For the best picking experience, call the farm or check its website before you head out. Availability, hours, and crop conditions can change rapidly. Some of the farms require reservations, especially on weekends. Make sure you and your kiddos are dressed appropriately, as it can get muddy in the fields. Some of the farms welcome pets, but check the rules in advance.

There's nothing quite like a freshly picked strawberry. Photo courtesy of Swann Farms

Best Farms for Strawberry Picking Near DC

1. Swann Farms — Owings, MD

Strawberry-picking season generally begins in mid May and runs through early June at this family-owned farm, which does not require reservations. Just be sure to visit the website before you go to confirm hours and picking conditions. Visitors must pre-purchase a container before picking.

2. Yankey Farms — Nokesville, VA

This family farm in Prince William County offers pick-your-own strawberries each spring through early to mid June. Reservations are required on Saturdays and Memorial Day and must be made at 8pm the night before, but on all other days families can just show up. The farm provides containers for the strawberries—no outside containers are allowed.

3. Wegmeyer Farms — Hamilton and Leesburg, VA

Families can pick strawberries at two Wegmeyer Farms locations in Loudoun County—one in Hamilton and the other in Leesburg. Prepaid reservations are required for both and included your first five-pound bucket of strawberries. Reservation slots are posted in the early evening the day before. 

4. Shlagel Farms — Waldorf, MD

This family farm in Waldorf has been farming this land for more than 100 years. Strawberry-picking season generally begins in late May; check the farm's Facebook page for daily updates on picking conditions. On weekends, a milkshake trailer sells fresh strawberry shortcakes, milkshakes, and ice cream cones.

5. Larriland Farm — Woodbine, MD

This farm near Baltimore offers strawberry picking from late May through early June. Call 410-442-2605 or check the farm's website before heading over to see what is available that day. You must pre-purchase a container before entering the field, then fill it up with as many berries as will fit.

6. Godfrey's Farm — Sudlersville, MD

Visit Godfrey's Farm any day from May through early June to pick several varieties of strawberries. Check in at the market to purchase at least one gallon-sized bucket before picking. 

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Sweet strawberries + playground fun = a perfect spring day at Butler's Orchard. Photo courtesy of the farm

Best Strawberry Picking Farms with Other Activities for Kids

7. Butler's Orchard — Germantown, MD

One of the most popular farms in the region for families to visit, Butler’s Orchard offers pick-your-own strawberries in late May and June. Reservations must be made in advance online. The small admission fee includes access to the Farm Park, a fun farm playground with giant slides, wooden climbing structures, farm animals, and pedal tractors. Stay all day and grab a bite to eat at the Farmer’s Porch Kitchen.

8. Braehead Farm — Fredericksburg, VA

Strawberry picking at Braehead Farm is generally available daily from late April through May (and sometimes into early June). No reservations are needed, and there is no admission fee—families only pay for what they pick. After strawberry picking, families can pay a small fee to visit The Family Playgrounds and enjoy lots of fun activities, including swings and slides, a corn pit, trikes and push tractors, and farm animals.

9. Baugher's Orchard — Westminster, MD

Baugher’s Orchard typically offers pick-your-own strawberries every day from mid May through early July. Take a family wagon ride to the fields for strawberry picking, then pet and feed goats, lambs, and other farm animals in the petting zoo. There are two playgrounds near the petting zoo, as well as markets and a restaurant. Call the picking hotline at 410-848-5541 for the latest updates on conditions and hours.

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Get into the strawberry spirit at Great County Farms. Photo courtesy of the farm

Best Strawberry Festivals Near DC

10. Great Country Farms — Bluemont, VA

Purchase a Farm Pick & Play ticket from mid May through June to enjoy Great Country Farms' 12-acre play area plus access to the strawberry-picking fields. Pay by the pound for strawberries, which are chemical-free. The farm play area includes slides, jumping pillows, a ninja obstacle course, live animals, and more. The Strawberry Jubilee Fest takes place the last two weekends of May and the first weekend of June and includes live music, contests, games, wagon rides, and other fun activities.

11. Messick's Farm Market — Bealeton, VA

Visit Messick's Farm in the spring to enjoy strawberry picking, a petting zoo where families can feed farm animals, a giant jumping pillow, a zip line, a hayride, and other fun activities. Go on a weekday to avoid admission fees, but note that some activities may not be available. The farm also hosts a four-weekend Strawberry Festival with even more fun things to do.

12. Weber's Cider Mill Farm — Glen Arm, MD

Weber’s Peachberry Farm generally offers pick-your-own strawberries from mid May through mid June. Its nearby sister farm, Weber's Cider Mill Farm, also hosts an annual Strawberry Festival in early June. At the festival, families can enjoy all kinds of strawberry treats and fun activities for kids, including barnyard animals, a barrel train ride, slides, live music, and more.