Apple Picking & Early Fall Farm Days Near Bloomfield, West Orange & Montclair (September 2026)

September is the month Northern New Jersey's apple-picking season officially kicks off, and it is the perfect excuse to get out of town for an afternoon. The closest orchards to Bloomfield, West Orange, and Montclair are just 25 to 40 minutes away in Morris and Bergen Counties, and pick-your-own season opens right around now. This guide is a practical rundown of where to go, what it costs, and whether you need to book ahead, so you can plan a low-stress fall outing with the whole family.

Where can I go apple picking near Bloomfield, West Orange, and Montclair?

Essex County does not have big commercial orchards of its own, but you do not have to drive far. The best pick-your-own farms sit just over the border in Morris County (around Chester, Randolph, and Morristown) and Bergen County (Hillsdale), all within a manageable 25 to 40 minute drive from Bloomfield, West Orange, or Montclair. Most open for PYO apples in early September and run straight through October, with the widest variety of apple types available in September and peak color in late September and October.

How close is Demarest Farms, and why are its cider donuts famous?

Demarest Farms is one of the closest big-name orchards to Montclair, sitting about 25 minutes away in Hillsdale, Bergen County. Its pick-your-own apple season began August 29, 2026, so it is already running as you plan your September weekends.

The farm is especially known for its apple-cider donuts, which won NorthJersey.com's poll for the best apple-cider donut in New Jersey. They are made fresh daily in big batches, so plan to grab a warm bag to go even if you are not picking. Because apple and pumpkin picking requires an advance reservation online, it is worth booking your weekend time a few days ahead rather than just showing up.

Address: 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale, NJ 07642. Paid. Reservations recommended. Hours vary by day, so check the farm's website for the week you plan to visit.

What does the Wightman Farms Fall Festival offer near Bloomfield?

Wightman Farms in Morristown is a family operation founded in 1922 and a favorite among Essex County families, roughly 25 to 30 minutes from Bloomfield. On weekends from early September through late October, it runs its Fall Festival with pick-your-own apples, tractor hayrides, a corn maze, and pumpkin picking, all on one farm.

Its farm market is open seven days a week, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and makes hot apple-cider donuts continuously all day, plus cold-pressed cider with no additives. The festival weekends are paid admission, so bring your tickets (they are typically sold for set time slots), and consider arriving in the morning before the crowds peak.

Address: 1111 Mount Kemble Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960. Paid on festival weekends. Market open daily through the fall.

What are the Sun High Orchards apple picking hours and prices?

Sun High Orchards in Randolph is a straightforward, no-frills option about 30 to 35 minutes from Bloomfield. Its pick-your-own apples run early September through October, and apples are sold by the pound after a modest entry fee (weekends were around $4 per person in recent seasons, weekdays cheaper, with young children free).

Fall pick-your-own hours are typically Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed Monday, with last entry for picking around 4:00 PM. The farm also has a corn maze, weekend hayrides, and a farm store open seven days a week. It is a budget-friendly pick if you mainly want to fill a bag of apples without extra frills.

Address: 19 Canfield Avenue, Randolph, NJ 07869. Paid (by-the-pound apples plus a small entry fee).

Why do families drive out to Alstede Farms from Essex County?

Alstede Farms in Chester is the most full-service agritainment destination within easy reach of Essex County, about 35 to 40 minutes from Montclair. It combines pick-your-own apples with a 5-acre corn maze, a kids' maze, tractor-drawn wagon rides, and a big farm market, which makes it a solid full-day outing with kids.

The fall season typically starts on the first or second weekend of September and runs daily into early November. Entry is by pre-purchased timed ticket bought online (online tickets are discounted versus at the gate), and your ticket covers access to the pick-your-own fields, a container, a wagon ride, and often the corn maze. Because it books up on nice weekends, buy your tickets in advance.

Address: 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930. Paid. Timed tickets required.

Which farmers markets are still open in Bloomfield and Montclair this month?

If you would rather keep it close to home, both Bloomfield and Montclair run weekly farmers markets that are in full swing through September, and both are free to browse.

Bloomfield Community Farmers Market Every Tuesday, 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM in the Bloomfield Public Library courtyard at 90 Broad Street, running through late October. It features local produce grown by City Green and accepts SNAP, WIC, and senior FMNP benefits. It is a great way to stock up on September apples and harvest vegetables without leaving town.
Montclair Farmers Market Every Saturday, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Walnut Street Train Station, 86 Walnut Street. It runs rain or shine and is one of the most beloved weekly rituals in Montclair, with a rotating lineup of local farms, bakers, and prepared-food vendors. Arrive early for the best selection.

Both are excellent, low-pressure ways to support local farms and get a feel for the everyday rhythm of these towns.

What should I check before heading out to an orchard this fall?

A little planning keeps a farm day fun instead of frustrating. Before you go, do these three things:

Check the farm's website or call ahead. Opening dates and apple varieties shift with the weather and ripening, so confirm the week you plan to go. Several farms require online reservations, especially on weekends.
Book weekend slots early. Demarest, Alstede, and Wightman all sell timed tickets, and the first nice September weekends go quickly. Aim for a weekday or early-morning slot if you can.
Dress for the fields and bring bags. Orchard paths get muddy after rain, and farms usually charge by the pound, so bring sturdy shoes, water, and a few reusable bags for your haul.

How can an early fall farm day help you picture a town before moving?

When you are comparing Bloomfield, West Orange, and Montclair, it is easy to get stuck comparing taxes, commute times, and square footage. But the quality of a Saturday or Tuesday community market, and how close you are to a great orchard for a fall afternoon, is part of what actually makes a place feel like home.

These are the towns where neighbors run into each other at the farmers market, where families pile into the car for an apple-picking day in the fall, and where the community calendar gives you reasons to get outside every season. If you are thinking about moving to Essex County and want to understand what day-to-day life really looks like here, I would love to walk you through it. No pressure, just honest answers to your questions.

Talk soon,
Sorelle