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Apple Picking in Washington 2026 — U-Pick Farms & Season Guide

June 11, 2026 · 7 min read

Washington grows more apples than any other state — and every fall, orchards from the Wenatchee Valley to Green Bluff open for u-pick. Here's when the season peaks, which regions to visit, and what to expect at the best u-pick apple farms across the state.

When is apple season in Washington?

Apple harvest runs from late August through October, with timing varying by elevation and variety:

  • Wenatchee Valley — The heart of Washington apple country. Elevation keeps the nights cool and the fruit crisp. Early varieties like Gala and Honeycrisp open in August; Fuji and Granny Smith run through October.
  • Lake Chelan — Orchards above the lake offer apples alongside stone fruit and stunning scenery. Season runs September through October.
  • Yakima Valley— Washington's other apple powerhouse. The valley heat produces intensely flavored fruit; most u-pick farms open in September and close by late October.
  • Green Bluff (Spokane area) — A concentrated farming community north of Spokane with over a dozen orchards within a few miles of each other. Peak season is September through October, with a dedicated fall harvest festival each weekend.

Check before you go: Washington apple farms often have short daily windows and may close mid-week. Call ahead or check Instagram for real-time picking conditions.

U-pick apple farms in Washington

Washington's best u-pick apple experiences are concentrated in four regions — here's where to go.

Wenatchee & Chelan

The Wenatchee Valley and Lake Chelan area are the premier apple destinations in the state. Fourth-generation orchards sit alongside the Columbia River, with fruit ripening under 300 days of sunshine per year.

Yakima Valley

The Yakima Valley produces over a third of the nation's apple crop. Most orchards here focus on commercial production, but a handful open for u-pick each fall alongside their farm stands.

Green Bluff (Spokane area)

Green Bluff is Washington's most orchard-dense u-pick corridor — over a dozen farms clustered along a few country roads north of Spokane. Come on a fall weekend and you can hit three or four farms in an afternoon.

Columbia Gorge (Washington side)

Apple festivals in Washington 2026

Green Bluff Harvest FestivalSept 19 – Oct 25, 2026 · Colbert (Green Bluff), Spokane area

Five weekends of u-pick apples, pears, and pumpkins across the Green Bluff farming community north of Spokane. Over a dozen farms participate — get a farm map at the first stop and work your way through the loop. The best weekend apple u-pick event in Eastern Washington.

Tips for u-pick apple season in Washington

  • Go mid-week at Wenatchee and Chelan orchards — weekend crowds at the most popular farms can make for long waits at the weigh station.
  • Ask about variety availability — most farms grow 6–12 varieties that ripen at different times. Call ahead to find out which are at peak when you plan to visit.
  • Bring a cooler for the drive home — apples picked at peak ripeness can be damaged by heat in a warm car trunk.
  • Green Bluff logistics — park at your first farm, pick up a free farm map, and plan a loop. The farms are close enough to walk between several of them.

How to pick apples

Learn the twist-and-lift technique, how to read ripeness by variety, and which apples store longest.

How to pick apples →