Cherry Picking Season in Michigan Promises Sweet Rewards
Get ready for a mouthwatering adventure in West Michigan during late June and early July!
It’s cherry picking season, and we’re buzzing with excitement because we all know cherries are one of Michigan’s best u-pick fruits.
Sure, Traverse City has the Cherry Festival, but you can find yourself strolling through lush orchards, plucking juicy cherries right off the branches, and savoring their juicy sweetness right here in greater Grand Rapids.
Use this list of local cherry picking spots to find your cherry connection.
in this article
West MI Cherry Picking Orchards
PRO TIP: Follow the farms and orchards listed below on Facebook or Instagram for timely u-pick cherry updates.
*This article is updated periodically as new cherry picking information is made available by the Michigan cherry picking orchards.
Some u-pick cherry orchards are reporting earlier than normal u-pick cherry dates. Also, the crop looks to be a good one this year!
Map of Cherry Picking Places
find u-pick cherries near me
Blok Orchard
6365 4 Mile Rd, Ada, MI 49301
616-676-1153
OPENING DAY:
2024: June 14, 2024
Price: $2.75 / lb
ABOUT CHERRY PICKING HERE:
Blok Orchard is a great no-frills farm near Egypt Valley with all kinds of u-pick fruit options including cherries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, apples and raspberries.
The staff is very friendly and the prices are reasonable. You can also get tomatoes and other fresh produce items.
Be sure to stop into their market for jams and salsa before heading home.
Call or check their Facebook page for current hours before you go.
Crane Orchards
6054 124th Ave, Fennville, MI 49408
269-561-8651
OPENING DAY:
2024: June 15, 2024
Price: $2.75 / lb
Open daily during cherry season from 10 AM – 6 PM, weather permitting.
Always call the day you plan to visit for the most up-to-date information.
ABOUT CHERRY PICKING HERE:
Crane Orchards is a fabulous fall destination when it comes to apple and pumpkin picking, but this local orchard also offers up delicious u-pick cherries and u-pick peaches.
The fruits are well maintained and the berries are reasonably priced.
Don’t head home without grabbing some of their famous baked goods. The pies are to die for.
DeKleine Orchards
1887 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, MI 49426
616-896-8453
OPENING DAY:
2024: June 19, 2024 (sweet), tart to follow
$3 / lb sweet cherries, $2.50 / lb tart cherries
Mon – Sat: 9 AM – 1 PM – check their Facebook page for most current hours
DeKleine Orchards is a family-run farm, selling u-pick sweet and tart cherries in July and chestnuts in the fall.
ABOUT CHERRY PICKING HERE:
DeKleine Orchards has been a family owned business for over 60 years.
There’s over 10 acres of cherries and 17 acres of chestnuts.
The pick-your-own cherries are typically ready around the 4th of July, sometimes earlier and some years later.
Frozen pitted tart cherries are also available for $8 for 2.5 lbs.
Come back in the middle of October to buy chestnuts.
Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm
3025 6 Mile Rd, Grand Rapids, MI 49544
616-784-0058
OPENING DAY:
2024: June 21, 2024
$16/bucket (4 quarts)
ABOUT CHERRY PICKING HERE:
They offer u-pick sweet & tart cherries in season, as well as u pick fruits and veggies including asparagus, strawberries, apples and pumpkins.
Check their Facebook page for details.
And, Ed Dunneback & Girls is more than just u-pick sweet cherries… it’s a destination. No sign-ups necessary for cherries.
From their fantastic fruit, farm market and seasonal activities to their restaurant, special concerts and more, there is always something cool going on at Dunneback.
Gavin Orchards
16495 40th Ave, Coopersville, MI 49404
616-837-6472
OPENING DAY:
2024: June 24, 2024
$2.50 / lb ($3.75 / lb pre-picked)
ABOUT CHERRY PICKING HERE:
Gavin Orchards is a multi-generational farm.
They currently grow apples, peaches, cherries, and summer squash.
Families love the juicy peaches, big cherries and delicious apples!
Goodfellow Orchards
2565 12 Mile Rd, Sparta, MI 49345
616-887-0825
OPENING DAY:
2024: June 20, 2024 sweet cherries, tart to follow
$2 / lb ($3.50 / lb pre-picked)
ABOUT CHERRY PICKING HERE:
This family-owned farm in Sparta, MI, is a popular place for u-pick sweet cherries as well as tart.
A limited amount of tart cherries is available for u-pick only.
Already picked cherries are also available as well as u-pick apples in the fall.
No pets allowed.
Cash or check ONLY.
Grange Fruit Farm
1900 13 Mile Rd, Rockford, MI 49341
OPENING DAY:
2024: June 17, 2024
Price: $2.79 / lb
U-Pick hours: Mon – Fri: 9 AM – 6 PM, Sat & Sun: 9 AM – 4 PM
ABOUT CHERRY PICKING HERE:
Families love to pick cherries at Grange Fruit Farm in Rockford – and Grange is welcoming to families and kids.
The wide selection of varieties includes Black Pearl sweet cherries, Rainer sweet cherries, as well as tart cherries.
They’re all big and juicy Michigan cherries – yum!
Grange Fruit Farm is known for their reasonable prices and keeping a well-marked orchard.
Other u-pick and already picked fruits include raspberries, peaches, plums, nectarines, blueberries, apples and pumpkins. They also have a small u-cut sunflower patch.
Klenk Orchards
3888 10 Mile Rd, Sparta, MI 49345
616-887-9631
OPENING DAY:
2024: June 21, 2024
Price: $2.25 / lb
ABOUT CHERRY PICKING HERE:
Monday-Saturday: 8 AM-7 PM
Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Cherry picking is fast and easy at Klenk Orchards.
Their trees are well spaced, the cherries are large and delicious, and guests love the tractor rides.
Klenk’s has sweet cherries available for U-pick, both Rainer and Dark varieties.
Overhiser Orchards
6405 109th Ave, South Haven, MI 49090
616-836-3341
OPENING DAY:
2024: June 19, 2024
ABOUT CHERRY PICKING HERE:
Overhiser Orchards harvests in this order: Sweet cherries, sour cherries, blueberries, apricots, peaches, plums, pears, and apples.
The farm also features a small animal barn with small animal experiences allowing families to visit, pet, and feed the animals.
Rasch Cherry Apple Market
17647 40th Ave, Conklin, MI 49503
616-899-2611
OPENING DAY:
2024: June 20, 2024 (sweet and dark tart) Red tarts will follow.
$2.75 / lb sweet, $2.50 / lb tart
ABOUT CHERRY PICKING HERE:
Rasch Cherry Apple Market is a great option for families with younger kids, as ladders aren’t needed.
Plus they offer free pitting for light (red) tart cherries and have a yummy bakery.
Pre-picked cherries are also available.
Be sure to come back in the fall for the sunflower maze, too.
Robinette’s Apple Haus
3142 Four Mile Rd NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
616-361-7180
OPENING DAY:
2024: June 18, 2024 for u-pick sweet cherries. Tarts will follow.
$2.50 / lb
ABOUT CHERRY PICKING HERE:
They may be better known for apple picking, but Robinette’s Apple Haus also has u-pick cherries.
The season begins with sweet cherries (pre-picked also available) and then tart cherries.
Don’t miss the end-of-season Cherry Celebration.
The jumping pillow for ages 3 and up is also open.
Sandy Bottom Berries
11555 Sandy Bottom Rd, Rockford, MI 49341
616-225-9376
OPENING DAY:
2024: June 27, 2024 (TART cherries)
$1.70/lb
ABOUT CHERRY PICKING HERE:
Stop by this smaller farm to u-pick tart cherries. Also u-pick blueberries and raspberries.
9 AM – 1 PM. Always closed Mondays.
Cash or check only
FARMING PRACTICES:
Sandy Bottom Berries practices Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a strategy for managing pests giving preference to those remedies with the fewest effects on the environment.
Wells Orchards
9009 Kenowa Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534
616-453-3927
OPENING DAY:
2024: June 17, 2024
$3 / lb
ABOUT CHERRY PICKING HERE:
U-pick hours are Mon – Fri: 8 AM – 6 PM and Sat: 8 AM – 5 PM.
Pre-pay for U-pick by the size of pail you choose for picking: 2 lbs, 7 lbs or 14 lbs.
You’ll fill your pail quickly at Wells Orchard.
The picking is easy and the cherries are large, dark, and juicy.
Stop by the market for jam, salsa, pies, and more. The store will be open for the season the same hours.
FARMING PRACTICES:
At Wells Orchards we use Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Our goal is to spray as little as possible and still grow high-quality fruit.
Cherry Picking FAQs
When is cherry picking season in Michigan?
Cherry-picking season in Grand Rapids is typically in early July (for sweet cherries) and late July (for tart cherries).
Sometimes, cherries in Michigan will be ripe in late June.
Really, timing is everything when it comes to cherry-picking.
When strawberry picking season wraps up in West Michigan you can bet that cherry-picking season is about to begin.
What is the best way to pick cherries?
Cherry trees are often tall and require a ladder for cherry picking. Wear your container on a strap to have both hands available for picking and to help maintain your balance. Also, handle cherries gently. This delicious stone fruit is delicate and will bruise easily.
What do I need to bring to go cherry picking?
Many West Michigan u-pick cherry orchards ask you to bring your own containers (buckets or baskets) to transport the fruit home. Ask your destination if this is the case at their farm. We also suggest that you bring a cooler, a water bottle, and a wagon if you have little kids along.
Questions to Ask Before You Go Cherry Picking
Pro Tips: Before You Go Cherry Picking
It’s a good idea to call ahead or visit the farm’s Facebook page before you head out to pick cherries.
When you call, ask:
“What are you picking today? When are you offering U-Pick?”
Not all U-pick days are created equal. Aim for a day where the berry picking is plentiful and close together and the picking will be easier, especially for younger kids.
“What type of payment do you accept?” and “What’s the price?”
Be prepared to bring cash. Some places take checks. Smaller operations may not have the ability to accept credit cards.
“Do you offer pitting?”
Some places will pit your cherries for free while others charge a fee or don’t offer the service at all.
“Are the cherries easy to reach for kids?”
Cherry-picking can often involve climbing on ladders which can be tricky for young pickers. Find out ahead of time if your toddler is going to be able to participate.
“Is there a restroom?”
It’s a good idea to know the status of the facilities, especially if you’re bringing kids along.
“How do we find you?”
Often, the address listed by a farm is for the main farmhouse, office, or farm market. And it can be really hard for a GPS to pinpoint a cherry orchard if it doesn’t have its own separate address. So, go old-fashioned and get directions when you call.
“What do we need to bring?”
Many West Michigan u-pick cherry orchards will want you to bring your own containers to transport the fruit home.
What to do With the Cherries You Picked
Nothing beats a cherry right off the tree. My kids come home with cherry juice all over their shirts and faces.
While we eat most of our cherries fresh, it’s fun to mix it up sometimes and make something with them.
Here are some of my favorites:
- Jam – regular or freezer
- Cobbler
- Crisp
- Cherry Pie Crumble Bars
- Muffins
Blok Orchard is NOT organic. I called and asked today.