Michigan Families Keep Returning To This Apple Orchard Ranked Among America’s Best

One donut here mixes bacon, apple, and maple, and it’s called the BAM. Somehow that name feels exactly right.

The story behind it starts with a dentist’s wife, who began frying donuts at the farm in 1992.

This northeast Michigan orchard landed fifth on USA Today’s 10Best list for apple orchards in 2024 and seventh in 2025. It returned as a nominee for 2026.

I appreciate a farm that feeds the grown-ups and wears out the kids at the same time. Goats, alpacas, a corn maze, and wood-fired pizza all share the same hillside.

Even better, admission and parking are free.

So why do so many families keep circling back every fall? The answer involves goats, fresh cider, and something called the Mac ‘n’ Squasher.

A Dentist Who Grew Apples Is The Best Plot Twist In Farming

Dentists usually warn you about sweets, which makes this origin story pretty funny. Knaebe’s Mmmunchy Krunchy Apple Farm began when Ed ‘Doc’ Knaebe and his wife, Dusty, moved to the area in 1982.

The first apple trees went into the ground in 1985. Back then, Doc was still working as a dentist and farming on the side.

Dusty got the famous donut operation rolling in 1992. That single decision probably shaped the farm’s future more than any tree ever could.

Doc finally retired from dentistry in 1996 to focus on apples full time. Trading drills for orchard ladders sounds like a pretty great retirement plan to me.

In 2021, Scott Kromer and Alison Paoletti-Kromer took over ownership. Scott has a real personal tie here, since he worked for Doc Knaebe when he was young.

I love that the farm stayed connected to someone who knew it from the inside. A teenage summer job turning into a family business is the kind of story you can’t fake.

That history gives the place a hometown feel, even as it keeps growing. Few orchards can say their founder once cleaned teeth for a living.

The Whole Country Has Started Paying Attention

Fifth place in the entire nation. That’s where readers put this orchard on USA Today’s 10Best list for apple orchards in 2024.

Considering how many orchards dot the American map, that ranking is a big deal. Michigan alone grows a mountain of apples every year, so standing out takes real effort.

The farm made the list again in 2025, finishing seventh, and showed up once more as a nominee in the 2026 Readers’ Choice poll. Getting noticed once is nice, but getting noticed year after year suggests something lasting.

What earns that kind of attention? My guess is the combination of food, free fun, and a setting in the hills west of town.

Reviews online back that up, with thousands of visitors praising the farm. Numbers like that don’t happen by accident.

Here’s my practical tip for anyone planning a trip after hearing the buzz. National recognition tends to bring bigger fall crowds, so plan your visit with that in mind.

Arriving earlier in the day gives you more breathing room before the afternoon rush. You’ll also have first pick of the bakery case, which matters more than you’d think.

Your Donut Order Needs A BAM In It

Bacon, apple, and maple walk into a bakery. The result is the BAM donut, and it might be the most memorable thing on the menu.

I’d probably grab one of those first and figure out the rest later. Sweet, salty, and fruity in one bite is a hard combo to pass up.

Still, the regular lineup deserves plenty of love too. The bakery makes fresh, homemade donuts in Cinnamon Sugar, Caramel, Pumpkin, Powdered Sugar, Plain, and Buttermilk flavors.

That list covers almost every mood you could bring to a farm. Classic fans get plain, while adventurous eaters can lean into caramel or pumpkin.

Want to take things up a notch? The bakery also offers a donut sundae, which sounds like dessert stacked on top of dessert.

Remember, these donuts launched the whole bakery side back in 1992. Dusty Knaebe started that tradition, and it has clearly stuck around for good reason.

My advice is simple: buy more than you planned. Bringing a box home turns one great farm day into a great breakfast the next morning too.

Save Room Because The Bakery Case Keeps Going

Cookies come in flavors like Traverse City Cherry Oatmeal and Caramel Apple. That cherry nod feels like a proud little Michigan shout-out.

Other cookie options include Peanut Butter, Double Chocolate Chunk, Frosted Sugar, and Molasses. Choosing just one might be the hardest decision of your whole day.

Pies sit alongside apple crisp, muffins, and brownies. Then there’s the apple walnut cream cheese cake, which sounds like fall dressed up for a party.

Honestly, a slice of that cake seems like the perfect reward after picking apples. You did all that reaching and bending, after all.

Wash it down with fresh-pressed apple cider. It’s unpasteurized and made right on the farm, giving it that classic straight-from-the-orchard character.

A cold jug of cider on a crisp afternoon is basically the official drink of autumn. Grab an extra one to bring home if your fridge has room.

Plan your sweets strategically if you’re traveling with kids. One treat at the farm and a bag for the ride home tends to keep everyone happy and the car mostly crumb-free.

Fifty Apple Varieties Means Someone Will Have A Favorite

More than 50 varieties grow across these 13 acres. That’s a lot of apple personalities packed onto one hillside.

The trees are dwarf and semi-dwarf, which is great news for little pickers. Shorter trees put more fruit within easy reach of small hands.

Families can choose U-pick or buy apples already picked. Busy schedules and tired toddlers both appreciate having that second option.

U-pick is where the memories happen, though. Kids get to hunt for the perfect apple, and parents get adorable photos without trying very hard.

Pumpkins join the party too, with U-pick pumpkins available on the farm. One trip can cover your pie apples and your porch decorations at once.

A friendly tip: check in before heading out to learn which varieties are ready. Different apples ripen at different times, so the selection changes as the season moves along.

Bring a sturdy bag or box for the ride home. Fresh apples bruise easily, and nobody wants their prize Honeycrisp rolling around the trunk like a bowling ball.

Wood-Fired Pizza At An Orchard Makes Total Sense Once You Try It

Two wood-fired pizza ovens anchor the farm’s pizza kitchen. Most orchards stop at apples and donuts, but this one decided lunch deserved a real upgrade.

The menu covers both classic and creative choices. The Big Cheese, The Classic with pepperoni, and a Margherita keep things simple and satisfying.

Then there’s the breakfast pizza. Anyone who’s ever eaten cold pizza at sunrise will understand the appeal right away.

Pizza also solves a very real family problem. A full afternoon of picking and playing needs something heartier than sugar to keep everyone going.

I can’t imagine a better way to refuel between the orchard and the corn maze. A hot slice beats a glove-box snack every time.

Timing matters here, especially on busy fall weekends. Ordering a little before the typical lunch hour could save your hungry crew some waiting.

Splitting a couple of pies lets everyone sample more than one style. Then you still have room for a donut, which, let’s be honest, was always the plan.

Goats, Alpacas, And A Corn Maze Cost Exactly Nothing

Free fun is the best kind of fun, especially with a carload of kids. Knaebe’s Mmmunchy Krunchy Apple Farm offers free admission and free parking.

Plenty of the activities come without a price tag too. Goats, sheep, and alpacas are waiting to meet visitors of every age.

Alpacas always look slightly surprised to see you. That alone makes them worth a visit.

The playground features handcrafted equipment, which gives it a homemade charm you won’t find at a typical park. Kids can climb and burn energy while parents grab a breather.

A corn maze adds a little adventure to the day. Getting slightly lost on purpose turns out to be surprisingly entertaining for the whole crew.

Adults and older kids can settle into friendly rounds of horseshoes and cornhole. Bragging rights are free here too, and they’re usually claimed loudly.

Pack comfortable shoes and maybe a change of clothes for younger ones. Between the animals, the maze, and the play area, little explorers will find every patch of dirt the farm has to offer.

Weekends Bring Out The Mac ‘n’ Squasher

An apple slingshot exists, and it has a fantastic name. The Mac ‘n’ Squasher lets visitors launch apples, which sounds like the most satisfying farm chore ever invented.

Fair warning, though: this one shows up on weekends, weather permitting. It’s also a paid activity, so budget a little extra for some flying fruit.

Horse-drawn wagon rides roll out on weekends too. Riding through the orchard at a slow, steady pace feels like hitting pause on a busy week.

Younger kids can try pony rides. For many little ones, that might be the highlight they talk about for months afterward.

The barrel train rides are made just for children. Picture tiny passengers in colorful barrels, cruising along with very serious expressions.

Since these extras depend on weather, it helps to keep plans flexible. A rainy Saturday might mean more time in the bakery, which is hardly a tragedy.

Families wanting the full experience should aim for a dry fall weekend. That’s when the farm brings out its biggest lineup of rides and launches.

The Gift Shop Will Mess With Your Shopping List

Funny signs and quirky socks share shelf space with jars of jam. That mix tells you the farm store doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Pantry lovers will find pickles, local honey, maple syrup, and apple butter. Apple butter on warm toast might be the best souvenir you can bring home.

Gift hunters get plenty of choices too. Grandparents, teachers, and neighbors can all be crossed off your list in one stop.

Getting there is half the charm. Knaebe’s Mmmunchy Krunchy Apple Farm sits at 2621 S Karsten Rd, Rogers City, MI 49779, in the hills just west of town.

That Northeastern Michigan location makes it an easy add to an up north road trip. The scenery along the way certainly doesn’t hurt.

Hours run Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the farm closed Monday and Tuesday. The season wraps up in early November, so call (989) 734-2567 before a late-fall trip.

Those hours cover the bakery, the Tasting Room, and the farm. Plan around them, and you’ll avoid the sad sight of a locked gate on a Tuesday.