Best Apple Orchards

Apple season in Maine runs from late August through late October, with different varieties hitting their stride each week.

When to Go

• Early season (late August): Yellow Transparent and Paula Red are the first to ripen; perfect for sauce.
• Peak season (mid September to early October): Macintosh, Cortland, and Honeycrisp come in, farm stores are fully stocked, and foliage starts to pop.
• Late season (mid to late October): Northern Spy, Mutsu, and other storage apples arrive, and crowds thin out.

What to Expect at the Orchard

• Bags and pricing: Most places sell bags (by the peck or half-bushel); pick to the top but not overflowing.
• Cash-friendly: Many family orchards still prefer cash or check, though larger ones may take cards.
• Ladders and rows: Staff usually set ladders and mark which rows are ready. Stick to those to protect the trees.
• Pets: Policies vary. Some allow leashed dogs in the orchards, others restrict them to parking areas.

Beyond the Apples

• Cider donuts: The gold standard snack. Ask when the next batch is coming out and grab them warm.
• Hard cider tastings: Ricker Hill ferments its own fruit under the Ricker’s Hard Cider label and runs a tasting room at the orchard. Great rainy-day option. Note that many Maine orchards press only sweet cider, which is not the same thing.
• Corn mazes and hayrides: Larger farms add rides, mazes, and pumpkin patches that can easily fill an afternoon.
• Farm stores: Stock up on cider, maple syrup, local cheese, and pies. Many bake with their own fruit.

Make It a Day Trip

Pair picking with nearby towns: Freeport/Portland for shopping and food, Camden/Rockland for coast plus foliage, or a Bethel/Rangeley drive for mountain views. Arrive early on peak weekends to beat the parking crunch and the donut line.