Apple Picking Season Arrives in Columbia County

From Kinderhook to Hudson and Claverack to Ancram, local orchards offer a chance to spend a fall day among the apple trees.

As summer gives way to fall, Columbia County’s orchards begin shifting into harvest mode. Apple picking is one of the region’s favorite autumn traditions, offering a chance to spend time outdoors, explore working farms and bring home fruit picked directly from the tree. By late September, the first fall colors begin appearing across the county, building toward peak foliage in mid- to late October.

Across the county, farms open their orchards for pick-your-own (PYO) apples, each with its own approach to the harvest season. Some grow dozens of varieties and offer cider and other farm products, while others keep the experience centered on a simple walk through the orchard and a bag of freshly picked fruit.

For those planning a fall trip to Columbia County, these six farms offer places to begin.

Samascott Orchards — Kinderhook

At Samascott Orchards, apple picking is part of a larger pick-your-own operation that runs from June into October. Apples are among the many fruits and vegetables grown at the family-owned farm, which offers a range of seasonal crops for visitors to pick themselves.

More than 70 apple varieties are grown across the orchards, with availability changing as the season progresses. That makes the timing of a visit part of the experience for anyone interested in sampling different varieties.

The farm’s cider mill produces fresh-pressed apple cider, while the farm stand offers seasonal produce and other goods. Visitors can also drive into the orchard and park closer to the areas where they are picking.

Samascott Orchards is located at 5 Sunset Ave., Kinderhook.

Hopedale Farm — Livingston

For a traditional pick-your-own experience, Hopedale Farm offers an apple orchard where visitors can spend an autumn day among the trees.

Family-owned and operated since 1916, the farm opens for the apple season each fall. Hopedale has announced that it will open for the 2026 season on Labor Day weekend.

Visitors can bring their own bags or use bags supplied by the farm. Apple varieties become available as they ripen, with the selection changing throughout the season.

The orchard offers a chance to experience a working Columbia County farm as the landscape shifts into fall, with apple picking at the center of the visit.

Hopedale Farm is located at 15 Klibar Road, Livingston.

Philip Orchards — Claverack

Philip Orchards offers pick-your-own apples and pears, giving visitors an opportunity to gather fruit directly from the trees during the fall harvest.

The orchard grows more than 15 varieties of apples, along with several types of pears. As different varieties ripen throughout the season, the selection changes from one visit to the next.

The farm’s long agricultural history is part of the experience. The property has remained in the same family for generations, continuing a tradition of farming that has shaped the surrounding landscape.

Philip Orchards is located at 270 Route 9H, Claverack.

Smith Farms — Livingston

Smith Farms offers pick-your-own apples as part of a broader seasonal harvest that begins with summer fruits and continues into the fall.

The farm grows several apple varieties, including Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Royal Cortland, Macoun, Jonagold and Golden Delicious. Its picking schedule is updated seasonally, so visitors should check current availability before heading out.

Apple picking is part of a broader seasonal offering at Smith Farms. Earlier in the year, visitors can pick peaches, nectarines, raspberries and sweet and sour cherries, while the fall harvest brings apples and other seasonal produce.

Surrounded by working farmland, the farm offers a chance to slow down and spend an autumn afternoon outdoors.

Smith Farms is located at 200 White Birch Road, Hudson.

Yonder Fruit Farms — Valatie

At Yonder Fruit Farms, apple picking is part of a fall harvest that includes pumpkins and other seasonal produce.

The farm’s fall season generally begins around Labor Day and continues through October, depending on weather and growing conditions. Pick-your-own hours are seasonal, so visitors should check current conditions before making the trip.

Yonder grows a wide selection of apples, including Honeycrisp, Snapdragon, Empire, Ambrosia, McIntosh, Cortland, Gala, Macoun, Fuji, Pink Lady and EverCrisp. The farm maintains an orchard map showing where different varieties are planted, allowing visitors to seek out particular apples as they ripen.

The fall road stand offers fresh-picked apples and pears by the pound, along with cider, pumpkins, local honey and other seasonal products.

Yonder Fruit Farms is located at 3167 U.S. Route 9, Valatie.

Fix Brothers Fruit Farm — Livingston

Fix Brothers Fruit Farm brings more than a century of agricultural history to the fall harvest, with apples, pears and pumpkins among its seasonal offerings.

The fifth-generation family farm was established in 1899 and offers pick-your-own fruit throughout the growing season. Apples are the primary fruit during September and October.

The farm grows a range of traditional and newer apple varieties, with pears also generally available during the apple season. Pick-your-own (PYO) starts September 16th and is open Wednesday thru Sunday. The Apple Barn offers local cider, jams, pumpkins and weekend hayrides.

Fix Brothers is located at 215 White Birch Road, Hudson.

Plan an Apple-Picking Day in Columbia County

Apple picking offers a way to experience Columbia County as the landscape shifts into fall. The orchards are woven among working farmland, historic villages and country roads, making them a natural starting point for a fall outing that can easily include a visit to one of the county’s historic sites, a farm-to-table restaurant, a local shop, or a hike on public land.

The apples themselves give visitors reason to return as the season unfolds. Ginger Gold, Gala and McIntosh typically begin appearing in late August and early September, followed by Honeycrisp, Cortland and Empire as September progresses. Macoun, Jonagold, Golden Delicious, Fuji and other later varieties extend the harvest into October. The exact timing varies with weather and growing conditions, so anyone looking for a particular variety should check with the farm before visiting.

As the harvest moves into October, apple picking becomes a way to experience Columbia County at one of its most distinctly seasonal moments. The orchards, farm stands and back roads that shape the county’s agricultural countryside take on another dimension as the surrounding hills and forests shift from summer green to the colors of fall.

Note to Visitors: Most PYO operations do not accommodate pets on their premises. Be sure to take some cash! Many farm operations do not accept credit cards.