Take your Pick: MN’s Dog-Friendly Apple Orchards

Our autumn. An all-too-fleeting beauty with a bit of a bite, and a fave season for many. Naturally, we Minnesotans make a point of packing in as many outdoor activities as pawsible before the cold and snow dictate our choices.

There’s no shortage of things to doo, and a few that are practically required, like an annual apple orchard trip (or trips!).

Take your pick from our list of dog-friendly options, then go forth and slurp up our furbulous fall with your furry bestie.

[Editor’s note: Pups are allowed on orchard grounds only, not in buildings. Bring your own poop bags, leash your dog — and for Pete’s sake, no flexies!]

AAMODT’S APPLE FARM, Stillwater
10am – 6pm daily
Aamodt’s is sheer apple heaven, with apples, apple cider, seriously delicious apple brats, and a bakery with apple pies. And this apple farm also happens to share its acreage with the award-winning Saint Croix Vineyards. Salut!

APPLEWOOD ORCHARD, Lakeville
10am – 6pm daily
Lots to do at Applewood: pick your own apples, weekend hayrides, pumpkins, and a 10-acre corn maze. Pile the kiddos, both two-legged and four-, into the car and make a fab fall day of it.

CARLSON’S ORCHARD, Winsted
10am – 5pm Tuesday through Saturday
Carlson’s Orchard offers tons of activities for you and your family: self-guided tours, tractor and hay rides, U-pick apples, live music, straw mountain, pumpkin patch, Pork Chop Sunday and more.

DEARDORFF ORCHARDS & VINEYARD, Waconia
10am – 6pm Tuesday through Sunday
After picking your apples (and pumpkins) at Deardorff, mosey over to the winery for some award-winning Parley Lake wine, then head down the road to pup-paradise Carver Park Reserve dog park.

FALL HARVEST ORCHARD, Montrose
10am – 6pm Thursday through Sunday
Apples, pumpkins, and plenty of activities — like a corn maze and wagon rides — await you Fall Harvest Orchard. Free admission.

GILBY’S ORCHARD, Aitkin
9am – 6pm daily
Wanna get away? Head “up north” to Gilby’s and you might see pheasants and deer as you walk the orchard trails. Pick from a dozen or so apple varieties, go on a hay ride, partake in a wine and cheese tasting, explore the corn maze, and get your pumpkins, gourds, jams, and jellies.

LUCELINE ORCHARD, Watertown
10am – 6pm Wednesday through Sunday
At 155 acres, LuceLine is the Great Dane of apple orchards. Ultra-friendly and bred for both work and play, this newer orchard offers seven varieties of apples, pumpkins and squash, loads of apple-y fare, and tons of space to pick, walk, ride, watch, and romp.

MINNETONKA ORCHARDS, Minnetrista
10am – 7pm daily
With apples and pumpkins galore, hayrides, and delish food and drink (did someone say “donut hut”?), Minnetonka Orchards is perfect for kids and pups alike. Or just go with your sweetie and get turned around in the corn maze. Feign fear. Sneak some smooches. Embarrass the dog.

NELSON’S APPLE FARM, Webster
3pm – 6pm weekdays; 10am – 6pm weekends
Sprawled across 15 acres, you’ll find 25+ varieties of apples to satisfy your taste buds. Visit the store for pre-picked apples, jams, jellies, trinkets, take-n-bake apple pies, and much more.

PLEASANT VALLEY ORCHARD, Shafer
10am – 6pm daily
Pleasant Valley Orchard offers a fun fall experience for the whole family. In addition to your favorite MN-grown apples (pre-picked and ready for you), you’ll find an amazing array of pumpkins, a bakery, and a gift shop.

SPONSEL’S MINNESOTA HARVEST APPLE ORCHARD, Jordan
10am – 5pm weekdays; 9am – 6pm weekends
Sponsel’s is one of the best in the biz, featuring cider, caramels, donuts, an apple catapult, and wagon rides. Oh, and plenty of apples. (Did we need to say it?)

SWEETLAND ORCHARD, Webster
10am – 6pm Saturdays and Sundays
This southern gem offers a lip-smacking selection of pre-picked apples, along cider for sale and for tasting, tours of the cidery and orchard, a kids’ area in the barn, and free-range chickens. Bring your pooch — and a picnic — and enjoy a quiet day in their gorgeous world.

WHISTLING WELL FARM, Hastings
9am – 6pm daily
An excellent apple selection and WAY more: you can also pick your own pumpkins, dig your own fall mums, or shop for jams, ciders, gourds, squash, honey, fall decorations, and ornamental corn.

Don’t forget to tell ’em Sidewalk Dog sent you! And when your visit’s complete, leave a review and share a pic.