Apple Orchards in Des Moines
There is nothing better than caramel apples, apple cider, homemade pies, and hard cider in the Fall. There are several places to get local apples or an apple pie in central Iowa and experience other fall fun including wagon rides, bounce pillows, farm activities, and more. Many orchards offer a pick-your-own option or you can purchase already picked items in their stores. Looking for pumpkins? Check out our best Pumpkin Patches in Des Moines Guide.
Here are the best apple picking spots, apple orchards, and other apple fun in the greater Des Moines area.
Berry Patch Farm
62785 280th Street, Nevada, Iowa 50201
515-382-5138
Berry Patch Farm is located in Nevada and is not too far from Center Grove Orchard. They are known for picking your own produce including acres of apple trees. We made a trip out there one summer and picked our own blueberries and cherries. There is no admission to pick and you have unlimited access to their orchard. You only need to pay for the products you take which is a great option if you are just looking for apples and not a bunch of activities. Some of the best orchards are the simple ones. Apples usually become available in early September. Keep an eye on their website for the best picking time!
Center Grove Orchard
32835 610th Ave, Cambridge, Iowa 50046
515-383-4354
Located in Cambridge which is between Ames and Ankeny. Center Grove Orchard is one of my favorite orchards and pumpkin patches to visit every fall. It is loaded with fun activities for the entire family including apple picking with varieties of apples, a pumpkin patch, farm animals, a corn maze, an awesome corn pool, jumping pillow, hayrack rides, giant slides, rubber duck races, and much more! Learn more about u-pick apples on their 20-acre apple orchard and other u-pick opportunities here.
If you do not feel like picking your own apples, make a stop at the country store which offers already-picked apples, apple cider, apple cider donuts, caramel apples, sauces, and more. Grab a coffee treat at their very own coffee shop too! Do not miss their Discovery Barn for a ton of hands-on fun.
Deal’s Orchard
1102 244th Street, Jefferson, Iowa 50129
515-386-8279
Deal’s Orchard, owned and run by the Deal Family, offers a lot of apple varieties including Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp Apples, Macintosh, Gala, Red Delicious, and more. They also offer a beautiful Apple Barn that hosts great gifts, fresh apple cider, yummy apple treats, and more. You will not want to miss Apple Acres where all the family fun includes slides, pedal carts, a tractor ride, a jumping pillow, pedal tractors, and more.
Hinegardner Orchard
1348 295th Street, Montour, Iowa 50173
641-492-6353
Hinegardner Orchard offers several u-pick produce opportunities including apples. Keep an eye on their website for the best dates and times for picking.
Iowa Orchard
9875 Meredith Drive, Urbandale, Iowa 50322
515-276-0852
The Iowa Orchard is located right in the city, in Urbandale and they offer a wide variety of apples. Do not be fooled by this local apple orchard name, they also have lots of pumpkins and gourds available to pick from. They also offer pies, apple cider, different sauces, and much more. Apple picking is located on their Granger property. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for the u-pick orchard picking details.
The Family Fun Zone is open from mid-September through Halloween. Open on the weekends only from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5 per person. Children 2 years and younger are free. They also offer tour packages you can sign up for.
Upstream Gardens & Orchard
5987 NE 88th St, Altoona, Iowa, 50009
515-957-1303
If you are looking for a simple and no admission fee, check out Upstream Gardens & Orchard in Altoona, Iowa. They do not offer slides or farm activities, but they do offer honey, fruits & berries, sweet corn, tomatoes, apples, and more!
Wills Family Orchard
33130 Panther Creek Road, Adel, Iowa 50003
515-321-1847
This is a definite must-do this fall season. We made a trip to Wills Family Orchard, a family-run apple orchard, a couple of years ago and enjoyed every minute of it. Located just west of Adel, this organic apple orchard offers organic apples for picking, a pumpkin patch, farm animals, and a cute little store to shop at and paint your own gourd.
They host an Apple & Pumpkin Fest several weekends during the season. During festival weekends, they offer tons of fall fun for the whole family.
Wilson’s Orchard
4823 Dingleberry Rd NE, Iowa City, Iowa 52240
319-354-5651
Wilson’s Orchard is a little out of the way of Des Moines. They are located in the Iowa City area but are another great local orchard to visit during the Fall. They are open all year round and offer a beautiful property to explore, premium apples, hard apple cider, and other apple treats.
Happy Apple is closed for good, FYI.