There’s a specific kind of June morning when I wake up and think: today’s a cherry day. The forecast needs to cooperate—dry, not too hot yet—and I need to be ready to move fast, because cherry season in the Hudson Valley doesn’t wait for anyone. Two weeks, maybe three if you’re lucky, and then it’s over. The trees are picked clean, the farm stands move on to early blueberries, and you’re left wishing you’d gone one more time.
I’ve been picking cherries at Hudson Valley farms since I was a little kid, and I’ve learned that the best mornings are the ones where I show up right when the orchard opens, before the families with wagons arrive, before the heat sets in, when the grass is still wet and the branches are still heavy.
Here’s where to go if you want to catch cherry season before it slips away.
Cherry Season in the Hudson Valley: What You Need to Know
Cherry picking season runs mid-June through early July, with sweet cherries (the dark red ones you eat fresh) coming first, followed by sour cherries (the lighter, tart ones for pies and preserves). Most farms open u-pick when their fruit hits peak ripeness, which means calling ahead or checking their social media the day before is non-negotiable. I’ve driven forty minutes to a farm only to find out they’d closed picking that morning because of overnight rain.
A few things I wish someone had told me before my first cherry-picking trip:
- Bring your own containers if you can. Some farms provide them, some don’t. A shallow basket or box works better than a deep bucket—cherries bruise easily.
- Wear closed-toe shoes. Orchards can be muddy, uneven, or both.
- Go early. The best fruit is gone by 10am on weekends.
- Check picking status the morning of. Cherries ripen fast and farms can close u-pick without much notice.
Hudson Valley Cherry Farms by County
I’ve organized this by county, starting with Orange (my home base) and radiating out. Cherry season is short and weather-dependent, so call or check each farm’s site before you drive out — a late frost or a hot week can change everything.
Orange County
Ochs Orchard — Warwick
I have been to Ochs so many times. One time, I dropped an entire berry basket full of blueberries because a bug was on my hand. I just spent so much time picking those blueberries and boom, they’re on the ground. I had to start completely over.
They grow both sweet and sour cherries and usually open for u-pick in mid-June. The orchard is on a gentle slope, easy terrain. Cash or check only.
Lawrence Farms Orchards — Newburgh
A big, family-friendly u-pick that runs all season — strawberries and peas in June, then sweet cherries and peaches through July. There’s a children’s play area and a farm market, so it’s an easy morning with kids. Weekends pull a crowd up from the city; a weekday morning is calmer. Cherry timing shifts year to year, so check before you go.
Dutchess County
Fishkill Farms — Hopewell Junction
One of the only farms in the region where you can pick certified-organic cherries, both sweet and sour, usually in July. Gorgeous hilltop orchard with a farm store and café. The catch: pick-your-own here is reservation-only, so book a slot before you drive out.
Rose Hill Farm — Red Hook
A historic pick-your-own orchard (founded 1798) on rolling farmland, growing cherries alongside apricots, plums, peaches, and berries. Smaller and quieter than the big operations, with a cidery on site if you want to linger. The cherry window is short — check their site for current dates.
Ulster County
Tantillo’s Farm — Gardiner
A family-run orchard, market, bakery, and ice-cream shop that opens a handful of u-pick crops, cherries among them when the crop is good. Closed Wednesdays, and cherry availability is limited, so call ahead to make sure they’re picking. Grab a cider donut on the way out.
Prospect Hill Orchards — Milton
The Clarke family has farmed this hilltop since 1817, and their u-pick cherries run mid-June through July — one of the earlier, more reliable cherry windows in the valley, with sweeping Hudson views from the top. Cherries are at their Milton Turnpike location; confirm which field is open before you go.
Kelder’s Farm — Kerhonkson
A relaxed, family-oriented farm where cherries follow the strawberries, usually late June into July, alongside a bakery, farm animals, and mini-golf. The rows are flat and easy — a good pick if you’re bringing little kids or anyone who’d rather skip a slope.
Columbia County
Fix Brothers Fruit Farm — Hudson
Worth the drive north for the range: sweet cherries plus red (Montmorency) and black (English Morello) sour cherries for baking — a rarer find. It’s a no-frills working fruit farm, and they often stay closed to the public until the sour cherries are ready in July, so check before you make the trip.
Types of Cherries You’ll Find
Most Hudson Valley farms grow two categories:
Sweet cherries (Bing, Rainier, Lambert): dark red to yellow, firm, juicy. These are your eat-them-straight-from-the-tree cherries. They don’t last long once picked—plan to eat or freeze them within a few days.
Sour cherries (Montmorency, Morello): lighter red, softer, mouth-puckeringly tart. These are pie cherries, jam cherries, the ones you cook with. They freeze beautifully.
I pick both. Because why not?
What to Make with Your Cherries
If you’re picking more than a snack’s worth, here’s what actually gets used in my kitchen:
- Cherry clafoutis — the only fancy-sounding dessert I can pull off with minimal effort
- Frozen for smoothies — pitted, frozen flat on a tray, then bagged
- Simple cherry compote — sour cherries, sugar, lemon juice, simmered until jammy, spooned over yogurt or ice cream
- Roasted with pork — split and pitted sweet cherries tossed with balsamic and roasted alongside a pork tenderloin
Want something more specific? A few cherry recipes from the blog to put your haul to work:
- Red Cherry Sangria
- Blueberry Cherry Muffins
- Rainier Cherry & Mascarpone Mini Tarts
- Cherry Lime Popsicles with Honey
Before You Go
A few practical notes:
- Call ahead or check social media. I can’t stress this enough. Cherry season is unpredictable.
- Bring cash. Not all farms take cards.
- Ask about ladders. Some farms provide them, some expect you to bring your own, some only allow staff to use them.
- Know your limits. Cherries are tedious to pick. Start with a small container goal and see how you feel.
The Hudson Valley’s cherry season is short, but it’s also one of the most rewarding u-pick experiences. The fruit is fragile, the window is narrow, and there’s something satisfying about showing up at the right moment, filling a basket with fruit that won’t be here next week, and driving home with stained fingers and a plan for pie you may or may not actually make.
FAQ
When is cherry picking season in the Hudson Valley?
Mid-June through early July, with sweet cherries ripening first (usually mid-to-late June) and sour cherries following shortly after. The exact timing depends on spring weather—an early warm spell can push the season up by a week or more.
Do I need to bring my own containers for cherry picking?
It depends on the farm. Some provide containers (and charge for them), others expect you to bring your own. Call ahead or check the farm’s website. I bring a shallow wooden basket—it’s easier on the fruit than a deep bucket.
How much does u-pick cherry picking cost?
Most Hudson Valley farms charge by the pound, usually $3-5/lb for sweet cherries and slightly less for sour cherries. Some farms have a minimum purchase requirement. Expect to spend $15-25 for a morning’s worth of picking.
Can I bring my dog cherry picking?
Most farms don’t allow dogs in the orchard due to health code regulations and the risk of fruit damage. Service animals are usually permitted. Check the farm’s policy before you go.
How long do fresh cherries last?
Sweet cherries last 3-5 days in the fridge if you don’t wash them until you’re ready to eat them. Sour cherries are a bit sturdier and can last up to a week. For longer storage, pit and freeze them—they’ll keep for 6-8 months.
Which Hudson Valley cherry farms are closest to NYC?
Cherry country skews north, so you’ll want a car for most of these. The closest are in southern Dutchess and Orange County: Fishkill Farms (Hopewell Junction) and Lawrence Farms Orchards (Newburgh) are both about 70–90 minutes by car and a short rideshare from the Metro-North Beacon station. Coming up by train without a car, Fix Brothers Fruit Farm in Hudson is reachable via Amtrak to the Hudson station plus a quick cab.
