Autumn’s Sweetest Tradition: Apple Picking in Maine Orchards

Fall in Maine has a rhythm all its own. The mornings feel a little crisper, the afternoons glow a little brighter, and just about every roadside stand and farm store is brimming with apples. It’s the season when families pile into the car, grab a few canvas bags, and head out to the orchards for an afternoon of apple picking — one of Maine’s most beloved autumn traditions.

What makes apple picking here so special? Maine’s unique climate. Cool nights, sunny days, and a touch of salt air drifting in from the Atlantic create nearly perfect conditions for growing apples. The result is fruit that’s juicy, crisp, and bursting with flavor.

With more than 100 apple varieties grown statewide, there’s something for everyone — tart cooking apples that make the best pies, sweet snack apples perfect for lunchboxes, and heirloom varieties you can’t always find in grocery stores. The season typically starts in late August and carries through October, with different apples ripening as the weeks go on.

So whether you’re looking for a quick bag of Macs or a day-long adventure wandering through orchards and sipping cider, Maine’s apple farms are ready to welcome you.

Fun Apple Facts to Impress Your Picking Crew

• Cider takes a lot of apples. It takes about 35 apples to make a single gallon — no wonder it tastes so rich.
• Over 100 varieties thrive in Maine. Orchards usually highlight 20–30 at a time, so check their websites or give them a call to see what’s ready before you visit.
• The McIntosh reigns supreme. It has long been the favorite of Mainers, though the juicy Macoun is quickly catching up.
• Acreage runs the gamut. Most orchards are about 20 acres, but you’ll find everything from 1-acre family plots to sprawling 300-acre farms.

Tips for Picking Apples at Maine Apple Orchards

As it turns out, apple picking is a bit of an art form. These tips will help you find the best apples on the trees and pluck them from their branches:

• Know where to find the ripest apples on the tree. The best apples for eating will be found on the outermost edge of the tree, as these apples ripen first.
• Shaking the apple trees may make the fruit fall off in cartoons, but in real life, this is not the best way to get an apple off the tree. In fact, it can damage the tree and ruin the existing fruit. Instead of shaking the branch to check for loose apples, gently twist the apple to see if it comes loose. If it comes off easily, it is ripe and ready to eat.
• Once you find and pick your apples, store them in a small cardboard box or a canvas bag, and carry them gently. This will prevent bruising and preserve your apples until you are ready to eat them or bake with them.

Where to Go Apple Picking in Maine

There’s a reason apple picking has become such a Maine fall staple — it offers something for everyone. Kids love the thrill of plucking fruit straight from the branch, bakers search out heirloom varieties for pies, and locals come back year after year for cider pressed on-site.

Add in the golden leaves, cooler air, and wide-open orchard views, and you’ve got a perfect fall day. Whether you’re after a simple bag of apples or a whole afternoon of farm fun, these orchards are among the best places to make apple picking part of your autumn tradition.

Lakeside Orchards | Manchester

Lakeside Orchards has been a go-to fall destination for more than 40 years, and with over 200 acres of apple trees, it’s easy to see why. Families love wandering the rows, filling bags with classics like McIntosh, while others pop into the Farm Store for freshly picked bundles, baked goods, and other seasonal treats.

Because it’s one of the largest apple orchards in Maine, the picking season here stretches across several weeks, with different varieties ripening as autumn unfolds.

If you want the full fall experience — crunchy apples, brisk air, and that small-town orchard charm — Lakeside checks all the boxes.

Ricker Hill Orchards | Turner

Few orchards in Maine carry as much history as Ricker Hill. This farm has been in operation for more than 200 years, making it both a community staple and a true New England tradition.

The orchard really comes alive in September and October, with rows of McIntosh, Ginger Gold, Empire, and Honeycrisp just waiting to be picked. But apples are only part of the fun here. Kids run to the bounce houses and tractor rides, while adults linger over fresh cider donuts and sample the farm’s hard cider.

And if you’re hoping for something a little harder to find, call ahead — you might get lucky and snag varieties like Northern Spy, Duchess, or Baldwin.

Cayford Orchards | Skowhegan

Cayford Orchards is the kind of place that feels like stepping into another time. This sixth-generation family farm spans 18 acres and is home to more than 1,200 apple trees.

While some orchards lean into agritainment, Cayford keeps it simple — just crisp air, rows of trees, and the joy of filling a bag with your own hand-picked apples. The orchard specializes in heirloom varieties, offering 57 types throughout the season.

Early on you’ll find Paul Reds, followed by Wealthy, Cortland, and McIntosh. By mid-October, it’s all about late-season favorites like Jona Gold and Northern Spy.

It’s a quiet, authentic Maine apple-picking experience, perfect for people who want the real deal.

Hansel’s Orchard | North Yarmouth

Tucked away in North Yarmouth, Hansel’s Orchard is a smaller, family-friendly farm where apple picking feels laid-back and unhurried. The season usually kicks off in early September with McIntosh apples, followed by Cortland and Macoun later in the month.

By October, the apples are higher up, but the farm provides stepping stools so everyone can reach. The orchard is open Wednesdays, weekends, and select weekdays in October, making it an easy stop for families looking to squeeze in a fall outing after work or school.

With plenty of space to picnic under the trees, Hansel’s is all about savoring the little moments — a bag of apples, a crisp breeze, and maybe a thermos of cider to share.

Meadow Brook Farm | Raymond

Meadow Brook Farm describes itself as “old-fashioned apple picking,” and that’s exactly the vibe you’ll find when you arrive. This smaller, locally-owned farm offers classic New England varieties like McIntosh, Cortland, and Golden Delicious.

The season usually runs from late August through September, and while the orchard is charming on its own, the farm often hosts special events to make your visit even more memorable.

Families with young kids love the storytime sessions for toddlers and preschoolers, while others browse the farm stand for bushels of apples, fresh-cut flowers, and locally made products.

If you’re looking for a cozy, welcoming spot with a community feel, Meadow Brook is worth the trip.

Five Fields Farm | Bridgton

Five Fields Farm offers a little bit of everything — fall apple picking, beautiful orchard views, and even winter recreation.

In the fall, visitors can fill their bags with Paula Reds and Ginger Golds early in the season, followed by McIntosh, Cortland, and Honeycrisp as September and October roll along. Later in the season, varieties like Macoun and Red Delicious carry the orchard right up to the first frost.

Once the snow falls, the fun doesn’t stop — the farm transforms into a cross-country skiing haven, with trails winding through the orchards and surrounding valleys. For anyone who loves Maine in every season, Five Fields is a place to return to again and again.

Sweetser’s Apple Barrel and Orchards | Cumberland

The Sweetser Family are considered local apple experts in Cumberland, Maine. The family has owned and operated the Sweetser’s Apple Barrel and Orchards since the early years of the 19th century, and it has continued to be a family-run operation into the 21st century.

Originally planted nearly 200 years ago, the orchards have stayed in the family ever since. What started as a small roadside stand in the 1950s has grown into a full-fledged fall destination, complete with more than 1,100 trees across 14 acres.

While this orchard doesn’t offer U-pick, visitors can stock up on freshly harvested apples and one of the best ciders in the area, all pressed right on the farm. For anyone who wants the taste of fall without spending hours in the orchard, Sweetser’s shop is a must-stop.

Enjoy Fall Fun at Apple Picking Maine Orchards This Year

There’s just something timeless about standing in the middle of an apple orchard, the sound of leaves rustling overhead and the weight of a just-picked apple in your hand. From the sprawling orchards that have been feeding Mainers for centuries to the small family farms that keep traditions alive, apple picking is the perfect way to savor the season.

This year, make a day of it. Head to the orchard, pack a picnic, and take home a little taste of Maine in every bag of apples. And when you’ve had your fill of picking? The fun doesn’t stop. Pair your orchard visit with a scenic foliage drive, explore a local fall festival, or sip warm cider while watching the colors change around you.