When the heat of summer begins to fade into the crispness of fall, the best apple orchards in Missouri are where people head. They visit the state’s many orchards to pick their own apples and also purchase apple food products like ciders, jellies, and apple butter.
There is a long history of growing apples in Missouri, which can be traced back to settlers bringing apple trees and seeds with them as they moved westward. By the early 1880s, a strong apple-growing industry had gained a foothold, and apples are still the prevailing fruit industry throughout the state. Missouri’s nickname “the Land of the Big Red Apple” means there are plenty of apple orchards to visit in the fall.
Keep reading to discover the 15th best apple orchards in Missouri!
1. Huffstutter Orchards
New Franklin, Missouri
First on our list of the best apple orchards in Missouri is Huffstutter Orchards.
In New Franklin, Missouri, you will find Huffstutter Orchards. The original orchard was located in St. Joseph, and also included a dairy. That orchard was run by Wilbur Weisenborn, along with his daughter, Betty, and his son-in-law. Ralph Huffstutter.
They were forced to sell the original orchard in 1958 to make room for an interstate, so the family purchased a new orchard in New Franklin. This is where the orchard is run today by Richard Huffstutter, Betty and Ralph’s son, along with his wife, Pamela.
This small family orchard has expanded from apples into other fruits such as peaches, pears, pumpkins, squash, and gourds. Since 2000, they have had a u-pick portion of the orchard, as well as a u-pick pumpkin patch.
2. West Orchards
Macon, Missouri
West Orchards can be found in Macon, Missouri. They’re a family-run farm established in 1995 that raises apples, peaches, plums, pears, and apricots.
This is a u-pick orchard that opens around the first week of August each year. They also sell pre-picked fruit at their sales building.
They also have freshly-made apple cider from late September through mid-October, produced in a real 1860s cider press.
Other offerings include fresh apple pies, various fruit jellies and jams, and occasionally other products made locally.
3. Bear Creek Farms
Walnut Shade, Missouri
Bear Creek Farms is located in Walnut Shade, near Branson, Missouri. They have a shop with local jams, jellies, apple butter, honey, wines, fresh eggs, and even toys. Of course, they offer a nice selection of apples, plus a variety of animals such as goats, chickens, alpacas, and beehives.
4. Schweizer Orchards
St. Joseph, Missouri
Another of the best apple orchards in Missouri is Schwizer Orchards.
In St. Joseph, you will discover a beautiful 86-acre farm and orchard located in the bluffs that overlook the Missouri River. For more than four generations, Schweizer Orchards has been offering quality fruit, produce, and other products.
The market has a wide variety of products like jams, jellies, salsas, relishes, kitchen accessories, fresh fruit, and produce. They also have cider available in many flavors, as well as slushes in the heat of summer.
In addition to the market, they have a playground, picnic area, and pick-your-own apples, pumpkins, peaches, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries.
5. Gardener’s Orchard & Bakery
Brighton, Missouri
Gardener’s Orchard & Bakery is found in Brighton, Missouri. The Gradinariu family moved to California from Romania in 1990 and relocated to Missouri in 2004 to pursue their dream of having a farm. Originally, they ran the operation as a turkey farm. In 2015 they took over an orchard and chose to focus exclusively on it.
The orchard has tours, hayrides, and more than a dozen apple varieties you can pick yourself. There are also peaches in the summer.
Gardener’s features a bakery and shop with an assortment of yummy food, or food-related, products:
- Donuts using local fruit
- Bagels
- Danishes
- Breads
- Pies
- Cookies
- Applewood chips
They also offer apple cider and their own house-made apple cider vinegar made with apples grown on their farm and aged for over four months.
6. John & Linda’s Fruit and Berry Farm
Bates City, Missouri
John & Linda’s Fruit and Berry Farm is found in Bates City, Missouri. They have five acres planted with a wide variety of fruits, including apples, peaches, plums, pears, cherries, many types of berries, and even vegetables.
The farm is open for u-pick seven days per week, as is the farm stand. Just make sure you call before coming so they’re ready for you.
7. Centennial Farms
Augusta, Missouri
Located in Augusta, Missouri, Centennial Farms has been owned and run by the same family since 1854. The current owners, Bob and Ellen Knoernschild, are the fourth generation. The family’s sixth generation—the owners’ grandson, Gabe—currently manages the farm.
Their current orchards were planted in 1969 on a former grain and livestock farm. They now grow peaches, blackberries, apples, and pumpkins. The farm’s market also sells apple butter, twenty kinds of preserves, salsa, pickles, relishes, and raw, unpasteurized honey inside a lovely, old-fashioned market building.
They are currently open only on weekends, but there are no parking or admission charges, and they recently updated their playground.
8. Alldredge Orchards
Platte City, Missouri
Alldredge Orchards is found in Platte City, Missouri. The farm was started in 1960 in St. Joseph by Ernest Alldredge and originally grew apples, peaches, plums, and apricots.
When Ernest passed away, the orchards were sold, but the family pursued their dream of having a farm again by purchasing the new farm in Platte City in 1985. They planted apples and peaches and officially opened for business in 1991.
They have u-pick apples and pumpkins, hayrides, a barnyard with sweet, friendly animals to feed, and even a cafe with delicious homemade treats. They also have a market with apples, pumpkins, flowers, local honey, and more, and in the summer they also have peaches and other summer produce available.
They do charge a small admission fee, but no reservations are required. They are open Saturdays and Sundays in September and October.
9. Thierbach Orchards & Berry Farm
Marthasville, Missouri
In Marthasville, Missouri, you will discover the market and apple orchards of Thierbach’s. They also have a berry patch and peach orchard in Marthasville, and an additional market in Washington, Missouri.
They have various fruits available throughout the summer and fall:
- Strawberries in May
- Blueberries, cherries, and blackberries in June
- Peaches in July and August
- Apples throughout the fall.
You can pick your own fruit while in season, and visit their markets for already-picked produce. The market also sells jams, jellies, salsas, and pickles, along with an assortment of kitchen equipment.
In the fall, they have interesting activities set up for children, including hayrides. They also have group apple picking excursions, and even offer fresh apple cider on the patio.
10. Knowlan Family Farm
Burfordville, Missouri
Knowlan Family Farm is located in Burfordville, Missouri. They have been open since 2016, providing homegrown and raised fruits, vegetables, and beef.
They have twenty-nine varieties of u-pick fruits and vegetables, including apples, peaches, nectarines, blueberries, blackberries, pumpkins, and more. You can also buy their own pasture-raised beef.
The farm is open Monday through Saturday, and they also have a beautiful event venue called Knollcrest which has a wedding chapel sitting on 100 acres of pasture, 65 wooded acres, and a glittering 12-acre lake.
11. Murphy Orchards
Marionville, Missouri
In Marionville, Missouri sits Murphy Orchards, which offers strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and apples in many different varieties.
They are open Monday through Friday, and offer u-pick fruits in season, as well as a store with jams, jellies, cider, pre-picked produce, and lovely country decor.
12. Hickory Ridge Orchard
Mexico, Missouri
You will find Hickory Ridge Orchard in Mexico, Missouri. They are open on weekends only during the summer, and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the fall.
This farm has apples, pumpkins, and mums for sale. On the orchard grounds, you’ll find a stunning nature trail complete with a pond filled with ducks and geese. They also have a corn maze, hayrides, a petting zoo, and even a train ride tour called the Hickory Ridge Express, pulled by a real tractor!
Their market features raw apple cider, apple cider donuts, mini apple pies, caramel apples, and more, and the farm also sells fresh eggs year-round by appointment.
13. Peters Orchards and Market
Waverly, Missouri
Located in Waverly, Missouri, and nestled in the bluffs of the Missouri River, you will find Peters Orchards and Market. This farm has been growing apples for over 110 years. It began as a dry good store and orchard and has grown into a flourishing 500-acre orchard and market via five generations of hard work by the Peters family.
Their current offerings include peaches, apples, fresh ciders, canned goods, baked goods, pecans, and walnuts. If you can’t get out to their market, you can purchase from their online shop and have their products delivered right to your door.
14. Sibley Orchards & Cider Mill
Head to Sibley, Missouri and you will find Sibley Orchards & Cider Mill, a sprawling orchard with a small fruit stand offering yellow semi-cling peaches, freestone peaches, apples, blueberries, tomatoes, cantaloupes, and more. They also offer a selection of preserves, butters, pickles, real Mexican vanilla, and local honey.
In fall, the farm offers free hayrides to their pumpkin patch during the day, and night hayrides in the evenings complete with a bonfire, propane grills for rental, and hot dog sticks. Night hayrides are only available to groups of at least twenty-five.
They are open on weekends, plus Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. They accept cash, checks, and major credit cards.
15. Herman’s Farm & Orchard
St. Charles, Missouri
Last, but not least of our best apple orchards in Missouri is Herman’s Farm and Orchard.
In St. Charles, Missouri you will discover Herman’s Farm, which offers u-pick tomatoes, peaches, blackberries, and other fruits in the summer, and tomatoes, apples, and pumpkins in the fall. Just be aware that u-pick is available only by appointment at this apple farm.
They also have a market with potted plants, herbs, and flowers, fresh produce, and more, as well as activities such as educational field trips, hayrides, a castle playground, and events.
Visit the Best Apple Orchards in Missouri
The long history of apple growing in Missouri is showing no sign of slowing down. In fact, it’s still booming! With the addition of other popular fruits like peaches and blueberries, Missouri has quickly become one of the country’s leading states for fruit production.
Ready for more apple content? Keep reading all about apples, apple varieties, apple recipes, and more!