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Peach U-Pick Orchards in Southwest Colorado in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for peaches that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have peaches orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

Delta County

  • Delicious Orchards - Certified organic, U-pick organic fruit: cherries, apples, peaches, apricots, pears, nectarines, raspberries, grapes, winter squash, apple cider, hard cider
    39126 Hwy. 133, Hotchkiss, CO 81419. Phone: (970) 527-1110. Email: info@bigbs.com. Open: Daily, 8 am to 6 pm Also Wine tasting, local produce, cheese, gifts, deli, campground, picnics. Directions: Located in the North Fork Valley of Colorado, one mile west of Paonia on CO Hwy 133. Click here for a map and directions. . . Varieties to pick include: Honeycrisp, Gala, Jonathan, Macintosh, Winter Squash, Peaches, Tomatoes, Basil, Pears, Raspberries, Grapes. . Our high elevation, Rocky Mountain water, cold nights and warm days produce some of the finest fruits in the world! Big B's produces a full line of organic and local juices and ciders from Western Slope fruit at our manufacturing plant located in the town of Hotchkiss. We are happy to answer u-pick questions during the fruit growing season, get you registered for camping, or introduce you to our award winning hard ciders. You can enjoy a meal in the cafe and try out our famous tree swings in the courtyard (at your own risk, of course!) offers free live music regularly throughout the summer with outdoor BBQ's. (UPDATED: October 25, 2019, JBS)
  • Full Spectrum Farms - Uses natural growing practices, apples, apricots, cherries, corn (sweet), nectarines, peaches, plums, summer squash, Fresh eggs
    16877 Grange Road, Paonia, CO 81428. Phone: (720) 256-3364. Email: info@theyakboys.com. Open: Wednesday 7 am to 7 pm Sundays 2 pm to 7pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . . Cherries - Late June/Early July Most others August - October, Pears, Plums, Nectarines, Peaches, and many types of Apples, and they all vary; If you want something specific, we can help plan specific peak times;. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Several cats roam the property, please no other pets. This farm has always used organic practices, since 1974 when it was formed, but we are working to get our organic certification over the next several weeks. (ADDED: June 03, 2019)
  • Orchard Valley Farms and Black Ridge Winery - ORGANIC, raspberries, pumpkins, apples, pears, peaches, blackberries, cherries, grapes, farm raised Beef, Weddings, Farm Market, Wine Tasting Room
    15836 Black Bridge Road, Paonia, CO 81428. Phone: 970-527-6838. Email: kendal.butterfield@gmail.com. Open: 9 am to 6 pm, seven days a week, from Memorial Day to Halloween. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions.
    Orchard Valley Farms and Black Ridge Winery Facebook page. . . We are open Map. We offer the finest organically grown apples, pears, peaches, cherries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes, and vegetables in season. Pick your own produce, wander the gardens and orchard, visit our market and wine tasting room. Then picnic along the beautiful Gunnison River. We also have a tempting variety of gourmet products and gifts - vinegars, oils, salsas, jams and jellies, syrups, butters, mustards, chutneys, and honey. Orchard Valley Farms and Market and Black Bridge Winery Facebook page. U-Pick produce - from raspberries in June to pumpkins in October: We sell fresh from the fields in our market. Want even fresher? Pick your own produce. Our fruit orchards, berry patches, vegetable gardens and pumpkin patch give visitors a true farm experience. In season, check our Facebook page or get our e-news to see what's ready for picking. We furnish U-pickers with a wagon to fill with produce (or kids!) and a map of the farm. Their wedding venue gives you access to a riverfront wedding and vineyard reception, complete with views of the West Elk Mountains, luscious green grass, duck pond, bountiful fruit trees, rustic bridge, and lovely farm scenery. Our unique location is available for your dream rehearsal, ceremony, and reception! Here you have the freedom to make your dreams come true for your special day! Contact us for dates and prices: Kendal at 530-205-5409, or Jessi at 970-640-4346, jmheinritz@live.com. Black Bridge Beef - Alongside our orchard and winery, we raise beef. Our cattle are raised with the upmost care and consideration. Enjoy our home-grown, farm-raised beef. Beef is locally raised and sourced here in the North Fork Valley. Complete your dinner tonight with beef! Frozen ground beef, steaks and roasts available. Farm market with Fresh and sustainably grown fruit and produce, plus local to global artisan crafted foods and gifts are available in our Paonia, Colorado farm market and online store. Black Bridge wines are crafted from our West Elks estate grown vineyards or from full-flavored fruit from our orchards. Taste the magic in a glass and discover your favorite wines! Our wines are made in limited quantities and sell out, so we encourage you to stock up when you visit or join our Wine Club for deliveries to your door.
  • Uncle Johnny's U-Pick Farm - Uses natural growing practices, apples, apricots, beans, beets, blackberries, cherries, cucumbers, currants (red and black), grapes, peaches, peppers, plums, pumpkins, raspberries (Autumn, red), summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), U-pick and already picked, picnic area, farm animals, weddings and wedding parties
    18561 Surface Creek Road, Cedaredge, CO 81413. Phone: . Email: 22arniebclarke@gmail.com. Open: UPDATE for 2021, The now former owner says they sold the farm, and he expects the new owners will continue it as a U-Pick. Directions: from the stoplight in Cedaredge @main street and highway 65 turn east, travel 1 mile on east main to the rodeo grounds, turn north on surface creek road, go about 1-34 miles to 18561 surface creek road on the left hand side. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Uncle Johnny's U-Pick Farm Email- . 7 days a week 8 amto8 pm (by appointment) during harvest season. from the stoplight in Cedaredge @main street and highway 65 turn east, travel 1 mile on east main to the rodeo grounds, turn north on surface creek road, go about 1-3/4 miles to 18561 surface creek road on the left hand side. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. Free range pork is grown on a pre-paid reserved basis by 1/4-1/2 or whole pig. Custom Processing, using your cutting and packaging instructions is extra and will be scheduled when pigs are at their prime.

 

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Peach Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

In the U.S., Peaches typically peak during late June through July in the South, and July and August in the North. In order to produce good local peaches, producers depend on ideal spring and early summer weather conditions, and no late frosts. If you want to know which are the best varieties of peaches for home canning, see this page!

Before you leave to go to the farm:

  1. Always call before you go to the farm - Peaches are affected by weather (both rain and cooler temperature) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
  2. Leave early.  On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
  3. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for peaches, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
    If you use your own containers, remember that heaping Peaches more than 14 inches deep will bruise the fruit on the bottom. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers.
  4. Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.
  5. You might want to ask whether the peaches are! There are two major types of peaches: "Freestone" and. "Clingstone". Freestone peaches and nectarines have flesh that slips easily away from the pit. Clingstones are a REAL pain, because the fruit tenaciously clings to the stone or pit! Most peach varieties grown today are freestone and are usually available (dependingThe Giant Peach water tower in Gaffney, SC upon your location) from June through September. Some nectarines are freestone and some are clingstone. Freestone nectarines are available in June and July. Most plum varieties are clingstone. 

When you get home

  1. Spread the fruit out on towels or newspapers and separate any mushy or damaged fruit to use immediately.
  2. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the others and freeze them up!
  3. Even under ideal conditions peaches will only keep for a week in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, use them as soon as possible after purchase
  4. Now, get ready to make Peach jam or canned peaches - It is VERY easy - especially with our free
     - peach jam instructions - they're illustrated and easy and our page on
     - how to make home canned peaches from fresh!
    - Or see here to freeze peaches instead!
    - make your own home canned peach pie filling to use in the winter
  5. Here's a great and easy peach pie recipe
    or peach-blueberry pie  or how about
    - peach salsa?
    - Peach chutney
    - Spiced peaches
    - peach butter
    - Peach honey
    - pickled peaches
    - peach syrup
    - peach juice
  6. Here are some great and easy peach desert recipes, like easy peach cobbler.
  7. If you want more information about the Giant Peach water tower in Gaffney, SC, click here.

Temporary Storage Tips

  • Ripe peaches have a creamy or golden undertone and "peachy-sweet" fragrance.
  • Peaches should be refrigerated and used within a few days.
  • Putting peaches and nectarines in a loosely closed paper bag at room temperature for a day or two can help soften firm fruit - but they won't become sweeter or ripen further - that stopped when they were removed from th etree.
  • For best flavor, allow the fruit to ripen fully on the tree.
  • Store at 33�F to 40�F  and high humidity (a vegetable drawer in the fridge).

How to tell if the peaches are ripe!

  • Attached to the tree: Peaches are best picked when the fruit separates easily from the twigs. If it is hard to pull off the tree, it isn't ripe! Peaches will not ripen further once removed from the tree (they only "soften")
  • Color: Green is definitely unripe, but you can't use red color as an indicator of how ripe a peach is. Different peach varieties have differing amounts of red blush in their natural coloring. Pick them when the ground color changes from green to yellow, orange, red (or a combination). The skin of yellow-fleshed varieties ripens to an orange tint, while the skin of white-fleshed varieties changes from greenish- to yellow-white.
  • Softness: unless you like your peaches very firm, pick your peaches with just a little "give" when gently pressed. Peaches at this stage are great for eating, freezing, and baking. Peaches won't ripen very much after picking!
  • Odor: It should smell sweet and ripe!

Tips on How to Pick Peaches

A peach is softer than most fruit, so it is important to pick a peach gently, with little pressure. Using the sides of your fingers rather your fingertips helps to avoid bruising.  Grab the peach firmly and pull it straight off the branch. DON'T drop the peach into the basket, but set it in gently!

Marks on the Peachs: Bugs (particularly squash bugs and stink bugs) bite fruit during development and this results in some imperfections in the peach. This is especially the case with organically raised fruit.  These look like dents in the peaches if the peaches were bitten by a bug when they were young. This causes a spot that does not grow properly and makes a wrinkle in the peach. There's nothing wrong with these peaches. They may look funny, but they will taste just as good as blemish-free peaches, and it's better not to have the pesticides!

How much do you need?

Raw measures:

  • About 2 medium peaches = 1 cup sliced peaches.
  • About 4 medium peaches = 1 cup pureed peach.
  • About 3 medium peaches = 1 pound of peaches

Process yields (Raw amounts to processed amounts)

  • 2 to 21/2 pounds of fresh peaches yields 1 quart canned
  • 1 lb of fresh peaches typically yields 3 cups of peeled, sliced peaches or 2 cups or puree.
  • It takes about 5 good sizes peaches or nectarines (or about 10 plums) to fill one quart jar of canned peaches.
  • An average of 171/2 pounds of fresh peaches are needed per canner load of 7 quarts;
  • An average of 11 pounds is needed per canner load of 9 pints.
  • 1 bushel = 48 to 50 pounds, yields approximately 18 to 25 quart jars.

And a visitor contributes this: 6-7 peaches makes about 4 cups puree, so 2-3 peaches make about 2 cups puree. 1 peach equals about 1 cup puree.

Peaches-Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent

 

Peach pit tips

It's best to remove peach pits before you cook the peaches. Cherry, peach, and apricot pits also contain amygdalin; the latter two, in potentially harmful amounts. Fortunately, peach and apricot pits are sufficiently large and hard that few people intentionally swallow or chew them. (The unapproved anti-cancer drug See this page for more information&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/cam/laetrile">Laetrile is a semisynthetic derivative of amygdalin; a cheaper version of laetrile produced in Mexico came from crushed apricot pits.) See this page for more information.

 

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)