Your 2026 Central Indiana apple picking guide
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Indiana's soggy growing season took a bite out of some apple crops, but Hoosier orchards still have fruit on the trees as U-pick season rolls on.
Why it matters: Apple availability is especially variable this year, meaning your favorite variety could disappear quickly.
Driving the news: Purdue fruit researchers called 2026 an "incredibly wet season," reporting in early September that many crops at its research orchard had failed, although its later-season GoldRush apples were headed for a good harvest.
Context: Central Indiana saw intense rainfall in August, leaving many areas well above normal precipitation totals even as parts of the state began drying out by early September, according to Purdue.
Yes, but: Apple-picking season marches on. Beasley's Orchard in Danville says U-pick is underway, with more than 20 varieties available throughout the season. Its website warns that availability can change.
- At Tuttle Orchards in Greenfield, Ida Red typically ripens in early October, followed by Fuji, Braeburn, Cameo and GoldRush.
- Tuttle says varieties and timing are weather-dependent.
Between the lines: According to Purdue Extension, Indiana's most popular varieties are Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Jonathan, Gala, Rome and Fuji.
Pro tip: If you want to preserve your apples, certain varieties have different recommended methods.
- Purdue Extension recommends varieties that are crisp, firm and not mealy-textured for freezing. Think Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, Jonathan, York Imperial and Granny Smith.
- For canning, reach for Jonathan, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Braeburn, Crispin or York Imperial.
- Applesauce is best with sweet, juicy, and crisp apples like Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, Jonathan, Fuji, York Imperial and McIntosh. For a more tart flavor, add 1 to 2 pounds of tart apples to every 3 pounds of sweeter fruit.
Zoom in: We've rounded up 10 orchards within two hours of Indy where you can pick apples.
A popular spot for fall fun for nearly 100 years, Tuttle Orchards is a year-round attraction that features a farm store with more than 2,000 products, a pumpkin patch and can't-miss glazed apple doughnuts.
Stop by: 5717 N. 300 W., Greenfield
- Open 9am to 7pm Monday-Saturday.
- Free admission. FarmYard activities are $10/person. Apple-picking bags cost $8, $16 or $25.
This working orchard and cider mill has more than 30 varieties of u-pick apples, multiple fall festivals and an app to track what apples are ripe for picking.
Stop by: 19975 Hamilton Boone Road, Sheridan
- Open 10am to 7pm Thursday-Saturday and 1pm to 7pm Sunday.
- Admission is $12.50 on weekdays and $16.25 on weekends online. Gate prices are $14.75 and $18.95.
- New for 2026, admission comes with a voucher for $8 off a bag of apples.
Home to an apple festival and craft fair with more than 90 vendors, Anderson Orchard has nearly 30 varieties of apples to pick yourself or buy. See all their varieties here.
Stop by: 369 E. Greencastle Road, Mooresville
- Open 8am to 8pm every day. U-pick ends at 7pm.
- Free admission. Contact for apple-picking prices.
More than 20 apple varieties are available for public picking, and fall attractions like apple cannons and hayrides are available through Nov. 1.
Stop by: 2304 E Main St., Danville
- Fall attraction hours are 1-6pm Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm Saturday and noon-6pm Sunday. The apple orchard closes at 5:30pm.
- Admission is $12 on weekdays and $14-$16 on festival weekends. Purchase apple-picking bags for $10, $17 or $30.
Grab a wagon and explore more than 40 acres of apple trees with 20 varieties to choose from. After burning all those calories walking, put them back on with some homemade fudge from the country store.
Stop by: 10721 N. 850 W., Fairland
- Open 9am to 6pm every day.
- Free admission. Contact for apple-picking bag prices.
Along with plenty of apples to pick, McClure's attracts crowds with its famous apple dumplings and a selection of hard cider and wine.
Stop by: 5054 N. U.S. Highway 31, Peru
- The apple barn is open 11am to 5pm every day. U-pick apples are offered on select dates. Check the orchard's schedule.
- Free admission. Contact for apple-picking prices.
About 20 of Kercher's 300 acres are dedicated to growing 19 varieties of apples, which are also available in the farm market. Call ahead for U-pick availability.
Stop by: 19498 County Road 38, Goshen
- Open 9am to 6pm Monday-Saturday and noon-6pm Sunday. U-pick ends at 5:30pm daily.
- Free admission. Contact for pricing.
Harvest season at Fair Oaks has live music, festivals, a Halloween Trail and a season-ending pumpkin smashing. Not those Smashing Pumpkins.
Stop by: 856 N. 600 E., Fair Oaks
- Open 9am to 5pm Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm Sunday.
- $5 orchard admission. Apple-picking bags are $10 for a half peck or $15 for a full peck.
A grain-farm-turned-orchard, Chandler's began with 230 apple trees planted in 1976. Today, 17 of its 52 acres are devoted to apples.
Stop by: 2849 S Co Rd 825 E, Fillmore
- Open 10am to 6pm Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5pm Sunday.
- Free admission. Contact for apple-picking prices.
Family-owned and operated since 1977, Cook's Orchard offers apples, cider, jams, jellies and local honey.
Stop by: 8724 Huguenard Road, Fort Wayne
- Open 9am to 6pm every day.
- Free admission. Contact for apple-picking prices.