Town Farm
- Location: Oldwick, NJ
- Amenities: Farm market, cider mill, wagon rides.
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM daily.
- Activities: Educational tours and wine tasting at the family’s own vineyard.
- Address: 170 Oldwick Rd, Oldwick, NJ 08858
- Phone: (908) 439-2318
- Email: info@melickstownfarm.com
With a rich history spanning over 300 years, Melick’s Town Farm stands as New Jersey’s largest apple grower. Offering more than just apple picking, visitors can enjoy wagon rides through the orchards, taste freshly made cider from their mill, and explore the Farm’s market.
The Farm’s dedication to agriculture and community engagement shines through its educational tours and unique wine tastings.
7. Ripple Hill Farm
- Location: Basking Ridge, NJ
- Amenities: Limited; mainly focused on apple picking.
- Opening Hours: 12 PM – 4 PM (Sunday only during apple season).
- Activities: Apple picking.
- Address: 181 Mountain Rd, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
- Phone: (908) 647-1300
- Email: info@ripplehillfarm.com
Ripple Hill Farm offers a no-frills, authentic apple-picking experience focused on connecting visitors directly with nature. This small, family-operated Farm prides itself on its sustainable practices and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
With a more limited operation, the Farm provides a quiet escape, ideal for those looking to enjoy the essence of apple picking without the crowds.
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South New Jersey
8. Duffield’s Farm
- Location: Sewell, NJ
- Amenities: Bakery, market, hayrides.
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 7 PM (Mon-Sat), closed on Sundays.
- Activities: Pumpkin picking, educational school tours.
- Address: 280 Chapel Heights Rd, Sewell, NJ 08080
- Phone: (856) 589-7090
- Email: info@duffieldsfarm.com
Duffield’s Farm provides a family-oriented apple-picking experience with a strong focus on community and education. The Farm’s bakery and market are beloved for their pies, donuts, and fresh, locally sourced produce.
Seasonal activities, such as pumpkin picking and hayrides, along with educational tours for schools, make Duffield’s a cornerstone of agricultural learning and fun in New Jersey.
9. Hill Creek Farms
- Location: Mullica Hill, NJ
- Amenities: Farm market, café, playground.
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM (Wed-Sun).
- Activities: Tractor rides, u-pick fruits.
- Address: 1631 State Highway 45, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
- Phone: (856) 223-0028
- Email: info@hillcreekfarms.com
Hill Creek Farms offers an enriching family experience with more than just apple picking. The Farm’s café serves up delicious, farm-to-table meals, while the playground and tractor rides keep the younger visitors entertained.
Their market features a wide array of gourmet foods, fresh produce, and homemade baked goods, emphasizing the Farm’s commitment to quality and community.
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10. Johnson’s Corner Farm
- Location: Medford, NJ
- Amenities: Discovery barnyard, animal farm, bakery.
- Opening Hours: 8 AM – 7 PM (Mon-Fri), 8 AM – 6 PM (Sat-Sun).
- Activities: Light show hayrides, moonlight picking, discovery barnyard.
- Address: 133 Church Rd, Medford, NJ 08055
- Phone: (609) 654-8643
- Email: info@johnsonsfarm.com
Johnson’s Corner Farm is a beacon for interactive, educational family fun. The Farm offers a variety of apple types for picking, complemented by their discovery barnyard and animal farm, where children can learn about and interact with farm animals.
Their seasonal light show hayrides and moonlight-picking events offer unique experiences that illuminate the beauty of farm life under the stars.
East New Jersey
11. Battleview Orchards
- Location: Freehold, NJ
- Amenities: Country store, bakery, free parking.
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM (Tues-Sun); Closed on Mondays.
- Activities: Weekend hayrides and seasonal events like pumpkin picking.
- Address: 91 Wemrock Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728
- Phone: (732) 462-0756
- Email: info@battlevieworchards.com
Battleview Orchards, located in Freehold, is known for its friendly atmosphere and quality produce. Offering a wide variety of apples from late August through October, the orchard also provides weekend hayrides and a country store filled with fresh pies, apple cider, and homemade goods. Battleview Orchards encourages visitors to check their website for the latest picking schedules and variety availability.
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West New Jersey
12. Phillips Farm
- Location: Milford, NJ
- Amenities: Farm market, picnic area.
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM (Mon-Fri), 9 AM – 5 PM (Sat-Sun).
- Activities: Seasonal fruit and vegetable picking, scenic walks.
- Address: 290 Church Rd, Milford, NJ 08848
- Phone: (908) 995-0022
- Email: info@phillipsfarms.com
Phillips Farm provides a peaceful retreat into nature with its serene landscapes and well-maintained orchards. The Farm’s market offers a bounty of fresh produce, homemade jams, and baked goods.
While primarily known for its apple picking, Phillips Farm invites visitors to enjoy the simplicity of farm life, whether through a leisurely picnic or a scenic walk around the property.
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Central New Jersey
13. Terhune Orchards
- Location: Princeton, NJ
- Amenities: Farm store, winery, barnyard of animals.
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM daily.
- Activities: Read-aloud story times, farm festivals, wine tastings.
- Address: 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540
- Phone: (609) 924-2310
- Email: info@terhuneorchards.com
Terhune Orchards combines agricultural activities with educational fun, making it an ideal spot for families. Alongside a diverse selection of apple varieties, the Farm offers a plethora of activities, including story times for kids, farm festivals throughout the year, and tastings at their on-site winery.
The farm store is a trove of homemade goods, fresh produce, and unique local items.
14. Stiles Farm and Nursery
- Location: Cape May, NJ
- Amenities: Nursery, gift shop.
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM daily.
- Activities: Apple picking, garden tours.
- Address: 172 South Ave E, Cranford, NJ 07016
- Phone: (908) 276-9292
- Email: info@stilesfarm.com
Stiles Farm and Nursery, nestled in the picturesque Cape May, provides a tranquil apple-picking experience amidst beautifully curated gardens. The nursery and gift shop offers a range of plants, gardening supplies, and unique gifts.
Visitors can enjoy a leisurely day picking apples, exploring the gardens, and finding inspiration for their home landscapes.
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FAQ: Best U-Pick Apple Farms in New Jersey
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes are recommended. Consider wearing layers, as the temperature can change throughout the day.
Many farms encourage or require you to bring your own containers. Check with the Farm beforehand for their specific policies.
Policies on pets vary by Farm. Some farms allow pets in certain areas, while others do not permit them at all. Always check the Farm’s policy before bringing your pet.
Beyond apple picking, many farms offer hayrides, petting zoos, playgrounds, farm stores, and seasonal events. Each Farm has its unique set of activities, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Wrapping up: The Best Pick Your Own Apples in New Jersey
Apple picking in New Jersey is a delightful way to connect with nature, enjoy the outdoors, and support local agriculture. Each Farm offers its unique charm and variety of apples, ensuring that every visit is a new adventure.
Remember to contact the farms before your visit to confirm apple-picking availability and any specific visitor guidelines.
Happy picking!
