Best Apple Orchards and Pumpkin Patches Near Lake Geneva
Quick answer: For U-pick apples, go to Royal Oak Farm in Harvard, Illinois ($12 per person, open daily through Oct 31) or Munster Orchard near Burlington ($1.75 a pound, weekends). For pumpkins and a corn maze close to town, go to Pearce’s Farm Stand in Walworth, about 15 minutes away.
Want apples without picking? Hafs Road Orchard in Genoa City is 7 miles east, but its 2026 crop is small, so go soon.
Peak-season update, Oct 1, 2026: Every orchard on this page is open. The Elegant Farmer’s Harvest Fest ends Oct 25. Royal Oak and Pearce’s close Oct 31. Jerry Smith and Richardson run through Nov 1.
Check each farm’s picking list the morning you go. Varieties change week to week.
Which orchard or patch should you pick?
Orchards and pumpkin patches at a glance
| Farm | Drive | U-pick apples? | Pumpkins | Open | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Oak Farm | 25 min | Yes | Yes | Daily to Oct 31 | $12 U-pick |
| Munster Orchard | 25 min | Yes | 2 patches | Sat and Sun | $1.75/lb |
| Hafs Road Orchard | 15 min | No, pre-picked | Seasonal | Short 2026 season | Free entry |
| Apple Barn | 20 min | Seasonal | October | Tue to Sun | Varies |
| Brightonwoods | 30 min | No, pre-picked | Fall market | Harvest hours | Free entry |
| Harvest Time | 25 min | Yes | Yes, October | Sat and Sun | Varies |
| Pearce’s Farm Stand | 15 min | No | Yes, plus maze | Daily to Oct 31 | Free entry |
| The Elegant Farmer | 35 min | Yes | Yes, plus maze | Weekends to Oct 25 | $15 to $45 U-pick |
| Richardson | 30 min | No | Yes, giant maze | To Nov 1 | Admission |
The best apple orchards near Lake Geneva
Ranked on apples first, then on how easy the visit is. All of them grow their own fruit.
1. Royal Oak Farm Orchard
U-pickFree extrasWith kids30 apple varieties and the most to do of any orchard nearby. The $12 ticket gets you into the orchard with a 1/4-peck bag. Parking, the petting zoo, playground, barns, bakery and gift shop are free.
The bakery makes cider donuts and serves lunch daily. Weekends add wagon rides, a carousel and a kids’ train.
Tip: Last entry is 1 hour before close, and pets aren’t allowed. Weekday mornings are the calmest.
2. Munster Orchard
Best valueU-pickNo admission, no parking fee and no gimmicks: 1,500 trees, more than 75 varieties and 2 pumpkin patches. You pay by the pound for what you pick.
Tip: Ask what’s ripe when you arrive. Heirlooms like Cox Orange Pippin and Holiday are the reason to come here.
3. Hafs Road Orchard
Closest orchardShort 2026 seasonAn orchard-side store with apples for eating, baking and canning, fresh cider and hand-dipped caramel apples. Honeycrisp, KinderKrisp and Zestar are regulars.
Tip: A small spring bloom cut the 2026 crop well below normal, and the owners expect a shorter season. Check the store page before you drive.
4. Apple Barn Orchard & Winery
WineSince 1848A farm in the same family since 1848, with apples, pumpkins in October, a country store and estate fruit wines made from its own apples, pears and strawberries.
Tip: Check the “What’s Picking” tab first. Pets need to stay home.
5. Brightonwoods Orchard
150+ varietiesCiderNot U-pick, but you can wander the orchard and woods trails, then buy from more than 150 varieties over the season. There’s a 2-story treehouse, and AeppelTreow Winery & Distillery makes cider and spirits on site.
Tip: Cider donuts come from the orange food truck, weekends only.
6. Harvest Time Orchards
U-pickFresh donuts13 varieties on 12 acres, donuts from 8:30 a.m. until they sell out, and U-pick pumpkins in October, including 200-pound Atlantic Giants.
Tip: No pets in the orchard.
7. Quednow’s Heirloom Apple Orchard
HeirloomsHeirloom apples and award-winning cider. Hours for 2026 weren’t posted when this page was updated, so call (262) 501-9033 first.
The best pumpkin patches and corn mazes
1. Pearce’s Farm Stand
ClosestCorn mazeThe local pick: about 15 minutes west of downtown, run by 4 generations of the Pearce family. Pumpkins and gourds, a corn maze, hayrides and a bakery, with concessions on weekends 11 to 5.
2. The Elegant Farmer
U-pick applesTrain ridesApples and pumpkins in 1 stop. U-pick runs $15 (half peck), $25 (peck) or $45 (half bushel). The corn maze is $7, hayrides $5 to $7 and pony rides $10. Pick up the apple pie baked in a paper bag on the way out.
Tip: The East Troy Railroad runs Harvest Fest trains to the farm on fall weekends. Service animals only.
3. Richardson Adventure Farm
Biggest mazeBilled as the world’s largest corn maze, plus U-pick pumpkins and farm rides. It’s about 30 minutes south and the best choice for a late-afternoon visit.
4. Jerry Smith Farm
40+ pumpkin varietiesA 6-acre corn maze, a petting zoo and more pumpkin varieties than anywhere else nearby. Weekday activities start at 4 p.m.
Tip: No dogs until the Oct 31 and Nov 1 pet days.
Looking for petting zoos and pony rides? See activity farms and petting zoos around Lake Geneva.
Worth a longer drive
Apple Holler, Sturtevant (about 50 minutes)
Apple Holler (5006 S. Sylvania Ave.) has U-pick apples, a Family Fun Park with separate admission, a bakery and the Red Barn restaurant. Open Mon to Fri 9 to 5, Sat and Sun 9 to 6. Recently picking: Macoun, Cortland, Ambrosia, Snapdragon, Crimson Crisp, Autumn Crisp, Fuji, Empire and Shizuka.
No pets of any kind, including emotional support animals.
What’s picking when
| Window | Apples | Pumpkins |
|---|---|---|
| Late August | Early varieties (Zestar, early Honeycrisp) | Not yet |
| September | Honeycrisp, Gala, McIntosh, Cortland | Patches open mid-September |
| Early to mid October | Fuji, Empire, Ambrosia, heirlooms | Peak selection |
| Late October | Late keepers, pre-picked bins | Picked over by Halloween weekend |
Pair an orchard with fall color: Hafs Road or Munster fit with the Rustic Roads east of the lake, and The Elegant Farmer fits with East Troy. See the Lake Geneva scenic fall drive.
Best by category
| Category | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall orchard | Royal Oak Farm | U-pick plus free extras, open daily |
| Best value | Munster Orchard | Free entry, $1.75 a pound |
| Closest orchard | Hafs Road | 7 miles east |
| Best variety | Brightonwoods | 150+ apples over the season |
| Best with wine | Apple Barn | Estate fruit wines |
| Best pumpkin patch | Pearce’s Farm Stand | Close, free, corn maze |
| Best corn maze | Richardson | Biggest around |
| Best cider donuts | Harvest Time | Made fresh, often still hot |
Mistakes to avoid
Going on Columbus Day weekend at noon. Parking lots fill by late morning. Go at opening or after 3 p.m.
Bringing the dog. Royal Oak, Apple Barn, Harvest Time, The Elegant Farmer and Apple Holler don’t allow pets. Ask before you load up.
Assuming U-pick. Hafs Road, Brightonwoods and Quednow’s are pre-picked only.
Waiting until Halloween weekend. Pumpkin fields are picked over and some farms close Oct 31.
If you’re moving here
Orchard country starts about 15 minutes from Geneva Lake. Genoa City, Twin Lakes and Burlington have homes on larger lots, and Elkhorn has farmland and newer subdivisions with quick I-43 access.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best apple orchard near Lake Geneva?
Royal Oak Farm Orchard in Harvard, Illinois, about 25 minutes south, is the best all-around pick. U-pick is $12 per person age 4 and up with a 1/4-peck bag, and the petting zoo, playground, bakery and parking are free. It’s open daily through Oct 31.
What is the best pumpkin patch near Lake Geneva?
Pearce’s Farm Stand in Walworth, about 15 minutes west, is the closest and most popular, with pumpkins, a corn maze, hayrides and a bakery. It’s open daily 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through Oct 31.
Where can I pick my own apples near Lake Geneva?
Royal Oak Farm, Munster Orchard, Harvest Time Orchards, The Elegant Farmer, Apple Barn (seasonal) and Apple Holler all offer U-pick apples.
Which apple orchards near Lake Geneva have no admission fee?
Munster Orchard (free admission and parking, apples $1.75 a pound), Brightonwoods (free, pre-picked) and The Elegant Farmer (free admission, activities extra). Royal Oak’s park areas are free, with $12 U-pick.
Where can I get apple cider donuts near Lake Geneva?
Royal Oak Farm, Harvest Time Orchards, Brightonwoods (weekends from a food truck), Pearce’s Farm Stand bakery, The Elegant Farmer and Apple Holler.
Which orchards near Lake Geneva have wine or cider?
Apple Barn Orchard and Winery in Elkhorn makes estate fruit wines. Brightonwoods Orchard has AeppelTreow Winery and Distillery on site. Hafs Road and Quednow’s sell fresh cider.
Are any pumpkin patches near Lake Geneva dog friendly?
Most aren’t during peak season. Royal Oak, Apple Barn, Harvest Time, The Elegant Farmer and Apple Holler don’t allow pets. Jerry Smith Farm welcomes dogs on Oct 31 and Nov 1. Call ahead for any farm not listed.
When does apple picking start near Lake Geneva?
Late August. In 2026, Royal Oak and Hafs Road opened Aug 21 and Munster opened Aug 29. Picking runs through October.
When do pumpkin patches close near Lake Geneva?
Pearce’s and Royal Oak close Oct 31. The Elegant Farmer’s Harvest Fest ends Oct 25. Jerry Smith Farm and Richardson Adventure Farm run through Nov 1.
Which orchards near Lake Geneva are open on weekdays?
Royal Oak Farm and Pearce’s Farm Stand are open daily, Apple Barn is open Tuesday through Sunday and Apple Holler is open every day. Munster, Harvest Time and The Elegant Farmer’s Harvest Fest are weekends only.
More fall plans: Lake Geneva fall activities, Oktoberfest and farmers markets and stands.
Picture fall like this every year?
Kim and Joel Reyenga with eXp Realty cover Geneva Lake and the orchard country around it, from homes near Williams Bay and Fontana to larger lots near Genoa City, Twin Lakes and Elkhorn.
Search Geneva Lake properties Equal Housing Opportunity. Reyenga Team, eXp Realty.