A Peck of Places to Take Your Dog Apple Picking

Posted by Brandi Bangle

This article was updated in August 2021.

Your pooch may be the apple of your eye, but did you know you can take her to pick apples with you, too? Many farms and orchards around the country welcome four-legged guests. Not only can you use apples to make apple pies, apple cider and apple butter, but your pup can enjoy the fruit as well! According to the American Kennel Club, apples are safe for dogs to eat in moderation, as long as they avoid the seeds and core.

Deardorff Orchards

Waconia, MN
“Give us apples ... and then maybe we’ll tell you who’s who.” Photo by @ellogoldengirls

Located just an hour away of Minneapolis, Deardorff Orchards loves dogs, which is why they have two separate pet water stations on the premises and waste bags available for guests with pups. You’ll find 10 varieties of apples hanging from 3,000 trees to ensure you have the pick of the litter. Deardorff also has red wagons if you want to tow along your kids or your exceptionally lazy dog, and farm animals for Fido to meet. Guests are welcome to enjoy the apple barn, listen to live music, sample wines from Parley Lake Winery, and take a tractor ride on the weekends. Pick-Your-Own apples at Deardorff starts August 27.

Wind down at the welcoming AmericInn Waconia. Treats are always available at the front desk for canine guests, and there’s a relief area on the property.

Wrights Farm

Gardiner, NY
“My fur coat really makes the apples pop.” Photo by Facebook.com/WrightsFarm

Your pooch will love exploring Wrights Farm’s vast 453 acres. In addition to picking from the 100,000 bushels of apples they grow every year, visitors can hike, bike, picnic or tailgate here. They even welcome you to stay all day and bring gas grills, kites and Frisbees. The farm, which has been family-run for five generations, also offers Pick-Your-Own pumpkins and sells a variety of fruits, vegetables, baked goods, jams, jellies, pickles and apple sauces. Leashed dogs are welcome. Pick apples at Wrights Farm seven days a week during September and October.

You won’t need to travel far to rest those weary legs after a day of picking apples. Cone camp offers an off-grid tent located at Wrights Farm that overlooks the orchard.

Kiyokawa Family Orchards

Parkdale, OR
"It's been apple-asure to share the wagon with you." Photo by @itsokayklar

Create fall memories with your furry apple picker at Kiyokawa Family Orchards. The family-owned and operated business has been growing produce (more than 120 varieties of apples and pears today!) since 1911. Dogs can lend a helping paw in the orchards but may not enter the fruit stand. There is a water bowl for your pup to cool off, and waste bags are available for easy cleanup. After you get your selection from the largest U-Pick orchard in the valley, don’t forget to snap some photos of Fido with the gorgeous backdrop of Mt. Hood. Kiyokawa Family Orchards is open for U-pick from August 27 through November 2.

Discover another fruity stay with a few nights at this nearby blueberry farm.

Cider Hill Family Orchard

Kansas City, KS
Apple picking with your pup can be a real balancing act. Photo by Facebook.com/ciderhillfamilyorchard

Pick from 18 different types of apples at Cider Hill Family Orchard’s 1,500 apple trees. Leashed dogs are welcome on the 38 acres of farmland, but they may not enter buildings including the gift shop. Cider Hill also has a pumpkin patch, a fishing pond, a fire pit, hayrides and kid’s train rides. While you’re here, don’t forget to sample delicious treats made on site like cinnamon-cider doughnuts, apple crisp, kettle corn and apple butter. Apple picking at Cider Hill begins on August 3 and runs through October.

You and your pooch are invited to make a pit stop at the Comfort Suites Speedway. This comfortable hotel rates highly among BringFido users staying in the Kansas City area.

Applecrest Farm

Hampton Falls, NH
Don’t sit under the apple tree with anyone else but me. Photo by @thesecretworldofjensendean

Applecrest Farm is not only the oldest continuously operated apple orchard in America, and the oldest and largest in New Hampshire, it’s also dog friendly! Pups are welcome if they’re leashed, under control and picked up after. The farm boasts 220 acres and more than 40 types of apples. While dogs are not permitted in buildings or in the blueberry fields, you and Fido may enjoy the free tractor rides offered to and from the orchard on weekends in September and October. Customers can pick apples from mid-August to late October.

Like apple picking, camping will keep Fido in touch with his roots. Wakeda Campground down the road from the farm welcomes dogs, and even has a dog park so they can play off-leash.

Hilltop Orchards

Richmond, MA
“Now, how do I get out?” Photo by @rogerdawg

Hilltop Orchards uses eco-farming methods to grow no-residue apples, which you and your leashed pup can pick together. The family-run property sits on 200 acres and grows 26 varieties of apples, most of which are available for Pick-Your-Own. On weekends during peak season, they offer free hayrides for two- and four-legged guests alike. Hilltop Orchards also allows visitors with pets to use their land for hiking, skiing and snowshoeing. In addition, furry visitors can join you for wine and/or hard cider tastings at their on-site Furnace Brook Winery. Apple season at Hilltop Orchards usually runs from Labor Day through Columbus Day.

Bring your pooch to Pittsfield for a night at the Best Western Plus Berkshire Hills Inn & Suites.

Alldredge Orchards

Platte City, MO
“One apple picked and I’m already dog-tired.” Photo by @kyandthetriguy

Alldredge Orchards welcomes dogs to pick apples with their owners as long as they’re leashed and cleaned up after (and you let them pet your pooch!). They grow several varieties, which vary year to year depending on the weather. The property also has a pumpkin patch, barn store, cafe, playground and farm animals, so there’s plenty of fun for the whole family. Alldredge Orchards is open from late August.

Rest your picking pup’s paws at the pet-friendly La Quinta Inn & Suites Kansas City Airport.

West Valley U-Pick

Yakima, WA
I pick, U pick, we all pick apples! Photo by @ikellih

West Valley U-Pick welcomes leashed dogs anywhere on the property to help you sniff out your perfect pick of apples or other seasonal fruits and veggies. You can even bring your bushel to one of the orchard’s old-fashioned hand-cranked cider presses and make your own cider. Fido can pick apples from late August until the end of September.

Located a short walk from Norman & Nellie Byrd Dog Park, Fido can be the king of his jungle at Red Lion Hotel Yakima.

Doe Orchards

Harvard, MA
“You see the fruits of my labor?” Photo by sherryontherock/BringFido

Doe Orchards has offered Pick-Your-Own apples since the 1960s. Leashed four-legged guests are allowed during the fall as long as their two-legged companions clean up after them. Doe Orchards also has pumpkins, gourds, honey and cider. There are plenty of areas for picnicking after a long day of fruit-filled fun. Apple picking begins at the end of August and lasts until they run out.

Bring the pack and make a splash at this private waterfront home down the road.

DeMeritt Hill Farm

Lee, NH
“Didn’t I do good? Aren’t I a good boy? Shouldn’t I get … treats?” Photo by Nicolle/BringFido

Dogs are welcome to join you at DeMeritt Hill Farm as long as they are leashed at all times. Don’t worry if you forget one! Leashes are available for rent or purchase at their store. There are trash bins throughout the property for easy cleanup after your pup. Dogs are allowed on the orchard grounds (with 25 apple varieties) and trails, just not in the buildings or on the hayrides. DeMeritt Farms is open for apple picking from late August through October.

Take a quick detour to nearby Friend-Lee Pets Dog Park for off-leash fun, then drive into Durham for forty winks at Holiday Inn Express Durham.

Have you been apple picking with your dog? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!