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Plan apple picking near Burlington, Vermont, with Shelburne, Hinesburg, Charlotte, Shoreham, and Champlain Valley orchard stops.
Apple picking near Burlington has the advantage of Lake Champlain light, short orchard drives, and enough farm stores to make a simple fall morning feel like a proper Vermont outing. The best route often starts south of the city, through Shelburne, Charlotte, Hinesburg, and the Champlain Valley roads that pull you toward Shoreham and Middlebury.
Farm picks
These are the farms this guide calls out directly, matched to live New England Farm Guide listings so you can compare photos, towns, current highlights, and route options in one place.
Shelburne, VT
Orchard
Shelburne Orchards is one of the closest and clearest apple-picking options near Burlington. The farm profile highlights apples, peaches, plums, sour cherries, cider donuts, a farm store, and a long Shelburne orchard identity. It is the kind of farm that works for a short fall drive from Burlington without feeling like an errand.
Hinesburg, VT
Guide notes
Plan apple picking near Burlington, Vermont, with Shelburne, Hinesburg, Charlotte, Shoreham, and Champlain Valley orchard stops.
This is not a region where you need to overpack the day. One orchard, one farm store, and one scenic road home can be plenty.
Shelburne Orchards is one of the closest and clearest apple-picking options near Burlington. The farm profile highlights apples, peaches, plums, sour cherries, cider donuts, a farm store, and a long Shelburne orchard identity. It is the kind of farm that works for a short fall drive from Burlington without feeling like an errand.
Yates Family Orchard in Hinesburg adds apples, pears, plums, raspberries, peaches, cider donuts, and creemees to the Burlington-area route. Hinesburg is close enough for an easy farm trip but rural enough to feel like you left the city behind. This is a strong name to save for a late-summer or fall drive through the southern side of Chittenden County.
Adam's Berry Farm in Charlotte is best known for berries, but it helps round out a Burlington farm day when you want a food-focused stop near orchard country. Charlotte and Shelburne together make one of the most useful short farm loops south of Burlington.
Orchard
Yates Family Orchard in Hinesburg adds apples, pears, plums, raspberries, peaches, cider donuts, and creemees to the Burlington-area route. Hinesburg is close enough for an easy farm trip but rural enough to feel like you left the city behind. This is a strong name to save for a late-summer or fall drive through the southern side of Chittenden County.
Shoreham, VT
Orchard
Champlain Orchards in Shoreham is farther from Burlington, but the farm has the scale and crop range to justify a fall drive. The profile lists strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, apples, cider, farm-market goods, and scenic Route 74 browsing. If your idea of apple picking includes a longer Champlain Valley route, this is one of the strongest anchors.
Cabot, VT
Orchard
Burtt's Apple Orchard in Cabot is not a Burlington-area quick trip, but it earns a mention for readers planning a wider Vermont apple weekend. The profile notes apples, pears, pumpkins, cider donuts, a farm store, and a farm stand. It is useful when your Burlington trip becomes a central Vermont or Northeast Kingdom drive.
Mapped farms
The map shows the farms linked in this guide across Vermont. Use it to spot clusters, then open each farm page for the most current visit details.
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Explore farms by location, town, and route. Browse farms or open the full map.
Plan
Pick two or three nearby farms from the map instead of trying to cover the whole guide in one day. New England farm routes work best when the drive is short and the stops have different strengths.
Confirm
Look for crop updates, ticket rules, field closures, weather notes, and weekend parking guidance before you leave.
Bring
Bring water, sun protection, closed-toe shoes, and a cooler if you plan to carry fruit, corn, cider, dairy, flowers, or prepared food between stops.
Champlain Orchards in Shoreham is farther from Burlington, but the farm has the scale and crop range to justify a fall drive. The profile lists strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, apples, cider, farm-market goods, and scenic Route 74 browsing. If your idea of apple picking includes a longer Champlain Valley route, this is one of the strongest anchors.
Burtt's Apple Orchard in Cabot is not a Burlington-area quick trip, but it earns a mention for readers planning a wider Vermont apple weekend. The profile notes apples, pears, pumpkins, cider donuts, a farm store, and a farm stand. It is useful when your Burlington trip becomes a central Vermont or Northeast Kingdom drive.
Vermont apple season usually starts with early varieties near late August, peaks through September, and continues into October with farm stores, cider, pumpkins, and foliage roads. The Burlington area is especially pretty in September because the orchards still have a bit of summer color while the hills begin to shift.
Go earlier in the day if cider donuts, parking, or photos matter. Afternoon light can be beautiful near Shelburne and Charlotte, but the busier orchards feel easier before lunch.
For the closest Burlington apple trip, look first to Shelburne and Hinesburg. For a more scenic Champlain Valley drive, head toward Charlotte, Shoreham, or Middlebury. If you want a classic Vermont fall day with less city traffic, take the slower roads and let the farm store be the main stop.
Shelburne, Hinesburg, Charlotte, Shoreham, and nearby Champlain Valley towns are the best places to start.
Late August through October is the usual window, with September offering the best mix of fruit, farm stores, and fall weather.
Yes. Several Burlington-area and Champlain Valley orchards offer cider donuts or farm-store treats during the fall season. Check each farm profile for current notes before you go.
