This Award-Winning Washington Apple Orchard Is Worth Planning Your Next Fall Trip Around

Twenty-two or more kinds of apples and pears grow on one 62-acre farm, and a tractor-pulled bin train hauls you out to pick them. That alone would sell me.

Then I learned it’s the largest apple orchard in Western Washington.

The fun keeps stacking up from there. A free corn maze teaches you about crops at little checkpoints along the way.

The biggest pumpkin patch in the county sits nearby, waiting for your wagon.

I appreciate a place that treats fall like a full-day plan. You can grab apple cider donuts on weekends and then sit outside with a view of Mount Baker.

The farm store sells house-made apple butter and take-and-bake pies.

USA Today even named this spot one of the 10 best apple orchards in 2024. How many bags of Honeycrisp are too many?

Hop On The Tractor Train And Pick Your Own Honeycrisp

Honeycrisp lovers, your favorite apple has a home base. Bellewood Farms & Distillery is especially known for its premium Honeycrisp, and you can pick them yourself.

The farm covers 62 acres, making it the largest apple orchard in Western Washington. More than 22 varieties of apples and pears grow here, so the Honeycrisp has plenty of company.

U-pick season usually runs from early September through October 31. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

Getting to the trees is half the fun. A tractor pulls a train of apple bins out to the orchard for a small fee.

Kids tend to treat it like a theme park ride, and honestly, so might you.

Prefer to stretch your legs instead? You can walk out to the orchard on your own.

It’s a nice option if the train line looks long or you just want quiet time among the trees.

My advice is simple. Wear shoes that can handle a little dirt and bring patience for choosing the perfect apple.

Comparing apples like they’re job candidates is part of the experience, and nobody will judge you for it.

Good Luck Walking Past The Apple Cider Donuts

Weekends bring the farm’s famous apple cider donuts. That’s a strong reason to plan a Saturday or Sunday visit.

The bakery inside the Ten Mile Cafe keeps the treats coming all week, too. Apple Fritter Bites are served daily, and cinnamon rolls join the lineup.

Then there’s the homemade apple pie. At an orchard this size, apple pie feels less like a dessert and more like a responsibility.

Bellewood clearly takes that job seriously.

Thirsty? Apple cider slushies are a popular pick, especially on a warm September afternoon.

Cooler days call for something hot, and the cafe pours Woods Coffee and espresso drinks.

Bakery items and drinks stay available until 4 p.m. That gives you time to grab one last treat after picking apples or wandering the maze.

I’d probably start with a donut and a coffee, then circle back for fritter bites. Call it research.

A box of goodies for the car ride home also seems like smart planning, since snacks tend to vanish fast once the trip back begins.

Breakfast And Lunch Come With A Mount Baker View

Mount Baker gets a front-row seat to your lunch here. The cafe and farm both offer spectacular views of the peak on clear days.

The Ten Mile Cafe has been part of Bellewood Farms since around 2012. It serves both breakfast and lunch, so you can arrive early or show up hungry around noon.

The menu includes homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches. That’s comforting food for a chilly orchard day in Washington.

Sunday has a nice twist. Breakfast items like Eggs Benedict and omelets are served all day, which means sleeping in won’t cost you a proper brunch.

The grill runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

During harvest season, weekend grill hours stretch until 3 p.m.

Outdoor patio seating lets you eat with that mountain backdrop. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the patio, so your four-legged friend can join the outing.

Just keep an eye on your sandwich. A dog with a mountain view and a nearby lunch might decide this is the best day ever.

The Biggest Pumpkin Patch In The County Is Right Out Back

Pumpkin hunters, take note. Bellewood is home to the largest pumpkin patch in Whatcom County.

U-pick pumpkins typically open around late September and stay available through October 31. That leaves a solid window to find the one that’s been waiting just for you.

Every family seems to have a pumpkin philosophy. Some want the biggest one possible.

Others hunt for the weirdest shape in the field.

Either way, a patch this size gives everyone options. You can spend a long time debating, and nobody will rush your decision.

The patch sits close to the main farm area. That makes it easy to combine with apple picking, a snack, and a maze run in one trip.

Here’s a practical tip. Pick your pumpkin near the end of your visit so you’re not lugging it around all day.

Your arms will thank you later.

Also, measure your trunk before you get ambitious. A giant pumpkin feels like a victory in the field, but it can become a puzzle in the parking lot.

A Free Corn Maze That Sneaks In A Farm Lesson

Free fun is the best kind of fun. The corn maze at Bellewood Farms & Distillery costs nothing to enter.

It generally opens Labor Day weekend and stays open through October. That makes it one of the first fall activities on the farm each year.

The maze has a clever twist. Informational checkpoints along the paths teach visitors about farming and crops.

So yes, your kids might learn something while they think they’re just running around. Parents can call that a win without saying it out loud.

The checkpoints also give everyone a natural place to pause. Read a sign, catch your breath, and then pick a direction again.

I like that the maze fits easily between other activities. You can do a loop after lunch or before heading out to the pumpkins.

Bring a phone for photos, because tall corn rows make a great fall backdrop. Just be ready for at least one family member to insist they know the way.

They probably don’t, and that’s half the entertainment anyway.

Stock Your Pantry At The Farmstore Before You Leave

Shopping bags tend to fill up quickly inside the Farmstore. It’s part specialty market and part gift shop, with plenty made right on the farm.

Fresh apples and pears come straight from Bellewood’s orchard. You’ll also find fresh cider, caramel apples, apple chips, and caramel dip.

House-made Honey Roasted Peanut Butter and Apple Butter are on the shelves, too. Either one would make toast feel fancy for a week.

Pie fans get serious choices. The store offers more than 10 kinds of take-and-bake pies, including the signature apple pies.

Dinner can come home with you, too. Look for u-bake chicken pot pie, quiche, chili, and soups for an easy weeknight meal.

Local makers share the space. Brands include Holmquist Hazelnuts, Anytime Toffee, Hempler Meats, San Juan Sea Salt, Spice Hut Teas, and BeeWorks Honey.

Local pottery rounds out the gift selection. Live too far to visit often?

The farm ships Honeycrisp apples and other products, so your favorites can find you later.

Farm Tours Show What Happens Beyond The Orchard Rows

Picking apples is only part of the story. Farm tours at Bellewood Farms give visitors a closer look at how a working orchard runs from season to season.

Tours are a great way to learn how fruit gets from the trees to the farm store shelves. Curious kids and grown-ups alike tend to leave with a few new facts to share.

Seeing the work behind the harvest changes how an apple tastes, somehow. Pruning, picking, sorting, and storing all take more effort than most of us imagine.

I appreciate a place that thinks beyond the obvious. Most orchards stop at a quick u-pick visit, but Bellewood keeps finding ways to share what happens behind the scenes.

Ask questions while you’re there. The connection between the trees outside and the treats inside makes the whole farm feel more complete.

Bonfires, Creekside Trails, And Room To Wander

Ten Mile Creek runs past the farm, and a forested trail follows it. That makes a peaceful break from the busy harvest activities.

A creekside stroll is a nice way to reset. After a sugary donut and a pumpkin hunt, a quiet walk under the trees feels just right.

Fall also brings bonfires to the farm. Few things say autumn in Washington like warming your hands near a fire on a crisp day.

The Harvest Season festivities run through September and October. Hours stay 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

Plan for weather, because this is the Pacific Northwest after all. Layers and a rain jacket can turn a drizzly afternoon into a cozy one.

Shoes matter, too. Between orchard rows, the maze, and the trail, you’ll cover more ground than you expect.

I’d save the trail for later in the day. It’s a calm way to wrap up a visit before loading the car with apples, pies, and probably one too many pumpkins.

Plan Your Route And Make It More Than One Visit

Finding the farm is refreshingly easy. Bellewood Farms & Distillery sits at 6140 WA-539 #3, Lynden, WA 98264, along the Guide Meridian Road.

It’s roughly halfway between Bellingham and Lynden in Whatcom County. That location makes it a simple stop on a northwest Washington road trip.

The farm isn’t just a fall attraction. It’s open year-round, Wednesday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Remember that Mondays and Tuesdays are closed. A quick check of the day can save you a disappointing drive.

School groups can book weekday tours by reservation. The farm also hosts private events, corporate meetings, and weddings throughout the year.

Recognition backs up the experience. USA Today included Bellewood Farms in its 10 Best Apple Orchards list for 2024.

My suggestion? Treat your first fall trip as a scouting mission.

Pick apples, grab donuts, and note what you missed, because there’s a good chance you’ll want to come back for round two before October ends.