There’s something undeniably magical about apple-picking season. The air becomes crisp, the leaves turn to fiery hues, and the scent of apple cider abounds. Whether you’re searching for apple picking nearby or planning a destination getaway, the harvest season is your chance to slow down, savor the moment, and bite into the best of autumn. And there’s no better way to experience it all than pairing your orchard adventures with a cozy glamping stay at Under Canvas, where nature and comfort meet under the stars.
Let’s take a road trip through the best orchards in the U.S. for apple picking season, from coastal Maine to the Pacific Northwest.
Maine: Coastal Charm and Apple Picking
Few places rival New England when it comes to fall color and charm – and Maine might just top the list. For a truly picturesque apple season along the coast, start at Johnston’s Apple Orchard in Ellsworth, a local favorite for u-pick apples and homemade treats like cider donuts and apple pies.
Next, stop by Wight’s Orchard in Bucksport for a quick, casual farmstand experience, or make a day of it at Treworgy Family Orchards, where hayrides, ice cream, and a sprawling corn maze for a complete fall experience and a family-friendly autumn escape.
After your day among the apple trees, sleep under the stars near the coast at Under Canvas Acadia. Just a short drive from Bar Harbor, this seaside retreat offers luxury safari-inspired tents with king beds, plush linens, ensuite bathrooms, and the peaceful sounds of the Atlantic, paired with stunning coastal views.
Northern California and the Golden Apple Trail
Tucked between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, Apple Hill is one of Northern California’s best-kept secrets – and one of the country’s best destinations for apple picking season. With more than 50 family-owned farms, bakeries, and wineries, you can take your pick (literally)!
Start at Apple Ridge Farms, where guests can pick their own apples and enjoy slow-smoked BBQ in the shade of the orchards. Next, head to Pine-O-Mine Ranch for live music, fresh pies, and that signature California sunshine. Finally, don’t miss O’Halloran’s Apple Trail Ranch, a favorite orchard established in 1968 that winds along the scenic Golden Apple Trail for 30 acres. It’s where every turn smells like cinnamon and cider, and every tree looks like fall.
Continue your autumn adventure with a road trip to Yosemite National Park – just under three hours from Sacramento and Northern California. Settle into Under Canvas Yosemite, located only 10 minutes from the Big Oak Flat entrance and steps from a convenient shuttle stop for easy park access. Spend your days surrounded by towering granite cliffs and golden-leaved trees, and your nights stargazing and sleeping in total comfort inside your luxury safari-inspired tent.
The Pacific Northwest and the Hood River Fruit Loop
Discover the Hood River Fruit Loop, a scenic 35-mile drive packed with orchards, cideries, wineries, and farm stands near the border of Washington and Oregon in the scenic Columbia River Gorge.
For more picture-perfect apple picking nearby, visit Mt. View Orchards, where sweeping views of Mount Hood frame every photo, or stop by Kiyokawa Family Orchards, home to over 100 apple varieties (yes, 100!) and plenty of other seasonal fruits throughout the year.
When you’re not picking apples or sipping ciders, chase waterfalls and enjoy peaceful paddles surrounded by basalt cliffs and mossy greens contrasted by the warm hues of fall colors. After an adventure-filled, autumn day, lie your head to rest at Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge for glamping in comfort and style, surrounded by forested hillsides and the Cascade Mountains.
Massachusetts: History and Fall Harvest
Massachusetts offers a postcard-perfect New England fall, where colonial charm meets rows of apples. At Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stow, a fourth-generation family farm (since 1926), guests can pick apples, peaches, and blueberries, sip fresh-pressed ciders, enjoy hayrides, and wander through a giant hedge maze.
Nearby, Bolton Spring Farm in Bolton sits on 150 acres of rolling hills and orchards. Their farm-fresh bakery is legendary – think hot apple crisp, apple cider donuts, and caramel apples that taste like a childhood memory. For a full day of family fun, head to Parlee Farms in Tyngsborough, featuring pick-your-own apples, a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, flower fields, and a bakery that draws visitors from across New England for a classic fall experience.
New Hampshire: Rustic Fall Charm Near the White Mountains
For those wondering where to go apple picking nearby when visiting northern New England, the apple orchards of New Hampshire are pure autumn bliss.
At Tellman Hill Farm in Whitefield, guests can enjoy u-pick apples and fresh-pressed cider on weekends, all set against the backdrop of the White Mountains. For a full farm adventure, visit Windy Ridge Orchard in North Haverhill, featuring apple picking, a petting zoo, nature trails, and a cozy cider café that feels straight out of a storybook. Kingdom Orchards & Farmstead, located in nearby Waterford, VT, just north of the White Mountains, offers a more intimate experience – a small, family-run farm with friendly animals and overflowing with rustic charm.
Another worthwhile stop in NH is Applecrest Farm Orchards, the oldest continuously operated orchard in the U.S., where a century ago, an “Apple Train” ran its weekly route from Boston to the rolling orchards of Applecrest Farm to collect and bring their apples to the city.
From crisp mornings to golden afternoons, New Hampshire’s orchards remind visitors that sometimes, the simplest pleasures are the sweetest.
Midwest Magic on the Shores of Lake Michigan
Head to the Midwest for a quintessential fall experience near Lake Michigan. For the perfect day trip from Chicago, visit Overhiser Orchards for u-pick apples, donuts, hayrides, and the kind of farm fun that defines the fall experience.
On the other side of Lake Michigan, Crane Orchards in Fennville, MI, features over 15 apple varieties, a family-friendly corn maze, and panoramic views of Michigan farmland. If you’re short on time or need to stock up on the way home, Dutch Farm Market in South Haven, MI, is the perfect roadside stop for pre-picked apples and farm-fresh produce.
Extend your harvest getaway at The Fields of Michigan. Sleep in upscale tents or cozy cottages on a working blueberry farm located in South Haven, just minutes from some of the best orchards. With thoughtful amenities, cozy linens, and roaring campfires, it’s the perfect fall getaway near the Great Lakes.
Pair Apple Picking with Leaf Peeping
No fall itinerary is complete without leaf peeping. Whether you’re driving through the Smokies, hiking around Acadia, or kayaking under fiery maples in the Pacific Northwest, autumn’s color palette never fails to inspire. Combine your orchard adventures with hikes, harvest festivals, and cozy nights under the stars for a season to remember. Here are some of the best places for fall colors in the U.S.
Plan Your Perfect Fall Getaway at Under Canvas
This apple-picking season, make it more than just a day trip – turn it into a fall adventure to remember. At Under Canvas, every stay brings you closer to nature without sacrificing comfort in extraordinary glamping locations across the U.S., so you can experience the best of the autumn season. Each camp features upscale safari-inspired tents with king-size beds, ensuite bathrooms, and wood-burning stoves or fireplaces to keep you warm on crisp fall nights. Spend your mornings with guided yoga, your afternoons exploring nearby orchards, and your evenings gathered around the campfire with s’mores. Sleep under the stars, surrounded by nature, and wake up ready to discover more.