Let’s Go Apple Picking and Cider Sipping in Southwest Michigan

When it comes to fall fun, it’s hard to beat apple picking and cider sipping in Southwest Michigan. Bite into a crisp, handpicked apple or quench your thirst with a glass of fresh-pressed or hard cider and you’ll understand why generation after generation returns here each autumn. With so many orchards and cideries to explore, use this guide to find the best places for your first visit or a return fall getaway.

When to Pick | Favorite Apple Orchards, Fresh Cider & Markets | Hard Ciders | Apple Picking Tips | Where to Stay

When to Pick Apples

Apple season in Southwest Michigan runs from July through November, with most U-pick farms and markets open until mid to late October. Many local orchards have been family-owned for over a century and are known for their warm welcomes and pride in providing their apples at peak flavor, whether you prefer sweet or tart. Growers happily share which varieties are best for snacking, baking or making sauces, jellies or juice and several pass along much-loved family recipes. See the tips below for what to bring and wear on this must-do fall adventure.

Where to Pick Apples and Buy Fresh Cider

A visit to our U-pick orchards is more than filling a bag with crisp, juicy apples. It’s showing your family where their fruit grows, riding a haywagon to the apple-laden trees, picnicking, petting farm animals and playing under blue skies. Some of the best moments of country living happen here, and the memories will bring you back every fall.

Earth First Farms | Berrien Center

This certified organic farm offers U-pick apples from Labor Day through October, weather permitting. Plan to attend the Harvest Party at the end of September to enjoy delicious food, live music, orchard hayrides, cider and more farm fun. For a unique year-round experience, register to camp in the orchard under the stars. 

Fruit Acres Farm Market & U-Pick | Coloma

From September through October, take a hayride out to the orchard and pick the freshest, tastiest Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Silken, Golden Delicious and Mystery apples. Call ahead to see what varieties are ready to pick. The market offers just-harvested apples, sweet corn, squashes, cabbages, artisanal cheeses and much more. 

Jollay Orchards | Coloma 

Visit this farm to handpick apples and buy cider and donuts in the market. Their late-August to early November Harvest Festival is a fall tradition for hundreds of families. Fun activities include hayrides, a corn maze, haunted house,  dinosaur statue farm, western town, playground, fishing pond and more.

Lehman’s Orchard | Niles 

Handpick apples, plus bring home fresh and hard cider, wine and jams from their market. A unique opportunity is buying one or more apple trees to plant at home. 

Lemon Creek Winery & Fruit Farm | Berrien Springs

Visit this 165+-year-old fruit farm, one of the largest in the region and one of Michigan’s oldest wineries. Enjoy u-pick and pre-picked apples and juice. Another bonus: pick or buy winemaking grapes and then relax tasting their award-winning wines in the tasting room.

Stover’s Farm Market & U-Pic | Berrien Springs

This historic farm creates fall traditions with apple picking from September through October. Choose favorites like Honeycrisp, Gala, Jonagold, Molly Delicious and more in the orchards or at the Big Red Barn market. Take home cider, donuts and apple butter. And don’t miss enjoying a picnic or taking a hayride, including the October Doggie Hayride (see Facebook for details).

Twin Maple Orchard | Galien

Bring the family, plan a fun date or gather friends to pick from 28 apple varieties starting in mid-August. Call ahead to find out which apples are in season and the current picking schedule. Beyond the orchard, the farm offers even more ways to make memories, from a playground and friendly farm animals to a bakery and market filled with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Favorite Farm and Community Markets

Discover where fall continues beyond the orchard. Take home the love-every-bite flavors of just-harvested apples, fresh-pressed cider, creamy apple butter and flaky pies and turnovers from our farm and community markets. Let local growers and bakers share the best of the season, ready for your table. 

Bixby Farms | Berrien Springs  

Stop by mid-August to Labor Day for Ginger Gold, Gala and Honey Crisp apples plus delicious blueberries, peaches, blackberries, sweet corn and more. 

Dad’s Farm | St. Joseph

This year-round indoor market offers apples and fresh produce, jams, jellies and local honey. The staff also prepares breakfast, sandwiches, soups and smoothies which you can enjoy in the Downtown Market, outside at the Social District tables or as takeout. 

Dorothy And Al’s Farm Market (Villwock’s Outdoor Living) | Berrien Springs 

In-season fruit and vegetables from local and regional vendors.

Dussel’s Farm Market & Greenhouses | Cassopolis

This market overflows with fresh produce, including Honeycrisp and Gala apples and yummy donuts. It’s a great place for finding in-season flowers, garden center items, gluten-free products, bakery items and much more. Visit year-round.

Eckler Produce & Greenhouse | Niles

Open year-round, this family-owned and operated farm is your go-to for in-season fruits and vegetables including Honeycrisp and Molly Delicious apples.

Hildebrand Fruit Farms | Berrien Springs

This is where to come for simply high-quality fresh fruit at reasonable prices. Their apple season starts around Labor Day and extends until April/May thanks to their high-tech cold storage. Varieties available in order of ripening are Paula Red, Ginger Gold, Gala, Honeycrisp, MacIntosh, Cortland, Jonathan, Jonagold, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Ida Red, Fuji, Cameo, Granny Smith and Evercrisp. During harvest season, they also send their apples weekly to a mill to make thirst-quenching cold-press cider.

Hollywood Farms | Baroda

This family farm offers homegrown apples, fresh cider, apple brats and much more in the fall.

J.W. Morlock & Girls Fruit Stand | Watervliet  

Find your long-time favorites or try new varieties among this market’s 27 apple types from July through October. Be sure to take home Moe’s homemade nine-inch and mini apple pies (plus 15 other seasonal varieties). 

Michigan Local Harvest Fruit Stand | Sawyer 

Visit this stand in August and September for apples and other in-season fruits and vegetables. 

Piggott’s Farm Market & Bakery | Benton Harbor 

From July to mid-November, this 70-plus-year-old family farm is where to come for apples and homemade pies, donuts, jams and a long list of other fall favorites.

Sandoval’s Fruit Shack | St. Joseph 

This is one of Southwest Michigan’s newest fruit stands, and from August to November it’s where to find cider and crisp apples for munching, sauces and holiday baking.

Schilke’s Farm Market And Greenhouse | Benton Harbor 

A family-owned and operated market, Schilke’s offers cider, apples and other in-season fruits, vegetables, flowers, potted succulents and more for your fall gatherings and decorating.

Sommerfeldt’s Fruit Farm | Benton Harbor 

The Sommerfeldt family proudly offers affordable, quality apples from August to Halloween. Check their Facebook page for details about the Annual Fall Festival in early October.

Villwock’s Farm Market | Berrien Springs 

Celebrating over 40 years of business, Villwock’s sells a variety of apples from local farmers including Evercrisp, Jonagolds, Granny Smiths, Fuji and Ambrosia. Their iced apple cinnamon bread gets repeat visitors, too.

10 Community Markets

Many local farmers bring their fresh apples, cider, produce, jams, cheeses, meats and baked goods to our weekly community markets. Before you come, check with your destination for updates in the downloadable Farms & Market Guide listed below.

The Best Hard Ciders Come from the Best Apples

Hard cider was America’s favorite beverage in the 1700s and 1800s, enjoyed by the whole family at nearly every farm table. But Prohibition nearly wiped out our country’s cider culture, and it took until the 2000s for a true comeback. Now, hard cider is one of the nation’s fastest-growing craft beverages, especially in apple-rich regions like ours. Taste the refreshing flavors in every orchard-to-glass pour at these cideries and cider specialists.

12 Corners Vineyards | Benton Harbor

At 12 Corners Vineyards, sample some of the region’s best hard ciders. Begin with the award-winning, semi-sweet Big Daddy’s Hard Cider, crafted with Michigan apples. Then try the tart cranberry notes of Lil’ Red’s, the peachy Juicy Lucy or Tommy’s Tart Cherry, a cider as delicious as Mom’s cherry pie. Visit today and bring home your new favorites!

Carriage House | Benton Harbor

Discover the pleasure of sipping crisp, dry ciders on the tasting patio. For an unforgettable group experience, sign up your company or friends for a European-style apple crushing experience from September through November. 

Chill Hill | Baroda 

Just minutes from Lake Michigan, this is like a tropical paradise, perfect for cider tasting. Watch their event page for breezy live music and a harvest party.

Gravity | Baroda 

You will love unwinding in Gravity’s tasting room or on the deck overlooking the lake and vineyards. Sipping their hard ciders is exhilarating. Make this your go-to-date destination on Live Music Saturdays and Sundays.

Lehman’s Farmhouse | Buchanan

With six hard cider choices, this is one of the best places to discover a new favorite. It’s also a convenient stop on your driving tour of the region. Enjoy lunch or dinner with one of Lehman’s 18 beers and distillery spirits. Follow their Facebook page to get the date for this year’s Harvest Festival in mid-September.

Lemon Creek Winery & Fruit Farm | Berrien Springs

Taste this century-old farm’s hard ciders and bring them home to enjoy throughout the year.

Peat's Cider Social | Stevensville

This cidery has mastered nostalgic experiences. Housed within a 1960’s bowling alley, this taproom is a place to socialize, open your palate to traditional and new hard cider flavors and roll a few games. You’ll love the mid-century vibe and the massive copper cove sculpture over the bar.  

Thistledown & Row | Buchanan

Looking for a hip spot for dinner, drinks, a date night or a brunch with friends? This restaurant, cidery and winery in downtown Buchanan serves up new American classics and reinterpretations paired with craft hard ciders, meads and wines. 

More Hot Spots for Finding Hard Ciders

Many of the breweries along Southwest Michigan’s Makers Trail offer their handcrafted ciders. Each stop has its own tasting room ambiance and many offer outdoor seating. Add these in your search for your top cider choices.

Join the Fun! Take the Makers Trail Passport Challenge.

Do you love trying craft beverages? Then take on the 2025-2026 Makers Trail Passport Challenge, running Sept. 12, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Explore 50+ cideries, wineries, breweries and distilleries and cideries across our countryside. The more locations you visit, the more exclusive Makers Trail rewards you can earn! Start tasting your way along our Lake Michigan shoreline and into our countryside. It’s the perfect way to spend more time in Southwest Michigan.

Make the Most of Your Orchard Visit

When you arrive, ask the farm staff for pointers for picking in their orchards. Here are general tips for creating a memorable day: 

• Call ahead: Check to see if the apple variety you want is still available. If not, inquire what variety would make a good substitute.
• Dress appropriately: Wear layers and comfortable shoes. Orchard ground can be uneven or muddy.
• Visit early in the day: For the freshest apples and to avoid crowds, plan to arrive early, especially on weekends.
• Ask for variety recommendations: If you don’t know what variety to pick, ask the staff. Many have worked on these farms since childhood and can guide you to the best apples for snacking, baking and cooking.
• Pick carefully using the best technique: Separate the stem from the spur, which attaches the apple to the tree, to guarantee future harvests. According to the Farmers’ Almanac, the best way to pick is to select ripe apples from the lowest outside branches using a gentle twist and pull motion. If there are many apples on the ground, the tree is past its prime and the remaining apples won’t keep as long.
• Bring containers: Some orchards provide bags, but bringing baskets or boxes can help prevent apples from bruising.
• Plan storage: Apples can last a long time if stored properly. Choose firm apples for longer storage, then keep them in a cool, dark place.

Stay Over and Make the Most of Your Fall Visit

Before you plan your apple-picking and cider-tasting adventure, check our Fall Color Tour Guide and Fall Color Report to time your visit just right. Then make the most of your getaway by booking a room near your stops and seasonal activities. You’ll return home with bushels of happy memories, plus plenty of apples, cider and festive fall decorations. We can’t wait to welcome you!