There’s nothing as good as a crisp, sweet, fresh-picked apple! The good news is, there are several great apple orchards in the Des Moines area. So, no matter which kind you like, and whether you want to pick them or not, fresh fall apples are within reach!
Below is a list of the apple orchards around Des Moines. We start with those closest to Des Moines, and all are within an hour’s drive. Also, we include highlights of each one. But we encourage you to click over to their websites or Facebook pages for the latest hours and info.
Map of Apple Orchards near Des Moines
Apple Orchards Near Des Moines
Iowa Orchard, Urbandale
The Iowa Orchard in Urbandale has a farm market where you can pick up produce and homemade goodies. The great thing is, you can get pies, honey, and preserves year-round. Peaches are available June-August. And come fall, you’ll find a variety of seasonal apples, homemade pies, caramel apples, and cider. Also, starting in late September, pick up fresh pumpkins, winter squash, and gourds.
Iowa Orchard U-pick, Granger: From the Iowa Orchard Farm Market, head 9 miles north on Hwy 141 to pick your own apples! The address is 13140 NW 102nd Avenue. Picking opens in September and lasts through Mid-October. But be sure to check the Facebook page for exact dates, hours, and closures.
Iowa Orchard
Address: 9875 Meredith Dr, Urbandale, IA 50322
Highlights:
*Freshly baked pies, preserves, and honey year-round
*Peaches available in the summer
*Apples, slushies, caramel apples, donuts, fudge, and more are available September – November
*Weekend-only Family Fun Zone open late September-October
For more info, go here: Iowa Orchard website & Facebook page
Upstream Gardens and Orchard, Altoona
Upstream Gardens has much more than apples! Honey is available year-round, and other fruits and veggies are available seasonally. This family farm raises affordable, chemical-free produce and offers pre-picked and pick-your-own options. It’s the perfect farm to go back to time and again for fresh, local, chemical-free produce!
Upstream Gardens
Address: 5987 NE 88th St, Altoona, IA 50009
Highlights:
*Pre-picked or pick your own apples and seasonal produce
*Chemical-free
*Honey available year-round
*Online shopping cart for pre-ordering
For more info, go here: Upstream Gardens website
Center Grove Orchard, Cambridge
There’s so much to see and do (and eat!) at Center Grove Orchard! You can easily spend a few hours! And it’s only 30 minutes north of Des Moines.
You’ll find a wide range of great-tasting apples and apple-related goodies (and more!) at the Country Store. But there’s more than apples there. The farmyard has over 25 attractions, including wagon rides, a jumping pillow, and a giant slide. Kids love this orchard.
Center Grove Orchard
Address: 32835 610th Ave, Cambridge, IA 50046
Highlights:
*Farmyard, with a corn pool, jumping pillow, slide, corn maze, and much more! (See their website for admission prices.)
*Wide variety of apples; buy them at the store or pick your own
*Other seasonal items, including strawberries, pumpkins, gourds, and sunflowers
*Great food and drinks at the cafe, bakery, and coffee shop
For more info, go here: Center Grove Orchard website & Facebook page
Wills Family Orchard, Adel
Wills is a growing family farm with apples, pumpkins, and more. They use sustainable farming practices, and their apples are Certified Organic. You can buy a dozen varieties of apples at the farm store or pick your own! Visit the orchard on festival weekends to check out the barnyard, corn pool, and maze. And, stop at the store for apples, pies, donuts, wine, and more!
Wills Family Orchard
Address: 33130 Panther Creek Rd, Adel, IA 50003
Highlights:
*Certified Organic apples; pick your own, or buy from the store
*Pick your own pumpkin
*Festival weekends offer fun activities, apples, pumpkins, and lunch items
For more info, go here: Wills Family Orchard website & Facebook page
Berry Patch Farm, Nevada
The Berry Patch Farm is a 30-minute drive north of Des Moines. The family farm takes pride in growing quality produce with sustainable farming methods and minimal use of chemicals. A variety of berries are available throughout the summer. And, of course, apples are ready September – October. Check their website for more on their hours and availability.
Berry Patch Farm
Address: 62785 280th Street, Nevada, IA 50201
Highlights:
*Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, currants, cherries, and more are available
*Apples in September – October
*Pick your own!
For more info, go here: Berry Patch Farm website & Facebook page
Storybook Orchard, Story City
Storybook Orchard is known for its delicious Honeycrisp apples (and more tasty varieties!). And they have more than just apples. In the spring, pick up hanging baskets and garden plants. And in the summer, they sell fresh Iowa produce and bakery goodies!
Storybook Orchard
Address: 12832 Royal Orchard Dr, Story City, IA 50248
Highlights:
*Several varieties of apples, including Honeycrisp
*Spring flowers and plants
*Summer veggies and squash
*Delicious baked goods, raw honey, and candles
For more info, go to the Storybook Orchard Facebook page
Appleberry Farm, Marshalltown
Appleberry Farm is about an hour northeast of Des Moines. They have 20 varieties of apples for you to buy or pick your own. They also sell fresh produce through the summer and pumpkins in the fall. And their shop is more than produce—there are antiques and decor for sale too!
Appleberry Farm
Address: 2402 W Main St, Marshalltown, IA 50158
Highlights:
*Wide variety of apples
*Summer produce, including sweet corn
*At the store, they also have antiques, decor, and much more
*Backdrops for family photos
For more info, go here: Appleberry Farm website & Facebook page
Enjoy Fall! Visit One of the Apple Orchards Near Des Moines Today!
As you can see, there are several fantastic apple orchards in and around Des Moines! So this fall, when you crave a sweet, crisp apple, head on out to one (or all) of them. It’s the perfect fall activity. Not only do you get to enjoy a beautiful fall day, but you can buy and eat fresh, locally grown food too!
Did we miss an orchard? Let us know!
