Cherry picking in Michigan only lasts a few weeks, but it’s something you don’t want to miss. I’ve rounded up the best cherry farms in the state to visit this summer.
You’ll find the ultimate list below that includes which beautiful orchard, roadside stand, farm market, and grocery stores you can visit during Michigan cherry-picking season.
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Cherry Picking in Michigan
Summer is fast approaching and in mid to late July, Michigan is the place to find u-pick cherries.
Cherry-picking or harvest season in Grand Rapids is early July for sweet cherries and late July for tart cherries.
Michigan’s Northwest Lower Peninsula is the largest producer of tart cherries in the United States.
They grow 75% of the country’s variety of mighty Montmorency cherries.
In case you are wondering which cherries are for you, it’s good to know that tart cherries are typically used for cooking and sweet cherries are for snacking on during the ride home from the orchards!
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The Best Cherry Picking in Michigan
Traverse City
The National Cherry Festival takes place every July in Traverse City, Michigan. It’s no wonder this is the Cherry Capital of the World! This city produces over 75 percent of the world’s tart cherries.
Cherry Republic
An absolute must-do when visiting Michigan is to stop by the Cherry Republic. For the ultimate experience, visit the Glen Arbor location for the tasting room.
They offer cherry wine for adults and cherry-flavored soda for the children. The restaurant offers unique menu items such as cherry chicken salad sandwiches, cherry pie, and cherry ice cream.
They have locations scattered across the state and a great place to spend an afternoon with family. A fun experience for everyone.
Moelker Orchards
Offers a fun family-friendly atmosphere for people to gather, pick your fruit from our u-pick orchards and pumpkin patch, and enjoy the scenic beauty that is our century-old farm.
Offering a fun and family-friendly atmosphere for people to gather, pick your own fruit from our u-pick orchards and pumpkin patch, and enjoy the scenic beauty that is our century-old farm.
During the fall you can hop aboard one of their horse-drawn wagon rides around the orchard, explore our u-pick pumpkin patch and apple orchards, or join in on one of the many exciting activities going on around the farm!
Picking Details: Cherries, apples, and pumpkins.
Rennie Orchards
This family-owned farm in Northern Michigan boasts plenty of fresh fruit that is ready to be picked!
They also offer 19 varieties of apples! You will find the freshest fruit and a great place for apple picking.
Picking Details: Cherries, apricots, pears, and apples.
King Orchards
Great for u-pickers for both tart and sweet cherries. You can also find these cherries in baked goods, jams, and jellies at the US-31 market.
Be sure to purchase a can or two of Montmorency Very Cherry Pie Filling to bake cherry pies at home.
Picking Details: Tart cherries, sweet cherries, jams, jellies, and baked goods.
Blok Orchard
Although they have a small cherry orchard, it’s so a great place to pick them. And you can’t beat their fresh produce that is picked daily.
Picking Details: U-pick cherries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, and tomatoes.
Crane Orchards
This farm always has something exciting going on almost year-round. Pick up homemade jams, frozen pies, and other pastry treats in their old-fashioned pantry.
Picking Details: U-pick cherries, apples, peaches, and pumpkins.
Friske Farm Market
After a day of picking, you’ll want to visit the cafe and bakery for cherry doughnuts or a John Deere sandwich. You won’t be disappointed!
Picking Details: Sweet Cherries
Grange Fruit Farm
They have a cute and well-stocked farmers market stand where you can buy already picked fruit, honey, and other produce.
Picking Details: Ready-picked and U-pick fruit. Includes cherries, raspberries, peaches, plums, apples, and pumpkins.
Klenk Orchards
Bring the whole family for a country picking experience. A picnic area is available for all guests to relax or enjoy a brown bag lunch.
Picking Details: U-pick sweet cherries and already picked sweet cherries.
Rasch Cherries
A fun family outing to enjoy nature’s candy. Offers fresh baked goods and custom-made to order cakes year-round.
Picking Details: U-pick and pre-picked sweet & tart cherries, free pitting, and bakery.
Sandy Bottom Berries
A small, but adorable family-run farm. They use sustainable agricultural methods in growing fruit, carefully monitoring all crops, using the least toxic method of control when disease or pest management is necessary.
Picking Details: U-pick tart cherries, raspberries, and blueberries.
Third Coast Fruit Co.
For more than 100 years, the Wunsch family has grown cherries on Old Mission Peninsula.
In 2019, they opened up their orchard to u-pickers for the first time. Located in the heart of the Cherry Capital of the World, has gorgeous sunset views.
Picking Details: Sweet and tart cherries
Well Orchard
Picking Details: U-pick cherries and pumpkins. Can also purchase jam, salsa, and fruit pies. but it only lasts a few weeks.
That means you need a great list of all the cherry farms in the state so you can decide which ones to visit.
AJ’s Berry Farm
This is a wonderful day trip to enjoy with the family. The farm has everything from hayrides, barns, corn maze and plenty of u-pick berries & flowers for the family to enjoy.
Be sure to stop by the farm stall to purchase fresh maple syrup, produce, pasture-raise beef and sweet treats.
Picking Details: Strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins and assorted flowers
Corey Lake Orchards
This 60-year old farm is located in Lake County Michigan and is a great place to spend a day. They also have a large sunflower patch that is perfect for photos an open-air farmers market that features a tasting room filled with hard ciders, wines and spirits made onsite.
Picking Details: Cherries, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, apples and pumpkins
Best places to stay during cherry season in Michigan
This hotel offers 400 feet of beach access on the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay. The sandy beach is lined with Adirondack chairs, fire pits, and a playground for kids.
During the summer guests can rent pontoons, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards.
This combination of hotel, vineyard, and winery located on the northern end of Old Mission Peninsula has it all. All guests receive free breakfast and wine tastings.
The Inn at Chateau Grand Traverse
This secluded property is for adult guests only. The Inn offers 6 rooms and a relaxed, quiet atmosphere.
Each evening, guests received a complimentary bottle of wine.
Nestled on 8 wooded acres on Spider Lake, is the perfect spot for a relaxing stay.
Has 800 feet of sandy beach, and a bridge that leads to a small island with a tiki bar and fire pit.
The resort lodging ranges from private suites with fireplaces and kitchenettes to cottages and elaborate accommodations for six people with several bedrooms.
A resort with western flair! The resort offers two golf courts, equestrian lessons, and an indoor waterpark.
Guests can book suites or cabins. A dinner horseback rides and enjoy a hot meal cooked by an authentic western wrangler is a must-do.
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Both Northern Michigan and Southwest Michigan are bursting with cherry trees that are begging to be picked.
I don’t know what it is, but fresh fruit always tastes better when you get to pick them yourself.
