Fall is arriving in Whatcom County, and apple season is officially underway. Bellewood Farms and Distillery, a 62-acre working farm north of Bellingham, kicks off its 2026 apple u-pick season on Saturday, September 5, with picking available Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., running through late October.
What to Expect at the Farm
Bellewood Farms sits on Guide Meridian Road in Lynden, a stretch of Whatcom County farm country where roadside stands and working orchards have been part of the landscape for generations. The 62-acre property grows a variety of apple cultivars and gives visitors the chance to pick their own directly from the trees, a tradition that draws families from across the county and beyond each fall.
Beyond the orchard itself, the farm offers several activities designed to make it a full-day outing. Visitors can ride the apple bin train, a fan favorite with younger guests, and wander through a corn maze. On weekends throughout the season, cider donuts will be available, making the trip an easy fit for anyone who wants a taste of early autumn alongside their freshly picked apples.
Bellewood is also home to a distillery that produces apple-based spirits, including brandy and vodka, using fruit grown on the property. The combination of orchard, agritourism activities, and craft production has made it one of the more well-known farm destinations in the county. Washington State has seen strong growth in farm-based tourism over the past decade, and operations like Bellewood represent that trend at a local scale.
Timing and Variety
Apple harvest in the Pacific Northwest typically runs from late August through October, with different varieties coming on at different times. Early-season varieties like Gala and Fuji often peak in September, while later picks like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith tend to come in through October. U-pick farms generally ask visitors to pick only ripe fruit and to handle the trees carefully to protect next year's crop.
For visitors planning a trip, weekday mornings tend to be less crowded than weekend afternoons, particularly as September progresses and the weather cools. The farm is open Wednesday through Sunday, which gives working families flexibility across the week. Bringing your own bags or boxes is generally welcome at u-pick operations, though containers are often available on-site as well.
More Fall Activities Across Whatcom County
Bellewood's opening is one marker in a broader seasonal shift happening across Whatcom County right now. The transition from the berry season that dominates summer, when blueberries and raspberries from farms in the Lynden and Ferndale areas fill roadside stands, to the apple and pumpkin season of fall is one of the county's most distinct agricultural rhythms.
The Whatcom County farming community produces more than $200 million in agricultural products annually, with berries, dairy, and tree fruit among the top contributors. Fall agritourism, including u-pick farms, corn mazes, and harvest festivals, has grown into a meaningful piece of that broader economy, drawing visitors from Bellingham, the Seattle metro area, and across the border from British Columbia.
The Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism site maintains a running guide to fall activities across the region, including farm visits, hiking, and seasonal events. Residents looking for a weekend outing as the summer winds down will find plenty of options at farms like Bellewood alongside other county attractions.
The Bellewood Farms website has current hours, directions, and seasonal updates as harvest conditions change week to week. The farm asks visitors to check for any last-minute schedule changes before making the drive, particularly later in the season when harvest timing can shift with the weather.
For a look at more of what is happening around Whatcom County this fall, including upcoming community events and local news, the seasonal market and events coverage here offers a useful starting point for planning ahead.
