An apple a day keeps the end-of-summer blues away! At least, we’re pretty sure that’s how the old saying goes. 🍎
Either way, fall is upon us, and that means it’s officially time for one of our favorite seasonal traditions: apple picking! The next few months are bound to be filled with picturesque foliage, warm cider, freshly baked apple cider donuts, and enough cozy weekend plans to welcome the new season with open, flannel covered arms.
For those looking to escape the city and fully embrace their autumnal main-character moment, we found an enormous New York orchard with more than 200 acres of fruit trees—and here’s the best part: you can actually drive right up to them.
Yes, really. At Masker Orchards in Warwick, New York, visitors can load up the car with picnic blankets, snacks, friends, family and plenty of room for their apple-picking haul, then drive directly into the orchard to find the perfect trees. Here’s for this perfect autumn adventure.
The Drive-Up Experience & History
For over a century, Masker Orchards has been a staple of the Hudson Valley.
The tradition began back in 1913 when Ora J. Masker and his wife Rena bought 200 acres of farmland in the Warwick Valley. Ora discovered the soil and climate were ideal for apple trees, eventually growing over 20,000 trees across 14 varieties.
The pick-your-own model was born organically: after commercial harvesters finished each season, Ora allowed local residents to gather the remaining dropped apples.
Word spread fast, and by 1972, under new owners George Vurno (“Apple George”) and Victor Ludmerer (“Apple Jack”), the orchard transitioned exclusively to a “Pick-It-Yourself” farm.
🍎 Before you go
- 📅 When can I go? The 2026 season kicks off September 5 and runs through early November. The orchard is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., including holidays.
- 💵 How much is it? Entry to the Family Fun Area and Country Store is free, but orchard entry is $49.95 per car. That includes a ½-bushel bag (about 22 pounds) of apples and all-you-can-eat picking while you’re in the orchard.
- 🐶 Can I bring my dog? Yes! Well-behaved pups are welcome as long as they stay leashed and you clean up after them.
- 🍏 How do I find the apples I want? You’ll get a farm map right on your picking bag when you arrive. For live updates on which varieties are ripe, tune your car radio to FM 87.9 or call the Apple Hotline at (845) 986-1058.
- 🎡 What else is there to do? Plenty! Beyond apple picking, you’ll find barnyard animals, pony rides, wagon rides, weekend live music, barbecue, warm cider and cider donuts—plus Thanksgiving pies as the season goes on.
🚗 Getting There from NYC
Located at 45 Ball Road, Warwick, NY 10990, Masker Orchards is approximately 55 miles northwest of Midtown Manhattan:
- By Car (approx. 75–90 minutes): Take the George Washington Bridge to the NJ-4 West or I-80 West, merge onto NJ-17 North toward Mahwah, then take the exit for NJ-94 North into Warwick, NY. Turn right onto Ball Road.
- By Bus: Short Line / Coach USA runs daily direct service from Port Authority Bus Terminal to downtown Warwick. From the bus stop, it is a short 5-minute rideshare (Uber/Lyft) or taxi drive to the orchard gates.