Find an updated list for 2021 here.
What’s better than a freshly picked, perfectly ripe, locally grown apple? (Maybe a fresh-from-the-oven apple pie?) And with apple varieties ripening soon, it’s a great time to try out your favorite fall recipes. Use this apple picking guide to help plan a perfect socially distant autumn’s day and maybe a perfect meal too.
Apple picking season typically kicks off in early September and lingers into late October, depending on the orchard. Be sure to call ahead or check social media sites to confirm hours, attractions, availability, and prices, as weather, fruit conditions and of course this year, COVID-19 can create unexpected changes.
For other fun fall outings, check out our Fall Fun Guide. Sign up for our FREE newsletters to get posts like this delivered to your inbox.
Here’s our guide to apple picking near Des Moines:
Appleberry Farm
2402 W Main Street • Marshalltown, IA 50158 • (641) 752-8443
Apple Varieties: Red Delicious, Candy Crisp, Enterprise, Fuji, Gold Rush, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Red Jonagold, Sweet Sixteen, Blushing Golden, Cheifton, Fireside, Gala, Granny Smith, Jonafree, Macoun, Regent, Wealthy, Braeburn, Cortland, Freedom, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Jonagold, Mcintosh and September Wonder
Hours: Monday through Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; Sunday 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm.
Head to Appleberry Farm in Marshalltown for some old-fashioned fall family fun. In addition to picking apples, you can enjoy apple cider, raspberry lemonade slushies, apple cider mini-donuts, cheese curds, pickle fries and more from their Apple Wagon. They also have lots of other produce for sale like corn, tomatoes, peppers, watermelon and fall decorations that make great backdrops for family photos.
The Berry Patch
62785 280th Street • Nevada, IA • (515) 382-5138
Apple Varieties: Williams Pride, HoneyCrisp, Mollies Delicious, Red Free, Gala, Ruby Jon, Zestar and Earligold
Hours: Monday through Saturday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm; CLOSED on Sunday.
The u-pick apple season has already started at The Berry Patch. A popular farm destination near Nevada, it’s a local favorite for berry and apple picking. Whether you’re visiting during the week or the weekend, the friendly helpful owners and employees make it an enjoyable day for families. Several varieties of apples, as well as, aronia berries are currently ready to pick. The farm furnishes containers for you to pick or they will pick for you. Be sure to watch their website for updates on what’s ready to pick and changing hours.
Center Grove Orchard
32835 610th Avenue • Cambridge, IA • (515) 383-4354
Apple Varieties: Zestar!, Red Free, Wolf River, Blondee, Cortland, Gala, McIntosh, Golden Supreme, Daybreak Fuji, Autumn Crisp, Jonamac, Crimson Crisp, Honeycrisp, Empire, Jonathan, Snow Sweet, Cameo, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Jonagold, Lysgolden, Mutsu, Candy Crisp, RJ Gold, Chieftain, Fuji, Braeburn and Granny Smith
Hours: Barnyard: Daily 9:00 am to 7:00 pm; Country Store: Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Center Grove Orchard is open for the 2020 season and has grown to an 18-acre apple-growing powerhouse committed to showing families kid-powered fun focused on running, climbing, adventure and fresh air. Visitors pay a $15.95 weekend admission so kids can tire themselves out riding the train, running through the corn maze, jumping on giant bouncy pillows and much more. In addition, to apples the orchard also sells u-pick peaches and pumpkins.
Deal’s Orchard
1102 244th Street • Jefferson, IA 50129 • (515) 386-8279
Apple Varieties: Lodi, Duchess, Whitney Crab, Paula Red, Earliblaze, Earligold, Zestar, Wealthy, Pippin, Macintosh, Chenanego, Gala, Sharon, Cortland, Jonathan, Jonadel, Jonagold, Empire, Snow, Red Delicious, Honey Crisp, Yellow Delicious, Grimes Golden, Haralson, Chieftain, Rome Beauty, Winesap, Turley and Arkansas Black
Hours: Daily 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Deal’s is a family run apple orchard with 45 acres of apple trees and 25 varieties of apples. You can find their apples, cider, and hard cider in many central Iowa grocery stores. The sprawling orchard is also home to “Apple Acres”, which has fun activities for the entire family. You’ll love their jumping pillow, giant slides, human hamster wheel, pedal tractors, goat run and more. You can also try to navigate your way through their corn maze and check out the latest edition to the orchard a 1.5-acre sunflower field.
Hinegardner Orchard
1348 295th Street • Montour, IA 50173 • (641) 492-6353
Apple Varieties: Lodi (Harvest Apple), Summer Treat, Pristine, Wealthy, Akane, Gala, Macintosh, Jon Grimes, Ozark Gold, Honey Crisp, Jonathon, Jonagold, Cortland, Chieftain, Jon-Del, Red Delicious, Mitsu, Connell Red, Haralson, Wine Sap and Golden Delicious
Hours: September 26-27 and October 3-4, 2020 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
This family-owned and -operated business has grown since its beginning almost 60 years ago. This year they’ll be open for their Annual Apple Picks the weekends of September 26-27 and October 3-4. On these weekends, they’ll also have apple cider, apple pies, caramel apples, squash, pumpkins, raspberries and other seasonal produce for sale. You can also see how far you can launch your picks on their Giant Apple Slingshot!
Iowa Orchard
U-Pick Orchard: 13140 NW 102nd Avenue, Granger, 50109
Store: 9875 Meredith Drive, Urbandale, IA • (515) 276-0852
Apple Varieties: HoneyCrisp, Gala, McIntosh, Jonathan, Empire, Cortland, Fuji, Red and Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Pink Lady, and Braeburn
Hours: Daily 9:00 am to 5:00 pm during apple season.
If you’re looking to fill your fall basket with more than just apples, then Iowa Orchard’s two locations should make your itinerary. They offer u-pick apples at their Granger location just off of Highway 141, September through mid-October. They do not charge an admission fee, but they do have a 1/2 peck minimum for everyone, except for kids in a stroller. They no longer offer pick-your-own apples in Urbandale because of the size and age of the trees. However, you can purchase apples at the store and they also offer up an array of homemade pies, fresh apple cider, decorative pumpkins, gourds and more.
Storybook Orchard
12832 Royal Orchard Drive • Story City, IA 50248 • (515) 733-4474
Apple Varieties: Honeycrisp, Fuji, Braeburn, Gala, Jonagold, Jonadel, Jonathan, Cortland, and Zestar
Hours: Daily 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Storybook Orchard in Story City offers a wide selection of naturally grown fruits and veggies available for U-pick as well as pre-picked. Open mid-July through mid-December, you’ll find lots of tree fruits produced in season, including peaches, plums, cherries, and pears. In addition, they have over 60 different kinds of apples.
The Community Orchard
2237 160th Street • Fort Dodge, IA 50501 • (515) 573-8212
Apple Varieties: Cameo, Yellow Delicious, Walthy, Honey Sweet, Haralson, Chieftain, Honey Crisp, Zestar, Red Delicious, Paula Red, Jonathan, Gala, Cortland and Braeburn
Hours: Daily 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
If your family likes the hustle and bustle and activities of a county fair, then a stop at The Community Orchard is for you. Established in the early 1940’s, this orchard offers several varieties of apples, u-pick pumpkins and lots of room to remain socially distant. You’ll want to be sure to check out their Back 40 Playground where you can wander in a corn maze, feed the goats, climb a tire mountain and more. This is also a great place to stop for lunch at The Apple Orchard Café or just enjoy one of their freshly baked pie, turnover, or dumpling for dessert.
Upstream Gardens & Orchard
5987 NE 88th Street • Altoona, IA 50009 • (515) 957-1303
Apple Varieties: Honey Crisp, Granny Smith, and Other Varieties
Hours: Monday, Wednesday – Friday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; Tuesday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm; Saturday-Sunday 1:00 to 6:00 pm, hours can change as the season progresses.
Upstream Gardens and Orchard is a working farm that offers pick-your-own apples, berries and other produce in Altoona. They also have honey from their own hives for sale. Watch their website to know when their Honey Crisps and Granny Smiths will be ready to pick. They do not charge admission; you just pay for what you pick.
Wills Family Orchard
33130 Panther Creek Road • Adel, IA • (515) 321-1847
Apple Varieties: Pristine, Williams Pride, Redfree, Zestar, Priscilla, Freedom, Spartan, Snowsweet, Liberty, Jonafree, Enterprise and GoldRush
Hours: September/October – Saturdays 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (6:00 pm on Festival weekends) Sundays 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm (6:00 pm on Festival weekends). Apple & Pumpkin Fest starts on September 19 and is held on WEEKENDS until October 25, 2020.
This family-owned and -operated business includes four acres of organic apple trees, one acre of peach trees, three acres of pumpkins, one acre of winter squash and ornamental gourds. In addition to the solid selection of produce, the Orchard draws families in with a one- acre corn maze, wagon rides, hens and goats. You’ll also want to be sure to visit their on-farm store where you can find all kinds of fresh, handmade foods such as apple cider donuts, caramel apples, Queens apple dessert, sliced apple pie and more.
If you aren’t up for the long drive or have limited apple picking opportunities, another way to celebrate the harvest is to visit a local Farmers’ Market. Several remain open throughout September and October.
Where does you family pick apples near Des Moines? Let us know!
