Apple Picking Near Chicago: 2026 Orchards and Pumpkin Patches

Updated October 23, 2026

The best places for apple picking near Chicago are Goebbert’s Farm in Pingree Grove, Kuipers Family Farm in Maple Park, All Seasons Orchard in Woodstock, Royal Oak Farm in Harvard and County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana. All of them are within about an hour and a half of the city. Most close for the season on Halloween weekend, and this year’s summer weather affected the apple crop at some farms, so a quick phone call before you drive is worth it.

I update this guide every fall for Chicago families looking for an easy day trip. Below you will find drive times, 2026 season dates, what each farm is known for, and a look at why Illinois, of all places, is the country’s pumpkin state.

Which farms near Chicago have apple picking and pumpkins in 2026?

Here is the quick comparison. Drive times are approximate and measured from Chicago. Hours and dates come from each farm’s published information and can change with weather, so confirm before you go.

Farm	Town	Drive from Chicago	2026 season
Goebbert's Farm	Pingree Grove	About 50 minutes from the Loop	Fall 2026 season; confirm hours
Kuipers Family Farm	Maple Park	48 to 56 miles	Fall Harvest Fest, Sept. 18 to Nov. 1
Stades Farm	Call 815-675-6396	About 49 miles	Sept. 5 through Halloween; Fri., Sat. and Sun. only
All Seasons Orchard	Woodstock	About 1 hour	Pumpkins from mid-September; apples on weekends
County Line Orchard	Hobart, Indiana	About 1 hour	Opened Aug. 26; confirm closing date
Royal Oak Farm	Harvard	About 1 hour 30 minutes	Aug. 21 to Oct. 31
Jonamac Orchard	Malta	About 1 hour 30 minutes	Peak apple picking reported late Sept.; confirm
Heinz Orchard	Green Oaks	North suburbs	Sept. 26 to Oct. 31; apples may be limited
Puckerville Pumpkin Patch	Lemont	Southwest suburbs	Sept. 12 to Oct. 31; daily
Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm	Homer Glen	Southwest suburbs	Pumpkin festival, October to early November

Where can you pick apples near Chicago this fall?

Goebbert’s Farm, Pingree Grove

About 50 minutes from the Loop

Goebbert’s is the closest of the large U-pick orchards on this list, and one source calls it the largest U-pick apple orchard serving Chicagoland. Hours for the 2026 season are best confirmed on their website: goebbertspumpkinfarm.com.

Kuipers Family Farm, Maple Park

48 to 56 miles from Chicago

Kuipers runs its Fall Harvest Fest from September 18 through November 1, with U-pick apples and the Pumpkin FunFarm. Orchard admission is listed at $11.99 on weekdays and $14.99 on weekends, and the Pumpkin FunFarm starts at $19.99 on weekdays. Hours vary by day, so call 815-827-5200 first. It is very popular and can feel crowded, so weekdays and off-peak hours are easier with little ones. kuipersfamilyfarm.com

All Seasons Orchard, Woodstock

About 1 hour from Chicago

All Seasons has been named a USA Today top 10 orchard. Pumpkin picking started in mid-September and apples are available on weekends, including Honeycrisp. There is a three-quarter-acre pumpkin patch, two corn maze options, cider donuts and wagon rides. Hours are Monday through Friday (closed Tuesdays) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the ticket booth closes one hour before closing. The address is 14510 IL Route 176, Woodstock, IL 60098. allseasonsorchard.com

Royal Oak Farm, Harvard

About 1 hour 30 minutes from Chicago

Royal Oak has more than 20,000 apple trees and over 30 varieties. Beyond picking, there is an apple tree maze called Amaze ‘N Apples, a bakery, a petting zoo, a playground and a carousel, which makes it a strong choice for younger children. The season runs August 21 through October 31, Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The address is 15908 Hebron Rd., Harvard, IL 60033. royaloak.farm

County Line Orchard, Hobart, Indiana

About 1 hour from Chicago

County Line offers U-pick apples, sunflowers and pumpkins, plus cider donuts and activities for kids. One source reports daily hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., so check the site for the closing date. The address is 200 S County Line Road, Hobart, IN 46342. countylineorchard.com

Jonamac Orchard, Malta

About 1 hour 30 minutes from Chicago

Jonamac is a third-generation family farm that has operated since 1984. Apple picking was reported as available seven days a week during peak season in late September, so confirm current availability. jonamacorchard.com

Stades Farm

About 49 miles from Chicago

Stades is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Halloween, and asks for a $10 minimum apple purchase per person to enter. Call 815-675-6396 to confirm hours. stadesfarmandmarket.com

Heinz Orchard, Green Oaks

North suburbs

Heinz lists a season of September 26 through October 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when open, with U-pick starting at $10. The farm was hit hard by extreme summer weather and may have no apples to pick this year, so please check with them before you make the trip. The address is 1050 Crest Rd, Green Oaks, IL 60048. heinzorchard.com

Prairie Sky Orchard and Honey Hill Orchard

From my earlier guides

Prairie Sky Orchard (4914 North Union Road, Union, IL 60180) is one of the farthest drives, and it pairs well with a stop at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union. Honey Hill Orchard is at 11783 Waterman Rd, Waterman, IL 60556. I have not confirmed their 2026 hours, so check prairieskyorchard.com and honeyhillorchard.com before you go.

Where are the best pumpkin patches near Chicago?

Several orchards above double as pumpkin patches, including All Seasons, Kuipers and County Line. If pumpkins are the main goal, these are worth a look.

Puckerville Pumpkin Patch, Lemont

13332 S. Bell Road

An old-school pumpkin patch with free entry, open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., September 12 through October 31. Their Facebook page has the latest updates.

Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm, Homer Glen

Southwest suburbs

Bengtson’s holds a pumpkin festival from October into early November, with festival rides and corn stalks. Hours are best confirmed at pumpkinfarm.com.

Is Illinois the top pumpkin-growing state?

Yes. Illinois grows more pumpkins than any other state in the country. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, Illinois produced about 533 million pounds of pumpkins on 14,800 harvested acres in 2025, more than three times second-place California at about 162 million pounds. That also makes Illinois the leading pumpkin state in the Midwest, ahead of Indiana at about 135 million pounds and Michigan at about 115 million pounds.

Much of that crop is grown for the can rather than the porch. Morton, Illinois, about two hours southwest of Chicago, is home to a Libby’s pumpkin plant and calls itself the pumpkin capital of the world. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that about 90 percent of the nation’s canned pumpkin is grown within 60 miles of Morton. So the next time you carry a pumpkin out of a patch, you are standing in the middle of the country’s pumpkin state.

Sources: USDA Economic Research Service, Pumpkins Background Statistics and the Chicago Sun-Times, October 16, 2026.

How should you plan a fall farm day?

• Call or check the farm’s website the morning you go. Apple supply and hours change with weather.
• Go on a weekday or early in the day if you can. The most popular farms are crowded on weekends.
• Bring cash and a card, a wagon or tote for apples, and shoes that can get muddy.
• Pair a farm with a nearby stop, such as the Illinois Railway Museum near Prairie Sky Orchard.

Looking for more to do close to home? See my October 2026 events guide for Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Bucktown and Roscoe Village, or Open House Chicago 2026 and neighborhood open houses. If you are curious about life in the neighborhood where I work most, start with moving to Lincoln Park. More ideas live in my Outdoor and Events categories.

Frequently asked questions about apple picking near Chicago

When does apple picking season end near Chicago?

Most of the farms in this guide close for the season on Halloween weekend. Royal Oak Farm, Heinz Orchard and Puckerville Pumpkin Patch run through October 31, Stades Farm runs through Halloween, and Kuipers Family Farm’s Fall Harvest Fest runs through November 1. Call ahead for current hours.

Which orchard is closest to Chicago for apple picking?

Goebbert’s Farm in Pingree Grove is reported at about 50 minutes from the Loop. Stades Farm (about 49 miles), Kuipers Family Farm in Maple Park (48 to 56 miles) and County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana (about one hour) are also within roughly an hour’s drive.

How much does apple picking cost near Chicago?

Prices vary by farm. Kuipers Family Farm lists orchard admission at $11.99 on weekdays and $14.99 on weekends, with Pumpkin FunFarm admission from $19.99 on weekdays. Heinz Orchard’s U-pick starts at $10. Stades Farm asks for a $10 minimum apple purchase per person. Puckerville Pumpkin Patch in Lemont has free entry. Confirm prices with each farm before you go.

Which orchards are best for young kids?

Royal Oak Farm in Harvard has a petting zoo, playground, carousel and an apple tree maze. All Seasons Orchard in Woodstock offers wagon rides, two corn maze options and cider donuts. Kuipers Family Farm has a tube slide and the Pumpkin FunFarm, but it is very popular, so weekdays and off-peak hours are easier.

Is there always fruit to pick at every orchard?

No. It depends on the year’s crop. Heinz Orchard was hit hard by extreme summer weather and may have few or no apples to pick this year, so call before you drive. All Seasons Orchard lists apple picking on weekends, with pumpkin picking since mid-September.

Is Illinois the top pumpkin-growing state?

Yes. Illinois grows more pumpkins than any other state. USDA Economic Research Service data shows Illinois produced about 533 million pounds on 14,800 harvested acres in 2025, more than three times second-place California. That also makes Illinois the leading pumpkin state in the Midwest.

Stay in the loop

I am Maureen Moran, a Chicago REALTOR® with @properties Christie’s International Real Estate, and I have helped families in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Bucktown, Gold Coast, Old Town and Wicker Park for over 30 years. If you would like seasonal guides like this one in your inbox, sign up for my newsletter. If a day in the country has you thinking about what you want from your own home or neighborhood, send me a message or call 312-953-7811 and we can talk it through, no pressure.