Nestled in and around the Rocky Mountains are the best apple orchards in Colorado. Though the mountainous state isn’t known for its fruit production, you’d be surprised at the hidden gems you can find throughout the region.
Many of the best apple orchards in Colorado prioritize using sustainable growing practices to protect the earth. Some even grow heirloom varieties that you can’t find in grocery stores!
If you have the chance to go apple picking in Colorado this fall, these places should definitely be on your to-do list. Depending on the time of year, you may be able to get your hands on some hard cider or baked goods, too.
Discover the 15 best apple orchards in Colorado!
1. Adam’s Apple Orchard
Ault, Colorado
Adam’s Apple Orchard and Country Store is a relatively young apple orchard in Ault, Colorado, with both U-pick and pre-picked options. Though the orchard isn’t organic, it uses organic growing practices to produce its more than 150 apple varieties.
Different apples are available at various times during the season. During the high season, you can expect the stock to change weekly! Late fall produce and pumpkins are available, as well as plums and pears.
Apples grown include Autumn Crisp, Bella, CandyCrisp, Early Fuji, Gala, Golden Supreme, Hawkeye, McIntosh, Ozard Gold, Pink Lady, Snowsweet, Winecrisp, and Zestar. Adam’s is not only one of the biggest orchards, but also one of the best apple orchards in Colorado!
2. YA YA Farm And Orchard
Boulder County, Colorado
YA YA Farm & Orchard is part of a historic centennial farm that specializes in heirloom apples. This is a U-Pick apple orchard in Boulder County, Colorado that practices both natural and organic growing methods.
YA YA also offers a farm stand along with a number of livestock available for visitors to interact with. The orchard also sells apple cider donuts, apple pies, and other fresh products.
YA YA is open at various hours depending on the season, which runs from August through October. During this season, visitors can play with animals, enjoy fresh fruit, or buy some of the farm’s delicious freshly baked treats.
3. Big B’s Fruit Company
Hotchkiss, Colorado
Big B’s Fruit Company is an orchard and juice company located in Hotchkiss, Colorado. Established in 1973, Big B’s produces juices and hard ciders from their orchard fruits, making it one of the best apple orchards in Colorado.
In the orchard, visitors will find a huge range of produce, including mulberries, cherries, apricots, mulberries, chard, basil, and of course, apples. Some of the apple varieties include Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, and Fuji.
Big B’s also has an orchard store, cafe, taproom, and campground. They host regular live music events.
Big B’s Oasis Nursery specializes in growing native, medicinal, and edible plants that tolerate drought. Visitors can also find locally made gifts, locally grown produce, honey, jams, jellies, and other products from the North Fork Valley.
4. Fruit Basket Orchards
Grand Junction, Colorado
Fruit Basket Orchards is the only full service U-Pick apple orchard in western Colorado. Located in Grand Junction, the owners of Fruit Basket pride themselves on letting visitors pick any of the fruits grown on-site.
These include stone fruits like sweet and tart cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums, and apricots. Over 18 varieties of apples accompany raspberries, table grapes, and pears for a well-rounded orchard experience.
Be sure to bring cash, as Fruit Basket does not take credit or debit cards. School groups are welcome and visitors are encouraged to pick as much as they like, since the orchard charges by the pound (with quantity discounts).
5. Wag’s World Orchards
Eckert, Colorado
Located in Eckert, Colorado, Wag’s World Orchards grows a number of fruits including apples, nectarines, berries, pears, peaches, cherries, and plums.
Vegetables and crops are grown on-site including peppers, cucumbers, green beans, broccoli, tomatoes, eggplant, lettuce, squash, onions, and peas. Wag’s World offers its own fresh juices on-site.
These orchards are in the shadow of the Grand Mesa which lends it a temperate climate suited for fruits and vegetables. Wag’s World is open year-round. Apple varieties include Cameo, Jons, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Gala, Golden Delicious, and more.
Local wildlife like the red fox, grey fox, coyote, and even wild turkeys add extra charm for visitors. This is definitely a must see of the best apple orchards in Colorado.
6. Nelms Farm
Golden, Colorado
Established in 2012, Nelms Farm was founded to share the fruit of a family orchard behind their home. Nelms Farm is located in Golden, Colorado, and offers a U-Pick orchard full of fruit and vegetables grown as naturally as possible.
The owners of the farm pride themselves on growing produce without pesticides or artificial chemicals. Different types are available throughout the year. Apple and potato picking reservations are available for groups.
While the orchard closed down for the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s expected to reopen for Fall 2021. Visitors will be glad to get back to one of the best apple orchards in Colorado.
7. Jenkins Farms Apple Valley Orchard
Penrose, Colorado
Jenkins Farms Apple Valley Orchard is located in Penrose, Colorado. Offering a U-Pick orchard that is smoke-free and family-friendly, Jenkins Farms specializes in delicious Colorado apple wine. No reservations are required and visitors are welcome to come anytime during business hours. Larger groups can be accommodated throughout the week.
Jenkins Farms is also home to Western Skies Winery with a tasting room. Visitors can sample apple wines to find their favorite before purchasing a full bottle. Jenkins Farms also networks with other local farms, restaurants, coffee shops, and liquor stores to help visitors find even more fun family experiences.
8. Colon Orchards
Cañon City, Colorado
Colon Orchards is a fourth-generation farm located in the Arkansas River Valley. Apples are one of many crops here. The orchard uses integrated pest management, a method of pest control that reduces pesticide use while encouraging the growth of healthy, delicious fruit.
The apples at Colon Orchards are heritage varieties that have been grown in the Valley for centuries. You’ll be able to taste fruit here that you can’t find anywhere else, as well as popular varieties like Pippin, Stayman, Winesap, Pink Lady, and Yellow Transparent.
You can also find apple cider and farm-fresh eggs, meat, and baked goods like fruit pies and pizzelles.
9. Peachfork Orchards And Vineyards
Palisade, Colorado
Peachfork Orchards and Vineyard is one of the quintessential and best apple orchards in Colorado. It is nestled in the Rocky Mountains, surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery. Here, you will find fruit grown with care and attention as well as specially made estate wines.
Visitors can pick their own grapes, apples, pears, plums, and pluots here. Apple varieties include Jonathan, Fuji, and Pink Lady, with the harvest running from August to October. During this time, visitors can help themselves to fresh, delicious fruit in view of the mountains.
Peachfork Orchards is a solar-powered farm and the property is in conservation with the Mesa Land Trust.
10. Ela Family Farms
Hotchkiss, Colorado
Ela Family Farms has been growing delicious fruit in western Colorado in the same way since 1907. Not only are they one of the best apple orchards in Colorado, they are also one of the oldest!
The owners believe in environmental stewardship, which means that you can be sure that the fruit is grown with the best possible practices.
You can find more than 20 apple varieties here from August through October. These include Sanza, Granny Smith, Esopus Spitzenberg, Gala, Fuji, and many more. You can also find many other fruits, such as cherries, peaches, plums, pears, tomatoes, and rhubarb.
11. Masonville Orchard
Fort Collins, Colorado
Masonville Orchard in Fort Collins specializes in heirloom varieties of apples, pears, and plums. That means that you have the chance to try fruit that people have enjoyed for centuries but are no longer sold in grocery stores.
There are a huge number of apple varieties at Masonville Orchard. The harvest runs from early August to late October, giving you ample chance to visit one of the best Colorado apple orchards.
Varieties include Pristine, Scarlet Surprise, Akane, Pixie Crunch, Cox Cherry Pippin, Florina, Pound Sweet, Melrose, and many more. You can also purchase hard apple cider made on site.
12. Orchard Creek Ranch
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Orchard Creek Ranch might just be the quintessential Colorado experience at an Orchard. Yes, that means what you think it does! The farm sells many homemade CBD and hemp products. Although, there is also ample opportunity for apple picking if that’s more your speed!
The ranch’s nearly 80-year-old apple trees grow varieties like Double Red Delicious, Jonathan, and Rome. Visitors are invited to pick their own fruit and swing by the store for freshly made apple chips, apple cider vinegar, lavender-infused honey, and hemp products.
It might not provide the classic apple picking experience you’re used to, but the quality and variety put it among the best apple orchards in Colorado.
13. Happy Apple Farm
Penrose, Colorado
Happy Apple Farm is a small orchard in Penrose, Colorado. Despite its smaller size, it offers fresh, delicious fruit for self picking and continues to attract visitors throughout the growing season.
Depending on the time of year, you can find fresh blackberries, apples, pumpkins, and other crops. The apple harvest kicks off the autumn festivities, which include hayrides, pumpkin carving, and fresh apple cider. Pets are welcome in the orchard, too.
You can find many apple varieties here, including Jonathan and Gala. Happy Apple Farm also sells jams, jellies, and other preserves. This little Colorado apple orchard is truly an apple paradise.
14. Fritchman Orchards
Eckert, Colorado
Fritchman Orchards is located in Eckert, on the western side of Colorado. Since its founding the orchard has been a pillar of its community, providing fresh and delicious apples, peaches, cherries, and more.
This farm does regular “weekend specials”, events that draw visitors from all over the region. One of the most popular is Applefest, which is, of course, the star of the apple harvest and makes this one of the best apple orchards in Colorado.
Though the orchard doesn’t offer self-pick options for apple picking, it’s still easy to get your hands on the abundant fruit offerings from their fields. They also sell a variety of other fruits and vegetables as well as fresh honey and apple cider.
15. Early Morning Orchard
Palisade, Colorado
Early Morning Orchard is a large farm in Palisade, Colorado. The produce here churns out throughout the year, supplying local stores and farmers’ markets.
The owners of Early Morning Orchard look for sustainable growing practices that help produce great food no matter what the time of year. In addition to apples, you’ll find a variety of other fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs.
Though the orchard doesn’t offer options for picking your own fruit, you can get your hands on fresh, delicious produce at any time. They also regularly host events that are updated on their website, so visitors always know what’s going on.
Visit the Best Apple Orchards in Colorado!
Finding the best apple orchards in Colorado doesn’t have to be hard! There are many options for finding fresh, delicious fruit all over the state. The experience at each of these farms is totally unique, even if they offer similar products or varieties. If you are looking for a place to go apple picking this fall, Colorado has no shortage of options! Excited to learn more about your favorite fruit? Then keep reading all about apples!