Take a farm-fresh road trip to the Yakima Valley
Plan your getaway to savor the flavors of fall. Whether you’re looking for an old-fashioned u-pick adventure or harvest festival for family fun, or you wish to stock up on just-picked, farm-fresh produce and delicious artisanal foods at farm stands and farm markets, we have the road trip for you.
Plan Your Farm-Fresh Road Trip
It’s a delicious time of year in the Yakima Valley
If we had to pick just one word to describe this time of year in the Valley, it would be “abundance.” Fall harvests are in full swing and the Valley’s farms, farm stands and markets will be piled high with apples, pears, peaches, peppers, pumpkins, potatoes, flowers, fall greens, tomatoes, sweet corn and so much more! With more than 2,500 farms calling the Yakima Valley home, it’s a delicious place to be during fall harvest season.
Plan your trip to pick apples straight from the trees, press your own apple cider, take a hay ride, stroll through corn mazes and enjoy cider and pumpkin doughnuts right at the farm! Shop farm markets for artisanal foods and house-made bakery treats filled with just-picked fruits.
Leave time to visit the Valley’s farmers markets and harvest festivals. The signature Downtown Yakima Farmers Market runs through October. Vendors fill the covered, downtown Rotary Pavilion Every Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm. After you pick up your favorite fall produce and baked goods, stroll through the food vendors. With fresh, fire-roasted corn, sweet and savory crêpes and the rich flavors of authentic cultural specialties, it’s hard to choose.
Harvest Festivals & Events
Prosser Harvest Festival
The City of Prosser kicks off a great weekend, September 25 to 27, starting with the Great Prosser Balloon Rally. After the morning balloon launch, head to Historic Downtown Prosser to find streets filled with unique, handcrafted goods from one-of-a-kind vendors. Food vendors and live music round out the weekend.
Thompson’s Farm U-Pick, Pumpkin Patch and Festival
Apple u-pick begins in September and goes on into October, when they kick off the annual pumpkin festival. Watch the giant pumpkin cannon fire pumpkins every hour, followed by delightful pig races. Take a hayride through the orchard or search the pumpkin patch for the perfect pumpkin. Get lost in the corn maze, enjoy freshly made pumpkin doughnuts and other treats. Bring your box to pick your own apples! Find a colorful array of pumpkins, ornamental squash, gourds and corn stalks all ready for the perfect photo op, and to bring home! Be sure to stop by the Thompson Farm Market in Naches, a true country store packed with artisan goods, wine, old-time candies and unique gift items, in addition to boxes of freshly picked apples and other seasonal fruits.
Union Gap Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
You don’t want to miss this family-friendly favorite that attracts people from throughout central Washington during the month of October. It starts with the amazing corn maze and the fun continues with hay rides, apple cannons, perfect pumpkins, tasty treats and more. Children love the hay maze, hay pyramid and slide and s’mores roasted in the fire pits. Capture memories with all the photo ops and cutouts and take home carving and specialty pumpkins, gourds, squash, straw bales and corn stalks. The maze becomes haunted every night at 7 pm. Watch a scary movie or two at Friday Night Frights. Check their calendar for closures due to private events.
Washington Fruit Place & Gift Shop
Get ready for October Days at the big, red barn in Yakima every Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 3 pm, October 3 to 25. October Days has become an annual tradition at the fifth-generation Barret Orchards. They’ll be pouring freshly pressed cider and serving up mini doughnuts, caramel apples, caramel apple Italian sodas and ice cream. Go on a hayride, try out the hay maze, take home a keepsake from the photo booth and find your perfect pumpkins and gourds.
As always, the shop is packed just-picked fruit from the orchards and with seasonally inspired gifts, artisanal goods and foods, décor that captures the essence of the Valley and more.
Be sure to stock up on fresh apples for your holiday baking!
Check out a variety of other seasonal vendor and farm and markets on our Farm Fresh Events Page.
It’s harvest season in the Valley’s vineyards and hop farms too! Check out Fresh Hop Season happenings and craft beer events (including the one and only Fresh Hop Ale Festival) and Harvest & Crush Celebrations in Yakima Valley Wine Country.
Locals’ Favorite Farms, Farm Stands and Markets
Ahtanum Berry Patch
You still have time for u-pick berries on the farm at Ahtanum Berry Patch. Enjoy tasty treats from the bakery, family friendly activities and the last of the u-pick berries. They’ll be serving fresh apple cider, pumpkin desserts, maple bars, cinnamon rolls and caramel apples and more bakery specialties. Don’t forget to place orders for your holiday season baked treats. From hand-crafted cinnamon rolls and pastries for visiting family to delicious pies, they have you covered.
Imperial’s Garden
This multi-generation farm stand has been a traditional part of the Yakima Valley fall harvest experience for decades. In addition to the hay pyramid piled high with pumpkins and gourds, enjoy a hay maze and all the late summer and fall produce you could wish for. Take home a vibrant array of just-picked peppers, tomatoes, onions, corn, squash and more. Call ahead to check for availability of u-pick vegetables.
Johnson Orchards
Farming since 1904, Johnson Orchards produce stand is located right in the city of Yakima. Their quaint, on-the-farm market is packed with an abundance of seasonal fruits and vegetables from growers from around the Valley, in addition to their own tree fruit harvests. You’ll also find a wide variety of gifts and locally made artisanal foods and goods, from handcrafted candles and preserves to a selection of local wines. Especially heading into holiday season, they’re a favorite destination for bake shop treats such as hand pies, pastries and cookies. Their new Little Bake Shop location is where you’ll find even more tasty treats including pastries, breakfast sandwiches and coffee specialties. Valley locals know this is the perfect place to order delicious, handcrafted pies for the holiday season (or any time of year). Plan ahead for your trip and take one home to serve or freeze.
Jones Farms
Jones Farm has been a family operation since 1946. They open the farm stand in Zillah in July when harvests are abundant and run through the end of the harvest season. Find everything from sweet tree fruits, such as nectarines and peaches in mid-summer, to tomatoes, corn, squash, pumpkins and more later on. During October, they create a wonderful harvest experience on their grounds complete with picnic areas and a pond. This is a must-visit on your farm stand tour of the Lower Yakima Valley.
McIlrath Farm Markets
This is a must-stop farm stand right on Highway 12. The family began farming in the Yakima Valley in 1976. Now, with more than 300 acres in production, McIlrath Farms grows more than 10 varieties of apples and pears ready for fall. You’ll also find the farm stand packed with locally grown vegetables and locally crafted foods. Keep your eye on their social channels for special treats such as fresh doughnuts and more.
Precision Fruit and Antiques
Conveniently located as you approach Yakima on I-82 from the west, this farm stand is a long-time favorite, especially heading toward the holidays. In addition to produce throughout the growing season, pick up local wine, signature foods such as candies, jams, preserves and pickles, and artisan goods. Of course, it’s also a favorite destination for antique lovers.
‘Tis the Season – Mark Your Calendar
Plan a trip for the holiday season fun. French Canyon Farms kicks off the season’s festivities with Christmas on the Farm, November 7 and 8. It’s a full day of family fun and forever memories, complete with feeding and photo ops with “reindeer in training, holiday crafts and hay rides. Warm up with coffee or cocoa from Tieton’s Nikki’s Café. Lunch doesn’t get much better than specialties from Tacos don Chayo and Candy Cane Wine Bar will be pouring French Canyon Cellars.
Get ready for holiday entertaining and gift giving with a stop at the famous Chukar Cherries flagship store in Prosser.
Check out all of the other Yakima Valley farm fresh fun activities.
Categorized in: Family Fun, Farm Fresh Fun, Food and Dining, History and Culture, Live Music