Welcome to Schwallier’s Country Basket!
Schwallier’s Country Basket is a must-visit destination for fall fun in West Michigan. This farm is a local favorite, drawing families from all over Grand Rapids and beyond.
Whether you’re here for donuts, apple picking, or climbing hay bale mountain, or something else on your autumn bucket list, Schwallier’s offers a little bit of what makes fall special (and so much fun for kids.)
Tips for First-Time Visitors
If you’re new to Schwallier’s, make sure to swing by their market before heading home to grab some delicious donuts, cider, and other farm-fresh goodies. If you’re feeling extra hungry, check out the N.O.B. (New Old Barn) for a hearty meal. Also, keep in mind that this farm is incredibly popular, so it’s best to arrive early or plan your visit on a weekday to beat the crowds!
Table of Contents
Schwallier’s Country Basket
1185 9 Mile Rd NW, Sparta, MI 49345
Fall Activities Overview
There’s no shortage of fall activities here! Families can enjoy everything from a corn maze adventure to scenic wagon rides, apple cannons, and a free children’s play area. Special paid activities are available, too. Take a look!
Pick the Perfect Pumpkin
At Schwallier’s, you can head out to the pumpkin patch and find your ideal pumpkin for jack-o’-lanterns or front porch decor.
If you’re not up for picking your own, they have plenty of pre-picked pumpkins, along with other fall decor like mums, Indian corn, and straw bales.
U-Pick Apples Galore
Apple picking is a staple activity at Schwallier’s, where they grow over 15 different apple varieties, including fan favorites like Honeycrisp, Gala, McIntosh, Empire, and Cortland.
Make sure to check their Facebook page or give them a call for the most up-to-date info on what’s ready to pick!
Find Your Way Through the Corn Maze
Each year, Schwallier’s creates a brand-new corn maze with a unique, educational theme. Grab a game sheet, answer questions, and work your way through the twists and turns of the maze.
Pick the corn maze at Schwallier’s if you’re looking for an easy, smaller kids corn maze to do as part of a fall farm outing. (There’s even a shorter “kids’ loop” for little ones!)
The maze is open from August 13 to October 31, 2024
Admission is $14 per person, which includes access to the Back 40 area.
Kid-Approved Attractions
Free Play Area Fun
Kids will love the two play areas at Schwallier’s! The main area near the market is free and offers fun activities like a giant straw mountain, a tube slide, and a corn “sandbox.” (The Back 40 area, which requires admission, offers even more space for kids to run, play, and explore.)
Climb the Giant Hay Bale Mountain
One of the most popular attractions is the giant hay bale mountain! Kids can climb, jump, and generally live it up on this fun feature.
Ride the Weekend Cow Barrel Train
On weekends, kids can hop aboard the cow barrel train for a fun ride around the farm.
Tickets are just $4 per seat.
Meet the Farm Animals at the Petting Farm
Schwallier’s petting farm is a hit with kids! Meet and greet friendly goats, chickens, bunnies, and more. If you’re lucky, you might even find some kittens to cuddle with. The baby animals are always up for some playtime!
Storytimes by Kent District Library
Kids get to enjoy stories read by their favorite KDL librarians in the beautiful fall setting of the farm and then stick around to play!
Storytimes run on Tuesdays in September and October.
Amp up the Fun in the Back 40
An admission-based area, the Back 40 is a huge, open space in the back of the orchard filled with fun activities.
Climb the giant John Deere combine, navigate the rock maze, or bounce around on the jumping pads, drive the Pedal Carts, and race down the Giant Tubing Slide
FEE: Corn Maze + Back 40 admission: $14
(+$5 for a bucket of apples to shoot out of the cannons.)
Take Aim with the Apple Cannons
Also in the back 40: Try your hand at the apple cannons! For just $5, you can grab a bucket of apples and see how many targets you can hit.
A Little History of Schwallier’s Country Basket
Back in 1989, Schwallier’s Country Basket started as a humble roadside produce stand. Over the years, it’s grown into an area destination. It’s now a thriving farm market that keeps adding new activities and attractions that bring visitors back year after year.
Food and Market Offerings
Donuts, Cider, and Market Goodies
You can’t leave Schwallier’s without trying their homemade donuts or getting some Engelsma’s apple cider.
You can even pre-order your donuts and cider online and have them waiting for you!
Stop by the farm market inside the big red barn for fresh-made honey, jams, pies, already-picked apples, and other local treats, too.
Dining Options
N.O.B. On weekends, grab a delicious meal at the N.O.B. (New Old Barn) from 11 AM to 5 PM. Their local chef serves up handcrafted burgers, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, fries, wood-fired pizza, and tomato-basil soup. Made with local ingredients in a beautifully restored 100-year-old barn.
Wood-fired pizza in the N.O.B. (New Old Barn)
Lazy Day Coffee Camper: If you need a caffeine fix, head over to the Lazy Day Coffee Camper for some fancy coffee to pair with those donuts!
Logistics and Visitor Information
Plan Your Visit
Schwallier’s Country Basket is located at 1185 9 Mile Rd, Sparta, MI 49345.
OPEN HOURSE: September 3 – October 31
- Monday-Friday 7am-6pm
- Saturday & Sunday 9am-6pm
AVAILABLE WEEKENDS ONLY
- Tractor Wagon Ride … Free
- Cow Train/Barrel Ride … $4/seat
- Corn Maze + Back 40 Play Area … $14/person
- Apple Cannons (located in Back Forty, require paid entry) … $5/bucket apple ammo
Pro Tip: This farm has exploded in popularity over the past few years; arrive early or come on a weekday to beat the crowds.
This fall farm is on our favorites list and we know you’ll love it too!
More West Michigan Fall Fun
Tap the graphic below to learn more about West Michigan’s best fall farms for families.
