Best Apple Orchards and Pumpkin Patches Near Mackinaw City, Michigan

Fall in Northern Michigan is made for simple traditions: crisp mornings, changing leaves, fresh apples, pumpkin patches, warm cider and the kind of scenic drives where you don't mind taking the long way.

If you're looking for apple orchards and pumpkin patches near Mackinaw City, several Northern Michigan farms make an easy addition to a September or October getaway. Golden River Orchard in Cheboygan is one of the closest options for apples and pumpkins, while Pond Hill Farm near Harbor Springs and Knaebe's Apple Farm near Rogers City offer larger fall farm experiences with cider, donuts and activities.

Lakeside Heritage Resort on Paradise Lake in Carp Lake makes a comfortable home base for exploring them, with Mackinaw City, Cheboygan, Harbor Springs and other Northern Michigan destinations all within reach.

Where Can You Pick Apples Near Mackinaw City?

While Mackinaw City itself isn't known for large apple orchards, you don't have to travel far to find them.

Northern Michigan's apple season generally begins in late summer and continues through October, with different varieties becoming available throughout the season. Because harvest timing depends on weather and growing conditions, it's always a good idea to check directly with the orchard before heading out.

Here are a few of our favorite fall farm stops to add to your trip.

Golden River Orchard in Cheboygan

Golden River Orchard is a family-owned and operated orchard in Cheboygan and one of the closest traditional orchard experiences to the Mackinaw City and Carp Lake area.

The orchard grows 11 varieties of apples, including Zestar, Paula Red, Gala, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Cortland, Jonagold, Golden Delicious, Ida Red and Northern Spy. The apples are hand-picked, sorted and sold in bags rather than offered as U-pick.

Later in the season, the farm also opens its U-pick pumpkin patch, where visitors can choose pumpkins, squash and gourds.

For the 2026 season, Golden River Orchard began its apple harvest in late August and expects its pumpkin patch to open around the final weekend of September.

This is a particularly good option for families who want a relaxed fall outing without turning the entire day into an excursion.

Best for: Apples, U-pick pumpkins and a quieter local farm experience.

The Pumpkin Barn in Levering

If your idea of a good fall day involves pumpkins, apples and something warm to drink, The Pumpkin Barn in Levering is another stop worth knowing about.

Located north of Petoskey and within easy reach of the Mackinaw City area, this seasonal farm market has long been a local fall stop for pumpkins and seasonal produce.

It's an especially convenient option if you want to add a little fall tradition to your day without planning a large excursion.

Best for: A simple, old-fashioned Northern Michigan fall stop.

Because seasonal offerings and hours can change, check current information with the farm before making the drive.

Pond Hill Farm in Harbor Springs

For a full fall-farm experience, Pond Hill Farm in Harbor Springs is one of the best options in the area.

During its 2026 Fall Fest Weekends, held Saturdays and Sundays from September 19 through October 25, visitors can find a large pumpkin patch, scenic hayrides, a corn maze, apple cannons, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin smashing, farm animals, live music, hot cider and fresh donuts.

Admission to the farm's Fall Fest is free, although some activities require tickets.

There are plenty of food options at the farm as well, making this an easy place to spend several hours rather than making a quick stop.

One of the best parts of visiting Pond Hill Farm during a Northern Michigan fall getaway is its location.

The farm sits along M-119 near the famous Tunnel of Trees, so you can easily combine the two into one fall day trip.

Take your time driving through Harbor Springs, continue north along M-119, stop at Pond Hill Farm, and enjoy one of Northern Michigan's most beautiful fall drives along the way.

Best for: Families, pumpkin patches, hayrides, cider and donuts, and a full fall day trip.

Knaebe's Apple Farm & Ciderworks in Rogers City

If apples and cider are at the top of your fall list, head east toward Rogers City.

Knaebe's Apple Farm & Ciderworks is tucked into the countryside west of Rogers City and combines an apple orchard with a cider mill, bakery and family activities.

The farm grows more than 50 varieties of apples and offers U-pick apples along with pumpkins during the fall season. Visitors can also find fresh-pressed cider, baked goods, a corn maze, playground and farm animals.

For adults, Twisted Roots at Knaebe's serves handcrafted hard cider, microbrews and wood-fired pizza, which makes this one of those rare fall stops that can be just as much fun for a couple's getaway as it is for a family outing.

Knaebe's fall season typically runs from around Labor Day weekend into early November.

Best for: U-pick apples, cider, donuts, families and couples.

Friske Farm Market in Ellsworth

If you're willing to make a longer day trip, Friske Farm Market in Ellsworth offers one of the larger fall farm experiences in Northern Michigan.

Friske grows a wide variety of apples, with U-pick apple season typically beginning around mid-September.

During its 2026 Fall Festival season, Friske is hosting Saturday events from September 19 through October 24. Depending on the weekend, activities include U-pick apples, playground attractions, face painting, festival food, fresh-pressed cider and apple cider or pumpkin spice donuts.

Friske's annual Apple Fest is scheduled for October 10, 2026.

Because Ellsworth is farther from Mackinaw City than the other farms on this list, we recommend treating Friske as a destination rather than a quick stop. Pair it with a scenic drive and make a day of exploring this part of Northern Michigan.

Best for: U-pick apples, families and travelers looking for a bigger fall farm experience.

Which Apple Orchard or Pumpkin Patch Should You Visit?

The best choice depends on the kind of fall day you're looking for.

For something simple and closer to the Mackinaw City area, start with Golden River Orchard or The Pumpkin Barn.

If you have kids who would happily spend hours running from a corn maze to a pumpkin patch to a hayride, Pond Hill Farm is hard to beat.

If apples, cider and donuts are the priority, make the drive toward Rogers City for Knaebe's.

And if you want to turn the outing into a full Northern Michigan fall road trip, Friske Farm Market is worth adding to your list.

There isn't really a wrong choice here. Fall Up North is half about where you're going and half about everything you see along the way.

When Is Apple Picking Season in Northern Michigan?

Apple harvest in Northern Michigan generally begins in late August or early September and continues through October.

Different varieties ripen at different times. Early-season apples may be available around Labor Day, while popular varieties such as Honeycrisp, McIntosh and Cortland tend to arrive later in September. Several late-season varieties continue into October.

If there is a particular apple variety you're hoping to find, check the orchard's current harvest information before visiting.

U-pick availability can also change quickly depending on weather, crowds and how much fruit is ready to harvest.

When Do Pumpkin Patches Open Near Mackinaw City?

Most Northern Michigan pumpkin patches begin opening in mid-to-late September and continue through October.

At Golden River Orchard, for example, the 2026 pumpkin patch is expected to open during the final weekend of September. Pond Hill Farm's Fall Fest begins September 19 and continues through October 25.

If pumpkins are an important part of your trip, late September through mid-October is generally a great window to plan your visit.

It's also when Northern Michigan's fall color begins putting on a show, making the drive part of the experience.

What Else Can You Do Near Mackinaw City in the Fall?

An orchard or pumpkin patch doesn't have to be the whole day's itinerary.

Pair your farm visit with a fall color drive, hike a nearby trail, spend a quieter day exploring Mackinac Island, drive the Tunnel of Trees, visit Harbor Springs or Petoskey, or head back toward Mackinaw City for dinner.

Fall is one of our favorite times to explore this part of Northern Michigan because you don't need a packed schedule.

Pick one or two things you really want to do and leave some room for whatever you find along the way.

Make Paradise Lake Your Home Base for a Northern Michigan Fall Getaway

One of the reasons we love our location at Lakeside Heritage Resort is that you don't have to choose between getting away from it all and being close enough to explore.

We're located on Paradise Lake in Carp Lake, just outside Mackinaw City, giving you a quiet place to come back to after a day of fall adventures.

Spend the afternoon picking apples. Find the pumpkin your kids insist is absolutely the one. Drive a little farther because the colors around the next curve look too good to turn around.

Then come back to the lake.

Fall trips don't have to be complicated to become the ones you remember.

Sometimes it's cider and donuts, a pretty drive, tired kids, cool air and a comfortable place waiting for you at the end of the day.

That's exactly the kind of Northern Michigan getaway we think is worth coming back to.

Keep Planning Your Northern Michigan Getaway

Looking for more ways to fill your days? Explore our guide to the best things to do near Paradise Lake or start planning your Up North Michigan family vacation.

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Explore Northern Michigan with Paradise Lake as your home base.

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