From summer to fall and strawberries to pumpkins, there’s no shortage of delicious, local produce in Northern Michigan. Charming U-Picks are scattered throughout our region, you just have to know where to look. Start below to get pickin’.

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This article was last updated on July 6, 2023.

Spending a few hours at a Northern Michigan U-Pick farm doesn’t only land you lots of fresh fruit, it’s a fun, healthy activity the whole family will enjoy. Whether you’re on the hunt for strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, apples, or peaches—you name it—farmers here grow it. We suggest setting a game plan to visit each of these U-Pick locations during peak harvest months (use Michigan’s harvest calendar as an easy reference sheet).

Peak Harvest Times in Northern Michigan

  • Strawberries: May–July
  • Cherries: Mid-June–July
  • Blueberries: July–August
  • Nectarines: July–August
  • Peaches: July–August
  • Plums: July–September
  • Raspberries: July–September
  • Grapes: August–September
  • Apples: August–October
  • Pears: August–October

With all of these farms and many more, you’re certain to find your favorite fruit at Northern Michigan U-Picks. Most farms and U-Pick locations open in May or June, but call or visit the farm’s website for more information.

Buchan’s Blueberry Hill

Now operating under the fifth generation, Buchan’s Blueberry Hill is a 100-year-old, family operated farm offering an abundance of fruits for picking in addition to homemade goodies like ice cream, apple cider, jams and pastries! Check Facebook for U-Pick updates.

U-Pick: Blueberries, Apples, Peaches
Location: 1472 Nelson Rd., Traverse City, 231.223.4846

Photo by Melisa McKolay

Cherry Connection of Edmondson Orchards

Nestled along Center Road up Old Mission Peninsula, Edmondson Orchards is a scenic spot to pick a bucket (or two) of cherries. Don’t forget to check out their stand, offering peaches, raspberries, pumpkins, corn, honey, dried cherries and fresh juice.

U-Pick: Cherries
Location: 12414 Center Rd, Traverse City, 231.223.7130

Friske Orchards

A Northern Michigan favorite, Friske Orchards offers a variety of delicious fruit and fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. Treat yourself to a piece of Grandma Friske’s pie or a slice of brick oven pizza.

U-Pick: Strawberries, Cherries, Apples
Location: 10743 N. U.S. 31, Ellsworth, 231.599.2604

Guntzviller’s Berry and Vegetable Farm

Stop by the fruit stand for a variety of fruits and vegetables: strawberries, raspberries, cherries, plums, blueberries, lettuce, radishes, cucumbers, zucchini, peas, beans and more.

U-Pick: Strawberries, Raspberries
Location: 11122 US Highway 31 S, Williamsburg, 231.264.9575

Hallstedt Homestead Cherries

This first-generation farming family is offering eight varieties of delicious sweet cherries and guided U-pick tours. Check their page for what is currently being picked and hours.

U-Pick: Sweet cherries
Location: 
8227 N. Matheson Rd., Northport, 317.440.9273

Rennie Orchard

King Orchards

Offering fruit stands, farm markets and orchards, King Orchards operates hundreds of acres of local fruits, specializing in tart cherries used for pie making. Yum!

U-Pick: Strawberries, Raspberries, Sweet + Tart Cherries, Apricots, Peaches, Nectarines, Apples
Location: 4620 N M-88, Central Lake, 231.544.6479

Rennie Orchards

Family operated since 1938, Rennie Orchards now offers 18 varieties of cherries and 19 varieties of apples along with other fruits. Featuring U-Pick starting in July, fall apple wagon rides and a cornfield maze, it’s perfect for a family outing.

U-Pick: Sweet + Tart Cherries, Apricots, Peaches, Pears, Apples, Gourds, Squash and Pumpkins
Location: 11221 Munro Rd., Williamsburg, 231.264.8387

Royal Farms

With a distinct focus on cherries and their health benefits, Royal Farms is a great place to get your fix of Northern Michigan cherries, after all, it is the cherry capital of the world. Go wine tasting after you’re done in the orchard!

U-Pick: Cherries, Peaches, Apples, Grapes
Location: 10445 North US 31, Ellsworth, 231.599.3222

 

Third Coast Fruit Co.

The Wunsch Family has been growing cherries on Old Mission Peninsula for over a century, and today the historic orchard is home to a cherry U-Pick in the summer and a cider mill in the fall.

U-Pick: Cherries
Location: 555 Wilson Road, Traverse City

Urka Farms

A family farm since 1910, Urka Farms specializes in delicious strawberries that you can pick yourself or purchase a pre-picked pint.

U-Pick: Strawberries
Location: 16919 Pole Road Brethren, 231.477.5537

Photo(s) by Shelby Soberalski