Let’s get to picking! Fall means apples, and what better way to get a taste of the season than choosing your own?
With dozens of varieties available, all ripening at different times, Iowa’s apple-picking season stretches well beyond one weekend in September.
For 2026, several Iowa orchards are already reporting apples ready for picking, while others will continue bringing new varieties into season throughout October. If you want to make a day of it, many orchards also offer pumpkin patches, farm markets, baked goods, and other seasonal activities.
Here are some Iowa U-pick farms to put on your fall bucket list.
Iowa Orchard — Urbandale
If you’re looking for an apple-picking outing without going far from the Des Moines metro, Iowa Orchard’s Urbandale location is an easy option.
The orchard at 9875 Meredith Drive offers U-pick apples through mid-October, with picking available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The last admission is at 4 p.m., and the orchard is closed Mondays.
The $5 U-pick admission fee helps cover the additional costs of operating a public picking operation—one of the best parts of which is the variety. Depending on when you visit the Iowa Orchard, you may find Premier Honeycrisp, Blondee, Gala, and McIntosh in September, followed by Honeycrisp and Jonathan, then Cortland, Empire, Crimson Crisp, and Fuji. Other varieties are sprinkled throughout the season, too.
And if you’re the kind of person who likes to plan your apple haul around a particular variety, the orchard’s ripening schedule and Facebook Page are worth checking before you go.
Center Grove Orchard — Cambridge
Center Grove Orchard is a super popular central Iowa fall destination for a reason (you’ve certainly spotted a friend’s photo op here before), but did you know they also offer U-pick apples?
The Cambridge farm has a 20-acre apple orchard with more than 34 varieties throughout the season. For 2026, the orchard’s apple season runs through November 2, or until the trees are picked clean.
Visitors purchase a U-pick bag and fill it with apples from the rows that are open that week. You pay for the bag rather than by weight, so you might as well fill it. Admission is required for everyone age 3 and older and includes access to the farmyard and unlimited rides on the CGO Express Train.
Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard — Council Bluffs
On the western side of the state, Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard in Council Bluffs offers lots of variety for apple pickers. Its 2026 list includes more than 30 apple varieties, ranging from Ambrosia, Gala, and Honey Gold to Crimson Crisp, Fuji, Jonagold, Pink Lady, Red Delicious, and Sweet Sixteen (intriguing!).
Some varieties are grown specifically for earlier picking, while others arrive later in the season, so checking what’s available before heading out is a good idea.
U-pick bags are available for purchase in the store, and visitors need an admission ticket before entering the fields. Admission is $10 per person, with children 3 and younger admitted free.
Little Sioux Orchard — Milford
Spending the summertime near Okoboji is fun for obvious reasons, but this part of the state is ideal in the fall, too. Head north to the Iowa Great Lakes for a U-pick experience at Little Sioux Orchard in Milford.
When you arrive, stop at the apple barn to learn what’s happening that day and purchase one of three sizes of apple-picking bags. Because different varieties ripen at different times, staff can point you toward the best place to pick during your visit.
One thing to know before you go: Little Sioux Orchard doesn’t offer pre-picked apples. The experience is all about getting out into the orchard and picking your own. The orchard also maintains a variety guide, which is handy if you’re looking for a particular type of apple or simply want to know what you’ll find during your visit.
Appleberry Farm — Marshalltown
Appleberry Farm in Marshalltown is another longtime fall stop, offering U-pick apples along with pumpkins, squash, gourds, seasonal decorations, and a retail shop.
As of September 8, the farm reported Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Gala, Cortland, Honey Gold, and Jonathan apples ready to pick. Earlier in August, the farm announced that Honeycrisp had kicked off the season.
The orchard did have some crop loss this year because of a late frost during blossom, so availability will vary among varieties. Still, the farm says most varieties should be available in some quantity.
There’s plenty beyond the apples, too. Caramel apples and cider donuts are available daily during the season, with apple crisps on most days. The Apple Wagon food truck is scheduled to be open on weekends and select other occasions, too. Now that’s tempting.
Allen’s Orchard — Marion
Allen’s Orchard in Marion has been part of the community since 1969, when Morris and Diane Allen turned a cornfield north of town into an orchard focused on apples, agricultural education, and getting people outdoors.
The orchard is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with visitors asked to check in before entering the rows. As of mid-September, the orchard is picking a long list of varieties, including Jonathan, Cortland, Valstar, Honeycrisp, Lura Red, Golden Supreme, Macintosh, Winesap, Gala, Crimson Crisp, and Sweet Sixteen.
The website makes it incredibly easy to see what’s available for picking, so be sure to give it a look before making the drive.
Apples on the Avenue — Nashua
For something a little different—something real quaint—check out Apples on the Avenue in Nashua.
The local U-pick operation lets visitors pick fresh apples directly from the orchard, with varieties ranging from sweet and tart to crisp and juicy.
The experience is intentionally simple: Head out to the fields, pick some apples, and enjoy a little time outside. It’s a good option for anyone who wants an orchard outing without necessarily making a full day of it.
Pinter’s Gardens & Pumpkin Farm — Decorah
Fall in Decorah already has plenty going for it, and an apple orchard only adds to the vibe. At Pinter’s Gardens & Pumpkin Farm, visitors can walk through the orchard and pick apples, with varieties changing throughout the season. The farm’s orchard offerings include familiar favorites such as Gala and Granny Smith, along with other varieties.
The farm also has a gift shop where you can pick up fresh apples, bakery items, and gifts. And if you want to pair apples and pumpkins come October, you’ll be in the right place, as the farm’s name suggests.
Don’t wait for one perfect apple-picking weekend to hit these U-pick farms
One of the best things about apple season is that there isn’t necessarily one date circled on the calendar when you need to go. Early varieties begin showing up in late August and early September and go through October. Some orchards may even have apples into November, depending on the crop and weather.
That also means the orchard you visit early in the season may look completely different a few weeks later. For 2026, check an orchard’s current picking report or social media page before heading out.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
