Apple Picking Season Is Here: Where to Pick Apples From Watertown to Syracuse

Apple Picking Season Is Here: Where to Pick Apples From Watertown to Syracuse

From small North Country orchards and roadside farm stands to sprawling fall destinations with cider donuts, wagon rides and corn mazes, here’s where to go apple picking across Northern and Central New York this fall.

There are certain signs that fall has arrived in Northern New York.

The nights get cooler.

The leaves begin to change.

Sweatshirts come back out of the closet.

And across the North Country and Central New York, orchards begin filling with families carrying bags and baskets between rows of apple trees.

Apple season is underway for 2026, and you don't have to travel far to make a fall day out of it.

Starting close to Watertown, we're working our way south through Jefferson and Oswego counties before eventually reaching some of the larger orchards surrounding Syracuse.

Some are simple local farms.

Some offer traditional pick-your-own apples.

And others have become full fall destinations with cider donuts, pumpkins, corn mazes, wagon rides, food and activities for the kids.

Here's where to start.

WATERTOWN & THE NORTH COUNTRY

Jones Apple Farm — Mannsville

One of the closest apple stops to Watertown on our list is Jones Apple Farm in Mannsville, located along State Route 3.

New York State's farm directory lists Jones Apple Farm as an orchard at 2186 State Route 3, while regional agricultural information has identified apples and grape juice among the farm's products.

This is much more of a local North Country orchard and roadside farm experience than one of the large fall attractions you'll find farther south.

Location: 2186 State Route 3, Mannsville, NY 13661

Type: Local orchard and roadside stand

Products: Apples and grape juice

Phone: 315-846-5361

Website: No official standalone website could be verified.

Current 2026 U-pick dates and hours were not published in the sources we could verify, so give the farm a call before making a special trip specifically for apple picking.

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North Branch Farms — Henderson

Continue north along Lake Ontario and you'll find another Jefferson County option in Henderson.

North Branch Farms is a local agricultural operation that has been listed in regional farm directories for apples, fresh vegetables and U-pick pumpkins.

Again, don't expect the giant fall-festival atmosphere of some of the farms farther south.

This is the kind of smaller local farm experience that makes the North Country portion of this list a little different.

Location: 7759 Lake Road, Henderson, NY

Products: Apples, fresh vegetables and U-pick pumpkins

Phone: 315-523-0760

Website: No official standalone website could be verified.

We could not verify published 2026 U-pick apple dates and hours, so call ahead before making a special trip.

HEADING SOUTH INTO OSWEGO COUNTY

If you're willing to make the drive south from Watertown, Mexico and Oswego open up several more options, including some considerably larger orchards.

Behling Orchards — Mexico

Behling Orchards has been growing apples in Mexico since 1947.

What began with approximately six acres of apples has grown into more than 200 acres and nearly 80 apple varieties, making this one of the major apple-picking destinations between Watertown and Syracuse.

For the 2026 season, the orchard's tentative schedule puts regular-season Honeycrisp and Cortland around mid-September, Empire around September 21, and Macoun and Red Delicious around September 24. More varieties continue to ripen into October.

Location: 114 Potter Road, Mexico, NY 13114

U-pick hours: Daily, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., weather permitting

Main Barn: Daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., weather permitting

Apple season: September into October, with varieties changing throughout the season

Also there: Fresh cider, cider donuts and sweets, children's play area and a weekend Cookshack

Phone: 315-963-7068

Website: https://www.behlingorchards.org/

Late September should be an especially good window here because several popular varieties begin overlapping, but check the orchard's current picking report before leaving home.

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Appledale Orchards — Mexico

Just down the road is another longtime Oswego County apple operation.

Appledale Orchards has been a family-owned fruit farm since 1959 and offers U-pick apples and other seasonal fruits along with a country market.

It's also a good stop for the other essential part of an Upstate New York apple-picking trip: fresh cider and cider donuts.

Location: 6018 State Route 3, Mexico, NY 13114

Season: Farm market generally operates through the fall

Picking: U-pick apples and other seasonal fruit

Also there: Fresh cider, cider donuts, baked goods, pumpkins, corn maze, hayrides and other seasonal activities

Phone: 315-963-3628

Website: https://www.appledaleorchard.com/

Because U-pick availability changes with the crop, check current conditions before visiting.

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Ontario Orchards — Oswego

Farther west toward Oswego is Ontario Orchards, a longtime family-operated farm that has grown into much more than an apple orchard.

The operation includes a large farm market, bakery, cider mill and nursery, making it an easy fall stop even if your primary goal isn't walking through an orchard.

The farm market traces its roots to 1965, when Dennis and June Ouellette converted an old two-story barn into the farm store that remains part of the operation today.

Location: 7735 State Route 104, Oswego, NY 13126

Hours: Open seven days a week; check the website for current seasonal hours

Known for: Apples, cider, bakery, farm market, nursery and locally produced foods

Phone: 315-343-6328

Website: https://ontarioorchards.com/

If you're specifically looking for U-pick apples, confirm picking availability before making the trip.

CONTINUING SOUTH TOWARD SYRACUSE

Once you get into northern Onondaga County, the number of apple-picking options grows quickly.

Woznica Orchards — Cicero

For people who want apple picking without all the extras, Woznica Orchards is worth knowing about.

The family-run Cicero orchard describes what it offers as an old-fashioned, "no fuss" apple-picking experience.

For 2026, Woznica opened U-pick on September 12. The orchard grows varieties including Honeycrisp, Empire, Gala, Fuji, Cortland, McIntosh, Goldrush, Triumph and Sweet Maia.

Location: 8374 Cicero Center Road, Cicero, NY 13039

2026 opening date: September 12

Hours: Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Picking: U-pick apples with a roadside apple stand available during the week

Phone: 315-242-2799

Website: https://www.woznicaorchards.com/

This may be one of the better choices on the list if your goal is simply:

- Grab a bag.

- Walk into the orchard.

- Pick some apples.

- Head home with a trunk full of fall.

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Abbott Farms — Baldwinsville

If the kids want more than apples, Abbott Farms moves things firmly into the fall-destination category.

Apple U-pick for the 2026 season began August 17 and generally continues through the fall while the crop lasts.

The farm offers numerous apple varieties throughout the season, with what's available changing as different apples ripen.

Location: 3275 Cold Springs Road, Baldwinsville, NY 13027

2026 U-pick began: August 17

Apple season: August into the fall, while supplies last

Also there: Bakery, café, pumpkins, Farm Yard Fun Zone and seasonal activities

Phone: 315-638-7783

Website: https://www.abbottfarms.com/

This is one of the places where you can easily turn apple picking into a larger family outing.

SYRACUSE AREA

Adams Acres — Jamesville

For something considerably different from the big fall attractions, head to Adams Acres in Jamesville.

The family-owned orchard is a NOFA Certified Organic Grower, offering certified organic apples.

For the 2026 season, picking is available Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with additional Tuesday and Thursday picking from noon to 4 p.m.

During the week of September 14, the orchard reported Liberty, Spartan and Crimson Crisp available for picking, along with a limited remaining supply of Honeycrisp.

Location: 7047 Sevier Road, Jamesville, NY 13078

2026 hours: Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, noon-4 p.m.

Known for: Certified organic apples and a traditional orchard experience

Phone: 315-498-6654

Website: https://www.adamsacres.net/

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Navarino Orchard — Syracuse/Onondaga

Located along Route 20 south of Syracuse, Navarino Orchard combines U-pick apples with a country store, bakery and restaurant.

Apple picking begins in August, with different varieties becoming available throughout the fall.

And there's another reason you may want to put this one on the list:

Apple fritter sundaes.

Location: 3655 Cherry Valley Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215

Apple picking: Begins in August, with new varieties becoming available throughout the season

Country Store/Bakery: Open daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Also there: Bakery, country store, restaurant, pumpkins and other seasonal produce

Phone: 315-673-9181

Website: https://www.navarinoorchard.com/

WORTH THE DRIVE SOUTH OF SYRACUSE

Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards — LaFayette

And then there's the big one.

Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards has become one of Central New York's best-known fall destinations.

The LaFayette orchard grows numerous apple varieties that ripen at different points throughout the season.

Pick-your-own availability varies by variety, weather and crop conditions, so this is one place where you'll definitely want to check the orchard's current picking schedule before leaving home.

Location: 2708 Lords Hill Road, LaFayette, NY 13084

Apple season: Late summer through fall, crop permitting

Picking: Pick-your-own apples when available

Also there: Cider donuts, bakery, food, 1911 Tasting Room, hard cider and spirits, family attractions and seasonal events

Website: https://beakandskiff.com/

If you're looking for the full Central New York fall experience, rather than simply picking apples, this is one of the largest destinations on the list.

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Critz Farms — Cazenovia

Critz Farms rounds out our trip south and offers another full-day fall experience.

The farm opened its 2026 pick-your-own apple season on September 12, with apple picking scheduled daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during September and continuing into October while supplies last.

Its 2026 Fall Harvest Celebration runs September 12 through October 25 and includes apple and pumpkin picking, a giant Steam Engine-themed corn maze, farm animals, weekend wagon rides and other activities.

Location: 3232 Rippleton Road/Route 13 South, Cazenovia, NY 13035

2026 apple picking began: September 12

U-pick hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily during September; October while supplies last

Fall Harvest Celebration: September 12-October 25, 2026

Also there: Pumpkins, corn maze, farm animals, wagon rides, café, tap room and fresh cider

Phone: 315-662-3355

Website: https://www.critzfarms.com/

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