The smell of apple pie is one of those hallmarks of Autumn. But first, you need to get some good fresh apples, and a great way to do so is to make an outdoorsy day out of it and pick your own! Apple picking season in Ontario runs from late August until early November, with numerous varieties available at farms spread out all over the region. Take a bite of our Guide to the Best Apple Picking Farms in Southern Ontario…
Note: Availability of apple picking varieties and other fruits and vegetables is not guaranteed, as nature is always changing.
Apple Picking Farms — West of Toronto
Albion Orchards
When: Weekends & Holidays only
Where: 14800 Innis Lake Road, Caledon, Ontario
This farm is busy all through the Fall months, with apple picking plus a pumpkin patch in October, and Christmas tree picking in December.
Apple Varieties: Royal Gala, McIntosh, Spartan, Empire, Golden Delicious, Golden Russet, Cortland, Crispin/Mutsu, Northern Spy, Red Delicious, Jonagold, Idared
The Big’r Apple Farm
When: Saturday-Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm
Where: 8674 Heritage Road, Brampton, Ontario
This farm in the Brampton area has been in business for decades. They grow apples in Fall, strawberries in Spring and lots of veggies throughout the growing season.
Apple Varieties: Empire, Fortune, Ginger Gold, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Jonah Gold, McIntosh, Crispin/Mutsu, Northern Spy, Red Delicious, Royal Gala, Wealthy
Carl Laidlaw Orchards
When: September-October: Saturday-Sunday & Holiday Mondays 9:00am-5:00pm
Where: 9496 Heritage Road, Brampton, Ontario
Growing an amazing amount of apple varieties, families can also enjoy their sunflower and pumpkin patches. Plus, you can check out farm animals, hay bales, wagon rides and more.
Apple Varieties: McIntosh, Ginger Gold, Gravenstein, Royal Gala, Prima, Honey Gold, Spartan, Cortland, McGowen, Silken, Honeycrisp, Empire, Aurora Golden Gala, Fuji, Creston, Fortune, Wealthy, Crispin/Mutsu, Rhode Island Greening, Russet, Jonagold, Tolman Sweet, Smoothie, Cox Orange Pippin, Ambrosia, Idared, Red and Golden Delicious, Granny Smith
Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm
When: Monday-Friday 10:00am-7:00pm, Saturday-Sunday 8:30am-6:00pm
Where: 9528 Regional Road 25, Halton Hills, Ontario
One of the most popular apple picking farms for school field trips, Chudleigh’s offers plenty of farm activities. These include a play area, farm animals, tractor wagon rides, nature trails, and special events. To avoid disappointment, you can also buy tickets ahead of time to reserve a spot.
Apple Varieties: Ginger Gold, Silken, Royal Gala, McIntosh, Kerr Mini, Cortland, Honeycrisp, Empire, Red Delicious, Northern Spy, Golden Russet, Golden Delicious, Creston, Ambrosia, Crispin/Mutsu, Fuji, Deman Red, Sunrise, Wealthy
Dixie Orchards
When: September 5-October 31: Weekdays 10:00am-5:00pm, Weekends & Holidays 10:00am-6:00pm
Where: 14309 Dixie Road, Inglewood, Ontario
This orchard has a busy apple picking season, with over 20 varieties of apples to pick throughout the Fall months. Recreational activities include a picturesque sunflower field, pumpkin patch, corn maze, straw jump, farm animals and wagon rides.
Apple Varieties: Paulared, Sunrise, Ginger Gold, Bubble Gum, Gala, McIntosh, Cortland, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Golden Delicious, Spartan, Empire, Red Delicious, Macoun, Ambrosia, Creston, Mutsu, Fuji
Downey’s Apple Farm
When: Daily 9:30am-5:30pm
Where: 13707 Heart Lake Road, Caledon, Ontario
Along with 13 apple varieties plus berries, pumpkin and vegetables, apple products are very fruitful here, including apple cider and candy apples. Wagon Rides are available each weekend out to the orchard during apple season too (weather permitting).
Apple Varieties: Ginger Gold, McIntosh, Cortland, Gala, Honey Crisp, Empire, Ambrosia, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Mutsu, Northern Spy, Red Delicious, Red Fuji
Apple Picking Farms — North of Toronto
Brooks Farms
When: Weekends in September and October
Where: 122 Ashworth Road, Mount Albert, Ontario
While they only grow three varieties of apples, as well as other fruits and vegetables, Brooks Farms is a great spot for families because of its plethora of kid-friendly activities. They run a Barnyard Playland in the summer and the Fall Fun Festival in September-October, with farm animals, corn maze, wagon rides, zip line, outdoor playgrounds, live entertainment and much more.
Apple Varieties: Zestar, Paula Red, Early Gold
Organics Family Farm
When: Monday-Friday 9:00am-6:00pm, Saturday-Sunday & Labour Day Monday 9:00am-5:00pm
Where: 7550 19th Ave., Markham, Ontario
As the name suggests, this farm grows all of their produce organically, a decision made in 2001 to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and to create a more balanced relationship with their natural surroundings.
Apple Varieties: Pristine, Ginger Gold, Red Free, Sunrise, Lobo, Prima, Sweet Sixteen, Ambrosia, Honeycrisp, Gala, Empire, Spencer, Honey Gold, Crimson Crisp, Spartan, Liberty
Pine Farms Orchard
When: Mid-August-November: Tuesday-Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm; Open Labour Day and Thanksgiving Monday, but closed Tuesday afterwards
Where: 2700 16th Side Road, King, Ontario
Just off Highway 400 and only a few minutes north of Canada’s Wonderland, this orchard is also well-known for its bakeshop, café and produce market. They grow 21 varieties on kid-sized trees, plus service dogs and leashed friendly family dogs are also welcome.
Apple Varieties: (2022 varieties, 2023 TBA) Melba, Paula Red, Ginger Gold, Wealthy, McIntosh, Cortland, Royal Gala, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Empire, Spartan, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Russet, Northern Spy, Mutsu/Crispin, Ambrosia and more
Apple Picking Farms — East of Toronto
Applewood Farm
When: Opening September 2: Wednesday-Friday 10:00am-5:00pm, Saturday-Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm, Holiday Monday 9:00am-4:00pm
Where: 12416 McCowan Road, Stouffville, Ontario
Here you can pick your own fruit, join a wagon ride, stroll through the sunflower field, and hang out in the children’s play area. They also have pumpkin picking and a corn maze in Fall.
Apple Varieties: McIntosh, Cortland, Ambrosia, Honey Gold, Honeycrisp, Spartan, Spencer, Red Delicious, Royal Gala, Sweet Sixteen, PaulaRed, Ginger Gold, Manchurian Crab Apple (pre-picked only)
Maple Grove Orchards
When: Open September 1
Where: 3700 Maple Grove Road, Bowmanville, Ontario
Along with apple picking, this orchard keeps busy with farmer markets around the region. Other foods includes purple plums, raspberries, strawberries, sweet corn, parsnips, carrots, broccoli, garlic, spanish onions, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, rutabaga, radish, cabbage, squash, potatoes, honey, Carrick Bros. Maple Syrup and Sargent Dairy Milk.
Apple Varieties: Ginger Gold, McIntosh, Cortland, Royal Gala, Honey Crisp, Empire, Red Delicious
Nature’s Bounty Farm
When: Open September 5 for PYO
Where: 651 Scugog Line 2, Port Perry, Ontario
Included in their farm experience is over 20 varieties of PYO apples, plus hot peppers and pumpkins. They also offer private picnic experiences, a farm market, corn maze, obstacle course, nature walks and visits with their llamas and sheep.
Apple Varieties: Sunrise, Paula Red, Ginger Gold, Silken, McIntosh, Gala, Blondee, Honeycrisp, Cortland, Spartan, Crimson Crisp, Macoun, Ambrosia, Empire, Jonagold, Golden Russet, Red Delicious, Salish, Golden Delicious, Northern Spy, Mutsu, Fuji, Idared
Pingle’s Farm Market
When: PYO: Tuesday-Sunday (weather permitting), hours vary by day. Playland: Tuesday-Wednesday 9:00am-5:00pm, Thursday-Friday 9:00am-8:00pm, Saturday-Sunday 9:00am-6:00pm
Where: 1805 Taunton Road East, Hampton, Ontario
To go along with their bustling food market and PYO fruits, stop by Pingle’s playland and events over the year, such as the Harvest Festival.
Apple Varieties: Macintosh, Paula Red, Royal Gala, Honeycrisp, Cortland, Empire, Red Delicious, Ambrosia, Crispin/Mutsu, Northern Spy
Watson Farm Market
When: Daily 9:00am-6:00pm
Where: 2287 Highway 2, Bowmanville, Ontario
This busy farm has family events like Watsonland Playground, sunflower field, movie nights and Halloween festivities.
Apple Varieties: Rave, Honeycrisp, Ginger Gold, McIntosh, Gala, Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Snowflake, Smitten, Red Delicious, Russets, Golden Delicious, Ambrosia, Mutsu
Apple Picking Farms — South of Toronto
Brantwood Farms – Brantford
When: Open from September 1: Daily 10:00am-5:00pm
Where: 251 Powerline Road, Brantford
Along with fruit and vegetable picking, they also run agriculture education Fall Tours for schools and a popular Fall Festival. It includes over 20 kid activities, including wagon rides, obstacles course, slides and play areas.
Apple Varieties: Ambrosia, Cortland, Crimson Crisp, Crispin, Empire, Gala, Golden Aurora, Ginger Gold, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Salish, Spy, Sunrise, Silken
Carluke Orchards – Ancaster
When: Tuesday-Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm, Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm
Where: 2194 Shaver Rd S., Ancaster
Known for their country bakery, serving up pies, cookies, muffins and frozen meals, they also grow 13 apple varieties.
Apple Varieties: (2022 varieties, 2023 TBA) McIntosh, Royal Gala, Spartan, Cortland, Empire, Ambrosia, Golden Gala, Jonagold, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Crispin/Mutsu, Idared, Northern Spy, Honeycrisp, Paula Red, Ginger Gold
Orchard Home Farm – Saint George
When: Daily 11:00am-4:00pm
Where: 235 Howell Road, St. George
Orchard Home Farm is a family-run, 80-acre apple orchard with both pick-your-own and ready-picked apples in many varieties for both eating and baking.
Apple Varieties: McIntosh, Gala, Spartan, Cortland, Honeycrisp, Red Cort, Empire, Bosc Pears, Russett, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Red Delicious, Northern Spy, Braeburn, Mutsu, Ambrosia, Fuji
Take a bite of our list of Food & Drink events in Toronto and Southern Ontario here!
