There are certain summer traditions that never go out of style: beach days, farmers markets, golden-hour picnics, and filling a basket with sun-ripened strawberries straight from the vine. Somehow, they always taste sweeter when you’ve picked them yourself.
Luckily for New Yorkers, you don’t have to travel far to experience one of the season’s simplest pleasures.
Just over an hour from the city, this picturesque Hudson Valley farm invites visitors to wander sprawling strawberry fields, stock up on homemade treats, and savor a slower pace of summer before the season slips away.
Spanning 270 acres in the scenic Hudson Valley, Fishkill Farms is a historic, family-owned orchard and vegetable farm that has been operating for over 100 years. Renowned for its commitment to ecological and organic farming, it is a favorite year-round escape for city dwellers and locals alike. The property boasts stunning panoramic mountain views, an active farm store, and the Treasury Cider Bar, where visitors can relax with hard cider crafted directly from the farm’s own orchards.
The Strawberry Picking Experience
When you arrive for Pick-Your-Own (PYO) strawberries, you are treated to rows of certified organic fields bursting with bright, sun-ripened berries. Because the farm utilizes strict ecological standards—like using natural wood-chip mulching for soil health—you get a truly clean, authentic harvest experience.
Upon check–in, the farm provides specialized containers, meaning you don’t need to bring your own. From there, you are free to wander the designated rows, find the perfect clusters, and clip them straight from the vine. It is a highly immersive, peaceful, and tactile way to connect with your pickings.
Strawberry Season Timing
Strawberry season at Fishkill Farms is brief and highly anticipated. It typically kicks off in early June and wraps up around the third week of June.
Because the fields can get picked out quickly, and because harvest availability heavily depends on real-time weather conditions, scheduling is tightly managed. The farm releases booking slots on a rolling basis, meaning you have to keep a close eye on their schedule right as the season starts to secure a spot.
🍓 Know Before You Go
- 📍 Location: 9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
- 📆 Season Window: Early June through the third week of June.
- ⏰ PYO Hours: Generally 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays). You must arrive within your pre-booked reservation time window.
- 🎟️ Reservation Policy: Pre-booked online reservations are strictly required for all fruit picking. Slots are highly competitive and are usually released on Thursday evenings for the upcoming weekend.
- 💰 Pricing: A standard Organic Strawberry Package costs $34.00. This fee covers full orchard admission for a group of 1 to 5 people (ages 2 and up) and includes 2 quarts of strawberries.
- 👥 Group Sizes: Up to 2 additional guests can be added to your 5-person reservation at check-in for $8.00 per person. Groups larger than 7 will need to book a separate package.
- 🧺 Containers & Rules: Outside containers and large bags/coolers are not permitted in the fields; the farm provides all necessary picking baskets. Eating fruit in the field is strictly prohibited—all berries must be paid for and washed at home first.
How to Get There From NYC
🚗 By Car (Approx. 1 Hour, 15 Minutes)
Take the FDR Drive North out of Manhattan to the Major Deegan Expressway (I-87 North). Follow signs to merge onto the Saw Mill River Parkway North, which will eventually lead to the Taconic State Parkway North. Stay on the Taconic until you reach the exit for NY-52 West in Fishkill. From there, it’s just a quick few minutes following local signs directly to Fishkill Farm Road.
🚂 By Train (Approx. 1 Hour, 40 Minutes)
If you prefer a scenic, car-free journey, hop onto the Metro-North Hudson Line from Grand Central Terminal and ride it north to the Beacon Station. The train ride takes roughly 90 minutes and runs directly alongside the Hudson River. Once you arrive at Beacon, you can easily grab a 15-minute Uber, Lyft, or local taxi from the station platform straight to the farm’s entranc