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Note: Please contact the orchards before heading out to confirm hours and available amenities. Many orchards are small, family-run establishments that can close suddenly. Weekday hours are often limited and vary greatly. Also, leave animals at home, or you may be asked to leave apple-free.

Where To Go Apple Picking in Northern New Jersey

1. Demarest Farms – Hillsdale

This popular farm boasts 14 varieties of pick-your-own apples. Apple picking is permitted on Saturdays and Sundays beginning in early September. The $8 per-person entrance fee gets you playground access and time with the farm animals; pay an additional fee for a bag to hold all the apples you can pick. Children under 2 are FREE! Stop in the farm store for treats like ice cream and apple cider doughnuts. The 2024 picking season opens September 1, 2024, and online reservations are required. Tickets for specific time slots must be purchased in advance; in-person tickets will not be sold, and hayrides will be available this year on Saturdays and Sundays.

2. Alstede Farms – Chester

Talk about agritainment: In addition to being open for daily apple picking, the farm offers special attractions like an evergreen maze, corn maze, hayrides, and a giant hay pyramid every single day—not just on weekends. The farm does charge an admission fee (which includes a hayride), and certain activities like pony rides and the moon bounce house are not included. Keep in mind the farm tends to get very crowded on peak fall weekends.

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Each mile-high apple pie is made with 5+ pounds of apples at Mackey's Orchard. 

3. Mackey's Orchard – Belvidere

Mackey's Orchard offers apple pickers a 15-minute hayride with scenic views of the apple-picking orchard located behind the farm. You must take the hayride to the apples and there is a $3 fee. The orchard charges by bag for pick-your-own apples. There’s also a playground and a full apple bakery with apple cider doughnuts, dumplings, and more, including mile-high apple pies. And don't forget the homemade ice cream! Mackey’s grows more than 100 varieties of apples that ripen between September and November. Pick-your-own is offered on weekends in September and October. Owner Holly Mackey advises visitors to call or check the Facebook page before coming—because Garden State residents know how wonky the Jersey weather can be.

4. Sun High Orchards – Randolph

Kids love visiting the animals at this farm. A variety of apples, including Cortland, Macintosh, Honeycrisp, and Empire, are sold by the pound, so grab only what you want to buy. Apple picking was only held on weekends in 2023 and as of late August Sun High had not posted the schedule for 2024, so check the website before venturing out when the season starts in September. Cap off the day with a trip to the farm stand for some homemade ice cream.

5. Wightman Farms – Morristown

Heads up: A per-person membership is required to enter this orchard, but it grants you access all season long. Then you pay for what you pick. Though Wightman Farms grows 29 varieties of apples for picking, the farm is far more than just a pick-your-own destination. On weekends, enjoy attractions like hayrides, a giant corn maze, the pumpkin slingshot, a hay bale maze, a labyrinth, and a picnic area. All run Labor Day weekend through the end of October. Before leaving, try some freshly squeezed apple cider, pressed from apples picked right at the farm. Apple picking is permitted on Saturdays and Sundays. Children 3 and under are FREE!

Where To Go Apple Picking in Central New Jersey

6.  Battleview Orchards – Freehold

Battleview Orchards, a family-owned and operated farm, invites you to pick your own apples beginning at the end of August. Enjoy a family hayride on the weekends beginning in late September. Battleview is also known for its adorable Country Market & Bakery, which features a variety of treats, including its popular apple pie. Only cash is accepted at picking locations and there is a 10% discount for senior citizens and military. 

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Enjoy non-GMO apples at Giamarese Farm and Orchards. 

7. Giamarese Farm and Orchards – East Brunswick

Enjoy apple picking at Giamarese Farm starting Labor Day weekend. All of the apples grown at the farm are non-GMO. Hayrides are available during the farm's Fall Harvest Weekends, which also feature pony rides and a corn maze. The farm reopens on August 20, 2004, and is open 7 days a week starting in October. Follow the farm on Facebook for current news.

8. Eastmont Orchards – Colts Neck

Eastmont Orchards has been growing apples since 1923. The farm, which is open daily, offers 19 different types of apples. Admission is FREE and you pay for what you pick. Pricing is by the pound, and payment is accepted via cash or checks only. Apple picking season starts in late August. Call ahead or check out the Facebook page to see which apples are available. 

9. Von Thun Farms – South Brunswick and Washington

Von Thun Farms offers apple picking from mid-September through the end of October. Apple trees at the farm are dwarf trees that grow very close to the ground, making picking easy for kids. Fall Festival Weekends are Saturdays and Sundays starting in mid-September, and include a corn maze, an inflatable obstacle course, hayrides, face painting, pony rides, and a pumpkin blaster. And at VonThun's kids are FREE until they're 3!

10. Krowicki's Farm Markets & Greenhouse – New Egypt

Bring your own bags or bushels to collect apples at this small farm, which is open 7 days a week from 9am-5pm. Don't forget to stop by the farm market for other fresh produce and baked goods. Krowicki's visitors can also take advantage of the corn maze and pumpkin patch from the end of September through October.

11. Terhune Orchards – Princeton

Beginning in September, Terhune Orchard's pick-your-own-farm on Van Kirk Road, just around the block from its home farm, is open every day. Sold by weight, the farm's apples are juicy, crisp, and delicious. They are available for picking starting in early September. Enjoy the Fall Family Fun Weekends beginning in mid-September. 

Where To Go Apple Picking in Southern New Jersey

12. Johnson's Corner Farm – Medford

Apple picking at Johnson's Corner Farm begins in early September when the Fuji apples ripen. Nine additional apple varieties are ready for picking throughout September and October, including Red Delicious and Granny Smith. Apple-picking hayrides begin in September, and the farm's popular Fall Festival Weekends include live music, a corn maze, moon bounce, and a food tent. Its animal farm and discovery barnyard (tickets required) are also fun to visit, and the farm market sells freshly baked pies, caramel apples, and cider donuts. Stop at one of the ice cream windows for an apple cider slush or some pumpkin ice cream. Be sure to buy tickets online in advance.

13. Hill Creek Farm – Mullica Hill

This festive farm does things a little differently and requires you to watch an educational film and get a U-Pick certification before they let you loose on the three separate apple orchards that feature Jonagold, Fuji, and Cameo apples. By growing dwarf trees that are lower to the ground, apple picking at this farm is more fun for their smaller patrons (and a break for parents' backs). Hill Creek Farm offers so much more than just apple picking, including hayrides, barrel train rides (additional cost), moon bounce (additional cost) a playground featuring a giant fire engine and a sandbox, gem mining, and even a rubber ducky race. Admission is by vehicle and less expensive if you reserve in advance (which is strongly suggested). Admission fee gives you access to the grounds and then you pay for the apples by the pound. Fridays are FREE admission! Be sure to stop by the farm stand (admission not required) to taste a few apple cider donuts. And for adults, there is a wine garden on site. Apple picking opens in early September and runs through early November. 

14. Duffield's Farm & Market – Sewell

Fall is prime season for pick-your-own apples at Duffield's Farm. This family-friendly farm offers hayrides through the countryside, warm apple cider donuts, a deli, and even a food truck festival. Call or check the Facebook page for crop availability. Closed Sundays. Check out the Food Truck and Apple Festival on September 7th, 2024!

15. Johnson's Locust Hall Farm – Jobstown

Just like Johnson's Corner Farm, the Locust Hall location is all about FUN! The Park and Pick entrance fee in the fall gives you access to pick sunflowers and pumpkins in addition to apples (you must pay for what you pick). With the entrance fee, you have access to the corn maze, kids can pet farm animals, climb on tractors, play in a sand box, dance to live music, go on a wagon ride, and repeatedly ride down corrugated metal slides. The Park and Pick is convenient if you want to pick things other than just apples as you can drive to the apple fields and pick, then drive to the pumpkin field and pick. Our favorite part was that we could sit and watch the kids play while we sipped wine from the patio. Be sure to stop by their store to pick up some warm apple cider donuts and freshly made apple cider. Apple picking is Fridays through Sundays starting in early September. Kids under 2 are FREE! 

For more South Jersey places to pick, check out the apple orchards recommended by our Philadelphia Mommy Poppins team.

This article was first published in September 2009 and is updated every year.

Unless otherwise noted, photos courtesy of the farms.