Orchards near Kalispell, MT

Lakeside

Hockaday Orchards is a U-pick cherry orchard on the west shore of Flathead Lake, about five miles south of Lakeside, run by the same family for more than a century. Pickers work rows of Lambert, Royal Anne, and Wine cherries during the short harvest, which usually opens in late July and lasts a week or two. Ladders are supplied. Bring flat boxes rather than bags, since packed fruit crushes easily.

Bigfork

Brigadoon Orchards ran a 'That's My Tree' program near Bigfork, where customers rented a cherry tree — young for the education of it, or mature for the fruit — and had roughly 10 pounds of cherries shipped home. The orchard sat along the east shore of Flathead Lake off Highway 35. The former owner has since sold, and reports indicate the new owners did not continue the program.

Bigfork

Bigfork

Black sweet cherries are the main crop at this 700-tree orchard on the east shore of Flathead Lake near Yellow Bay, producing 30,000 to 40,000 pounds a year. The Getmans also grow apples, pears, peaches, plums, and raspberries, with U-pick running August through October after the cherries ripen in late July. It's cash only, and they ask that you call ahead before driving out. The operation now includes a vineyard.

Bigfork

The Orchard at Flathead Lake is a certified organic, second-generation family orchard on the lake's east shore near Bigfork, in the family since 1976 and certified organic since 2006. More than 500 cherry trees grow alongside apples, peaches, pears, plums, vegetables, and herbs. Everything sold is grown or made on site, from jams and syrups to a cherry BBQ sauce that has drawn national notice. The orchard also hosts weddings and gatherings.

Bigfork