Awesome Local U-Pick Apple Orchards

We may be a coastal realty, but when September hits the beach takes a backseat to all the wonders that fall in Maine has to offer. First, on our list of "must-do" fall fun is apple picking with the family and whether you’re a visitor, transplant, or native specimen I bet a new favorite picking spot awaits on our list of local orchards.

Spiller Family Farm

85 Spiller Farm Lane, Wells ME (207) 985-2575 Hours updated daily on their website- http://spillerfarm.com/

Spiller Farm is a generational farm offering several seasons of pick your own options. Beyond apples, they also offer blueberries, pumpkins, raspberries, rhubarb, and strawberries. Their adorable picnic and play area feature a retired farm tractor for the kids, a corn stalk teepee, goats, geese, and distant cows to visit, and a little,  red, covered bridge to a sand pile. Pack a picnic lunch or grab a pizza and snack from Spiller’s Farm Store. They offer group farm tours via a wagon ride on weekdays from mid-September to mid-October. 

The Orchard at Chase Farms

1396 North Berwick Rd. Wells, ME  207-251-5700 ​Open 9-5 daily

Chase Farms has been a family-owned operation since the 1600s. Beyond their U-pick selection, the farm’s extensive farm store offers fresh-pressed honey crisp apple cider and fresh cider donuts. Chase Farms Store specializes in homegrown meats, produce, fresh baked goods, locally sourced merchandise, and a greenhouse with seasonal offerings. 

McDougal’s Orchards

201 Hanson Ridge Rd. Springvale, ME (207) 324-5054 Open Daily 9-5 

McDougal Orchards is a seventh-generation family farm that grows over 40 varieties of apples in addition to peaches, nectarines, plums, pears, cherries, and raspberries. There are fresh cider donuts, farm animals visit, a picnic area, a magical fairy village, corn maze, and wagon rides. 

Smith’s Red Apple Farm 1008 Rt. 109 Acton, ME Sun - Sat: 9:00am - 5pm 207-636-1639

Smith’s is a MECA for all things apple. On offer are apple pie, apple crisp, and apple cider as well as wagon rides, pumpkins, mums, and crafts available in the farm store. 

Gile’s Family Farm

139 Waterboro Rd Alfred ME (207) 324-2944 Open Daily 9 am to 5 pm

The Gile’s Family Farm offers many different varieties of U-Pick apples, including Paula Reds, Zestars, Honeycrisp, Ginger Golds, McIntosh, and Cortland. In addition, the farm stand is open year-round with a delicious selection of jams and jellies, maple syrup, and many other great farm products.

Kelly Orchards

82 Sanborn Rd Acton ME 207-636-1601 Open daily, 9 am to 4 pm in season

Kelly Orchards provides apples to After Harvest Cider Co. a local craft hard cider producer and also grows many other crops including blueberries, pumpkins, and raspberries. They focus on maintaining low chemical and pesticide practices in their Acton orchard including Integrated Pest Management which is an ecosystem-based management protocol. 

Snell Family Farms

1000 River Road Buxton ME 207-929-6166 Open 7 days 9 am to 4 pm 

The Snell Family Farm boasts a diverse offering of goods. From acres of mature apple trees to greenhouses offering both annuals and perennials, a Floral Design Studio and bulk flower business, and a stocked farm store with a plethora of goodies from the Farm Kitchen (all made with Snell Farm produce). In addition to a bustling CSA, the farm also offers a Bouquet of the Month club and a Pie of the Month club. SIGN ME UP!! 

So where to first? Why not do an apple picking tour? Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments!