Local Apple Picking in Southbury, CT

At Hidden Gem Orchard, our apple orchard is open for apple picking on fridays and the weekends in Sept. & Oct. Apple picking begins Saturday Sept. 6th 2025. We offer a quiet, non-commercial apple picking experience in a picturesque setting of Southbury, CT. Our hillside views and dwarf apple trees loaded with fruit allow for memorable photo opportunities for you and your family. If you are looking for a peaceful day in the country with out the crowds, then Hidden Gem Orchard is the place for you! Explore our unique varieties of apples, contact us to learn more about our upcoming fall activities, or stop by to discover the beauty of our orchard!

The Apple Picking Experience includes a scenic hay wagon ride to and from the orchard (8-10 minutes each way), bags for your harvested apples, and the opportunity to taste a freshly picked apple off the tree (one per person). Please note that hay wagon rides are available on Saturday’s and Sunday’s only. At Hidden Gem Orchard you will find lots of open space and no pressure to hurry through to make room for additional people. Take your time, relax, pick a few apples and enjoy the surrounding beauty the land has to offer.

  • No reservations required

  • Parking is free - parking is located at the farm stand area (no parking in the orchard)

  • Purchase of a bag is required prior to entering the orchard

  • Minimum bag purchase requirements in effect depending on group size (see below)

  • No pets allowed in the orchard or hay wagon (per CT State Law)

  • Wait time for hay wagon rides is shortest during morning (10-11AM) and mid/late afternoon (2:30 - 5 PM) hours

  • Not all varieties are available for picking. Please see home page for weekly updates on varietal availability for PYO

  • Please refrain from entering the roped off areas - those apples aren’t ripe yet

Pick your own operating schedule during September and October:

  • Friday’s from 10 AM to 5 PM

  • Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM

Hay wagon rides to and from the orchard are available on Sat. & Sun. only, from 10 AM to 5:00 PM (weather permitting). The last pick up from the orchard is at 4:30 PM. Please plan accordingly. It’s a 7 - 10 minute walk to and from the orchard which is located on a hill.

Bags for picking must be purchased at the lean-to building located behind the farm stand. Please do not bring your own containers. On days when the wagon is not running, you may go to the farm stand (the white lattice pavilion) to prepay for picking bags. There are three bag sizes available:

  • 1/2 Peck: $14 (available only for individuals) holds up to 6 lb.

  • Peck: $25 - holds up to 11 - 13 lb.

  • Half Bushel: $44 - holds up to 25 lb.

The cost of the hay wagon ride is included in the bag price at no additional charge.

Minimum purchase requirements depending on group size:

Individual person: half peck bag

Groups of 2 - 3: one peck bag

Group of 4: One peck and $7 entrance fee for 4th person. Fee waived with the purchase of an additional or larger size bag e.g. half bushel

Group of 5: Half bushel

Groups over 5: Half bushel and purchase of an additional bag based on the extra number of people and price schedule listed above .

Additional Information:

When the wagon is not running (or even if it is), you may walk up to the orchard from the parking area. It’s about a 7 - 10 minute walk to the orchard entrance.

PYO parking is separate from farm stand parking. Please follow the signs for PYO parking and then proceed to the brown lean-to shed behind the farm stand to purchase bags and hop on the hay wagon. On Friday’s bags for picking can be purchased in the farm stand (the white lattice pavilion).

On days with inclement weather we will not offer hay rides. However you are still welcome to pick if you wish. Proceed to the farm stand to purchase bags for picking and then you can walk to the orchard.

We love pets, but unfortunately, no pets are allowed in the orchard. This per CT State law.