Best Apple Picking in Northwest New Jersey
New Jersey has no shortage of options when it comes to apple picking. From small family-run orchards to full-blown tourist destinations, we have it all. While my family and I love a good apple cannon, monster truck ride, or pony ride, when it comes to apple picking, I prefer to enjoy the serenity of a quiet orchard with minimal crowds. These are my top 3 orchards for a more relaxed, less crowded apple-picking experience.
Pro-Tip: Weather plays a huge role in crowd levels. If you wake up to a picture-perfect fall day, you can bet every orchard is going to be busy. If you are willing to strap on your boots and head out on a day when there may be some intermittent rain in the forecast, you will enjoy a much less crowded experience. Weekday afternoons are also a great option if your schedule allows. Many of the farms host field trips in the morning, but the kids are typically back on the bus by 1 p.m. and you can enjoy a quiet farm all to yourself for the remainder of the afternoon. Avoid those school holidays though, they can be worse than weekends. If a weekend or holiday is your only option, go early. Sunday mornings in particular are your best bet.
Riamede Farm, 122 Oakdale Road, Chester, New Jersey
This farm has been growing apples since before I was born, and according to their website, they are the oldest PYO apple orchard in New Jersey. Although they have expanded their offerings, they remain true to their focus on agriculture and have avoided the commercialism many of the area farms have fallen prey to. If you plan to visit on a weekend, pre-purchase tickets on their website. They occasionally allow walkups on weekends, but I would not risk getting turned away at the door. You are welcome to visit their farm store with no fee or reservations on any operating day.
Admission ranges from $10-$15 depending on the day and includes:
Entry to all open pick-your-own fields: sunflowers and zinnias, vegetables, apples, and pumpkins
Riamede apple-picking bag (re-usable, holds 20-25lbs of apples)
Entry into our corn trail (opening September 26th)
Unlimited farm wagon rides on September and October weekends and special holidays
Red farm wagon use (to carry produce, not children!)
After picking, we suggest stopping by nearby Main Street to stroll the shops or grab a bite to eat.
Melick’s Orchard on Route 513 in Califon, New Jersey
Melick’s Farm, 472 County Route 513, Califon, New Jersey
This is New Jersey’s largest apple orchard, as they have land spread throughout several towns. We like the Califon Orchard for PYO, as it tends to be less crowded. You can also find PYO pears and pumpkins at this location, depending on the time you visit. They offer horse-drawn wagon rides on the weekends, or if you visit during the week, the orchard is just a short walk from the parking lot. Don’t forget a gallon of cider for home, this is one of our favorites. Melick’s has also made a name for itself in the hard cider arena. If you enjoy hard cider, you can’t go wrong with any of their varieties. Grab a 6-pack for home.
Weekend admission is $5.99 and includes a wagon ride to the orchard. Weekdays are $3.99 (no wagon rides) and on Tuesdays and Thursdays only through the end of September, PYO apples, peaches, and pears (subject to availability) are just $1.49 per pound.
Looking to make a day of it? Bring your bikes and enjoy a leisurely pedal along the Columbia Trail. Not far from Califon, the trail takes you through Ken Lockwood Gorge, which is particularly stunning once the leaves change.
Hacklebarney Farm Cider Mill, 104 State Park Road, Chester, New Jersey
This is a classic and my family’s favorite. During peak season, you can usually watch them pressing fresh cider in the mill. You will smell it the minute you open the car door. This is a great educations experience for kids and fun to watch. This is a small farm with no admission fee, making it easy for us locals to pop in whenever the parking lot doesn’t look too crowded. You will immediately notice the line for the small bake shop, but fear not, it moves fast. And while they offer a variety of baked goods, the cider donuts are the main event. Don’t leave without them.
Bring a picnic blanket and grab some cider dogs to enjoy while relaxing on the lawn. And don’t forget a gallon (or two) of cider to bring home. If you can resist drinking it all immediatly, cider freezes incredibly well. Pour yourself a glass to leave room for expansion, and the rest can go directly in the freezer to be enjoyed year round. Cider doesn’t last that long in our house, but I like to have a gallon or two in reserve for mulled cider on cold winter nights. There are tons of recipes online, or you can purchase the mulling spices in their farm store. For the adults, I like equal parts mulled cider and red wine.
After you have indulged your tastebuds, take a hike at nearby Hacklebarney State Park. The trails winding along, around, and above the Black River are stunning any time of year, but the fall colors make it even more impressive. And don’t forget a stop at the historic Cooper Grist Mill, just down the road, where on Fridays and Saturdays you can purchase flour and cornmeal ground on site.
We hope this helps you plan your ultimate fall apple picking experience. If you visit any of these orchards, please tag us on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok, we would love to hear about your day!