2024 Chicago and Northeastern Illinois Raspberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Raspberry U-Pick Orchards in Chicago and Northeastern Illinois in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for raspberries that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have raspberries 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!"
• Walnut Grove Vocational Farm - beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, flowers, herbs or spices, onions, peas, peppers, raspberries (Spring, red), summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, Other fruit or veg, restrooms, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
  33600 Pearl Street, Kirkland, IL 60146. Phone: (815) 793-0950. Email: nutmeg214@gmail.com. Open: U-Pick Strawberry patches typically start in mid-June. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Walnut Grove Vocational Farm Facebook page. . Use this link to sign up: https://bit.ly/2N67dxx. Pick-your-own started in 2018. For everyone's safety: U-Pick is open only to adults & supervised children 12+. (ADDED: August 03, 2017)
• You Pick Berries, aka UP Berries - strawberries, raspberries (Autumn, red), blueberries, blackberries
  30683 Lanan Road, Kingston, IL 60145. Phone: 815-784-2541. Email: mjdrozd@yahoo.com. Open: Daily, during daylight hours from 8:00 AM to sunset. Directions: See website for directions and map. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. You Pick Berries, aka UP Berries . A Self Serve Honor system in place; Raspberries start late in mid July and go through until the first frost. Strawberries in June, blackberries and blueberries after that and Raspberries start late in August and go through until the first frost. We are open every day. This is a self serve/honor system business. No cashier on site. Please bring cash or your checkbook (instructions and supplies provided). No Business Phone - Sorry. (UPDATED: July 18, 2018, JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on September 27, 2010: "UP Berries was great. Christine is so nice and the berries were delicious. Not crowded and not expensive. It was a very relaxing day."
  Comments from a visitor on August 27, 2010: "My husband and I spent a lovely afternoon picking the largest raspberries we have ever seen. The bushes were practically overloaded too so there was plenty to be had. I plan on going back this weekend for a few more. "
  Comments from a visitor on August 22, 2010: "I wanted to send my thanks for the wonderful listings you have here. We stopped at UP Berries in Kingston, IL and had a wonderful time picking delicious raspberries. We will definitely be visiting this farm again! The honor system was mapped out with very detailed instructions and it was a delight to pick from there. Thanks to the instructions here half of the loot is already turned into jam; the other half is properly freezing now on a cookie sheet! Thank you again for all this site has offered, and a big thanks to UP Berries!"

Grundy County

• Olive Berry Acres - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (yellow), raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), rhubarb, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties are available
  2575 West Mine Road, Mazon, IL 60444. Phone: 815-474-6511. Email: oliveberryacres@aol.com. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: Mazon is located on Illinois Route 47, about 15 miles south of Interstate 80. The farm is about 70 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, about an hour and a half drive. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. 88Olive Berry Acres . They have a website here website here, but never actually put anything on it so it just gives an error message.
  Comments from a visitor on June 05, 2010: "We visited (Grundy County, IL) today and had a great time. The owner, Nik, was very friendly and informative. There were three varieties of strawberry available, all were very tasty and flavorful. There were plenty of berries. We picked ten pounds and it was a drop in the bucket. The price was very good ($2/lb). The farm is nice and tranquil, very relaxing. Raspberries will be ready next week, and even though we live in Chicago, we're trying to make time to go back."

Kane County

• Spring Bluff Nursery - Uses natural growing practices, beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, flowers, gooseberries, herbs or spices, kale, onions, raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), rhubarb, Other fruit or veg, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, gift shop, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food, farm animals
  41w130 Norris Road, Sugar Grove, IL 60554. Phone: (630) 466-4278. Email: plants@springbluffnursery.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 5 pm; Sunday 10 am to 4 pm, April 1 to October 31. Directions: 5 miles North of Sugar Grove off Bliss Road at Norris Road. Six miles West of Aurora. Please call for specific directions. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  Spring Bluff Nursery Facebook page. . We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. (ADDED: April 14, 2020)

McHenry County

• Heider's Berry Farm - raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), strawberries, U-pick and already picked
  1100 North Queen Anne Road, Woodstock, IL 60098. Phone: 815-338-0301. Open: Sunday through Saturday from 9am to 3pm as long as berries are available. Directions: From Chicago and suburbs: Take I90 west to Route 47 north. Go through Huntley to Woodstock. Turn right on route 120. Go 2 miles, then turn left on Queen Anne. Go one-half mile. Farm is on the right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Heider's Berry Farm Facebook page. . Facebook page. Strawberries: about June 10 to July 4 Raspberries: about July 4 to August 1 and about August 25 to frost. You may call ahead for each day's picking conditions and availability. The beginning and ending of each picking season depends on the weather.
• 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 10:00am to 6:00pm. 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 5:00 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 or 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!
• Tom's Farm Market - raspberries, apples, strawberries, farm market
  10214 Algonquin Road, Huntley, IL 60142. Phone: (847) 669-3421. Email: info@tomsfarmmarket.com. Open: during the Holiday Season so you can purchase pies and our specialty breads eggnog teacake, cranberry walnut or our miniature fruit cake. Directions: North on Randall Road to Algonquin Road, turn left \(west\) 3-one half miles. Located on north side of road OR north on Route 47 to Algonquin Road, turn right \(east\), go 1-one half miles. Located on north side of road. We have U-pick strawberries in June, and during our strawberry season, we bake fresh strawberry pies and have shakes and sundaes made to order. What a treat on those hot days! In July and August, we make great peach cakes from the harvest of wonderful Southern Illinois peaches we receive. Our market is always filled with a delicious aroma that can be smelled right after walking through the door. Our famous pies, cookies, scones and home- made breads are tasty and baked fresh every day. As the season changes, so do our bakery items. For our Fall Fest in September and October, we he have our famous apple cake that is applelicious! November we begin taking orders for our Thanksgiving pies. Call our bakery, to place an order. We are . Click here for a map and directions.
  Tom's Farm Market Facebook page. . call, email or see their website for current hors and availability; strawberry fest on Father's Day weekend. North on Randall Road to Algonquin Road, turn left (west) 3-one half miles. Located on north side of road OR north on Route 47 to Algonquin Road, turn right (east), go 1-one half miles. Located on north side of road. We have U-pick strawberries in June, and during our strawberry season, we bake fresh strawberry pies and have shakes and sundaes made to order. What a treat on those hot days! In July and August, we make great peach cakes from the harvest of wonderful Southern Illinois peaches we receive. Our market is always filled with a delicious aroma that can be smelled right after walking through the door. Our famous pies, cookies, scones and home- made breads are tasty and baked fresh every day. As the season changes, so do our bakery items. For our Fall Fest in September and October, we he have our famous apple cake that is applelicious! November we begin taking orders for our Thanksgiving pies. Call our bakery, to place an order. We are open during the Holiday Season so you can purchase pies and our specialty breads (eggnog teacake, cranberry walnut or our miniature fruit cake). In the Fall, we have a 5 Acre Corn Maze, Straw Mounds, Petting Zoo, Bunny Village, Goat Walk, Wooden Train/School Bus/Tractor, Spider Web). (ADDED: june 22, 2013X)
• Woodstock Country Orchard - raspberries, apples
  17015 Garden Valley Road, Woodstock, IL 60098. Phone: (815) 923-4359. Email: bytemecomputing@yahoo.com. Click here for a map and directions. . See these pages for more information: [Hours] [Map] [Schedule] [Varieties] [Prices]. 12 varieties of the best apples. See comments about this farm here!

 

Raspberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Raspberries can produce an early summer crop or  a late summer and Fall crop. In the U.S. Spring / Summer raspberries (called florocanes) typically peak during June in the South, and in July in the North. The primocane varieties, which produce raspberries on shoots that come up each Spring are typically read from August until frost.

In addition to the variety a farm plants, the berries are ready at various times depending the local climate, such as which part of the state you are located. See this page for a list of raspberry festivals around the U.S.

And for those of you from the upper midwest through the west and up to Canada, if you are interested in Thimbleberries, see this page.

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - 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 raspberries, 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 raspberries more than 5 inches deep will bruise the lower berries. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one at right.
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.

Tips on how to pick raspberries

1. Raspberry bushes don't have thorns, but they are a pick prickly, so if you want to hold the stem while picking, a pair of lightweight gloves is helpful.

   Raspberries Nutritional Data
   (fresh)

   Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
   Energy	220 kJ (53 kcal)
   Carbohydrates	11.94 g
   Sugars	4.42 g
   Dietary fiber	6.5 g
   Fat	0.65 g
   Protein	1.2 g
   Vitamins
   Thiamine	(3%) 0.032 mg
   Riboflavin2	(3%) 0.038 mg
   Niacin3	(4%) 0.598 mg
   Pantothenic acid5	(7%) 0.329 mg
   Vitamin B6	(4%) 0.055 mg
   Folate9	(5%) 21 μg
   Choline	(3%) 12.3 mg
   Vitamin C	(32%) 26.2 mg
   Vitamin E	(6%) 0.87 mg
   Vitamin K	(7%) 7.8 μg
   Minerals
   Calcium	(3%) 25 mg
   Iron	(5%) 0.69 mg
   Magnesium	(6%) 22 mg
   Manganese	(32%) 0.67 mg
   Phosphorus	(4%) 29 mg
   Potassium	(3%) 151 mg
   Zinc	(4%) 0.42 mg
   Other constituents
   Water	85.8 g
   Units μg = micrograms � mg = milligrams IU = International units
   Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source:

   
   
2. A ripe raspberry is deep color with a plump, soft but firm feel. It will pull free from the plant with only a slight tug. The center will remain on the plant. Keep in mind, raspberries come in many colors: red, yellow, black, purple, so you want to pick the darker shade of whichever it is.
3. Pick only the berries that are fully ripe. Reach in between the stems to grab for hidden berries ready for harvest. Bend down and look up into the plant and you will find loads of berries that other people missed!
4. I find it helps to hold the stem with one hand, while picking with the other.
5. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
6. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down. Ideally, the collection containers should be wide so the pberries aren't more than a few deep.
7. Pick berries into a shallow container. If they get piled too deep they will crush each other.
8. Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunlight any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking.

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them or freeze them.  Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. DO refrigerate! Right after picking, place raspberries in the fridge. If your fridge tends to dry out produce, lightly cover the container.
3. Raspberries don't store for very long, usually just a few days. The reason the ones from the grocery store last longer is they are covered with fungicides!
4. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
5. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash  off the others, drain them and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make jam right away) raspberries are less perishable than blueberries or strawberries, but refrigerate them as soon as possible after picking. Temperatures between 34 F and 38 F are best, but, be careful not to freeze the raspberries (while they are in the fridge)!
6. Even under ideal conditions raspberries will only keep for a week in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, use them as soon as possible after purchase
7. See this page for illustrated freezing instructions.

Raspberry Recipes

1. Now, get ready to make raspberry jam - It is VERY easy - especially with our free
   raspberry jam directions - very easy! or for a jam with a little kick, try raspberry chipotle jam
2. And if you want to freeze them to use later, see my How to freeze berries page.
3. You can also make your own raspberry vinaigrette,
4. See this page for an easy recipe to make raspberry chipotle sauce

 

Raspberry Facts

• Raspberries are a very healthy food; packed with anthocyanins!
• Raspberries contain more vitamin C than oranges, are super high in fibre, lhave a good amount of folic acid, are high in potassium, vitamin A and calcium.
• The USDA says 1 cup of raspberries has about 62 calories.
• 11 cup of raspberries, not packed down weighs about 140 grams.
• An average raspberry has 100 to 120 seeds.
• Select plump, firm, fully raspberries. Unripe berries will not ripen once picked.
• Raspberries belong to a large group of fruits known as brambles, such as blackberries, in the plant genus Rubus.
• Raspberries come in red, yellow, orange, purple and black colors.
• Yellow raspberries are red raspberries that don't make red pigment.)
• In most areas, raspberries begin to bloom in late May or early June.
• Bumblebees, honeybees, and other wild bees love to visit brambles.
• 60-70 pints of fruits can be harvested from 100 feet row.
  Raspberries can be harvested from early summer through fall, usually right up until a freeze
• The United States is the world's third-largest producer of raspberries (FAOSTAT, 2013).
• Production occurs across much of the country, although most of it is concentrated in California, Oregon and Washington. California leads the nation in both black and red raspberry production (NASS, 2015).
• According to the most recent Census of Agriculture, the United States has 8,052 raspberry farms totaling 23,104 acres (Census of Ag, USDA, 2012).
• U-pick raspberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. A quart equals 1 and 1/4 pounds of fresh berries.
• Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as raspberries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a couple of days in the refrigerator.
• You can easily freeze berries that you cannot use right away - just wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible.  Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of this! The berries will keep for many months frozen without air.
• Want to go to a raspberry festival? See this page for a list!

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