Apple Picking Season Is Coming: Treasure Valley U-Pick Farms to Visit This Fall

contentbynani
5 hours ago
3 min read

We're officially reaching that point in August when summer isn't quite over... but fall is starting to sneak onto the calendar.

And one of the easiest ways to kick off the season in Idaho? Apple picking. 🍎

Apple season around the Treasure Valley typically gets going in September and can continue well into fall depending on the orchard, variety and weather. Some of our local farms also have peaches, berries and other late-summer produce available while we wait for the apples to ripen.

If an orchard day is on your fall bucket list, here are a few local spots to start watching now.

Apple Picking

Cabalo's Orchard and Gardens | Kuna

Cabalo's is a great option if you want to stay relatively close to the Boise and Meridian area.

The Kuna orchard grows apples along with blackberries and other seasonal fruits and vegetables. Apple U-pick has been offered here, with several varieties available depending on what's ripe. Because picking opportunities can be limited and change throughout the season, this is definitely one to check before heading out.

📍 2087 W. King Rd., Kuna

Why we're watching it: Close to home for much of the valley + apples and other seasonal produce.

Gem Orchards - Stand #1 | Emmett

Williams Fruit Ranch is another Emmett Valley stop to put on your fall radar.

The orchard offers seasonal U-pick fruit including apples, and visitors can also find other orchard products such as apple cider. Availability changes with the harvest, so checking the current crop status before making the drive is important.

📍 2455 W. South Slope Rd., Emmett

Why we're watching it: A classic orchard experience that can easily turn into a little fall day trip.

Cherry Hill Farms | Caldwell

Cherry Hill Farms is already in the middle of its 2026 U-pick season, but apples come later.

Their Caldwell location grows a variety of fruit throughout the season, including apricots, cherries, peaches, nectarines and apples, with U-pick running from summer into early October depending on what's ripe.

They've also traditionally held Apple Days later in the season, making this one worth keeping an eye on as September approaches.

📍 19125 Apricot Ln., Caldwell

Why we're watching it: U-pick fruit plus seasonal farm events make it more of an outing than simply grabbing apples.

Purvis Nursery and Orchard | Homedale

For something a little farther off the usual Boise-area path, add Purvis Nursery & Orchard to the list.

This smaller Homedale orchard grows an unusually broad collection of fruit varieties, including apples, pears, plums, cherries and apricots.

📍 1583 Hill Rd., Homedale

Why we're watching it: A fun option for anyone who loves trying different fruit varieties and doesn't mind making a drive out of the adventure.

Want to Make a Day Trip of it?

If you REALLY love apple picking, Kelley Orchards near Weiser is another one to save.

The family-run orchard offers U-pick and pre-picked fruit depending on what's ripe, with apples and freshly pressed cider among its fall offerings.

It's farther from the central Treasure Valley, but that also makes it an easy excuse for a fall drive.

Before You Head to the Orchard

U-pick is one of those activities where checking before you leave matters.

Fruit doesn't follow our calendars perfectly... Ripeness, weather, crowds and how heavily an orchard was picked the day before can all affect what's available.

Before heading out:

Check the orchard's latest update or call ahead.
Confirm that U-pick apples are actually open, not just the farm stand.
Check hours since seasonal schedules can change quickly.
Ask whether bags or containers are provided.
Wear shoes you don't mind getting dusty.
If you're bringing little ones, mornings are usually much more comfortable than hot September afternoons.

And don't worry if you're ready for fall but the apples aren't quite ready for you. There are still peaches, berries and other late-summer crops being harvested around the valley right now. For example, The Berry Ranch reported blackberry and raspberry PYO availability in its August 17 update.

Fall is Almost Here

Apple picking is one of those simple Idaho traditions that makes the transition from summer to fall feel official.

Pack up the kids, make a date out of it, take entirely too many orchard pictures and bring home enough apples to convince yourself you're definitely going to bake a pie from scratch.

Just remember that late August is planning time. September and October are when apple season really starts taking center stage, and we'll continue updating our fall guides as local farms announce their 2026 picking dates.

At House of Palmer | Idaho Real Estate, we love sharing the local places, traditions and experiences that make the Treasure Valley feel like home.