Ohio has thousands of acres of farmland that, among other crops, include fruit orchards. That means you can find some of the best apple orchards in Ohio no matter what part of the state you are in.
Autumn can vary widely in weather and temperature in the Midwest. Some years it is cool, crisp, and breezy, while other years it still feels like summer. But no matter how the weather is, you will find amazing opportunities for apple picking all over the state, from Chillicothe up to Lake Erie.
Keep reading to discover 17 of the best apple orchards in Ohio you should visit this fall!
1. Arrowhead Orchard
Paris, Ohio
Arrowhead Orchard in Paris, Ohio, lies in the shelter of a hill. This location, shielded from the cold winds, is perfect for growing apples!
The farm was first developed in the 1930s. Though it has changed hands several times since then, it has always grown delicious fruit available all season long.
These days, the 40-acre farm houses more than 7,000 apple trees, as well as peach trees and berry bushes.
Apple season starts early at Arrowhead Orchard with summer varieties like Lodi and Transparent. There are many other varieties and the apple season ends with Braeburn, Evercrisp, and Pink Lady in October.
2. Burnham Orchards
Berlin Heights, Ohio
Burnham Orchards have been used for farming and fruit growing in one form or another since the 1800s! The first commercial apple orchard was planted in the early 1900s and was one of the first orchards to grow the Fuji apple in Ohio.
These days, the orchard features more than 200 acres of apples and 35 acres of peaches, as well as many more of other produce. Visitors can pick their own fruit throughout the year, including cherries, peaches, and blackberries.
Apple picking opens to the public in September and runs to the end of October. Varieties include Sansa, Paula Red, Candycrisp, and many more.
3. Hoen’s Orchard
Delta, Ohio
Hoen’s Orchard is a family farm on the outskirts of Toledo. Here, you’ll find ready produce for sale as well as apple picking and other u-pick options.
This orchard has its roots all the way back in the mid-1800s! It is now in its fifth generation, still owned and operated by the Hoen family. There are many crops available, from tart cherries to cucumbers, rhubarb, raspberries, blackberries, and of course, apples.
Apple season starts in early August with varieties like Jersey Mac. Throughout the season you can find varieties like McIntosh, Pippin, Melrose, Empire, Winter Banana, Arkansas Black, and Northern Spy.
4. Branstool Orchards
Utica, Ohio
Branstool Orchards is located in Utica, Ohio, just outside Columbus. They open to the public in July for peach season and close in early November when apple season is over. During those months, you can get your hands on some of the most delicious self-picked fruit in Ohio!
This beautiful orchard is surrounded by breathtaking farmland. Here, you’ll find pears as well as 20 varieties of peaches and 40 apple varieties. You can also find flowers and pumpkins depending on the season.
Branstool Orchards grows a mix of heirloom apples, popular favorites, and one-of-a-kind varieties. The selection makes it one of the best Ohio apple orchards!
5. Peifer Orchards
Yellow Springs, Ohio
Peifer Orchards in Yellow Springs, Ohio started out as a simple hobby farm of 200 apple trees. In the 30 years since then, it has expanded to more than 3,000 apple trees and many more kinds of produce. This makes it not only one of the best apple orchards in Ohio, but also one of the biggest!
Here, you’ll find all kinds of fresh produce as well as freshly-pressed cider and preserves. Apple picking runs on the weekends throughout September and October. However, the orchard’s market is open daily from June through December.
Varieties here include Honeycrisp, Cortland, Autumn Crisp, Mutsu, and many more.
6. Miller Orchards
Amherst, Ohio
Miller Orchards began all the way back in the 1800s as a humble fruit farm. Now in its fourth generation as a family farm, it features apples, cherries, peaches, plums, and many other types of fruit.
Depending on the season and the weather, you can also find melons, pears, and nectarines. Apple varieties grown here include Lodi, Melrose, Stayman, Red Delicious, Ginger Gold, Gala, and Empire.
Miller Orchards also features a farm store, where you can buy fresh vegetables, honey, jams, canned goods, and local maple syrup. These offerings are one of many things that make Miller Orchards one of the best apple orchards in Ohio.
7. CherryHawk Farm
Marysville, Ohio
CherryHawk Farm in Marysville prides itself on providing a classic apple picking experience just like the old days. Here you’ll find dozens of varieties available from July to November.
Visitors here can help themselves to fresh apples right off the tree or take a stroll through the beautiful sunflower fields. There aren’t a lot of events at CherryHawk Farm, but for someone looking for a simple, traditional apple picking experience, it’s perfect.
Varieties available throughout the season include everything from William’s Pride to McIntosh, Cortland, Green Mystery, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Pink Lady, Staymared, Winecrisp, Gala, Honeycrisp, and many more.
8. Hirsch Fruit Farm
Chillicothe, Ohio
Hirsch Fruit Farm in Chillicothe was founded in 1890. At the time, its focus was mainly apples and peaches as well as some livestock. In the 1960s, the new generation began to move away from animals and added more fruit, including raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and more.
These days, Hirsch Fruit Farm is dedicated to providing fresh fruits and vegetables to visitors from all over the country. There are plenty of fun events here, such as an annual apple harvest festival with hayrides, cider tasting, and scarecrow making.
Apple season features varieties like Cortland, McIntosh, Grimes Golden, Golden Delicious, Mutsu, Gala, and more.
9. Lynd Fruit Farm
Pataskala, Ohio
Lynd Fruit Farm has been in operation since 1919. Even back then, the owners were fourth-generation apple growers. Needless to say, the Lynd family knows their apples.
In the 1990s, the owners co-founded the Midwest Apple Improvement Association, which has patented apple varieties perfectly suited to growing in the Midwest. Many of these are grown at Lynd Fruit Farm.
There are events at Lynd Fruit Farm throughout the year, but the star of the show is apple picking. The season starts with varieties like Gala, Pixie Crunch, and Honeycrisp, and concludes with Rosalee, Winesap, Fuji, Goldrush, and more.
10. MacQueen Orchards
Holland, Ohio
MacQueen Orchards is located in Holland, Ohio. It has been in operation for more than 65 years over several generations of the MacQueen family.
These days, there are events all through the year at MacQueen farms. You could say it is one of the busiest of the Ohio apple orchards! The Apple Stir Festival, among other events, draws hundreds of visitors every year.
Pick your own apples begins in September and continues through the middle of October. Varieties include Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Jonathan, and Idared. You can also find fresh baked goods for sale in the orchard bakery.
11. Hidden Hills Orchard
Marietta, Ohio
Hidden Hills Orchard in Marietta is home to more than 5,200 dwarf apple trees, making it a perfect place for family apple picking. With 80 cherry trees and 150 peach trees, Hidden Hills is a prolific fruit producer in southern Ohio.
The orchard grows 22 apple varieties, among them Golden Delicious, Goldrush, Gala, and Honeycrisp, as well as Suncrisp, Cripps Pink, and many more.
Hidden Hills prioritizes sustainable growing practices and uses solar panels and integrated pest management to produce crops that give back to the earth. They also prioritize local sales and use an eco-friendly drip system for irrigation.
12. Brant’s Apple Orchard
Ashtabula County, Ohio
Brant’s Apple Orchard is practically synonymous with autumn for the people in Ashtabula County. When apple season arrives, it is time to pick your own apples and enjoy other fall-themed activities at one of the best apple orchards in Ohio.
That includes enjoying fresh cider (pressed in an authentic cider press from 1895), cider slushies, and cider doughnuts. You can also help yourself to some of the 23 apple varieties that are grown at Brant’s Apple Orchard.
These include Tydeman Red, Mollie’s Delicious, Valstar, Rome Beauty, Firmgold, Idared, and more. It’s a great combination of old and new cultivars for you to enjoy.
13. Beckwith Orchards Cider Mill
Kent, Ohio
Beckwith Orchards Cider Mill in Kent is centered around apples, but first opens its gates in July for peach and nectarine season. The orchard has been in operation since the 1870s and still remains in the same family!
Though it doesn’t offer pick-your-own apples, there is no denying that Beckwith Orchards is one of the best apple orchards in Ohio. You can find the one-of-a-kind Beckwith Big Red here starting in mid August.
More varieties hit the shelves from late August to early November, including Macoun, Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, Elstar, Jonathan, Cortland, and Empire. These are perfect for fresh eating and cooking alike.
14. Rittman Orchards
Doylestown, Ohio
Rittman Orchards has been in operation since just 2004, but its owners have been growing apples for more than 50 years. In fact, it’s a labor of love by the Rittman family, who left retirement to run an apple farm once again.
In addition to apples, you will also find blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and many kinds of vegetables. The orchard also features a winery with homemade fruit wines, another attraction of one of the best Ohio apple orchards.
Depending on when you visit, you can get your hands on apple varieties like Cameo, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Melrose, and much more.
15. Apple Hill Orchards
Fredericktown and Mansfield, Ohio
It is impossible to get bored at Apple Hill Orchards. With several locations in Fredericktown and Mansfield, the orchards offer attractions such as pick-your-own apples, a bakery, fresh apple cider, an Amish deli, maple syrup, jam, jelly, and tons of other fresh fruit.
The orchards also draw visitors all year round with special events, including a kids’ weekend featuring hay rides, scavenger hunts, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides, and more.
If the more than 30 apple varieties aren’t enough, you can also find peaches, pears, plums, and pumpkins. Apples include Lodi, Blondee, Pixie Crunch, Pink Lady, and Stayman.
16. Hartford Orchards
Hartford, Ohio
Hartford Orchards was purchased by new owners in 2017, but had its start all the way back to the Civil War era. They use special farming techniques to continue producing the unique apple cultivars they have grown for decades.
Hartford Orchards grows nine apple varieties. Some of these are available to pick yourself, while others are available for purchase in the orchard market. They include Honeycrisp, Gala, McIntosh, Cortland, Jonagold, Red Delicious, Jonathan, Melrose, Golden Delicious, Mutsu, and Fuji.
Apple season starts in late August and continues until early November. You can also find local honey, preserves, apple butter, cider, and other treats in the orchard store.
17. Stotler’s Orchard
Atwater, Ohio
Stotler’s Orchard is a 30-acre fruit farm located in Atwater, Ohio. It features roughly 3,000 fruit trees with options for both pick-your-own and ready-to-purchase fruit.
The orchard hosts regular parties and events, both public and private. It is also a popular spot for educational field trips. The orchard store has baked goods and fresh cider for sale.
But most impressive is that Stotler’s Orchard grows 113 distinct apple varieties, from modern favorites like Gala and Fuji to heirloom varieties like Sheepnose and Golden Russet. The sheer variety is enough to land Stotler’s on the list of best apple orchards in Ohio.
Discover the Best Apple Orchards in Ohio
If you are spending autumn in Ohio, there is no end to the options for apple picking — or the varieties you can find. From fresh favorites to unique heirlooms, everyone can find an apple that suits their taste right here in the Midwest. Now that you know all the best apple orchards in Ohio, discover great apple orchards in other states, too!