Top Spots To Pick Fruit Near Denver

The Daily Meal Staff|July 18, 2014 7:00 am EST

(credit: CBS)

You can head down to the grocery store and pick up a few bags of fruit but that isn't quite the same thing as trying truly fresh produce right off the trees. There are still a few fully operational family farms in the Denver area, offering you a chance to venture out into the fields yourself to pick your own fresh fruits and vegetables. These all organic, totally local farms are the best way to enjoy the freshest produce possible, and you'll be supporting the smaller, local farming community. The kids will love exploring the fields as well, looking high and low for all of the ripe fruit, plus it's a great education to show them just where your grocery store gets the fruits and veggies it sells. From farm to table, this is the best way to get your fruit this summer.

Berry Patch Farms
13785 Potomac St.
Brighton, CO 80601
(303) 659-5050
www.berrypatchfarms.com

This locally owned farm is known throughout the Colorado area as the biggest and best spot for pick-your-own fruits and vegetables. The all-organic farm includes everything from cherries to strawberries to raspberries and more. There is also a huge selection of veggies for the picking like spinach, carrots, tomatoes, squash and cucumbers. The late snow in Colorado did cause some delay for the strawberries in June, but the later part of the season is supposed to be great. Cherry season starts in late June, as all trees are already bursting with cherries. There are also some picnic areas to enjoy your fresh fruits. Berry Patch even offers school tours for the kiddos in the fall. Berry Patch offers a variety of classes and workshops for the kids during the summer, with introductions on what it is like to work and grow fresh fruits and veggies on a real working farm. So make sure to check the website and visit this amazing, local farm often.

Hoot 'n' Howl Farm
6033 Jay Road
Boulder, CO 80301
(720) 446-6825
www.hootnhowlfarm.com

If berry picking is what you seek, then you'll want to check out Hoot 'n' Howl Farm in Boulder. This lovely farm is like a walk back in time with a huge variety of berries and vegetables, as well as honeybees and chickens. Everything is organic without any pesticides or chemical fertilizers, so you know you are getting the very best. The you-pick berries are only offered when the season is just right, and the late storms in Colorado have caused a delay for the berries to be ready. So this season will happen, but it's likely to be later in the year. Be sure to check the website to find out when you can head out to start enjoying the amazing taste of fresh berries right off the vines. In the meantime, you can still head down to Hoot 'n' Howl for incredibly fresh eggs, veggies and honey, all produced right on the farm. There is also an honor stand in the driveway during the summer, so you know you'll always be able to buy some of the freshest produce possible.

Delicious Orchards Farm Market
39126 Highway 133
Hotchkiss, CO 81419
(970) 527-1110
www.deliciousorchardstore.com

This one is a bit of a drive, but it's definitely worth the trip. You'll find some truly amazing fruit due to the higher elevation and the thin Rocky Mountain air. The colder nights and the warm days do wonders for the fruits and you'll really be able to tell the difference. The pick-your-own season starts at the end of June or early July, as soon as the fields are ready. You'll be able to walk through the orchard as you search for perfectly ripe fruits right off the tree. You also get the bonus of some truly stunning views as you fill your basket full of all of the cherries, apples, nectarines, plums, pears, peaches and more. While you are there, be sure to try the fresh-pressed apple cider or enjoy some wine from the local tasting room. There is a lot to do and enjoy at this farm, proving that this drive is totally worth the effort.

Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.