Fall in Massachusetts basically runs on apples, cider, and crisp weekend mornings spent out in the rows. Plenty of orchards open for pick-your-own in September, but the real winners keep their gates open well into October, when the later apple varieties are ripe and the crowds start to thin out.
That means you can grab a bag, wander the trees, and fill it with fruit long after the first rush of the season. Below are nine orchards across the state that let you pick your own right through October.
Some come with cider doughnuts, others with hilltop views or hayrides, and a few have been family-run for generations. Call ahead or check each farm’s picking updates before you go, since apple supply changes week to week.
Here is where to head.
1. Honey Pot Hill Orchards, Stow
Families with young kids tend to circle back to Honey Pot Hill year after year, and the hedge maze is a big reason why. The farm has a famous circular maze that keeps children busy while the adults handle the actual apple picking.
Located in Stow, Honey Pot Hill Orchards grows a wide range of varieties, so the picking window stretches deep into the fall. Later-season apples like Macoun, Cortland, and Red Delicious usually keep the rows open through October.
Beyond the trees, you will find hayrides, farm animals, and a store stocked with cider doughnuts and fresh apple cider. It gets busy on weekends, so an early arrival or a weekday visit makes the whole thing easier.
2. Carlson Orchards, Harvard
Cider fans already know the Carlson name, since the family has become one of the better-known cider producers in the state. The orchard itself sits on the hills of Harvard and opens for pick-your-own during apple season.
Carlson grows classic New England varieties, and the later apples help keep picking going through October. Peaches earlier in the year and apples in the fall make it a farm with a long harvest calendar.
The farm store is worth a stop for fresh cider and other local products. With its hilltop setting, the views alone give you a reason to linger after your bag is full.
3. Shelburne Farm, Stow
Not to be confused with the Vermont property of a similar name, Shelburne Farm sits right in Stow and has been a go-to for apple pickers for decades. It is a compact, welcoming spot that feels genuinely local.
The orchard grows a solid lineup of apple varieties, and the later ones extend the picking season into October. That makes it a reliable choice when some of the earlier farms have already wound down.
Cider doughnuts and fresh cider are part of the routine here, along with a farm stand full of fall produce. If you want a straightforward, no-fuss picking morning, this one delivers.
4. Nashoba Valley Winery and Orchard, Bolton
Perched on a hill in Bolton, Nashoba Valley pairs apple picking with some of the best country views in the area. The setting alone makes it a memorable fall stop.
The orchard offers pick-your-own apples across many varieties, and the season runs well into October thanks to later-ripening fruit. There are also fruit trees beyond apples, so the harvest changes as the weeks go by.
On-site you will find a restaurant and a farm store, which makes it easy to turn a quick picking trip into a longer afternoon. Weekends fill up fast, so plan around parking and timing if you can.
5. Brooksby Farm, Peabody
North of Boston, Brooksby Farm gives city-adjacent pickers an easy escape without a long drive. Owned by the city of Peabody, it is a working orchard on preserved farmland.
The orchard grows numerous apple varieties, and the later-season fruit keeps picking available into October. Its accessibility makes it especially handy for anyone in the Boston metro area.
Along with apples, Brooksby has a farm store, animals, and walking areas that make it kid-friendly. It is the kind of place you can visit on a whim when the weather turns crisp.
6. Tougas Family Farm, Northborough
Organization is Tougas Family Farm’s quiet superpower, and pickers notice it. The farm posts clear updates on which varieties and fields are open, which takes the guesswork out of planning a trip.
In Northborough, this family-run orchard grows a long list of apple types across the season, so October picking is very much part of the plan. Later varieties keep the rows going as fall settles in.
The bakery is a highlight, with cider doughnuts and fresh-baked goods, and the farm market carries plenty of seasonal produce. There is also a play area for kids, so families can stretch out the visit.
Because it is popular, checking the daily picking report before you leave home saves a wasted trip.
7. Red Apple Farm, Phillipston
Out in north central Massachusetts, Red Apple Farm has been in the same family for generations and leans fully into the fall farm experience. Phillipston is a bit of a drive for many, but the payoff is a full day of picking and browsing.
The orchard grows a wide range of apples, and the season carries into October with the later varieties. Beyond apples, you can find pumpkins and other pick-your-own crops depending on timing.
The country store is a destination on its own, stocked with cider doughnuts, fudge, and local goods. Add in farm animals and open space, and it becomes an easy place to spend a few unhurried hours.
8. Cider Hill Farm, Amesbury
Sustainability sets Cider Hill Farm apart, with solar and wind power helping run the operation up in Amesbury. It is a modern, well-run orchard close to the New Hampshire border.
Apple picking here spans many varieties, and the later-season fruit keeps the season going through October. Berries and peaches earlier in the year round out a long growing calendar.
The farm store and bakery turn out cider doughnuts and fresh cider, and there are animals and open grounds for kids. Its northeastern corner location makes it a natural stop for coastal-area families.
9. Clarkdale Fruit Farms, Deerfield
Apple variety collectors gravitate toward Clarkdale Fruit Farms in Deerfield, where the family grows an unusually broad range, including some heirloom types. For anyone who wants more than the standard grocery-store apples, this is the place to explore.
Set in the Pioneer Valley, the farm has been run by the same family for generations and keeps picking going into October with later varieties. The scenery of western Massachusetts adds to the trip.
The farm stand sells fresh cider, apples, and other local products. If you are combining a leaf-peeping drive with apple picking, Deerfield lands you in some of the prettiest stretches of the state.
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