Autumn in the Ottawa region means crisp mornings, bright maple leaves and baskets brimming with freshly picked apples. Visiting a nearby orchard is one of the season’s simplest pleasures: part outdoor escape, part farm-to-table treat.
Whether you’re after crunchy snacking apples, tart varieties for baking, warm cider and donuts, or a family day of hayrides and corn mazes, Ottawa’s orchards deliver.
Ottawa Apple Orchards
Before you go, check the orchard’s website or social pages for current hours and Pick your own availability because weather, crop conditions and demand can change what’s on offer. Bring closed-toe shoes for muddy fields, layers for changing weather, and a cooler if you plan to transport a lot of fruit.
When to go to an Apple Orchard
- Peak season: mid-August through October. Early varieties are ready in August; the main harvest runs September into October; late varieties (e.g., Fuji, Mutsu) extend into October and sometimes early November.
- Weekdays are quieter than weekends, and mornings are cooler and less crowded.
- Check orchard websites or social media for exact opening dates and pick-your-own availability — weather affects harvest timing and capacity.
Which Apples to Try
Trying different varieties is part of the fun:
- Early apples like Lodi and Paula Red are tart and soft and great for sauce.
- Midseason favourites include McIntosh (classic, tender, ideal for applesauce and fresh eating) and Cortland (sweet-tart and slow to brown, excellent for salads and pies).
- Late-season apples—Gala, Empire, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Mutsu are firmer and sweeter and often store well for weeks. For baking, mix textures: tart apples add structure and flavour while sweeter ones balance sweetness and moisture.
Storing and Using your Apples
Not all apples store the same. Late, firm varieties like Fuji and Mutsu will keep longest in a cool, slightly humid place like an unheated cellar or crisper drawer is ideal. Sort and use bruised fruit first. For quick treats, slice for salads or snacking; for baking, combine tart and sweet apples to balance texture and flavour. Homemade applesauce, crisps and pies are classic ways to preserve the harvest, or try drying slices for snacks.
Ottawa Apple Orchard Locations
The Ottawa region has a mix of small family orchards and larger farms within a short drive of the city. You will find below a list of Ottawa Apple Orchards. Please click on the link(s) to view the Orchard’s information and when they are open to the public.
- Avonmore Berry Farm (near Casselman)
- Cannamore Orchard (near Casselman)
- Ferme Dagenais (Embrun)
- Hall’s Apple Market (Brockville)
- Log Cabin Orchard (Osgoode)
- Mountain Orchards (Kemptville)
- Orleans Fruit Farm (Orleans)
- Pine Hill Orchard (Bourget)
- Strathmore Orchard and Winery (Monkland)
Ottawa-area apple orchards is a simple, rewarding seasonal outing that suits families, couples, and solo visitors. Whether you want a handful of crisp apples, a day of fall activities, or ingredients for pies and preserves, the orchards around Ottawa offer variety and charm. For delicious apple recipe ideas, you can try our Caramel Apple with M&M, Snickerdoodle Apple Cobbler Recipe, Easy Apple Crisp with Oats or Irish Apple Cake!
For more family fun ideas, you can view these fall activities in Ottawa!
