“Where to Go Apple Picking in Durham Region This Fall: Family Fun Awaits”
Hey Durham,
With summer activities coming to an end it’s time for fall festivities to get underway and nothing transitions the season better than the Durham Region family favourite tradition of apple-picking!
From fresh-baked apple pie to simply enjoying a crisp apple, everything tastes better when you know where it comes from, or better yet, pick it off the orchards yourself!
Home to many family-friendly apple-picking orchards, here’s a quick guide on Apple Picking in Durham Region: Best 8 Orchards for Fall Family Fun and what each has to offer:
1. Brooks Farm
📍 122 Ashworth Rd, Uxbridge
🌐 Website | @brooksfarms
Brooks Farms is a vibrant farm market and event space outside Mount Albert that hosts a “Fall Fun Festival” on weekends and offers pick-your-own apples. Their market is open daily and features fresh produce, baked goods, preserves, and gifts, along with a barnyard playland for families.
Hours: 9am–5pm (last entry 4pm), weekends only for PYO, Barnyard Playland is still open weekdays
Admission / Pricing: Barnyard Playland weekend tickets are $26.48, and weekdays are $14.99. PYO is additional
Varieties: Sweet 16, Paula Red, Zestar
Activities: Fall Festival, pig races, pumpkin cannon, special weekend guests, corn maze, farmers market, barnyard playland (open daily)
Extras: Must use farm-provided containers, some stations are cashless.
👉 Family fun spot with plenty of activities beyond apple picking.
2. Watson Farms
📍 2287 Durham Regional Rd (Hwy 2), Bowmanville
🌐 Website | @watsonfarms
Watson Farms is a longtime family-run pick-your-own farm in Bowmanville (open since 1970), offering apple picking, a petting zoo, playground, corn maze, and a farm market. Their market is open daily, and they host seasonal activities alongside their PYO offerings.
Hours: 9am–5pm daily
Admission: $5 adults, $3 children (2 & under free). Seniors free Mondays & Wednesdays.
Varieties: Macintosh, Honeycrisp, Gala, Cortland, Empire, Smitten, Snowflake, and Fiji
Pricing: $2.75/lb or $40 for 25lb bag
Activities: Petting zoo, Watsonland playground, wagon ride tours, corn maze, photo station, pop-up markets & food trucks
Extras: You can bring your own container if clearly marked in litres
👉 A great choice for families, with plenty of kid-friendly attractions included in admission.
3. Nature’s Bounty Farm
📍 651 Scugog Line, Port Perry
🌐Website | @natures_bounty_farm
Nature’s Bounty is a scenic pick-your-own orchard near Port Perry that offers 24 varieties of apples and pears, set on rolling hills of the Oak Ridges Moraine. They also run a farm market, raise sheep, pumpkins and squash, and invite guests to wander, sip cider, and enjoy a gentle rural escape.
Hours: Wed–Sun, 9am–4pm (last entry)
Admission / Pricing: $5 farm pass, PYO is an additional charge
Varieties: Ginger Gold, Silken, Gala, Honeycrisp, Ambrosia, Blondee, Cortland, Macoun, Jonagold, Crimson Crisp, Empire, Shizuka, Northern Spy, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious – Mid October, Salish – Mid October, Crispin Mutsu (Mid October), Fuji (Mid October), and Golden Russet (Late October). Sunrise, Paula Red, and McIntosh have been picked out.
Activities: Corn maze, visit animals (sheep, cows), play area, farm market
Extras: Cash & debit only, dog-friendly
👉 A charming farm with wide variety and pet-friendly policy.
4. Maple Grove Orchards
📍 3700 Maple Grove Rd, Bowmanville
🌐Website | @maplegroveorchards
If you haven’t been to their farm, you definitely have seen them in one of your local farmers markets in Durham. Maple Grove Orchards offers both a farm market and a pick-your-own experience.
Hours: PYO & market open daily, 9am–6pm
Admission / Pricing: Free admission. $35 per half-bushel (20lb) bag; min. 1 bag per 2 adults
Varieties: Gingergold, McIntosh, Royal Gala; Honeycrisp, Cortland, Empire, Fuji (Oct 3), Red Delicious (Oct 10)
Activities: Tractor & wagon rides (free)
Extras: Bags & baskets provided, debit/credit/cash accepted, no pets
👉 Known for some of the best Honeycrisp in town.
5. Pingle’s Farm
📍 1805 Taunton Rd, Hampton
Pingle’s Farm Market blends a working orchard experience with a lively farm-market and festival atmosphere, with pick-your-own apples, pumpkin patches, a corn maze, and seasonal events. The fall Harvest Festival features farm activities, food, and entertainment beyond just apple picking.
Hours: 10am-6pm Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm weekends
Admission / Pricing:
Wed: $8 online ($9.50 at door)
Thurs–Fri: $13 online ($18 at door)
Sept weekends: $18 online ($23 at door)
Oct weekends: $23 online ($28 at door)
Kids under 5 free, dogs $10 ($5 on Wed)
PYO: $26/10lb. $39/20lb.
Varieties: Mcintosh, Honeycrisp, Cortland, Royal Gala, Empire, Crimson Crisp Apples (Coming Soon), Northern Spy (Coming Soon), Ambrosia (Coming Soon), Mutsu (Coming Soon), Red Delicious (Coming Soon), and Russet (Coming Soon). Paula Reds, Zestar, and Ginger Gold are done for the season.
Activities: Pingles Playland, 5-acre corn maze, pumpkin patch (Oct only), live music on weekends, specialty food & drink vendors
Extras: Full fall experience with entertainment & food options
👉 Best for those looking for a full-day outing and festival vibes.
6. Archibald Orchards & Winery
📍 6275 Liberty St. N, Bowmanville
Archibald’s Orchard & Estate Winery offers a unique apple-picking experience in Bowmanville where you “drive-in” to check in and then pick your apples. They grow over 15 varieties of apples, have a children’s play area and apple market, and pair the orchard visit with wine & cider offerings, fresh baking, and gourmet farm products.
Hours: Tue–Fri 10am–5pm; Sat–Sun 9am–5pm (last cars in at 4:30pm); Closed Mondays
Admission / Pricing: No entry fee; min. purchase of ½ bushel (20lb) for $45 per car
Varieties: Gala, Cortland, McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Empire, Ambrosia, Mutsu, Red Delicious (Early October), Ida Red (Early October), and Wild Pink (Early October). Paula Red and Silken are finished for the season.
Activities: Pick-your-own apples, winery & cider tastings, preserves, fresh baking (pies, dumplings, crisps on weekends)
Extras: “Drive-in” system for orchard entry; debit/credit/cash accepted; no pets
👉 Great option if you want apples and award-winning wines or ciders.
7. Brown Farms
📍 2400 Newtonville Rd, Newtonville
🌐 Website | @brown__farms
Brown Farms is a multigenerational family-run orchard in Newtonville, now in its fourth generation, committed to growing local apples and pumpkins while expanding into community events, education, and agritourism.
Hours: Fri-Sun 10am–6pm
Admission / Pricing: Free entry, $35 per half-bushel bag (mix & match)
Varieties: Gala, Honeycrisp, Ambrosia
Activities: Kids play area, wagons available to borrow, photo op areas
Extras: No outside bags, debit & cash only
👉 Affordable and simple — no entrance fee, just pay for what you pick.
8. Kent Farms
📍 3292 Concession Rd 3, Newcastle
🌐 Website | @kent.farms
Kent Farms is a fifth-generation orchard in Newcastle, tracing its roots back to 1859 when James Kent emigrated from Cornwall, England, and began farming in Ontario. Today, the farm continues that legacy with a focus on apple growing, offering pick-your-own Honeycrisp, Ambrosia, and Royal Gala varieties.
Hours: Fri–Sun, 10am–4pm (until the end of October)
Admission / Pricing: Free admission, $35 per half-bushel bag
Varieties: Honey Crisp, Ambrosia, and Royal Gala
Activities: Fall Artisan Market, October 4th & 5th with live music, local vendors and photo ops
Extras: Sweet honey, tasty pie, and cider available
👉 A smaller, straightforward orchard, great if you want a quiet weekend pick.
🍏 Tips for Planning Your Apple Picking Trip
For kids & families: Watson Farms and Pingle’s have the most activities.
For serious apple lovers: Nature’s Bounty (24 varieties!) or Archibald (mix & match with wine).
For budget-friendly picking: Brown Farms (no admission fee).
For pets: Nature’s Bounty and Pingle’s
Final Thoughts
Apple picking season is short but sweet. Varieties ripen quickly, and weekends can get busy. Always check the farm’s website or Instagram before heading out to confirm hours, prices, and what apples are ready.
Wherever you go, you’ll leave with a bag full of apples and some fresh fall memories. 🍂 Looking for fun date night ideas in Durham? Check out this blog here:
