About Liberty Apple Orchard
Liberty Apple Orchard is the second career of Lugene and Steve Miller, a former teacher and a retiree from a 37-year career in the energy industry. They planted their first 100 trees on Kuhn Station Road east of Edwardsville in 2008, opened to the public in 2013 the day after Steve retired, and have added 100 to 200 trees every year since. The orchard now has more than 1,000 trees and 21 varieties. The name comes from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
Picking runs from late August into November. Earlier in the season the trees give Gala, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Jonathan, Empire and Pixie Crunch, and a Fuji strain called September Wonder ripens in early September. October is the heart of the season, with Braeburn, CandyCrisp, Ludacrisp, Sweet Zinger, GoldRush, EverCrisp, Granny Smith and Pink Lady coming in through mid-month. The trees are young with low branches, so small children can reach the fruit, and the mowed rows work for strollers.
There is no admission or parking fee; you pay only for apples. Each fall the orchard holds a fundraiser festival for childhood cancer research, and in 2026 the Going Gold Kid's Fest on October 17 had pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting and pumpkin decorating. The orchard hosts more than 1,000 preschool and elementary students on field trips each year, keeps six honeybee hives and native pollinator plantings, and donated more than 22,000 pounds of apples to food pantries in 2025. Its apples are also sold at the Land of Goshen market in Edwardsville on Saturday mornings.
Tenderloin Farms Lavender is about 20 minutes away on the north side of Edwardsville, though its lavender picking is in June, so pair the two as summer and fall visits.
What to do
- Pick your own apples from late August into November
- Try October varieties like GoldRush, EverCrisp and Pink Lady
- Buy pre-picked apples if you are short on time
- Bring the kids to the fall Going Gold Kid's Fest
- Book a school field trip
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- U-pick late August through November; most varieties ripen September and October
- Hours
- 2026 season: Tue–Fri 2–5 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun noon–4:30 p.m., closed Monday
- Admission
- free; u-pick $2.60 per pound, pre-picked $2.65 per pound (posted on their website, 2026)
Good to know
- Accessibility
- Mowed rows are stroller-friendly and accessible
- Reservations
- Walk-in
Tips for your visit
- Weekday hours start at 2 p.m.; Saturday is the only full day
- Check the variety page on their website, which marks what is ready and what is gone
- Low branches make this a good orchard for small children
Pair it with a lavender farm
Tenderloin Farms Lavender · about 20 minutes away
Both are Edwardsville family farms about 20 minutes apart; lavender picks in June and apples from late August.
Getting there
Questions
Is there an entry fee?
No, admission and parking are free; you pay by the pound for apples.
When is apple picking?
From late August into November, with most varieties in September and October.
Is the orchard open on Mondays?
No, it is closed Mondays during the season.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Edwardsville, Illinois, and the Metro East
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
