As the top producer of apples, raspberries, pears, and sweet cherries, along with large crops of blueberries and potatoes, Washington’s agricultural roots run deep. And while you can find farm-fresh produce in grocery stores, farm stands and farmer’s markets, you’ll find it even fresher when visiting u-pick farms in Washington.
Picking your own fruit (and vegetables) is an especially great family friendly activity that offers a glimpse into where and how your food is grown. Since Washington is home to thousands of farms, it can be hard to know where to go. Eat Local First offers a handy Food and Farm Finder for exploring the state’s many agricultural offerings. Below, you’ll find a few great u-pick farms to get you started.
When is U-Pick Season in Washington State?
The season for harvesting at u-pick farms in Washington generally runs from early June to the end of October. Strawberry season typically starts in early June before blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries come into season in late June, July and August, depending on the variety. Cherry season often runs from the end of June to mid-July. Apples and pears, along with some vegetables, are ready for picking toward mid-August through October.
Produce availability and picking times can vary from year to year, and some farms require you to bring your own containers for gathering fruits and vegetables. Be sure to check with individual farms for current produce and policies before visiting.
Where to Find U-Pick Farms in Washington
Yakima Valley
The Yakima Valley is known for growing a wide variety of produce, making it a favorite destination to experience u-pick farms in Washington. Fans of fresh cherries can visit Washington Fruit Place at Barrett Orchards in late June. After picking cherries on this sixth-generation farm, head inside to the market to shop house-made fruit spreads and gifts or grab an ice cream cone with Winegar’s ice cream made in Ellensburg. Thompson’s Farm in Naches also has cherries in late June, along with u-pick peaches in mid-august and gifts and specialty food items in the market store.
For berries, Ahtanum Berry Patch is the place to go for strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. They also sell fresh pies, cobblers, and scones made with their own berries. At West Valley U-Pick, you can pick everything from cherries, peaches, and apricots to blueberries, apples, and pears. You’ll also find an abundance of heirloom tomatoes and peppers in the vegetable garden. In fall, use the farm’s old-fashioned cider press to make fresh apple cider from your bounty.
Northwest Washington
While the Skagit Valley is famous for the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, Skagit and neighboring Whatcom County also boast some of Washington’s standout u-pick farms. The fertile farmland is ideal for growing everything from wheat and potatoes to berries and vegetables. To pick your own produce, head to Schuh Farms in Mount Vernon. The farm has been offering u-pick strawberries since the late 1970s. After picking, step into the 100-year-old barn for fresh strawberry shortcake or cool off with a berry milkshake.
In the Bellingham area, Bellingham Country Gardens grows no-spray fruits and vegetables for u-pick. Find strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, kale and Swiss chard, as well as u-pick flowers. To the north in Ferndale, fourth-generation Boxx Berry Farm offers strawberries and raspberries ripe from the field. Pre-picked carrots, corn, cucumbers, and garlic are also available in the farm market, along with shortcake biscuits and ice cream cones to complete your u-pick experience.
Greater Spokane
On the far eastern side of the state, just outside of Spokane, you’ll find plenty of u-pick farms in Green Bluff. Kick off the summer at Beck’s Harvest House with u-pick Bing and Rainier cherries in mid-July, along with strawberries and peaches. Later in the season, pick Honeycrisp apples and snack on fresh pumpkin donuts during the farm’s harvest festival. Breakfast, lunch and fresh bakery items are also available on-site.
Just a few miles down the road at Knapp’s U-Pick, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and tayberries — a cross between a raspberry and blackberry — are available. Hidden Acres Orchards in Mead is home to a fourth-generation farm powered by solar, wind, and biodiesel. U-pick opportunities include strawberries, rhubarb, garlic, cherries, watermelon, apricots, and morel mushrooms. U-pick apples can be pressed into fresh cider in fall, and there’s even the option to camp in the orchard for those who want to extend their stay.
North Central Washington
Home to Wenatchee and Chelan, this region is known for its apple and cherry orchards, making it a great destination to visit u-pick farms in Washington. At Stutzman Ranch in Wenatchee, you can pick Gala apples and Bartlett and Asian pears in late August. During the summer months, stop by Annie’s Fun Farm to pick strawberries, blueberries, melons, corn, and other vegetables.
Head north to Manson along the shore of Lake Chelan for a visit to Blueberry Hills. Pick your own blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries and enjoy breakfast, lunch, or just a slice of pie at the on-site restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating. Less than five minutes down the road, Chelan Valley Farms grows blueberries, raspberries, apples, and flowers for u-pick. Lagrioth Winery is also on-site for those wishing to sip and relax with a view. For an option closer to Interstate 90 in Ellensburg, Hilltop Orchard is an excellent destination to pick strawberries, raspberries, and pears.
Greater Seattle
There are plenty of opportunities to pick local produce within a short drive of Seattle. For blueberries, Bellevue Blueberry Farms operates in two locations just under five miles from each other. If visiting the dog-friendly Larsen Lake location, don’t miss a walk around the lake after picking your berries.
East of the city along Highway 203, there are several farm stands and u-pick opportunities. Start with Remlinger Farms in Carnation, which has been running for over 50 years. Depending on the time of year, you can pick your own strawberries, raspberries and pumpkins. There’s also a market with bulk foods, farm-fresh jams and pies, a café to grab lunch and even a brewery and wine bar to relax with a craft beverage.
Further north at Broers Farms in Monroe you can pick flats of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. In Snohomish, you can harvest everything from berries and apples to kale, garlic, beets, green beans, and corn at fifth-generation Bailey Family Farm.
Southwest Washington
For an abundance of berries, head northeast of Vancouver, Washington. Indigo Acres in Battle Ground offers 10 different varieties of blueberries, with u-pick and pre-picked berries available in July and August along with farm-fresh eggs and local honey.
In Ridgefield, Van Laeken Farms has been operating for five generations. The farm opens up from May to July for u-pick strawberries and raspberries. Another great option is Munoz Berry Farm, where you can wander rows of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries, loganberries, and blueberries. This family run farm also has marionberries, a Pacific Northwest favorite, ripe for the picking typically from mid-June through July.
Peninsulas
While the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas are known for fresh seafood, there’s also home to plenty of Washington’s u-pick farms. At the northern tip of the Olympic Peninsula in Sequim, Graymarsh Farm is a picturesque spot for strawberry picking in early June and raspberries in July and August. You can also pick fragrant lavender and take home a jar of berry preserves or honey made by bees that pollinate the farm. To the west, Sol Duc Farm in Forks offers u-pick strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries from June to September along with freshly picked floral bouquets.
On the Kitsap Peninsula, Olalla U-Pick Blueberries is a small family farm tucked against a forested view. The farm is open for organically grown blueberry picking by appointment only from July to September. To the north on Bainbridge Island, pick raspberries in July at Bainbridge Island Farms, which has been growing berries since the 1940s. Dahlias, pumpkins, and winter squash are also available to harvest from late summer to fall.
About the Author
Molly Allen is a freelance food and travel writer, hiker, and paddleboarder who has spent more than 14 years exploring the Pacific Northwest. When she’s not playing outside, you’ll find her perfecting her homemade pizza craft. Her work can be seen in Travel & Leisure, Wine Enthusiast, Business Insider, Taste of Home, and other publications.
Featured image courtesy