Listed below are some of the top farms and peach orchards in Illinois where you can pick your own delicious peaches straight from the tree.
If this is your first time going peach picking or if you could use a few pointers, check out my guide, Peach Picking Tips, to ensure you only pick the best!
1. Sun Berry Orchard & Pastures (Woodstock, IL)
With berry fields, orchards, a farm market, and a Ukrainian deli and smokehouse, you’ll find a great array of quality goods at this local farm.
Check out their adorable farm animals while you’re there as well!
Each part of the farm is located in a different area, so be sure to find the correct location for what you’re looking to do.
- Location: 3712 Greenwood Rd., Woodstock, IL 60098
- Types of Peaches: Yellow
- Hours: Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Other U-Pick Fruits Available: Apples, blackberries, raspberries, tomatoes, flowers
2. Mills Apple Farm (Marine, IL)
“Good Fruit, Good Food, and Family Fun” is all their website needs to say to paint the entire picture!
This is a place with a true farm feel, and you’ll find home-baked pies, delicious apple cider, and pick-your-own activities for the family to enjoy.
If you have the opportunity, check out the Land of Goshen Community Market for dozens of local vendors selling countless different locally grown produce and goods.
- Location: 11477 Pocahontas Road, Marine, IL 62061
- Types of Peaches: Yellow and white
- Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Other U-Pick Fruits Available: Apples, blackberries, Christmas trees, pumpkins
3. Eckert’s Belleville Farm (Bellville, IL)
Come for the peaches, and stay for so much more! You’ll find pony and camel rides, the Country Restaurant, a cider shed, a bakery, a deli, Mr. E’s Donut and Custard Shop, and other concessions available.
It’s truly an all-day affair if you have the time! Be sure to research the correct location on their website because they have a few locations.
- Location: 951 S Green Mt. Rd., Bellville, IL 62220
- Types of Peaches: Yellow and white
- Hours: Monday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Other U-Pick Fruits Available: Apples, pumpkins, blackberries. strawberries, tomatoes, corn, sunflowers, Christmas trees
4. Backwoods Berry Farm (Hettick, IL)
This is a quality farm in Illinois that specializes in u-pick and farmstand fresh produce for sale, and you’ll find quality peaches, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and asparagus here.
Be sure to check their Facebook page or call daily to see if they are offering u-pick that day.
If not, you can probably still place an order for pick up, and even though you didn’t pick them, you’ll know they are as fresh as if you did!
- Location: 27244 Hettick Scottville Road, Hettick, IL 62649
- Types of Peaches: Yellow
- Hours: Call daily for operating hours
- Other U-Pick Fruits Available: Strawberry, blackberries
5. Braeutigam Orchards (Bellville, IL)
With 11 varieties of peaches, Braeutigam Orchards has a lengthy peach season! They also have countless other fruits and vegetables available, but not all are available to pick yourself.
With the 8th generation of Braeutigam family members in training to take over the farm, you know you’re getting quality produce!
- Location: 2795 Turkey Hill Lane, Bellville, IL 62221
- Types of Peaches: Yellow, white, nectarines
- Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Other U-Pick Fruits Available: Apples, blackberries, pumpkins, squash
6. Wind Ridge Farm (New Melle, MO)
While the farm is not quite in Illinois, it’s just over the southwestern border and offers another option for anyone close to the area.
This farm offers pick-your-own fruits and berries of just a few varieties, so you’ll find the farmers aren’t distracted by anything but growing delicious produce!
Their website and social media are not updated regularly, so be sure to call ahead before making a trip to the farm.
- Location: 3511 Highway F, New Melle, MO 63365
- Types of Peaches: Yellow and white
- Hours: Seasonal — call ahead
- Other U-Pick Fruits Available: Blackberries, blueberries
How To Store and Preserve Peaches After Picking
Store your peaches at room temperature if they need to soften up some, but do not refrigerate them. Refrigerating them will cause them to not ripen, and they will dry out over a few days.
Try to lay them flat as well because stacking them may cause them to bruise easily.
Once the peaches are fully ripe, you can keep them in the refrigerator for a few days if you won’t be eating them right away.
Peaches can be dried or frozen for later use, or you can preserve them as yummy jam or jelly.
Don’t forget about fresh culinary delights such as homemade milkshakes, smoothies, ice cream, salsa, cobbler, peach butter… the list goes on and on!