If you are looking for a unique experience, plan a visit to a farm or orchard and try your hand at cherry-picking in the beautiful Okanagan Valley.
When are cherries ready to be picked?
This depends on where you are located in the Okanagan. Harvest will begin in the South Okanagan in early June (as it’s hotter there) and then move towards the North Okanagan as the season progresses.
It also depends on the type of cherries and the weather as that varies year to year.
What cherry varieties are grown in British Columbia?
According to bccherry.com, the most commonly available varieties include Satin™, Cristalina™, Skeena, Lapins, Sweetheart™, Staccato ®, Sentennial™, and Sovereign™.
Family Fun Tips for Cherry Picking
- Pack water and snacks (we know the kids are always hungry).
- Bring hats, sunscreen, and appropriate footwear.
- Have cash to pay for your cherries, as most places prefer it.
- The orchards encourage early picking in the day when it’s cooler and not as busy.
- Most places provide ladders, picking pails and boxes, although it’s best to confirm if you are unsure.
- Feel free to bring your own boxes, containers and bags (some may sell them on-site).
Related: Fruit Stands, Orchards and U-Picks
Which orchards and farms offer u-pick cherries?
Arndt Orchards – Kelowna
Visit Arndt Orchards in Kelowna for a hands-on cherry-picking experience. This family-owned orchard is located on the Belgo bench, you can pick from various cherry types including Lapins, Sweethearts, and Skeenas. Ideal for families, the orchard ensures a welcoming and enjoyable visit for everyone. Plan your visit for July to enjoy fresh, hand-picked cherries right from the tree!
1555 Teasdale Road, Kelowna | arndtorchards.com/cherry-picking/
Bright Angel Farm – Vernon
Bright Angel Orchard and Farm in Vernon hosts a u-pick cherry season starting in early July, lasting 2-3 weeks, depending on weather and turnout. The farm offers a variety of cherry trees, including red varieties like Lapins, Lamberts, and Sweethearts, as well as yellow Rainiers. They provide buckets and containers for picking and taking cherries home. Please note that the farm accepts only cash and they ask you to book your cherry-picking time online.
6896 Herry Road, Vernon | brightangelfarm.com
C.C. Orchards | Naramata
Known for everything cherries, you can stop to purchase cherry products or get your hands dirty and pick your own bucket. Bring your friends and family and enjoy your cherry experience while learning about farming.
2119 Naramata Road, Naramata | ccorchards.com
Cherrywood Farm | West Kelowna
U-Pick cherry farms in West Kelowna will take orders by request. They have Bing, lambert, vans and a few other cherries.
3169 Shelter Drive, West Kelowna | facebook.com/cherrywoodfarm/
Dickinson Family Farm | Summerland
At Dickinson Family Farm, visitors can engage in the hands-on experience of cherry picking, selecting some of the sweetest and juiciest cherries that are grown in Summerland. They grow six different varieties of cherries, including the popular Rainier or “white” cherries and the juicy, crunchy Vans and have over 100 trees on-site. Don’t forget to stop at Dickinson Family Farm and get a picture of the World’s Tallest Tripod Orchard Ladder.
17208 Bentley Road, Summerland | dickinsonfamilyfarm.com
Griffin Farms | West Kelowna
Griffin Farm opens its doors for cherry season in mid-July and continues offering a variety of fruits through October. Visitors can enjoy u-pick opportunities for ripe fruit, available while supplies last.
3344 Elliot Road, West Kelowna | facebook.com/the.griffin.farms
Hillside Orchards U-Pick & Farm Market | Oliver
A family-owned and operated farm offers the experience to u-pick your cherries.
459 Road 18, Oliver | facebook.com/HillsideOrchardsUPick/
Kempf Orchards | Kelowna
Kempf Orchards in Kelowna provides a variety of cherry options, from the mildly sweet Cristalinas to the tart Staccatos, perfect for fresh eating or canning. Open daily throughout the cherry season, the orchard welcomes visitors without the need for reservations and charges a nominal entry fee per person. Please note, Kempf Orchards accepts only cash or debit for payment. While containers are available for purchase, guests are encouraged to bring their own. Pets are not permitted in the picking area, but a designated rest area is available for them.
1409 Teasdale Road, Kelowna | kempforchards.com
Kuipers Family Fruit Farm | Kelowna
Kuipers Family Fruit Farm welcomes families to enjoy cherry picking starting in late June and continuing through mid-July. Early in the season, you can pick from varieties like Cristalina, Vans, Bings, Royal Anne, Rainier, and Lambert. Come mid-July, the farm offers Lapins and Sweethearts, the latter known for their sweet and crunchy flavor. This family-friendly farm invites you to handpick your cherries directly from the trees during these peak times.
579 Barnaby Road, Kelowna | kuipersfamilyfruitfarm.com
Lakeside Orchards | Kelowna
Looking for U-Pick cherries? Lakeside Orchards has 2500 cherry trees on-site with 4 different cherry varieties available throughout the season. They are open for roughly a month during the cherry season. No reservations are needed, but it may be busy.
4730 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna | facebook.com/lakesideorchardsbc
>> Related: Family-Friendly U-Picks in the Okanagan
Mike & Lizzy’s Cherry U-Pick | Kelowna
Their season usually starts in July and lasts about 3 weeks from opening. Once open, they are at the fruit stand every day (unless it’s raining). They recommend coming early in the day while the weather is cooler and for the best quality cherries. They have everything you need – buckets, stools, and ladders.
4801 Lakeshore Place, Kelowna | facebook.com/MikeLizzysCherryUPick/
Peter’s U-Pick Orchard | Vernon (Closed for 2024 season)
This 10-acre family fruit farm offers u-pick as well as a direct sale on the farm. Because they rely on the weather, the cherry season and picking times will vary each year.
6244 Rimer Road, Vernon | petersupick.com
Rose Hill Orchard | Lake Country
Rose Hill Orchard offers a hands-on cherry-picking experience amidst its 10 acres of diverse fruit crops. Open from June to November, the orchard features a popular u-pick program for cherries, apples, peaches, and more. With six varieties of cherries available, visitors can enjoy picking their own during the summer months. They also have an on-site market serving delicious drinks, snacks and local products.
11911 Okanagan Centre Road East, Lake Country | rosehillorchard.com
Sun City Cherries Ltd. | Kelowna
Located in Kelowna, this spot offers a range of local products including cherries, honey, jam, gelato, cherry juice, and samosas. The U-pick cherry season runs from mid-July to mid-August, inviting you to harvest your own fresh cherries. For those with a sweet tooth, there are 36 delicious ice cream flavors to choose from, making it a perfect destination for a sweet treat.
4759 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna | facebook.com/suncitycherries/
Trout Creek Fruit Stand | Summerland
Since 1995, the family-owned Trout Creek Fruit Stand has offered a wide selection of fruits and vegetables, including u-pick cherries available on-site.There is plenty of parking for vehicles and RV’s. Washrooms are available on-site with views of their orchards behind the building.
6215 Highway 97, Summerland | Read Our Blog Post
Twin Oaks Certified Organic Orchard | Kelowna
Twin Oaks Orchards is a BC Certified Organic Orchard and they grow and sell organic cherries, apricots, peaches, pears, prunes/plums, and apples. They are open each season for u-pick cherries.
559 Barnaby Road, Kelowna | facebook.com/twinoakskelowna/
Cherry Fun Facts:
- World’s Largest Cherry Pie: On July 14, 1990, the Oliver Rotary Club broke the record and made the World’s Largest Cherry Pie. The pie had a diameter of twenty feet and was two feet deep. It weighed 37,740.65 pounds and took six and a half hours to cook and consisted of 276 eggs, 1120 cups of flour, 1408 sticks of lard, 64,000 cups of cherries, and 112,000 tablespoons of sugar.
- Sweet or Tart: Are you looking for sweet or tart cherries? Sweet cherries are usually the ones you find at fruit stands or supermarkets during the summer months. You can buy these sweet treats and eat them as a snack. Tart cherries are more likely to be used in baking because they hold their shape and their tartness allows bakers to adjust the sweetness level.
- Cherry Varieties: According to Taste of Home, there are more than 1000 different varieties of cherries grown in the United States. From Lamberts to Lapins to Rainers and Royal Anns, there are more than 500 varieties of sweet cherries, and almost as many tart ones. But only a small percentage—around 20 or so altogether—are used in commercial production.
- Health Benefits: Cherries are a good source of Vitamin C, potassium, and fiber and they are packed with antioxidants.
- Related to Cherries: Cherries are drupes, or stone fruits, and are related to plums, peaches, and nectarines.
- Cherry Stains: Did you know you can use lemon juice directly on the stained area of your hands? Rub your hands together and the cherry stains will loosen from your skin. Rinse with water and repeat if necessary.
