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There’s nothing quite like a crisp fall day spent wandering an orchard with a bag slowly filling with fresh-picked apples, and apple picking Bergen County NJ style is one of our favorite ways to kick off the season. Whether you’re staying close to home in Hillsdale or making a day trip out to the Hudson Valley, we’ve rounded up the eight best orchards worth the drive this year — updated with 2026 hours, pricing, and what makes each one worth a visit. Grab your flannel, round up the family, and let’s go find some apples.
Bergen County sits in the sweet spot between Northern New Jersey and the Hudson Valley, which means some of the best apple orchards in the entire region are within an hour of home. Some years the season starts as early as late August with the first Ginger Golds and Paula Reds; by mid-September through late October, most orchards are in full swing with Cortlands, Empires, Macouns, and Honeycrisps ready for picking. A few farms stay open into November for the last of the late-season varieties.
Below, we’ve organized the list by how far you’ll need to drive, starting with the one true apple-picking option inside Bergen County itself, then moving out to the excellent orchards in neighboring Morris County, the Hudson Valley apple belt around Warwick, New York, and Rockland County. However you like to spend your Saturday, there’s an orchard on this list for you.
Demarest Farms has been a Bergen County institution since 1886, and it’s still the only true pick-your-own apple orchard inside the county itself. The farm grows more than a dozen apple varieties across its orchards, and a day here typically includes a hayride out to the trees, a stop at the petting zoo, and a visit to the farm market for their famous apple cider doughnuts and fresh-pressed cider. Demarest also runs its Halloween Light Show and Orchard of Lights events later in the season, so it’s worth a repeat visit. Reservations are recommended, especially on fall weekends when parking fills up fast — book through the farm’s website before you go.
- Address: 244 Werimus Road, Hillsdale, NJ 07642
- Hours: Open daily, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM for the 2026 season
- Phone: 201-666-0472
- Website: http://www.demarestfarms.com
If you want the old-fashioned, no-frills version of apple picking, Riamede Farm is it. Believed to be the first pick-your-own apple orchard in New Jersey, Riamede has been welcoming pickers since 1974, and many of its trees date back to the 1950s. There’s no corn maze, no petting zoo, and no moon bounce here — just 35 acres of orchard, colored bands on the trees to mark the varieties, and a pumpkin field out back. It’s a favorite for families who want a quieter, more traditional outing.
- Address: 122 Oakdale Road, Chester, NJ 07930
- Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM, typically August through late December
- Phone: 908-879-7762
- Website: http://www.riamede.com
Alstede Farms is the polar opposite of Riamede — a full agritainment destination with pony rides, a corn maze, an evergreen maze, hayrides, and a farm market stocked with pies, cider, and local wine. Alstede grows more than 50 apple varieties across the season, and pick-your-own admission includes container access, the hay wagon ride out to the fields, and entry to the mazes. Weekday mornings before 11 AM tend to be far less crowded than weekend afternoons, which get busy fast once the leaves start turning.
- Address: 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
- Hours: Open daily; pick-your-own hours generally 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (weekdays) and 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (weekends and holidays)
- Phone: 908-879-7189
- Website: www.alstedefarms.com
Now in its fourth generation, Ochs Orchard has one of the longest pick-your-own seasons on this list, with fruit available from early summer cherries and peaches all the way through fall apples and pumpkins. It’s also one of the less crowded options in the Warwick area, with rolling hills, a well-stocked farm store, and homemade cider doughnuts that regularly get called out as a local favorite. Bring a cart if you’re visiting with kids — some of the paths are steep.
- Address: 4 Ochs Lane, Warwick, NY 10990
- Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, June through early November for pick-your-own
- Phone: 845-986-1591
- Website: https://www.ochsorchard.com/
For those willing to take a short drive across the state line, Masker Orchards in Warwick, NY, is a family favorite for apple picking near Northern NJ. Known for its large orchard and pick-your-own options, Masker offers a free parking lot and no admission fee. The farm also features a variety of activities for kids, such as a haunted house, pony rides, and a farm store. You’ll have an amazing time in this amazing apple picking spot.
- Location: 45 Ball Rd, Warwick, NY 10990
- Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Daily)
- Apple Picking Season: Early September through October
Another favorite in Chester, Alstede Farms offers not only apple picking but a full farm experience. Their extensive range of seasonal activities includes pony rides, hayrides, a corn maze, and a large farm market offering homemade jams, baked goods, and farm-fresh produce. It’s a great day trip for families or anyone looking to spend the day outdoors.
- Location: 1 Alstede Farms Ln, Chester, NJ 07930
- Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Daily)
- Apple Picking Season: Mid-August through November
Pennings is more of a full country destination than a simple orchard stop — think farm market, cidery, pub, beer garden, ice cream stand, and garden center all on one property, with pick-your-own apples happening at the adjacent Cidery Orchard. It’s a great pick if you want to turn apple picking into a longer outing with lunch and a cider flight, though it does draw bigger crowds than some of its Warwick neighbors. Call the hotline before you go, since picking hours and available varieties shift throughout the season.
- Address: 161 State Route 94 South, Warwick, NY 10990
- Hours: Farm market open daily, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; call the Apple Picking Hotline for current orchard hours
- Phone: Apple Picking Hotline: 845-987-9922
- Website: https://www.penningsfarmmarket.com/
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The Concklin family has farmed this same land in Rockland County since 1712, making it one of the oldest continuously operating family farms in the country. Today the orchard grows roughly 20 apple varieties, and the on-site bakery is known for its cider doughnuts, pies, and quiche made from century-old family recipes. At around 45 minutes from most of Bergen County, it’s one of the closer New York options on this list.
- Address: 2 South Mountain Road, Pomona, NY 10970
- Hours: Weekends, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM in season; check the farm’s website for current picking hours
- Phone: 845-354-0369
- Website: www.theorchardsofconcklin.com
A fifth-generation family farm dating back to 1891, Dr. Davies Farm has grown into one of the larger pick-your-own operations in Rockland County, with more than 5,000 trees and 27 apple varieties spread across 65 acres. Every guest picks up an apple bag on entry — $20 gets one person a half-peck bag (about 7–10 lbs), or $72 covers a group of up to five with a half-bushel bag (25–30 lbs). Picking poles are available to rent for the higher branches; dogs are welcome on a six-foot leash, and the on-site Red Barn Cidery makes it easy to turn the visit into a longer afternoon. Note that apple picking here is cash only.
Is there apple picking inside Bergen County itself?
Yes — Demarest Farms in Hillsdale is the county’s only true pick-your-own apple orchard. Everything else on this list is a short drive into Morris County, Rockland County, or the Warwick, NY area.
When does apple picking season start in New Jersey?
Most local orchards open for apple picking in late August with early varieties like Paula Red and Ginger Gold, hit peak season through September and October with Cortland, Empire, and Honeycrisp, and wind down by early-to-mid November depending on the farm and the weather that year.
Do I need a reservation to go apple picking near Bergen County?
It depends on the farm. Demarest Farms recommends booking ahead online, especially on fall weekends. Most of the Morris County and New York orchards on this list don’t require reservations, but it’s always worth calling ahead to confirm hours and picking conditions before you drive out.
Which orchard is best for young kids?
Alstede Farms and Demarest Farms both have petting zoos, hayrides, and shorter walking distances that tend to work well for younger children. Riamede Farm and Ochs Orchard are better suited to families who want a quieter, more low-key outing.
How far is Warwick, NY from Bergen County?
Most of Bergen County is about 45 minutes to an hour from Warwick, New York, depending on your starting town and traffic. It’s a very manageable day trip and worth it for the concentration of well-established orchards in that area.
Before heading out, here are some helpful tips to ensure a great day in the best apple picking spot near Bergen County, NJ:
- Check the weather: Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather and orchard conditions.
- Plan ahead: Weekends tend to be the busiest, so arriving early will give you the best selection and avoid crowds.
- Bring bags or baskets: While many orchards provide bags, it’s always a good idea to bring your own to carry your fresh apples.
Whether you’re staying local at Demarest Farms or venturing to one of the other farms nearby, apple picking is a fun and memorable fall tradition for all ages. So, grab your basket, hit the orchards, and enjoy the crisp air and fresh apples this season.
However you spend your weekend, apple picking Bergen County NJ and the surrounding area is one of the best fall traditions we have around here — and we’ll keep this guide updated each season as hours, prices, and new orchards come up. Looking for more ways to fill your fall calendar? Check out our guide to family-friendly activities in Bergen County for more weekend ideas, or swing by our roundup of the best diners in Bergen County when you need a warm meal after a chilly day in the orchard.
And if a fall orchard trip has you dreaming about more space for a bigger backyard, or thinking about what your Bergen County home could be worth in today’s market, Michael Guarriello and the Bergen County Lifestyle team are always happy to help. Reach out anytime for a free home valuation or to talk through your options for buying or selling in 2026.
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