2024 Chicago and Northeastern Illinois Apple And Pumpkin U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Apple And Pumpkin U-Pick Orchards in Chicago and Northeastern Illinois in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for apples and pumpkins that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have apples and pumpkins 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.

Boone County

• Edwards Apple Orchard - apples, raspberries, pumpkins, horse-drawn hay rides, hay maze, petting zoo, restrooms, gift shop, pony rides
  7601 Centerville Road, Poplar Grove, IL 61065. Phone: 815-765-2234. Open: daily from 9 am to 6 pm in September and October, and in November daily from 9 am - 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions.
  Edwards Apple Orchard Facebook page. . Bluegrass music (presumably only on weekends), apple cider and apple cider donuts. lease join us for warm cider donuts, a fresh cup of cider, and the time together that we've all been craving. See comments about this farm here! Some visitors on Yelp and Google report high prices and a commercialized feel, but the reviews I've received have been positive. Facebook page.

DeKalb County

• Honey Hill Orchard - apples, raspberries, pumpkins.
  11747 Waterman Road, Waterman, IL 60556. Phone: 815-264-3337. Email: honeyhill5@frontier.com. Open: usually starts in late August, PLEASE CHECK BACK CLOSER TO THAT TIME FOR EXACT OPENING DATE AND RIPENING SCHEDULE; Call or email for their dates and hours, and please ask them to update PickYourOwn. Click here for a map and directions. . ORG - Early Season Hours: Labor Day weekend 9 am to 1 pm; Regular Season Hours: open daily from 9 am to 5:30 pm from Tuesday after Labor Day thru October 31st. is a family-owned and operated orchard that was started as a hobby in 1965. Today, the original orchard location has 2,100 apple trees, with an additional 500 trees at a second farm location. What started out as a simple farm stand has grown to include pick your own apples, raspberries and pumpkins, a bakery, the Apple Barn Country Store and family activities.
  Comments from a visitor on October 17, 2009: "We went to the last week (10/10/2009) and had a wonderful time! There were plenty of apples still available and even some raspberries! There was a 10 pound minimum to pick (per group, not per person) for $15 for apples. There were also hay rides out to the pumpkin patch and a bakery that sells delicious pies and donuts as well as a cute store. All of the employees were so friendly there! We decided this is the best orchard we have been to in this area and will be back next year!"
• Jonamac Orchard, Inc. - - Pumpkins, apples, hayrides, pick-your-own pumpkin patch, kiddie barn
  19412 Shabbona Road, Malta, IL 60150. Phone: 815-825-2158. Open: 7 days a week. Directions: three quarters of a mile south of Malta on Shabbona Road (19412 Shabbona Rd.) . Click here for a map and directions. The apple orchard opens for picking on Labor Day weekend till Thanksgiving 9am - 5:30 daily. Also, prepicked sweet corn, pumpkins, squash, apples, cider, preserves, honey, popcorn, Indian corn, weekend hayride to the pick-your-own pumpkin patch. Get lost in our 10 acre Corn Maze with 3 miles of pathways and 2 bridges. The kids will love our Barnyard activity area with a huge bale pile, peddle tractors, sand pile, corn bin, play barn, bunny barn, mazes, tube slides and other fun activities. On weekends the Apple Train will be running and you can try your marksmanship skills at our Apple Launcher. We will also have festivals, live music, horse drawn wagon rides and more. Corn Maze is open from September 5th through November 1st on Friday and Saturday 10 Am to 9:30 PM and Sunday 10 Am to 6 Pm. Click Here for information about our Haunted Corn Maze. (UPDATED: October 10, 2020 JBS) A visitor writes on September 02, 2013: "We visited Jonamac Orchard in DeKalb County for the first time and were amazed how nice it was. Everyone was so friendly and they have a ton of different types of apples for you to pick. They even let you sample the different available apples so you know how they are before you pick them. The store is very nice with apple donuts, fudge, cider, apples and other little things. It is a very family friendly place to visit as there are activities for the kids. We would definitely return. "
  Comments from a visitor on September 09, 2010: "We've been taking the kids for about 5 years now. Its getting to be a habit."

Kane County

• Kuipers Family Farm - apples, pumpkins, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, gift shop, concessions \\/ refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, Jumping pillow, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  1n318 Watson Road, Maple Park, IL 60151. Phone: 815-827-5200. Open: 7 days a week, Monday through Saturday 9:00 to 6:00. Directions: I88 West to Sugar Grove and Route 47 exit. Route 47 North 10 miles to Keslinger Road. 5 miles West on Keslinger to Watson Road. North on Watson to Entrance. I90 West to Randall Road exit. Randall Road South to Route 38. West on Route 38 five miles past Route 47 to Watson Road. South on Watson Road to farm. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Kuipers Family Farm Facebook page. . Fax: 815-827-4100. Sunday 10 am to 6 pm; September 19 through Halloween; then November - December dail from 10 am to 5 pm. Apple Orchard, Gift Shop and Bakery. Christmas Trees from Thanksgiving thru Sunday before Christmas; Pumpkin Farm Festivities, Corn Maze and Barn Store Approximate Ripening Dates:Please call for daily updates to the apple picking schedule. Variety Ripens: Variety Ripens Paulared mid-August Red Delicious October 4 Prima August 30 Golden Delicious October 4 Jonamac, Gala September 6 Mutsu, Idared October 18 Cortland, McIntosh September 13 Rome, Winesap October 18 Spartan, Ozark Gold September 13 Blushing Golden October 25 Empire, Jonathan September 20 Granny Smith Nov or later Turn your fall pumpkin picking into a family event. Kuipers offers u-pick pumpkins right from the patch! We also have pre-picked pumpkins in many sizes. When the fall season is over don't forget to come back to Kuipers for your Christmas Season. We offer fresh u-cut and pre-cut Christmas trees and wreaths. We will even have hot cider, home baked pies and our famous apple cider doughnuts to warm you up! For holiday decorating visit our Gift Shop for beautiful Christmas decorations and crafts. (UPDATED: April 29, 2015, JBS) See comments about this farm here!

McHenry County

• All Seasons Orchard, Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze - apples, pumpkins, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, U-pick and already picked, farm market, gift shop, concessions \\/ refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, restrooms, inflatables or bounce houses, jumping pillow, ziplines, pedal kart track, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, group reservations
  14510 Il Route 176, Woodstock, IL 60098. Phone: 815-338-5637. Email: info@allseasonsorchard.com. Open: daily rain or shine in September and October; Monday to Friday, from 10am to 5pm; Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 6pm; Labor Day 10am to 6pm, Columbus Day 10am to 6pm. Directions: From Chicago. Take I-90 West towards O'Hare/Rockford. Exit on IL-47 toward Woodstock. Take a right onto IL-47N and continue for approximately 9 miles. When you see IL-176E (right turn), keep continuing on IL-47N. The next stoplight is IL-176W, turn left. Continue for approximately 2.5 miles. All Seasons is located on the right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  All Seasons Orchard, Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Facebook page. . . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. See comments about this farm here!
• Prairie Sky Orchard - apples, pumpkins, raspberries, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms
  4914 N Union Road, Union, IL 60180. Phone: 815-923-4834. Open: Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . Crops are usually available in late August, September, October. Click here for picking updates.
  Comments from a visitor on October 02, 2009: "Staff was wonderful and I am sure that my family and I will be going back for years to come. Thanks, Rachel" UPDATED: October 02, 2009)
• Royal Oak Farm Orchard - apples, blackberries, pumpkins, raspberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, face painting, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
  15908 Hebron Road, Harvard, IL 60033. Phone: 815-648-4141. Email: service@royaloakfarmorchard.com. Open: starting in mid August; Monday to Saturday: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm U - Pick closes at 5 pm Closed on Sunday. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . Fax: 815-648-4821. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in August, September, October, November. Raspberries: August 1 to October 15 or first heavy frost Blackberries: September 15 to October 31 or first heavy frost Apples: August 15 to November 15 Pumpkins: September 15 to November 15 or first heavy frost. No admission fee Monday to Friday $3.00 Admission fee per car Saturdays, Labor Day and Columbus Day Rides in the Entertainment Area include Royal Oak Express, Royal Oak Carousel and Orchard Tours. Each require a $2.50 token. Free Playground and Petting Zoo. Group Tours and School Tours available by appointment Monday to Friday. (UPDATED: October 10, 2020 JBS) See comments about this farm here!
• Stade's Farm and Market - apples, beans, beets, peas, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, red), strawberries, tomatoes, concessions \\/ refreshment stand, porta-potties, picnic area, inflatables or bounce houses, jumping pillow, ziplines, train rides (train on a track), pedal kart track, petting zoo, school tours, group reservations, events at your location (call for info)
  3709 Miller Road, McHenry, IL 60081. Phone: (815) 675-6396. Email: thefarm@stadefarm.com. Open: Pick - Your - Own is open 9 am to 5 pm whenever applicable; Visit our Facebook Page and website for current picking information. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  Stade's Farm and Market Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: (815) 979-9212. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Stade's Farm host several special events a year. Please refer to our website for all information about our Classic Car Show, Truck and Tractor Show, and Arts & Crafts on the Farm. UPick strawberries are available from mid June to mid July; Our fall festival in September and October.(UPDATED: September 08, 2020)See comments about this farm here!
• Sun Berry Orchard - Uses natural growing practices, apples, cucumbers, pumpkins, strawberries, tomatoes, Turkeys (organic, not-hormone-fed), Fresh eggs
  3712 Greenwood Rd, Woodstock, IL 60098. Phone: (847) 404-7555. Email: Sunberryorchard17@gmail.com. Open: Typical season is from early May through November; in season, Everyday from 8 am to 6 pm. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. Payment: Cash, Check, Venmo, PayPal, ApplePay, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. Click here for our Facebook page.  (UPDATED: August 29, 2023, JBS)  (ADDED: June 17, 2021)

Will County

• Bronkberry Farms - blueberries, apples, pumpkins, farm market, porta-potties are available, hayrides
  18108 S. Bronk Road, Plainfield, IL 60586. Phone: 815-436-6967. Email: veen77@sbcglobal.net. Open: Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . . spring flowers, fresh vegetables, sweetcorn, pumpkins, tractor pulled hayrack rides. we are just starting up this year so please call or visit our website for availability and hours.

 

Pumpkin

Pumpkin Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Do you want it for a party, decoration or eating?

For a wedding or party:

See this page: Finding pumpkins for weddings

Decoration to paint or carve:

OK, Then you need only look for any pumpkin that is

• visually appealing, evenly a deep orange. The shape is just whatever appeals to you. If it grew on its side and has a flat spot, you can either make that the make or use it as part of your design!
• free from cuts, soft spots, bruises. The flesh should feel hard, and not give easily. Infections can invade easily and cause rot
• Make sure the stem is attached.

Store it carefully, especially if you pick it from the vine yourself. Cure a fresh-picked pumpkin by keeping it in a dry place. Don't handle or disturb it. Curing toughens the rind, making it less prone to rot. Pumpkins will keep for months in a cool (50 F to 65F dry, low humidity environment; such as a cool, dry basement.

Tip: If you like roasted or baked pumpkin seeds, you can save the seeds from any pumpkin!

To make a pumpkin pie!

Then you need a small, sweet type of pumpkin that has been developed for eating. They are smaller, typically about 8" to 10" diameter. The meat is much less stringy and smoother than a decorative pumpkin variety. Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A and potassium. One-half cup of cooked pumpkin provides more than the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A. One cup of cooked pumpkin contains only 81 calories. It's low in fat and sodium! Usually you can get these at the grocery store, and some of the pumpkin patches and farm stands have them. Be sure to tell them that you intend to use it for a pumpkin pie. Again, look for firm, no soft spots, or signs of any rot. See this page for easy, illustrated directions to make a pumpkin pie from a fresh pumpkin!

Varieties of Pumpkins

• Sugar - Excellent for baking
• Jack O'Lantern - most common for carving
• White Lumina - unusual, medium-sized white pumpkin
• Mini - Great for decoration
• Gourds - Many varieties, used for decorations

For a very complete, detailed list of many varieties of pumpkins and where to get the seeds, see this page!

Want to Grow Your Own Pumpkins?

Then see this page!

Pumpkin recipes

• How to prepare cooked pumpkin from a fresh pumpkin (for use in all the recipes)
• Illustrated instructions to make a pumpkin pie from a fresh pumpkin - the best pumpkin pie you will ever taste! (metric version for the UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, etc.)
• How to home-can pumpkin (in a cooked, cubed form) and why you shouldn't home-can the pureed forms.
• Traditional Pumpkin Pie
• Chocolate pumpkin pie
• Pumpkin Spice Muffins
• Pumpkin muffins
• Pumpkin Bread
• Pumpkin Butter!
• Pumpkin cheesecake - INCREDIBLE!!! You have to try this one!
• Pumpkin Cookies
• Pumpkin soup - even if you normally aren't a soup lover; you will love this one.
• Butternut-Chestnut Panchetta-Bacon Soup - Pumpkin or Butternut squash combines with chestnuts and bacon, ham or panchetta in this great soup
• Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
• No Sugar Pumpkin Pie
• Apple Cider Doughnut Recipe (with maple glaze or sugar glaze)

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

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers