Sometimes it’s hard to remember vast farmlands when you’re in Denver, and I know I’m guilty of craving a country experience when the hustle and bustle becomes too much — particularly when I’m sitting in traffic on I-25 during rush hour. Parents, babysitters, and nannies are always on the lookout for the perfect summertime farm activity, and we have your answer: strawberry picking!
You won’t find strawberries growing wild in the city, but fortunately for us, there are lots of nearby farms — some as close as 30 minutes away. So you can pack up the kiddos and head out of town for a unique Colorado experience. Here are our top five choices!
Berry Patch Farms
Address: 13785 Potomac St., Brighton, CO 80601
Hours: Tuesday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Barn Store) | Call for U-pick hours
Phone: 303-659-5050
A visit to this popular berry farm is the perfect activity for getting out of town without having to drive to the Plains. The 40-acre Berry Patch Farms is located less than 30 minutes northeast of Denver in Brighton and is a certified USDA organic farm. From June to September, you can pick your own strawberries, raspberries, currants, pie cherries, plums, basil, flowers, and pickling cucumbers. In addition to tons of produce, kids will love seeing the barnyard animals and farm equipment. The farm also offers classes for kids over the summer, and school tours in the fall.
As this is a working farm, wear closed-toe shoes; bring a hat, sunscreen, and water; and pack a picnic lunch to enjoy during your visit. Be sure to contact the farm for the exact availability and hours of the U-pick offerings. Strawberries are typically offered in June and August.
Hoot ’n’ Howl Farm
Address: 6033 Jay Road, Boulder, CO 80301
Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Call for U-pick hours
Phone: 720-446-6825
This Boulder County organic farm is named after the great horned owls that settle down nearby each spring to raise their babies while coyotes howl at the moon in the old cottonwoods. The fields boast berries, tomatoes, and asparagus.
The family-owned operation has scaled back its berry production, so be sure to follow their Facebook page to see when U-pick berries return. But in the meantime, Hoot ’n’ Howl Farm offers fresh produce and honey at its “honor stand,” located at the end of the farm driveway.
Happy Apple Farm
Address: 1190 First St., Penrose, CO 81240
Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Call for U-pick hours & information
Phone: 719-372-6300
Just over an hour and a half south of Denver and west of Colorado Springs, this farm will keep both the little ones and adults happy with all of the fun activities and produce to pick! The farm offers U-pick apples, gooseberries, strawberries, raspberries, pears, and blackberries, along with pumpkins in the fall. Contact the farm for exact U-pick offerings, as they’re determined season to season.
Admission is free, and the free hayrides are sure to win over the kids who aren’t into picking produce. Visitors also can try some of Happy Apple Farm’s delicious BBQ and wash it down with fresh cider.
Garden Sweet
Address: 719 W. Willox St., Fort Collins, CO 80524
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | U-pick available on weekends, call for offerings
Phone: 970-889-4922
Just over an hour north of Denver in Fort Collins, Garden Sweet is a family-owned, sustainable farm that offers pick-your-own strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins, and flowers. The U-pick costs $5 a person for nonmembers plus the cost of produce, but be sure to call ahead to get the U-pick conditions.
After picking your fill of berries and flowers, make a day of your trip and check out idyllic Old Town in Fort Collins while you’re in the area. Who knows, you may eat some of Garden Sweet’s produce at one of the local restaurants!
Delicious Orchards Farm Market
Address: 39126 Highway 133, Hotchkiss, CO 81419
Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Call for U-pick hours
Phone: 970-527-1110
https://www.instagram.com/p/BU-4cxgD7Sf/
This farm is more of a road trip experience, as it’s about four hours from Denver in the North Fork Valley of Western Colorado, where the elevation is higher but the fruit is plentiful! Delicious Orchards has 16 acres filled with organic produce and U-pick apples, nectarines, plums, pears, and peaches. The website doesn’t list strawberries as a current crop, but call the farm ahead of time to find out their current offerings. They also have a cafe that serves up sandwiches, salads, and homemade pies.
You can make this a weekend trip by staying in the area at one of the various campgrounds in nearby Paonia, including one on-site. For the adults, there is a wine and cider tasting room, and it can be fun with or without the kiddos if you couple that with a free outdoor concert!
