When the summer starts to draw to a close and the fall months aren’t so far away, the air becomes a little crisper, the leaves on the trees start to change color, and one of America’s favorite pastimes becomes available: apple picking.

More ideas: Best Weekend Getaways, Best Day Trips

Beloved by people of all ages for many generations, apple picking is a wonderful and traditional way to spend some time with friends and family in the fall, and it’s a great way to stock up on a delicious and versatile fruit too.

Whether you’re enjoying them as simple snacks, blending them up into sauces and ciders, or adding them to your own recipes to make apple pies and donuts, there are a lot of different things you can do with apples.

Oregon is a great state in which to go apple picking, with dozens of different apple varieties being grown in Oregon including timeless classics like Fuji and Gala, as well as some rarer and more unusual types too.

Apple picking season in Oregon typically runs from mid to late-summer through to the end of October or even into early November in some cases, and the state is filled with super orchards, farms, and other apple picking locations. Here are some of the best.

- Kiyokawa Family Orchards - 5625 Hutson Dr, Mt Hood, OR 97041 (541 352 7115)

Situated out in Parkdale with glorious views over the majestic natural monument of Mt Hood, Kiyokawa Family Orchards is a super spot to do some apple picking in Oregon and has been producing some of the best apples in the entire Hood River Valley for over a century now.

This orchard got started back in 1911 and produces more than 120 varieties of apples, pears, and Asian pears too, as well as offering a lot of fresh produce and handmade local goods like ciders, honeys, and jams.

Kiyokawa Family Orchards has the biggest U-Pick orchard in the valley and offers everything from Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples to Northern Spy, Mutsu, Scarlet Surprise, and Arkansas Black. website

- Albeke Farms - 16107 S Wilson Rd, Oregon City, OR 97045 (503 632 3989)

One of the best apple picking spots near Portland, Albeke Farms is a family owned and operated farm in Oregon City. Berries, peaches, corn, tomatoes, and more are grown on this farm, as well as lots of tasty apples.

You’ll find a great range of apple varieties at Albeke Farms to choose from, so you can fill up your bags and boxes with huge quantities of apples to use for all sorts of purposes when you get back home.

This farm is well known for its friendly staff too, with the team always ready to answer any questions you might have and provide some sage advice and recommendations regarding the different apple varieties and how best to use and enjoy them. website

- Sherwood Orchards - 23995 SW Pacific Hwy, Sherwood, OR 97140 (503 625 7705)

Situated over to the west of Portland, Sherwood Orchards is a highly rated Washington County apple picking destination for all the family. This is a 26-acre fruit farm and orchard featuring around 2,000 fruit trees overall and more than 150 years of history.

Sherwood Orchards has been a beloved location for local people and visitors from far and wide for a very long time and is a great place to pick apples, as well as cherries, pears, plums, and more.

There are more than 80 different kinds of apples available at Sherwood Orchards, so you’ll definitely find more than a few of your favorites here, and the surrounding scenery and calm atmosphere really help to make this a very relaxing place to spend a few hours or a full day. website

- Draper Girls Country Farm - 6200 OR-35, Mt Hood, OR 97041 (541 490 8113)

Located not too far away from Kiyokawa Family Orchards in the Mt Hood area, Draper Girls County Farm offers a super U-Pick experience and some of the best apple ciders in Oregon.

Only an hour outside of Portland, this apple picking spot is a great place for people from all over Oregon and is especially well suited for families and young children, with a range of great activities to enjoy.

As well as picking apples, you can also visit the on-site farmers market or take a tour of the cider mill, and there are plenty of fresh local products available for purchase including locally made jams and jellies, as well as honeys and canned fruits, plus the always-delicious cinnamon sugar dried apples. website