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15 Best Cherry Picking in Michigan Farms U Pick and Orchards

Spending summertime in Michigan should be on your bucket list as it’s arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the US with the best summer activities. Every year in Traverse City, the National Cherry Festival takes place and families come from all over to celebrate the produce and eat cherries.

It’s no surprise that Michigan is the Cherry Capital of the world! It also produces over 75 percent of the earth’s tart cherries. Because of this, there are plenty of cherry farms dotted all over the state. Which one should you visit? Keep reading to discover the best cherry picking in Michigan in July.

multiple punnets of cherries

15 Best Cherry Picking in Michigan Farms and Orchards

U-pick farms are fresh produce farms that invite customers to pick their own produce for farm-to-table fruits and vegetables at low prices. There are over 200 U-pick farms across Michigan state, here are the 15 best farms for cherry-picking.

1. King Orchards

  • Location: Central Lake
  • Produce: Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, and apples

King Orchards is a U-pick farm in Central Lake, Michigan. Not only do they offer amazing cherry-picking, but they also have an array of yearly produce available to pick. From strawberries in the middle of June right through to apple picking in September.

King orchards will supply everything you need from boxes and bags for holding your cherries to free cherry pitting. The farm keeps the cherry trees trimmed and easily reachable so the whole family can enjoy the day out.

While there is no entrance fee to the cherry farm, you will pay per pound of cherries picked. A pail of cherries is around 8lbs of cherries, and you can expect to pay $18 per pail. The price decreases the more pails of cherries you have picked. When you’re finished picking, you can head to the bakery to enjoy freshly baked goods and pastries and purchase jams and jellies.

woman picking cherries holding one up

2. Moelker Orchard

  • Location: Wyoming
  • Produce: Cherries, pumpkins, and apples

Further down north of Michigan, you will find Moelker Orchards. This family-friendly orchard offers cherry picking in the summertime as well as a pumpkin patch and apple picking in the fall.

After your cherry-picking, you can explore the beautiful century-old farm and the farmer’s produce available in the on-site store. Depending on the time of year you want to visit, you could pick your own apples, cherries, or pumpkins. If you are hoping to head home with a bag full of cherries, then visiting during the month of July is a must.

If you decide to come back in the fall, you can jump on the horse-drawn wagon for a ride around the picturesque farm. Moelker is open from Monday to Saturday from 9 am – 5 pm and has a wheelchair-accessible entrance.

punnets of cherries in michigan

3. Rennie Orchards

  • Location: Williamsburg
  • Produce: Cherries, apricots, pears, and apples

Rennie Orchards is just a 20-minute drive out from Traverse City, which hosts the annual cherry festival. This family-owned farm has plenty of fruit to pick, including cherries and over 19 different types of apples.

This farm is open a little later than others, from 10 am – 5 pm every day. The owners of the farm are incredibly friendly and operate the farm smoothly for the very best experience. There is also eye-level fruit so kids have easy and enjoyable picking.

If you can’t make it to the farm, they also ship fresh fruit across the state for your convenience, so nobody has to miss out. While there is not too much information available on their website, they regularly update their Facebook page, even informing followers about the produce available to be picked each week.

punnets of cherries and peaches

4. Blok Orchards

  • Location: Ada
  • Produce: Cherries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, and tomatoes

This farm is on the smaller side but still hosts mouth-watering fresh produce picking and a fun family day out. The orchards are open from 9 am – 5:30 pm Monday to Saturday.

The employees at Blok Orchards are clued up on all the relevant picking knowledge and there is a friendly farm dog running around. You can find pre-picked produce available to buy at the store. They also have weekly specials depending on what is available, so check their website to see if you can get your hands on some discounted produce.

group of cherries on a tree

5. Crane Orchards

  • Location: Fennville
  • Produce: Cherries, apples, peaches, and pumpkins

You won’t be disappointed with the tasty produce available to pick at Crane Orchards. On top of U-pick cherry picking, there is a lovely old-fashion pantry restaurant where you can sit and enjoy a bite to eat after a fun day of picking.

On-site, guests can also enjoy a corn maze, hayrides and cow train for some fun and laughter. Before you leave, you can purchase some jellies, jams, frozen pies or treats to take with you on the road. There is a small entrance fee for these activities, so you can expect to pay $7 for adults and $5 for kids over the age of 6. As one of the best cherry farms in Michigan, paying a visit to this orchard comes highly recommended.

6. Friske Farm Market

  • Location: Ellsworth
  • Produce: Cherries

Cherry picking at Friske Farm starts at 8 am and can be enjoyed into the evening until 6 pm in the week and 7 pm on weekends. But this farm, like others mentioned, is closed on Sundays.

You can spend the day stocking up on cherries and end it off by visiting the welcoming and very loved cafe. Here you can enjoy homemade cherry doughnuts or drool-worthy sandwiches. This is one of the best farms for Michigan cherry picking and has much more to offer than simply picking your own fruit.

farm with cherry blossom trees in michigan

There is a café serving delicious food and even offers a pizza special from 11 am to 7 pm every day. If you are looking to get away for the weekend, they also offer accommodation to those who are keen to camp on the farm. This is certainly a cherry farm in Michigan that offers more than the standard u-pick facilities.

7. Grange Fruit Farm

  • Location: Rockford
  • Produce: Cherries, raspberries, peaches, plums, apples, and pumpkins

Grange is a lovely farm with easy access to picking and very friendly staff. You can pick a selection of fruit for a fun outing. But if you’re short on time, they also have a wide variety of pre-picked fruit and locally-sourced honey for you to take home. The small farm stall also offers ciders and other treats.

The orchard is just a short drive from Grand Rapids and boasts excellent prices for U-pick cherries, pumpkins and their ranges of apples. They keep their Facebook page up to date with the latest ripening information, so if you want to visit Grange, head to their Facebook page first.

2 kids picking cherries

8. Klenk Orchards

  • Location: Sparta
  • Produce: Cherries

Klenk Orchards offers many varieties of sweet cherries for guests to pick. The trees are near the parking lot, making it great for young kids who don’t like walking far too far. There are also tractor rides available for children, back and forth from the trees.

When you’re finished with picking, you and the family can sit down on the on-site picnic grounds to enjoy the rest of the day. You can bring your packed picnic or enjoy your picked cherries from Klenk Orchards. For the u-pick, you can expect to pay $2/lb of cherries picked. If you would prefer to opt for the already picked option, you can expect to pay $3/lb.

cherry blossoms in michigan

9. Rasch Cherries

  • Location: Conklin
  • Produce: Cherries

Looking for big, juicy cherries? Rasch Cherries is open Monday to Saturday from 8 am – 8 pm, and on Sundays from 12 pm – 5 pm. Different varieties of sweet, dark, tart and Rainier cherries are available for picking on the farm. The staff is very friendly and will help move ladders around the farm for you and find the best and most produce-packed trees.

Be sure not to leave before visiting the farm stall. Here, you can purchase many different freshly baked goods and treats. Rasch Cherries also offers custom-made cakes to order throughout the year. These are perfect for birthdays, parties, anniversaries, or any celebrations.

blond girl picking cherries

10. Sandy Bottom Berries

  • Location: Rockford
  • Produce: Cherries, blueberries, and raspberries

This family-fun farm prides itself on using sustainable growth methods for its fruit. This means carefully watching all the crops for irregularities and using non-toxic pest and disease control.

The berries at Sandy Bottom available for picking are big, juicy and easy to pick. You can estimate about 3lbs of berries per person per hour of picking. Since the Michigan summer can get hot, it’s best to go early in the morning and enjoy the rest of your afternoon in the shade. They also offer pick-your-own raspberries and blueberries. Blueberries are charged at $14 per pail and raspberries at $4.30 per pail.

cherry blossom trees in michigan

11. Third Coast Fruit Co.

  • Location: Traverse City
  • Produce: Cherries

This stunning farm is located in the heart of Traverse City. The farm is over 100 years old and located on the Old Mission Peninsula. You can pick a variety of sweet and tart cherries while enjoying the old and traditional farm at Third Coast Fruit Co.

Because of its exquisite location, when you come for a cherry-picking afternoon outing, you can end it off by watching the sunset behind the horizon. The staff is lovely and helpful and will help you find the plumpest and most delicious cherries.

If you’re coming from the north of Michigan, you’ll get to cross over the Mackinac Bridge. This is a massive suspended bridge over Lake Michigan, one of the best bridges to cross in the US.

Third Coast Fruit Co. is one of the best farms to visit during cherry picking season in Michigan and is open 7 days a week from 9:30 am to 6 pm.

boy picks cherries while carrying a basket of cherries

12. Wells Orchard

  • Location: Grand Rapids
  • Produce: Cherries and pumpkins

This farm offers lots of activities for the whole family. It is also over 100 years old and the owners are well-versed in the art of cherry-picking. Besides an amazing spot for cherry-picking in the summer, Wells Orchard is also a great place to pick out the perfect Halloween pumpkin in the fall.

After picking, you can walk around the apple orchards or try your navigation skills in the fun corn maze. You can stop by the store on your way out and choose from a selection of yummy doughnuts and ciders.

This cherry orchard in Michigan is one of the most affordable in the region and holds various activities throughout the year. If you visit over the fall, you and the family can take part in their leisurely wagon rides before going pumpkin picking.

13. A.W. Overhiser Orchards

  • Location: South Haven
  • Produce: Cherries, apples, and peaches

Overhiser Farm has been passed down the family for five generations. If you visit this farm, you’ll be greeted with large orchards of trees filled with juicy, sweet fruit.

cherries on a tree with a blue sky

When you’re done picking, you can head down on a wagon ride and explore the corn maze or educational animal barn. But please note that there is a small admission fee for U-pick and other activities. There is also food and ciders available from a food truck as well as a picnic area to relax in.

This farm also has a sunflower patch. While small compared to the sunflower fields in Minnesota, it still makes for great photo opportunities. Their u-pick season runs from the beginning of July to the end of September, with different fruits coming into season along the way.

14. AJ’s Berry Farm

  • Location: Lachine
  • Produce: Strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins, and flowers.

AJ’s makes for the perfect family day trip. On top of packed fruit trees for picking, there is a farm stall for freshly picked produce, treats, and maple syrup. As well as an assortment of pasture-raised meat. It is suggested that you bring your own basket or bucket, which makes it far easier for you to take your freshly picked produce home.

AJ’s Berry Farm also has hayrides, barns and a corn maze to enjoy. Unlike the other farms on our list, you can also pick beautiful flowers to take home and make bouquets from. This u-pick is relatively affordable, and you can expect to pay around $3 per quart for most of their produce.

cherries on a tree with a blue sky

15. Corey Lake Orchards

  • Location: Three Rivers
  • Produce: Cherries, apples, peaches, blueberries, pumpkins and strawberries

This family-orientated farm can be found in the scenic Lake County in Michigan and is over 60 years old. The farm is jam-packed with things to do, from a sunflower patch to an open-air farmers market.

Guests can also enjoy tastings of different hard ciders, wines, spirits and brandy that are all made onsite. These are available to purchase and take home as well.

This farm is open from 9 am – 6 pm every day except Tuesdays. The fruit at Corey Lake Orchards is flawless and affordable and will have you driving across the state just to get your hands on some. They keep their website up-to-date with weather forecasts and season closing times, so if you are worried you may have missed their season, visit their website for details on this cherry farm Michigan loves so much.

Closing Thoughts on Cherry Picking in Michigan

The National Cherry Picking Festival is a blast for all ages. But individual cherry picking is just as fun. Gather the family and friends and celebrate the cherry orchards of Michigan. You won’t be disappointed returning home with a basket of fruit and precious memories.

cherries up close in a tree

Eat yourself full of cherries, finally try making that jelly and jam you’ve always wanted to try or bake a cherry pie for the ultimate dessert. All these cherry orchards and farms offer guests the best and freshest cherry picking as well as a fun day out.

I covered all of the costs associated with writing this article. However, this cherry-picking in Michigan post includes affiliate links. That means if you click through and end up making a purchase I will receive a small commission. I wanted to make sure you were aware of this.

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