It’s that time of year – the leaves are changing color, the air is getting colder and crisper, and apples are ready to be picked! Going to apple orchards is a great activity for all ages, and Southwest Michigan has some of the best apple orchards in the state of Michigan.
Here are our favorite apple orchards in Southwest Michigan, listed in no particular order.
Gull Meadow Farms is located in Richland, which is about a 15-minute drive Northeast of downtown Kalamazoo.
Gull Meadow Farms has a whole lot to offer other than apples. They have many fun activities for the whole family including a pumpkin patch, corn hole, hay rides, petting zoo, steer roping, corn maze, zip cords, and much more.
They have a great shopping area where you can buy a wide range of apple products, Halloween and fall decorations, and some fantastic donuts.
If you’re around during the spring and summer, they have a great selection of flowers and other plants for your garden.
Jollay Orchards is located right in the heart of Southwest Michigan’s fruit production region.
They have many fun activities for all ages including a haunted house, a cornfield maze, pond fishing, a caterpillar crawl, and a hayride to their apple orchards and pumpkin patch.
Don’t be afraid to stop and talk to one of their staff members for recommendations. They’re very knowledgeable on different types of apples and can help you find the right varietal for your tastes and what you plan on using the apples for.
Be sure to stop by during the off-season as well for their Summer Jamboree, which includes U-Pick Sweet cherries, peaches, and plenty of entertainment.
Located just off of I-94, Big Dan’s U-Pick’em offers just what their name implies – You pick ‘em apples.
Their staff are knowledgeable about their produce and happy to help you with selecting the right apples for your tastes. They also have a great selection of pumpkins for Halloween decoration, including pumpkins up to 150 pounds, as well as high-quality pumpkin varieties for cooking.
They also have a great variety of fresh and local fruits and vegetables at great prices, and they have a huge display of ornamental Gourds.
Great family owned business located in Niles, MI that has been in business since 1929.
While apple picking is a big draw, Leman’s Orchards have many other great fruits grown throughout the year. Right now you can likely pick pears along with apples.
Check out their Now Picking page for updates on other fruit that you can U-Pick throughout the summer and early fall months. These fruits include strawberries, sweet cherries, raspberries, currants, blueberries, gooseberries, tart cherries, peaches, nectarines, and blackberries.
The Shafer Farm is now open for U-pick apples and grapes! They’re one of the few locations that let you pick grapes, which ripen about the same time as apples, which make them a unique stop in your apple orchard tour of Southwest Michigan.
The Shafer Farm has been a part of the Shafer family for three generations, and their close attention to quality and detail has resulted in people traveling to The Shafer Farm, often from hundreds of miles away, to get their produce.
Make sure you stop by earlier in the summer for fresh peaches as well. They have nine peach varieties available, so follow their website to find out when they expect their peaches to be ready to be picked.
Springhope Farm is a great spot to bring the family with a wide range of U-pick apples
Family fun activities include wagon rides on the weekends as well as a picnic area. Stop by their farm store for locally grown vegetables, baked goods, and apple related products.
Follow their Facebook page for updates and events.
Twin Maple Orchards has been in operation for 51 years and is a great place to go for a huge selection of high quality of apples and other fresh fruit.
They grow 20 varieties of apples – check their website to see what is currently in season for U-Pick. This is also one of the best places in Southwest Michigan to get high-quality plums, tomatoes, and peaches.
