About Phillips Orchards & Cider Mill
Phillips Orchards & Cider Mill sits on high ground above the Maple River north of St. Johns, where Parmer Phillips first planted fruit trees in 1852. The Phillips family has grown fruit here for more than 170 years, and today the business includes this orchard and cider mill plus a year-round market on US-127. Cider is still pressed the slow way, on a traditional rack and cloth press, and bottled by hand in small batches.
The orchard opens on Saturdays and Sundays in September and October, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. U-pick apples run from about September through mid-October, depending on the variety and the weather. Check in at the welcome station for containers and picking guidelines, pick from the trees, then have your fruit weighed at checkout. Horse-drawn wagon rides run on select fall weekends.
Back at the mill there is fresh cider, donuts and from-scratch cinnamon rolls and cookies, and the family holds seasonal tastings and cider release days. Peaches are not U-pick here but are sold at the Gatehouse Market, 1995 E Gratiot County Line Rd, which is open daily 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. with apples, peaches, baked goods and Michigan-made gifts, and indoor and outdoor seating. The Gatehouse also pours the family's hard ciders for adults.
Sixteen Sprigs Lavender Farm in Alma is about 25 minutes north on US-127. Its fields close in late August, so plan the pairing for summer at the Gatehouse Market, or come back to the orchard in fall.
What to do
- Pick your own apples on fall weekends, September to mid-October
- Ride a horse-drawn wagon on select fall weekends
- Buy fresh cider pressed on a rack and cloth press
- Eat warm donuts and cinnamon rolls made from scratch
- Shop peaches and apples at the Gatehouse Market on US-127
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Orchard and U-pick: weekends in September and October; Gatehouse Market open year-round
- Hours
- Orchard & Cider Mill: Sat–Sun 10 a.m.–6 p.m., September–October; Gatehouse Market: daily 9 a.m.–8 p.m. (posted on their website, 2026)
Good to know
- Dogs
- Leashed (outdoor areas only; not on wagons or in the bakery)
Tips for your visit
- Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather; bring a hat, sunscreen and water
- Pick gently so the trees keep producing
- The orchard is closed Monday through Friday; weekday visitors can go to the Gatehouse Market instead
- The cider is not pasteurized
Pair it with a lavender farm
Sixteen Sprigs Lavender Farm · about 25 minutes away
Sixteen Sprigs Lavender Farm is about 25 minutes north in Alma; pair it with a summer stop at the Gatehouse Market, since the orchard opens in fall.
Getting there
Questions
When is the orchard open?
Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in September and October.
Can I bring my dog?
Leashed dogs are welcome in outdoor areas, but not on the wagons or inside the bakery.
Can I pick peaches?
No. Peaches are not U-pick; buy them at the Gatehouse Market.
How old is the orchard?
Parmer Phillips planted it in 1852, and the family still runs it.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Gratiot County & Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
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
