There’s something special about fall in Minnesota. Crisp afternoons, changing leaves, apple cider, pumpkin patches and a few hours spent outside make this one of the best times of year to explore the communities around Lake Minnetonka.
Whether you’re looking for a nearby orchard for apple picking, a pumpkin patch for the perfect fall pumpkin or a farm where you can spend the entire afternoon, there are plenty of options within an easy drive of Lake Minnetonka. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites, along with a couple of destinations farther east that are worth adding to your fall calendar.
Everly Farms Minnesota — Minnetrista
📍 6530 County Road 26, Minnetrista, MN 55364
📅 August 29–fall 2026
🕙 Orchard & Gift Shop: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily; full activities weekends
Just minutes from Lake Minnetonka, Everly Farms is an easy choice for a classic fall afternoon close to home. The 43-acre farm offers U-pick apples, hayrides, a pumpkin patch, an animal barn, a ecorn pit, kids’ train rides, playgrounds and seasonal treats like fresh apple donuts and hot cider. Weekend visits bring the full lineup of activities, including live music from noon–4 p.m., while weekdays offer a quieter orchard experience with apple picking and the Retail Barn.
📍 9111 Audubon Road, Chanhassen, MN 55317
📅 September 11–October 31, 2026
🕙 Friday: 3:30 p.m.–sunset; Saturday: 10 a.m.–sunset; Sunday: 1–6 p.m.
For a more traditional, local farm experience, Degler Farm is a great Chanhassen option. Its annual fall activities run through Halloween and include pumpkins and seasonal farm fun in a working-farm setting. The farm’s fall activities are offered Friday through Sunday, with pumpkins available through Halloween.
LuceLine Orchard, Best Apple Orchards in MN — Watertown
📍 2755 Rose Avenue, Watertown, MN 55388
📅 Open for the 2026 season
🕙 Wednesday–Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
If you’re looking for a destination where you can easily spend several hours, LuceLine Orchard has plenty to keep everyone busy. Along with apples and pumpkins, the orchard offers hayrides, three corn mazes, farm animals, pony rides, a jumping pillow, giant slides, playgrounds, a nature trail and more. Weekend visits also feature live music. One note for 2026: a late-spring frost affected the U-pick apple crop, but the Apple Barn is stocked with apples from other family-owned Minnesota orchards.
Deardorff Orchards & Vineyards — Waconia
📍 8282 Parley Lake Road, Waconia, MN 55387
📅 Apple season: Labor Day weekend through late October, weather permitting
🕙 Hours vary during the season
A trip to Waconia makes for a beautiful fall outing, and Deardorff Orchards is a longtime favorite. The orchard offers pick-your-own apples, pumpkins, mums and other seasonal favorites, with tractor rides available for apple pickers. Located alongside Parley Lake Winery, it’s an especially nice option for those who want to combine a few hours at the orchard with the scenery and amenities of the Waconia area.
Ferguson’s Minnesota Harvest — Jordan
📍 8251 Old Hwy 169 Blvd., Jordan, MN 55352
📅 August 15–November 1, 2026
🕙 Monday–Friday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday: 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
For families looking for a full day of fall activities, Ferguson’s Minnesota Harvest is a destination worth the drive. The large farm combines pick-your-own apples and pumpkins with Apple Blossom Park, where you’ll find a corn maze, corn pit, wagon rides, cow train, pumpkin jumping pad, gem mining, duck races and more. The Country Store, bakery and Harvest Bistro also make it easy to build an entire afternoon around the visit.
Worth the Drive: Lake Elmo & Stillwater
If you’re looking to make a day of it, head east toward Lake Elmo and Stillwater. These two destinations add a little variety to the list while still delivering plenty of classic Minnesota fall fun.
📍 11211 60th Street N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
📅 September 16–October 31, 2026
🕘 Weekdays: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; weekends: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Country Sun Farm is a fun option for families looking for more than just apple picking. The fall season brings pumpkins, hayrides, a giant corn pit, petting zoo and other outdoor activities. Its location between the Twin Cities and Stillwater also makes it an easy stop if you’re planning an east-metro fall outing.
Aamodt's Apple Farm — Stillwater
📍 6428 Manning Avenue N, Stillwater, MN 55082
📅 Fall season through late October
🕙 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily
Aamodt’s is a classic Stillwater-area fall tradition. The family-owned orchard offers apple picking, an Apple Barn filled with seasonal treats, wagon rides and plenty of space to enjoy a crisp fall day. Pair a visit to the orchard with an afternoon exploring downtown Stillwater, and you have the makings of a full fall day trip.
🍎 A Few Tips Before You Go
Apple varieties, U-pick availability and individual activities can change throughout the season depending on weather and the harvest. Before heading out, check each farm’s website or social media for the latest hours, available apples and activity schedules.
