Did you know that Ontario is the largest apple producing province in Canada? The main apple producing areas are along the shores of Lake Ontario, Lake Huron, Georgian Bay and Lake Erie. With over 15,000 acres growing apples there is plenty of Ontario apple orchards to visit. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Ontario during late summer and fall then add apple picking in Ontario to your list! A visit to one of these Ontario farms is a great way to support local, eat local and enjoy a wonderful day out with family or friends. So, get ready for some delicious fun at one of our picks for the best places for Ontario apple picking!
When is apple picking season in Ontario?
Apple season in Ontario usually runs from September and into October. There are a lot of factors like weather, region, and the type of apple. But generally the peak season for apple picking in Ontario is the middle of September.
What types of apples are grown in Ontario?
Over 15 varieties of apples are grown in Ontario. A few of the most popular types of apples are McIntosh, Red Delicious, Honey Crisp, and Empire. Many apple farms in Ontario grow a selection of different apples. But if you have a preference, be sure to ensure the farm you choose to visit has what you want before going.
While we do our best to keep the information on Eat Local Ontario up to date, we sometimes miss things. If you notice something that needs to be updated, please comment or send us an email at eatlocalontario[at]gmail.com and we’ll look into it as soon as we can. Thank you!
Top Picks for Apple Picking in Ontario
If you’re looking for the best place to go apple picking near me, we’re sure you’ll find one on our list! But one thing to note is that the South Georgian Bay area is the most northerly apple-producing area in Ontario. The Ontario apple picking season is upon us, so grab your keys and get ready for an apple picking good time!
Pingle’s Farm Market
For our first pick of the best Ontario apple picking farms to visit we’re sharing Pingle’s Farm Market. This is the perfect place to visit close to Toronto for all your farm fresh fun! Pingle’s Farm Market has been around for over 30 years and their nearly 150 acres can be found five minutes east of Oshawa. Along with a pick your own apple orchard, the farm has pick your own strawberries and a sunflower experience in the summer, as well as a pumpkin patch in the fall, and so much more.
Pingle’s Farm is home to 15 acres of apple trees from ten different varieties. You’ll find all the favourite apple kinds here, from Macintosh to Royal Gala. Their apple picking season runs throughout September, excluding Mondays, and tickets must be purchased in advance through their website. During weekends you can also enjoy the Pingle’s Harvest Festival. This fun family-friendly festival has a bushel of activities and things to do along with apple picking like an Alice in Wonderland corn maze, a wagon ride of the farm, live entertainment, and of course food! But all year long you can pop into their market for fresh produce and baked goods and they even have a café!
Address: 1805 Taunton Road East in Hampton
Waddell Apples
In Kingston you’ll find a scenic apple orchard along the Rideau Canal, Waddell Apples. This family fun farm prides themselves on fresh wholesome fruit and tasty homemade goodies. If you’re looking for a charming place to go apple picking in Ontario then this is the place. Their shop is an 1830 log cabin where they sell their fresh apples, cider, baked goods and other local products. Everything they sell is made with ingredients grown on their farm or locally sourced.
Waddell Apples grows over 20 different kinds of apples, some of which are considered heritage varieties and are difficult to find. Another highlight on the farm is their six original McIntosh apple trees that were planet 75 years ago! To find out what apples are currently available you can find their updated in store and pick your own varieties listed on both the front page of their website as well as on their Facebook and Instagram.
Address: 1345 Washburn Road in Kingston
Applewood Farm
For over 40 years the Passafiume family has been running Applewood Farm. With three generations of family working hard on the farm their passion and dedication can be seen and felt. Applewood Farm is located just west of Whitchurch-Stouffville and with so much to do and see it’s the perfect place for a day trip with friends or family to go apple picking in Ontario. Along with the apple orchard there’s a play area for children, tractor rides, a corn maze, and more!
Applewood Farms started out as one of the first places in Ontario to pick-your-own strawberries and apples. The farm is home to over 30 acres of apples growing over ten different varieties of apple, from Ambrosia to McIntosh. Along with general admission of $10 to the farm there is an additional charge of $15 per 10 lb bag or $25 per 20 lb bag of apples. You can enjoy a fun fall day at Applewood Farm with a wagon ride and pumpkin picking to go along with your apples!
Address: 12416 McCowan Road in Whitchurch-Stouffville
Maxwell Apple Orchards
One of the best places to go apple picking in Ontario is the South Georgian Bay area. It’s also the most northerly apple-producing area in the province. There are plenty of apple orchards in the area but one of our top picks is Maxwell Apple Orchards, located just south of Collingwood. Formerly Meesters Farms, Maxwell Apple Orchards is a passionate family farm dating back over 30 years. They are dedicated to producing fresh fruit and vegetables on their vast 460 acre farm.
Maxwell Apple Orchards grows 24 different types of apples, from Honey Crisp to Gala, harvesting everyone’s favourites. To find their full list visit their website. Their apple harvest runs from August through early November. Along with the apple orchards there is also a Farm Market that is open seven days a week, from May through to October. At the market you’ll find everything from sweet corn to a range of berries, and of course apples. Another fun time to visit is during the middle of September when they press their apples for cider that’s also available for purchase.
Address: 2697 Concession 10 N Nottawasaga Road in Collingwood
Archibald Orchards & Winery
The Archibald family has been growing apples since 1967. With over 50 years of experience a visit to the Archibald Orchards & Winery is the perfect fall getaway. Set on 40 acres, the Archibald Orchard in Bowmanville is home to nearly 10,000 trees growing a dozen different types of apples. They’ve been offering pick your own apples since the early 1980’s and even have trees in a range of sizes so children can enjoy picking too!
One of the things that help make Archibald Orchards stand out among the rest is they are also home to a winery. Their award-winning wine includes a variety of apple wines and they also have cider, of which there are four non-alcoholic ones. Enjoy an afternoon of pick your own apples and leave with fresh Ontario apples, a bottle of apple wine, and a few sweet treats. Word is their caramel apple dumplings are a MUST!
Address: 6275 Liberty Street North in Bowmanville
Wynn Farms
While there are plenty of great restaurants in Napanee, there are also some great farms in the area. If you’re looking for places to go apple picking in Napanee then head to Wynn Farms. This farm is a full dose of fun! You’ll find a ton of great fall activities at the farm, from a pumpkin patch to Haunted HalloWYNN. But their biggest attraction, beyond the apple orchard, is their incredible themed corned maze. This year the theme is African safari and they also offer a chance to enjoy it by moonlight.
Wynn Farms has a huge orchard with 10 different apple varieties, from Spartan to Red Delicious. With a wide assortment there are apples ready to be picked from the middle of August through to the end of October. With all those ripe apples comes fresh pressed apple cider. Don’t forget to pick up some of their 100% pure apple cider and a caramel or candy apple for the drive home!
Address: 8191 Highway 33 in Greater Napanee
Best Places for Apple Picking near Toronto
If you’re living in the GTA and looking for a nearby farm for a fun day out we have you covered! Below are a few great places to go apple picking in Toronto and the GTA. All of these farms are within an hour of the city and make for the perfect fall day trip from Toronto.
Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm
One of the top places to go apple picking in Ontario is a short drive from Toronto. Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm says it all in their name! For over 50 years Chudleigh’s has been welcoming families and visitors to experience farm life and of course, to pick apples. The farm is massive and is home to over 47,000 trees spread across 60 acres. From mid to late August through October they have over 20 varieties of apples to pick from. This slice of country life in Milton has now grow to encompass so much more fun things to do beyond apple picking.
If you’re looking for a day filled with fun then Chudleigh’s is where you want to go! During the harvest season there are a host of fun activities for both children and adults. You can take part in scarecrow making, take a tractor ride, enjoy live music, or indulge in their hard cider. And be sure to pop into their café before you leave for their famous mouth-watering apple blossom desserts!
Address: 9528 Regional Road 25 in Milton
Carl Laidlaw Orchards
If you’re looking for places to go apple picking in Brampton then head to Carl Laidlaw Orchards. This seven generation farm has a long history and has been everything from a mixed farm to a dairy farm. Now they are a top Ontario apple orchard growing over 20 varieties of apples and even a few types of pears. The Carl Laidlaw Orchard is set on a 100 acres in the scenic Credit River Valley.
You’ll find a wealth of things to do on the farm, beyond the apple orchards. There’s wagon rides, a corn maze, sunflower field, farm animals and more! You can also refuel with their apple cider, roasted hotdogs and corn. The Orchards are open Saturday and Sundays in September and October and are dog friendly. Be sure to call before you visit.
Address: 9496 Heritage Road in Brampton
Dixie Orchards
Another great place to go apple picking near Toronto is at Dixie Orchards. The farm is located in Caledon, between the villages of Inglewood and Caledon East. This farm has it all! For less than $5 you can purchase a “Farm Pass” that gives you access to the farm and all the fun things to do there. Beyond pick your own fruit they also have wagon rides, a pumpkin patch, corn maze, straw jump, and more.
Dixie Orchards has lovely apple orchards where you can walk out to or opt for a wagon ride. Along with the apples they offer a unique experience where you can pick your own nuts in their hazelnut orchard. It’s also a fabulous place to enjoy a late season sunflower field and you’ll find fun photo-ops throughout the farm. Don’t forget to pop into their market for all their pre-picked seasonal produce along with baked goods, honey, maple syrup, cider, candied apples, home décor, and more!
Address: 14309 Dixie Road in Caledon
More Ontario Apple Picking Spots to Check Out
Looking for more places for Ontario apple picking near you? We’ve got you covered! There are apple orchards just north of Toronto as well as in south eastern Ontario that are ripe for a visit!
Barrie Hill Farms – If you’re looking for more place to go apple picking near Toronto then head an hour north to Barrie. With a host of fabulous places to eat in Barrie, it’s no surprise that it’s also a leading farm destination in Ontario. And for over 40 years Barrie Hill Farms has been the spot to pick a variety of fruit, from strawberries to apples. They offer pick your own apples from the end of August through to early November. Their apple choices include Sunrise, Zestar!, McIntosh apples, Honey Crisp, Cortland, Ambrosia, Empire, and IDA red.
Campbell’s Orchards & Country Market – For those in south eastern Ontario looking for apple orchards in Prince Edward County head to Campbell’s Orchards. This family run farm has seen their fair share of tragedy over the 50 plus years they’ve been building their business. But their passion for creating a place for families to make memories and producing quality local fresh produce won out. Along with pick your own apples, they sell a variety of crops, offer wagon rides, a fall corn maze, and their own hard apple cider.
Smyth’s Apple Orchard – Another great place to go for apples in eastern Ontario is Smyth’s Apple Orchard. Located an hour south of Ottawa in the historic Dundela, this is a must visit! Why? Because Dundela is the birthplace of McIntosh apples. The nearby Smyth’s Apple Orchard dates back to the mid-1800s, making it one of the oldest family-run orchards in Ontario. You’ll find a variety of apples and a store full of apple treats like apple pie, tarts, muffins and so much more!
Are you feeling peckish or looking for some fresh apples for some fall baking? Then plan a visit to one of these amazing orchards and enjoy an afternoon of apple picking in Ontario!
While we do our best to keep the information on Eat Local Ontario up to date, we sometimes miss things. If you notice something that needs to be updated, please comment or send us an email at eatlocalontario[at]gmail.com and we’ll look into it as soon as we can. Thank you!
