Northwest Montana Cherry U-Pick Orchards in !

Find a local pick your own farm here!

Cherry U-Pick Orchards in Northwest Montana in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for cherries that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a state have cherries orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

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Flathead County

Hockaday Orchards - cherries,
25 Hockaday Lane, Lakeside, MT 59922. Phone: (406) 290-1377. Email: khockaday69@gmail.com. Open: from 8 am to 5 pm, 7 days a week, for as long as the crop lasts. Directions: Take Highway 93 to about 1 mile south of Lakeside. Turn off of highway 93 on to Angel Point Road. Follow the signs to the orchard, approximately 2.5 miles. Take Hockaday Lane off Angel Point Road and follow the signs in. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, WIC Vouchers. Picking begins usually in late July as fruit ripens; We normally run a week to 10 days, but can go up to two weeks; It is best to call about mid-July to verify the crop status and get a better idea when the orchard will openPlease bring flat boxes. Do not bring bags or plastic bags, the fruit will crush. Ladders are provided. Bees can be a problem, so if you are allergic, please bring appropriate medication. There is very limited ground picking and the orchard ground is uneven. Bring stable walking shoes. The ONLY pyo crops offered are Cherries. (UPDATED: June 28, 2020)

Lake County

Farmers O'Dell, Inc. - Uses natural growing practices, cherries, school tours
21121 Montana Highway 35, Bigfork, MT 59911. Phone: (406) 249-9090. Email: farmersodell@gmail.com. Open: Hours and availability of cherries to pick varies considerably; please see our website or call or email for current availability and hours. Directions: We are located on Montana Highway 35 between the 20 and 21 mile markers on the lakeside of the highway. We are about 20 miles north of Polson and 12 miles south of Bigfork. Cherry season is typically the end of July and beginning of August;. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
Farmers O'Dell, Inc. Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: (406) 499-0101 (ADDED: July 19, 2021)
Fat Robin Orchard & Farm - Certified Organic, apples, cherries, U-pick and already picked, farm market
34126 Finley Point Rd, Polson, MT 59860. Phone: 406-887-2869. Email: liserousseau@bresnan.net. Open: Friday to Sunday, from 8:30 am to 6 pm; other times by appointment; Call to confirm before traveling to the orchard; Visit our website for details. Directions: From Polson, take highway 35 north to Finley Point Road. Go approximately 1 mile to the T-junction of South Finley Point Road. Make a left. Take the first dirt road to the right just past the Flathead Lake Cherry Growers packing plant. Our orchard is at the top of the hill. Cherries: Late July through early August, Apples: Mid-October. We are certified organic for all . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, WIC Vouchers.
Fat Robin Orchard & Farm Facebook page. Picking updates: Click here for picking updatescrops! Our beautiful certified organic farm has fabulous views of Flathead Lake and even better fruit. We offer you-pick, picked and packed, delivery, and shipping. Fruit is available at the farm, local CSAs, natural food markets, and is featured in local restaurants. Some fruit goes to Ten Spoon Winery for their outstanding "Flathead Cherry Dry" wine. Cherry varieties: Lambert, Lapin, Rainier, Van, Montmorency (Pie), Balaton. Apple varieties: Mac, Wealthy. Other products available: frozen and dried cherries, cherry-themed aprons, wool, lambs. Visit us soon!.
Flathead Fresh Orchard - Certified Organic, sweet cherries,
34310 Sweet Cherry Lane, Polson, MT 59860. Phone: (406) 210-3397. Email: brittany_lt3@yahoo.com. Open: Monday, Wednesday, Friday to Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm; Call for special hours accommodations; 0728 am to 820. Directions: Follow S Finley pint road to sweet cherry lane, Polson MT. We are located on the east side of the road and will have signs up. We are certified organic for all . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Venmo. Monday, Wednesday, Friday to Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm; Call for special hours accommodations; 07/28 am to 8/20crops! We Have been certified Organic for the last 4 years. Being a 4th generation cherry grower we pride out selfs of producing good quality fruit and a family friendly environment. It is truly a passion of ours to share our fruit with others. (ADDED: July 18, 2023)
Getman's Cherry Red Orchard - Uses natural growing practices, apples, cherries, pears, peaches, plums, raspberries (red), U-pick and already picked, porta-potties are available
East Shore, Flathead Lake, Bigfork, MT 59911. Phone: 406-871-5499. Email: getman@me.com. Open: most of the time and easily available; We also have preserves and will ship cherries by mail; See our website; Black, sweet cherries are our main crop; During the fall, we have great apples and many other varied fruits and vegetables; We often have picked vegetables, like peas and greens, etc. Directions: Please call first. East side of Flathead Lake, between Polson and Bigfork, close to Yellow Bay. Near Mile marker 20. There is a sign and we are building, \The Orchard House. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
Getman's Cherry Red Orchard Facebook page. . We arrange by appointment; Please call Dan's cell;; however, during July, August, September, October; we are open Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesPlease call first. East side of Flathead Lake, between Polson and Bigfork, close to Yellow Bay. Near Mile marker 20. There is a sign and we are building, "The Orchard House", a large construction project. This is easily seen from the road. Call. Do Not open gates, precautions for our pets and animalsOur cherries ripen at the end of July; U pick lasts during August, September, October. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified OrganicWe usually have a tasting table with various items. We can invoice with paypal or receive cash or check.
Hansen Farms - Uses natural growing practices, cherries, U-pick and already picked
33668 Lilac Hedge Lane, Polson, MT 59860. Phone: (406) 887-2003. Email: hansen.barry@gmail.com. Open: By appointment; Daily, from July 14. Directions: Follow South Finley Point Road for 0.7 miles to the end of the lilac hedge and turn right onto Lilac Hedge Lane. You immediately enter the orchard, but turn right again through the brown gate to park. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Alternate Phone: (406) 396-28362021 to August 10, 2021Daily by appointment. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certificationWe have many cherry varieties, predominantly Lambert, but also Rainiers, Vans, Sweethearts and many others. The crop is very heavy and easy to pick from the ground. We provide picking buckets. The orchards are part of a larger farm and the setting is very relaxed and easy for picking. (ADDED: July 09, 2021)
Pine Glen Cherry Orchard - Flathead cherries,
Polson , Mt, Polson, MT . Phone: 406-887-2727. Open: Mid July-Mid August; be sure to call before you go; they have no presence on the web, and I get few updates from them. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. These are beautiful Flathead cherries. You can pick in a grassy park-like environment. Friendly people. Mostly lambert cherries, some pie cherries and some bing cherries.

Cherry

Cherry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Cherry picking tips If you are about to pick cherries either directly from a tree, or from a local orchard or market, here's what you need to know to pick the best cherries.

Cherries are a fairly early crop, flowering soon after the last frosts in April and May, setting fruit in June, usually at the same time as strawberries in most areas (but check your area's harvest calendar and call the farm or orchard you are planning to go to a few weeks ahead).

Types of Cherries

There are two types of cherries: sweet cherries and sour cherries (also called tart or pie cherries). The difference is simple:

Sweet cherries taste sweeter and are eaten fresh.
Pie cherries are very tart and most people prefer to use them in pies, jams, preserves, jellies and butters, adding sugar to sweeten them.

See further down this page for a list of common cherry varieties and their uses. Washington State, California and Oregon are the primary sweet cherry growing states; they produce almost 90 percent the U.S.'s cherry crop. Michigan produces about 74 percent of tart cherry production. We have a master table of cherry varieties, sweet and sour (pie) in the order in which they ripen.

Cherry picking tips

Pick ripe: Cherries, like peaches, continue to increase in size until they are ripe. They should be picked when they are of maximum size and full-flavored.
But not under-ripe: Cherries picked before they are fully mature will not ripen off the tree.
And not over-ripe: when they become soft, mushy or discolored.
Pie or sweet: There are 2 main types of cherries: sweet cherries that taste sweet and tart when you eat them fresh, and sour (also called pie cherries) which are too tart for most people to want to eat fresh.
For all varieties of sweet cherries, the darker the cherry is the sweeter it will be. If you like more sour cherries the lighter red and less ripe, the more tart it will be.
Stem separation: Sweet cherries become firm when ripe (the stems usually stay attached when you pick a sweet cherry), and sour cherries part easily from the stem.
Leave the stems on sweet cherries: Cherries that are to be shipped will keep longer if the stems are left attached. They will store in the refrigerator for two to three days.
Appearance: Look for heavy, firm cherries with a shiny skin and fresh stem.
But for immediate use, they can be picked with or without the stems.

How to pick the cherries from the tree

Gently grasp the berry with your fingers and thumb, and
tug gently.
If it is ripe, it will easily come off in your hand, with the stem attached.
Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 cherries.
Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the cherries down.

General Picking Tips

cherries

Whether you pick Cherries from your own trees, a market or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden cherries ready for harvest.
Avoid placing the picked cherries in the sunshine any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat.
Cool them as soon as possible after picking. Cherries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three days, depending upon the initial quality of the berry.

Before you leave to go to the farm:

Always call before you go to the farm - Cherries are affected by weather (especially rain and cooler temperatures) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first! Always call before you go to the farm - Cherries are affected by weather (especially rain and cooler temperatures) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
Get there early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
Bring containers - Most growers furnish picking containers designed for Cherries, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
If you use your own containers, remember that heaping Cherries more than 3 inches deep will smush the lower cherries. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one at right.
Drinks and snacks - Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.

When you get home

DON'T wash the cherries until you are ready to use them. Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
Chill: Cherries are more perishable than blueberries or strawberries, so make a point of refrigerating them as immediately as possible after purchase. Temperatures between 34 F and 38 F are best, but, be careful not to freeze cherries! (Fresh cherries are highly prone to freeze damage).
Spread out: Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting cherries
Eat or freeze: Even under ideal conditions cherries will only keep for a few days in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, consume or freeze them as soon as possible after purchase.
See my How to freeze berries page. (Unless you're going to make jam right away)
Now, get ready to make Cherry jam - It is VERY easy - especially with our free Cherry preserves instructions - illustrated and easy or cherry pie filling

Cherry Recipes, Canning, Jam, Jelly, and related resources

Cherry varieties

For a master table of cherry varieties in the order in which they ripen, click here.

Sweet cherries:

Bing cherries are deep red in color and sweet.
Blackgold - very late mid-season. Good for eating fresh. Self-fertile.
Brooks - a large, firm red cherry that tolerates hot climates. Sweet with both complex flavors and a sweet tart blackberry-like taste.
Chelan - deep, mahogany red, heart-shaped, medium sized, sweet fruits, like Bing. Sweet, between 16 and 18 % sugar.
Coral Champagne - very large, red, super sweet fruit that is often preferred to Bing. Firm, but juicy flesh with a coral pink color center.
Emperor Francis are White or Blush Sweet Cherries, Early season, perfect for canning, making jellies and jams, or making homemade maraschinos.
Hartland, an early season dark cherry. A Windsor cross, it was developed in New York
Hedelfingen is a later season sweet cherry. It has large, black fruit.
Kristin cherries are a a mid-season cherry developed in New York.
Lambert Cherry is a large, black, late harvest cherry of very good quality, compared to Bing.
Lapins Cherry is a self-fruitful, large, dark red sweet cherry from Canada with firm, good flavor. Ripens a few days after Bing and needs only 400 chilling hours or less to produce fruit.
Orondo Ruby - A ruby red color with some gold coloring, this is a sweeter, brighter variant of the Rainier cherry. Marcus Griggs of G&C farms found this in his Rainier cherry orchard. They have a brighter red color to them and a sweeter and a bit more acidic.
Rainier cherries are golden yellow with a pink or red blush. Rainier cherries are large and sweet.
Royalton cherries are large, dark cherry mid-season cherries
Sam - early ripening, large, black sweet cherry. Ripens 11 days after Vista.
Skeena cherries are a late ripening variety. They are dark red, firm and juicy.
Somerset cherries are medium sized, later season cherries that are dark and firm.
Sonata - Very large, black, and moderately sweet fruit. Self-fertile.
Staccato cherries are a deep purple-red and also a late season variety. Staccato cherries are large and one of the sweetest varieties.
Stella are a large, sweet, dark-red fruit that ripens in mid-season
Sweetheart cherries are a large, bright red late-season variety, medium sweetness
Sunburst - large, firm fruit. Old productive variety. Self-fertile.
Symphony - bright red, medium-sweet very large fruit. Late season. Self-fertile.
Tehranivee - mid-season cherry developed in Ontario, Canada. Cracking can be a problem. Self-fertile.
Ulster - medium-sized, firm, dark cherry, Ripens about 2 days after Vista.
Vandalay - Large, red fruit with an unusual kidney shape. From Canada. Self-fertile.
Viscount - medium-large, firm, good, dark red cherries. Late season ripening.
Vista - the cherries are very dark, almost black. Large excellent-quality fruit. Mid season, ripens around the last week in June.
Viva - dark red, 3/4 inch fruit from Canada. Ripens around July 4.
White Gold are a blush cherry of moderate to large size.

Pie, Sour or Tart Cherries (all different names for the same thing!)

Balaton Ujfeherto Furtos is a Hungarian sour cherry with firm fruit that is suited to picking by hand and eating fresh. Red skin and flesh. Ripens about 7 to 10 days after Montmorency
Danube Erdi Botermo has dark red fruit with a unique sweet-tart flavor. Delicious eaten fresh or in baked goods. Ripens about 1 week before Montmorency.
Dark-juice-tarts has juice that is red rather than clear in color.
Jubileum - new, from Hungary. Very large with a dark red flesh. Sweet for a tart cherry, not quite as tart as Montmorency.
Meteor - Medium-sized fruit with an odd shaped pit. Ripen s3 to 7 days after Northstar.
Montmorency, the most commonly grown, traditional cherry for pies, baking and canning. Ripens around the last week of June to the first week of July.
Morello Sour Cherry is a late-ripening tart dark red to nearly black cherry used for cooking, and sometimes eaten fresh when fully ripe. Fruits in warm climates ( 500 hours or fewer chilling hours below 45 F) Self-fruitful. USDA
Northstar - Medium-sized, dark red fruit.
Surefire - A new late blooming variety from Cornell. Bright red, medium sized fruit.

Cherry Facts and Tips

Cherries come in many colors besides red: there are also dark red (almost black), yellow, blush (mixed) and gold cherries.
Cherries are a very healthy food; they are high Vitamin C and naturally have no fat, cholesterol or sodium. They are also a good source of ivitamin A, calcium, protein, and iron.
Cherries are an antioxidant-rich foods.
One cup of cherries is less than 90 calories and 3 grams of fiber.
One cup of cherries has 260 mg of potassium which plays a key role in muscle, heart, kidney, and nerve cell functions.
Cherries are high in fiber. Half to one pound of cherry fruit per day can provide twenty to thirty grams of fiber which is adequate for an adult daily nutrition requirement.
Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as Cherries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a couple of days in the refrigerator.
You can easily freeze cherries that you cannot use right away - just wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible. Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of this! The cherries will keep for many months frozen without air. See my How to freeze berries page
Anthocyanins in cherries are what give the fruit its red color and help protect the heart and surrounding tissues
Some research has found eating cherries to reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritis and gout

2024 Northwest Montana Cherry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Find a pick-your-own farm near you! Then learn to can and freeze! Since 2002! We update continuously; Beware the copycat websites!