My trunk smells like apples from September through November. Not in a car-freshener way, in a “I picked too many Honeycrisps again and three rolled under the seat” way. I live in Orange County, and apple picking is less a cute fall activity here and more a standing weekend appointment. The question isn’t if we’re going, it’s which orchard and whether we need a bigger bag this time. If you want to pick your own apples in the Hudson Valley, here’s every orchard worth the drive.
If you’re coming up from the city or just moved to the region, the Hudson Valley’s u-pick apple scene can feel overwhelming. There are easily 30+ orchards scattered across six counties, all claiming to have the best cider donuts and the prettiest views. Some are sprawling operations with hayrides and corn mazes. Others are working farms where you park in a field and someone hands you a half-bushel bag and points you toward the trees.
I’ve been to a lot of them. Here’s what I know.
What to Know About Apple Season in the Hudson Valley
Apple picking here typically runs late August through early November, but the sweet spot is mid-September through October. Early season (late August–early September) you’re looking at Ginger Gold, Gala, and McIntosh. Mid-season (late September–early October) brings Honeycrisp, Cortland, and Empire. Late season (October–early November) is when you’ll find Fuji, Granny Smith, and the last of the Mutsu.
Most orchards update their websites or social media with what’s ripe right now. Call ahead if you’re driving more than 30 minutes, I’ve shown up to find the variety I wanted already picked over by 11am on a Saturday.
Weekdays are your friend. Weekends in October, especially near peak foliage, turn popular orchards into parking nightmares.
Where to Pick Your Own Apples, by County
I’m organizing this by county because the Hudson Valley is big, and you probably don’t want to drive 90 minutes if there’s a great orchard 20 minutes away. Links go to the farms’ websites so you can check hours and what’s currently ready to pick.
| Farm | Town | County | Season | Fees | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ochs Orchard | Warwick | Orange | Sept–Oct | Cash/check · pay by weight | Small, low-key; peaches earlier |
| Pennings Farm Market | Warwick | Orange | Late Sept–mid Nov | Reservations on peak weekends | Big; benchmark cider donuts |
| Soons Orchards | New Hampton | Orange | Sept–Oct | Pay by weight · farm store | Honeycrisp goes fast, go early |
| Angry Orchard | Walden | Orange | Sept–Oct | U-pick by reservation/pre-order | Cidery; tastings + food trucks |
| Fishkill Farms | Hopewell Jct. | Dutchess | Sept–Oct | Online reservations at peak | Great views; crowded weekends |
| Greig Farm | Red Hook | Dutchess | Sept–Oct | Pay by weight · farm stand | Quieter; good midweek |
| Mead Orchards | Tivoli | Dutchess | Sept–Oct | Free entry · pay by weight | 180 acres, 50+ varieties |
| Minard’s Family Farm | Clintondale | Ulster | Early Sept–early Nov | Pay by weight | Hayrides, corn maze, family scene |
| Wright’s Farm | Gardiner | Ulster | Sept–Oct · daily | Cash/check | Foot of the Shawangunks; weekend brewery |
| Outhouse Orchards | North Salem | Westchester | Sept–Oct | Pay by weight | Metro-North accessible; corn maze |
| Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm | Yorktown Heights | Westchester | Sept–mid Dec (Wed–Mon) | Min. bag purchase to enter | Cider donuts; Christmas trees later |
Orange County
This is my home base. I’ve picked apples at all three of these farms, multiple years running.
Ochs Orchard, Warwick
Small operation, no carnival atmosphere, just good apples and minimal crowds. They also have peaches earlier in the season. Cash or check only, last I was there.
ochsorchard.com
Pennings Farm Market, Warwick
Bigger setup with a farm market, bakery, and u-pick fields. Weekends get busy, but they have a lot of acreage so it doesn’t feel claustrophobic. Their cider donuts are the benchmark I judge all other cider donuts against. I always make sure to grab the cider donut sundae at the ice cream stand.
penningsfarmmarket.com
Soons Orchards, New Hampton
One of the larger orchards in Orange County. Honeycrisp section always gets picked over fast, so get there early if that’s your goal. They have a solid farm store and pre-picked apples if you decide you don’t actually want to do the work. I usually go for the Macoons and grab an extra bushel for my Aunt Sandy in Florida!
soonsorchards.com
Angry Orchard, Walden
Yes, the hard cider people. They have a small u-pick area and it’s honestly more about the experience than hauling home bushels of apples. Good if you want to combine picking with tastings and a food truck scene.
angryorchard.com
Dutchess County
Fishkill Farms, Hopewell Junction
Gorgeous views, extensive pick-your-own (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries earlier in the season, apples in fall). Can get crowded on weekends. They do online reservations during peak times, check the website before you go.
fishkillfarms.com
Greig Farm, Red Hook
Pick-your-own apples, plus a great farm stand. Tends to be a little quieter than some of the bigger operations. Good midweek stop if you’re already exploring Red Hook.
thegreigfarm.com
Mead Orchards, Tivoli
One of the Hudson Valley’s original pick-your-own farms, 180 sprawling acres with more than 50 apple varieties. Free entry and parking; you just pay by weight for what you pick. It’s a big, well-run operation, so it handles fall weekends better than most.
meadorchards.com
Ulster County
Minard’s Family Farm, Clintondale
U-pick apples, pumpkins, and sunflowers. They lean into the fall festival vibe with hayrides and a corn maze, so expect families. Solid variety of apples.
minardsfamilyfarms.com
Wright’s Farm, Gardiner
Small orchard at the base of the Shawangunks. Beautiful setting, fewer crowds than some of the bigger names. Cash or check.
eatapples.com
Westchester County
Outhouse Orchards, North Salem
Close to Metro-North if you’re coming up from the city without a car. Small, family-friendly, very accessible for a quick half-day trip.
outhouseorchardsny.com
Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm, Yorktown Heights
Apples, pumpkins, Christmas trees later in the year. Big operation, lots of activities for kids. Weekends are a scene.
wilkensfarm.com
Before You Go
- Call or check social media the morning of. Orchards run out of popular varieties (Honeycrisp disappears fast), and some close u-pick early if it’s been a dry season or a heavy-picking weekend.
- Bring cash. A lot of the smaller orchards don’t take cards.
- Wear boots or closed-toe shoes. Orchards are muddy, uneven, and full of bees. Sandals are a bad call.
- Sunscreen and a hat. You’re going to be in full sun for longer than you think.
- Don’t pick more than you’ll actually use. A half-bushel is about 20 pounds of apples. That’s a lot of apples. I’ve learned this the hard way multiple times.
What to Do With All Those Apples
If you’re like me and consistently overestimate your household’s apple consumption, here’s what actually works:
- Applesauce, the easiest way to use up 10 pounds of apples in one afternoon. No peeling required if you have a food mill.
- Apple butter, slower, but lasts forever and makes good gifts.
- Freeze sliced apples, toss with a little lemon juice, spread on a tray, freeze, then bag. Good for pies and crisps all winter.
- Give them away. Coworkers, neighbors, your kids’ teachers, everyone likes a bag of fresh apples in October.
And when you’re ready to actually bake: my simple apple crisp is the weeknight move, the open-face version is gluten-free and vegan, and my whole grain apple cake is what I make when people come over.
The Hudson Valley has actual seasons, which is part of why I live here and not somewhere with endless summer. Fall/apple season is a good one. the light’s perfect, the air smells like fallen leaves and wood smoke, and the drive to an orchard is half the point. Pick a farm, go midweek if you can, and don’t overthink the variety. They’re all going to taste better than anything you’d buy at a grocery store.
Hungry after a morning in the field? Here’s where to eat in the Hudson Valley — my honest local guide to the restaurants worth the drive.
