About Donaldson Farms
Donaldson Farms has been farming in Hackettstown since 1906, and 2026 marks its 120th year. Greg and Katie Donaldson and their family run the 500-plus-acre working produce farm, which grows fruit and vegetables for its own farm market and opens fields for picking from summer into fall.
Pick-your-own crops include strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, apples and pumpkins. The orchard lists 21 apple varieties, from early-September Zestar to Honeycrisp, Macoun and late-season EverCrisp, sold by the pound; an April freeze limited the 2026 crop, so call before you come for apples. Pumpkins can be picked daily through Halloween, and the 9-acre corn maze opened September 26, 2026.
Fall Harvest Weekends run Saturdays and Sundays from September 26 to October 31, 2026, plus Columbus Day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry is free; hayrides to the orchard and pumpkin patch cost $3 per person, with children 4 and under free, and pony visits run 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Expect kettle corn, caramel apples, apple cider donuts, food trucks and live music on some dates. The farm market, open daily, sells the farm's produce, pies, honey, jams and local maple syrup, and the farm also runs a farm camp and school tours.
Pleasant Valley Lavender in Morganville is the nearest New Jersey lavender farm on our list, about 75 minutes southeast, so plan the two as separate outings.
What to do
- Pick your own pumpkins daily through Halloween
- Find your way through the 9-acre corn maze (from late September)
- Pick apples by the pound in September and October, while the 2026 crop lasts
- Ride the hayride to the orchard and pumpkin patch ($3, 2026)
- Pick strawberries, raspberries and blackberries in season; check their berry updates first
- Shop the farm market for pies, honey and cider donuts
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Apples from early September; pumpkins, corn maze and Fall Harvest Weekends late September through October; berry picking dates posted on their website
- Hours
- 2026: farm market daily 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; picking until 1 hour before close; Fall Harvest Weekend activities 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Admission
- Free entry and parking (2026); hayrides $3 per person, children 4 and under free; picking priced by the pound
Good to know
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Reservations
- Walk-in
- Payment
- Cash, check, debit and credit (3% credit card surcharge)
Tips for your visit
- Check in at the farm market before you head out to pick
- Don't bring your own bags; apple bags are sold at the farm
- Call 908-852-9122, ext. 1 for crop and weather updates before you go
- Weekend activities are weather permitting and can be canceled on short notice
Pair it with a lavender farm
Pleasant Valley Lavender · about 75 minutes away
Pleasant Valley Lavender in Morganville is about 75 minutes southeast, better as its own summer trip than a same-day add-on.
Getting there
Questions
Is there an admission fee for Fall Harvest Weekends?
No. Entry and parking are free; activities and picking are paid individually.
Are dogs allowed at Donaldson Farms?
No, dogs are not permitted.
Can I pick apples in 2026?
An April freeze limited the 2026 crop; the farm says to call ahead to check what is available.
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
