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.
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
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
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: Behling Orchards
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 family-owned since 1956 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
Hours: Regional farm listings show 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Picking: U-pick apples and other seasonal fruit
Also there: Fresh cider, cider donuts, baked goods, pumpkins and seasonal weekend activities
Phone: 315-963-3628
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.
Location: 7735 State Route 104, Oswego, NY 13126
Hours: Currently listed daily, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Known for: Apples, cider, bakery, farm market, nursery and locally produced foods
Phone: 315-343-6328
Website: Ontario Orchards
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.
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 pre-picked apples available depending on supply
Phone: 315-242-2799
Website: Woznica Orchards
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.
The farm grows 21 varieties of apples, with different varieties becoming available as the season progresses.
Apple U-pick for the 2026 season began August 17 and generally continues through the fall while the crop lasts.
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, corn maze, Farm Yard Funzone and seasonal activities
Phone: 315-638-7783
Website: Abbott Farms
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: Adams Acres
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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 varieties changing 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: Navarino Orchard
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 has approximately 400,000 apple trees and grows 20 varieties.
Pick-your-own season generally runs from late August through late October depending on weather and crop conditions, with visitors taking a free wagon ride to the active picking area.
Location: 2708 Lords Hill Road, LaFayette, NY 13084
Apple season: Late August through approximately late October, crop permitting
Picking: Pick-your-own apples with wagon transportation into the orchard
Also there: Cider donuts, bakery, food, 1911 Tasting Room, hard cider and spirits, family attractions and seasonal events
Admission: General admission and parking are free; some attractions cost extra
Website: Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards
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 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: Critz Farms
Before You Head Out
There's one important thing to remember about apple picking:
The apples set the schedule.
Weather, ripening conditions and the number of people who visited the orchard the day before can all change what's available.
An orchard that has plenty of Honeycrisp Saturday morning may have very few left by Sunday afternoon.
So if you're traveling any significant distance, check the orchard's website or social media that morning or give them a quick call before getting in the car.
And don't assume every orchard on this list offers the same experience.
Some are full-day fall destinations.
Some are farm markets where you can grab cider, donuts and locally grown apples.
And some are still wonderfully simple.
A bag.
A row of apple trees.
A cool fall afternoon.
And maybe a few more apples than you intended to bring home.
That's apple season in Upstate New York.
Editor's Note: Hours, varieties, U-pick availability and activities can change quickly based on weather, crop conditions and customer volume. Information in this guide was checked for the 2026 season, but visitors should confirm current conditions directly with each farm before traveling.
That's a much better ClickNNY geographic progression. I also think “From Watertown to Syracuse” is stronger in the headline than “Syracuse to the North Country.” It immediately tells our readers that Watertown/Northern New York is the starting point, not an afterthought.