South Sound Apple Picking and Cider Making

Updated for 2020

Tacoma and South Puget Sound Area Apple Picking and Apple Cider Making Events

 If you’re looking to celebrate fall with apple fun, we’re here to help! The bad news is there are very few spots to go apple picking in the South Sound (or even very close), but there are several South Sound area apple events full of old fashioned fun. This year many of those events have been scaled back. If you know of one I missed, do let me know! I also thank you in advance for confirming details for yourself as things change by the day these days.

Note that this post is specific to apple events; I have another round up of harvest festivals that will be updated soon! You will also find a link to apple picking options out of the area at the bottom of this post.

Cockrell Cider Puyallup

Rick is letting folks pick apples this Labor Day weekend. Check out his fb post for details. Thanks to a fb reader for this great tip.

Meeker Mansion, Puyallup

Saturday, October 10th

It will be a virtual, drive-thru event this year. No details on that yet, but we’ll keep you posted!

Wild Hare Organic Farm Puyallup/Tacoma

No u pick here, and no field trips this year, But you can find all kinds of tasty things at their organic farm stand, and it’s about as close to your food as you can get without growing and harvesting it yourself.  Years ago, they did apple picking and cider pressing here when it was Terry’s Berries, but that’s been a while.

Steilacoom Apple Squeeze

Steilacoom Historical Museum Association will not have their traditional squeeze and fair, but there IS a modified event this year. I’ll let you know when more details are announced. Currently the site says you can look forward to a, “Tasting,” on Sunday, October 4th, which will be a socially distanced activity with cider and apple foods for sale.

Lattin’s Country Cider Mill, Olympia

Lattin’s has traditionally held an Apple Festival, beginning the last weekend of September and running through the last weekend of October. I don’t see info. for this year, but it does look like they are open for sales of fresh produce and treats like their famous apple fritters. I would check their Fb page for up to date info.

Curran Apple Orchard In University Place

Update: One of our Fb readers says Labor Day is the last day for public picking. See the orchard fb page for details. You may also want to  find out about the orchard and how you can adopt a tree of your own next year!

Volunteer for the Gleaning Project

The Pierce County Gleaning Project sends volunteers to pick crops that would otherwise go to waste. They are donated to area food banks, and volunteers usually get to keep some as well! I don’t know a whole lot of details about this program, or how it’s operating in this era,  but I sure think it’s cool. You can check it out and register as a gleaner. Do note that spots often go fast! If you have your own crops going to waste, you can also get in touch with them!

Beyond the South Sound

With the exception of the options mentioned above, if you want to have the kiddos pick lots of apples right off the tree, you’re going to have to find a generous neighbor (try finding your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook), or take a road trip. The closest options are found north, in Skagit County. To really multiply your options, you can head east over the mountains. Lauren of NWTripFinder has some fun spots in both areas. You can also try an article from her at the always great, Parent Map.  Btw, if you’re here via NWTripFinder, welcome! Our specialty is South Sound adventures, and we’d love to have you come back again!

There will also be lots of farm festivals and pumpkin patch fun in the weeks to come. Look for our updated guides to those soon. If you can’t wait,  check out this fun post! It hasn’t been updated yet this year, but parks don’t really change (although leaves do)! lol As always in this era, do what sounds fun and safe for YOU and your family.