Fall in New Jersey means one thing for a lot of families: heading out to an orchard and filling a bag with apples straight off the tree. Picking your own is fun, a little bit of exercise, and a great excuse to get outside before the cold sets in.
The Garden State has orchards packed with rows of apples, cider stands, hayrides, and cider doughnuts waiting after your haul. Below are eight New Jersey orchards where you can grab a bag and pick to your heart’s content this season.
Grab your comfortable shoes and let’s find your next apple day trip.
1. Battleview Orchards, Freehold, New Jersey
Family-run since 1908, Battleview Orchards has been a Monmouth County staple for generations. The farm sits on land near the Monmouth Battlefield, which is where the name comes from.
Pick-your-own runs through the fall with several apple varieties spread across the property. When your bag is full, the farm market is the real draw.
Their bakery is known for cider doughnuts made fresh, along with pies and fruit picked right on site. In summer they also offer pick-your-own strawberries and peaches, so the picking season here is long.
Parking is easy and the market makes it a simple one-stop trip if you want apples plus something sweet for the ride home.
2. Terhune Orchards, Princeton, New Jersey
Just outside Princeton, Terhune Orchards has been worked by the Mount family since the 1970s and covers more than 200 acres. It is one of the most well-rounded farm stops in central Jersey.
Pick-your-own apples come with a whole afternoon of extras. The farm has a play area, farm animals, and weekend festivals during peak season.
Their farm store carries fresh cider, homemade baked goods, and produce grown on the property. Apple varieties rotate through fall, so what you pick depends on when you visit.
I like this one for families with younger kids because there is plenty to do beyond the trees, which keeps everyone happy while the bags fill up.
3. Alstede Farms, Chester, New Jersey
Spanning hundreds of acres in Morris County, Alstede Farms is one of the biggest pick-your-own operations in the state. The rolling hills of Chester give the whole place a scenic backdrop.
Apple picking here is part of a full farm experience with hayrides out to the fields, a corn maze, and pumpkins in the fall.
Dozens of crops are grown across the property throughout the year, and the farm market stocks fresh produce, cider, and baked treats. Because of the size, there are usually multiple apple varieties ready at once.
Weekends get busy in October, so an early arrival helps if you want a calmer pace and easier parking.
4. Melick’s Town Farm, Oldwick, New Jersey
Bragging rights matter here: Melick’s is often described as the oldest continuously operating farm in New Jersey, with roots going back to the 1700s. That history makes it a special stop in Hunterdon County.
The farm has multiple locations, and apple picking is a highlight each fall along with pumpkins and other crops.
Melick’s is well known for its cider, pressed from apples grown on the farm. The farm stands sell fresh cider, doughnuts, and seasonal produce.
For anyone who likes a bit of history with their harvest, this is a fun choice. You are picking apples on land that has been farmed for centuries.
5. Eastmont Orchards, Colts Neck, New Jersey
Set in horse-country Colts Neck, Eastmont Orchards keeps things focused on the fruit. It is a straightforward pick-your-own farm without a huge amusement setup.
Apples take center stage in fall, and the orchard also offers peaches earlier in the season. Wagon rides carry pickers out to the rows when the trees are ready.
The simplicity is part of the appeal. If you want the classic experience of walking the rows and filling a bag without a lot of extra bells and whistles, this fits.
Colts Neck itself is a pretty drive, so the trip out feels like part of the day.
6. Riamede Farm, Chester, New Jersey
Chester actually has more than one great orchard, and Riamede Farm brings its own personality to the mix. This is a pick-your-own apple farm with a relaxed, old-fashioned feel.
Riamede grows a wide range of apple varieties, including some older and heirloom types you do not always find at bigger operations. That variety is a big reason apple fans return.
The farm keeps the focus on picking, with wagon rides out to the trees during the season. It is a chemical-free growing approach, which appeals to visitors looking for that.
I would save this one for anyone who wants to taste-test a bunch of apple types in a single visit.
7. Hillview Farms, Gladstone, New Jersey
Perched in the Gladstone area of Somerset County, Hillview Farms offers apple picking with some genuinely nice countryside views. The setting alone makes it a pleasant fall outing.
The farm grows a variety of apples along with other crops, and pick-your-own is a seasonal highlight.
Their farm market rounds out the visit with fresh produce and homemade goods. It is a smaller, family-oriented operation compared to the giant farms.
For a lower-key afternoon that still delivers full bags and pretty scenery, Hillview is an easy recommendation in the northern part of the state.
8. Wightman’s Farms, Morristown, New Jersey
Operating in the Morristown area for decades, Wightman’s Farms has built a loyal following in Morris County. The combination of picking and a well-stocked market keeps people coming back each fall.
Pick-your-own apples are available in season, and the trees offer a good spread of varieties.
The bakery and farm market are a big part of the draw here, with cider doughnuts and fresh baked goods that make the trip feel complete. There is also a garden center and produce for sale.
Close to town yet still farm-country, it is a convenient pick if you want apples without a long drive from the suburbs.
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