Top 15 Apple Picking Spots In Illinois

Whether you're looking for an apple orchard that has everything you can imagine or just a quaint little farm for apple picking, you can find the best place to pick apples in Illinois right here on this list. From Chicago, to Aurora, to Peoria, to Springfield, here are the top 15 places to pick apples in Illinois:

1. Edwards Apple Orchard

Near the Rockford area, enjoy a bakery with fresh baked donuts and other pastries when you visit Edwards. After you're done apple picking, pick up some specialty foods like apple butter, salsa, and jams! Their Cider Cellar has pulled pork sandwiches and their Cider Mill makes cider from in-season apples. A pumpkin patch can be found in late September.

Dates Open: August 27 - October

Contact: (815) 765-2234 or visit their website at Edwards Apple Orchard!

2. Royal Oak Farm Orchard

1.5 miles from the Wisconsin border is this quaint orchard with over 20,000 apple trees along with all types of pumpkins, gourds, squash, fruits, and veggies! Enjoy a gift shop, petting zoo and even a carousel when you bring your kids. Visit the one and only apple tree maze as well as a market and bakery while you're there.

Dates Open: June 16 - November 24

Contact: Call (815) 648-4141 or visit them at their website, Royal Oak Farm.

3. Jonamac Orchard

Between Naperville and Rockford lies Jonamac Orchard. This orchard goes far above and beyond your typical apple picking spot. Any fall activity you can imagine, this place has it! Enjoy a cider at the cider house, a baked good at the bakery, or a haunted corn maze behind the pumpkin patch. Private campfires, a petting zoo, apple cannons, hayrides, a sunflower patch, and a fall festival lasting all season is enough to make anyone get their apples in a bunch.

Dates Open: August 18 - November 24

Contact: Call (815) 825-2158 or visit them here at their website, Jonamac Orchard.

4. Prairie Sky Orchard

Located between Chicago and Rockford is a little orchard with a lot to offer. On top of apples, Prairie Sky also grows Asian pears! Raw honey, flowers, jams, and donuts are just some of the products you can find here. There is also a permanent "Koffe Kiosk" on site!

Dates Open: September 12 - October

Contact: Call (815) 923-4834 or visit the website at Prairie Sky Orchard.

5. Edwards Apple Orchard West

With 18 varieties of apples, fresh apple cider, pumpkins, caramel apples, and fun activities for the kids, this smaller orchard has fun for the whole family!

Dates Open: Late August - Late November

Contact: Call (815) 963-2261 or visit the website at Edwards Apple Orchard West.

6. Stade's Farm & Market

This Northern Illinois apple picking spot has a full service market that offers baked goods, in-season fruits, vegetables, eggs, and honey. There is so much produce coming from this one farm that they are open in May. Between the theme park, the orchard, the fall festival and the farm market, you won't leave Stade's empty handed!

Dates Open: Late May - November

Contact: Call (815) 675-6396 or visit this website, Stade's Farm & Market.

7. Homestead Orchard

Boasting its variety of apples, this orchard has 23 different kinds to choose from. They also include a gift shot with plenty of goodies, including their specialty beeswax candles.

Dates Open: Late July - Early November

Contact: Give them a call at (815) 338-7443 or visit them on the web at Homestead Orchard.

8. Okaw Valley Orchard

Apple cider slushies are a unique part of Okaw Valley Orchard. In-fact, there are unique fruit pairings of all sorts located in their shop! Apple cinnamon rolls, blueberry apple cider, peaches n' cream cake, and apple dumplings with apple cider sauce are on the menu. After you're done apple picking at this traditional style orchard stop on in for some specialty gifts in the shop. 

Dates Open: Late June - Mid November

Contact: Call this orchard at (217) 728-8269 or visit them here at Okaw Valley Orchard.

9. Tanners Orchard

 

Opening August 2nd, this orchard has every amenity you could ask for. Apple picking, pumpkins, a farm market, a gift shop, farm animals, a corn maze, and sunflowers can be found all over this 40 acre plot of farmland. With events for your kids all year round, there is no shortage of fun in sight at this orchard north of Peoria.

Dates Open: Early August -  Late October

Contact: Call at (309) 493-5442 or visit their website here, Tanners Orchard.

10. Rendleman Orchard

Peaches and nectarines can be found at Rendleman's Orchard, just South of East St. Louis. Since 1873, this Alto Pass orchard has a market open all seasons with gourmet specialty foods, as well as jams, jellies, and a wide variety of produce grown locally! Pick some in-season sun flowers and pumpkins while you're stopping by!

Dates Open: Late June - Late October

Contact: Call here, (618) 893-2771 or visit here, Rendleman Orchard.

11. Woodstock Country Orchard

 

A straightforward orchard is in short supply these days. If you are looking for a quick apple pick with no distractions, head to Woodstock Country Orchard! Cider donuts, Apple Cider, jams, and local honey are available as well.

Dates Open: Unknown

Contact: Call the number here, (815) 923-4359 or visit their website at Woodstock Country Orchard.

12. Heinz Orchard

 

A small, family owned orchard just North of Chicago is the place to go when looking for a pure apple picking experience. With no admission fees or parking cost, this 70 year old orchard is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Dates Open: Mid September Opening 

Contact: Call the number at (847) 770-3449 or give them a visit at Heinz Orchard.

13. Cody's Farm & Orchard

 

Produce of all kinds can be bought at this farm market style orchard. There are even stands with Cody's produce located all over Illinois! This low cost, family friendly orchard offers free admission, free hayrides, a free kids play area, and a $5 5 acre corn maze. After you've eaten your fair share of apple products, grab some pumpkins, gourds, flowers, and baked goods.

Dates Open: Mid June - Late October

Contact: Phone number is (815) 568-7976. You can also visit them here, Cody's Farm & Orchard.

14. Honey Hill Orchard

An 1880's apple barn was converted into a one stop shop for all your apple goodies including apple cider, donuts, honey, caramel apples, pies, and much more! With a free children's play area, petting zoo, and straw maze there is fun for the whole family! 

Dates Open: Early September - Late October

Contact: Call (815) 264-3337 or visit Honey Hill Orchard on the web.

15. All Seasons Orchard

Doubling as a wedding venue in the spring and summer months, All Seasons Orchard lives up to its name. Enjoy a barnyard, corn maze, petting zoo, pumpkin patch, and pony rides that will put your local county fair to shame. Get on a hayride and go pick some apples after you've had your fill of delicious apple deserts and goodies!

Dates Open: Early September - Late October

Contact: Call (815) 338-5637 or visit All Seasons Orchard.