guides

🍓 Local Farmers Markets & Pick-Your-Own Guide

The season's best produce and MORE from local farmers & vendors

By Kyrie Collins, Macaroni KID Highlands Ranch-Parker-Castle Rock-Lone Tree Publisher March 25, 2024

I love to shop for our fresh produce at local Farmers Markets. The produce is perfectly ripe, usually picked just a day or two before the event. I can meet the farmers who grew the food, ask how it was grown, and even get tips on preparing it. 

When produce is grown and sold locally, the money stays in our community, stimulating the local economy. Working farms also preserve open space.

Plus, it's fun!

If you haven't shopped at a Farmers Market before, you are in for a treat. Wear comfortable shoes, bring your own bags and plenty of water, and don't forget sunscreen. Some stands don't accept credit cards, so stop at the ATM before you go.

Note: All dates, including beginning and end dates, are weather permitting.

Douglas County Farmers Markets

CASTLE ROCK SATURDAY MARKET

  • When: Saturdays from 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
  • Dates: June 17 through October 7, 2023
  • Where: Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Dr., 80104
  • More Info: originalcastlerockfarmersmarket.com

CASTLE ROCK SUNDAY MARKET

  • When: Sundays from 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
  • Dates: May 26 through October 13, 2024
  • Where: Festival Park, 300 2nd St., 80104
  • More Info: CRgov.com/FarmersMarket

ELIZABETH FRIDAY NIGHT MARKET

  • When: Fridays from 5:00–9:00 PM
  • Dates: June 14 through August 16, 2024
  • Where: Running Creek Park, 500 E. Kiowa Ave., 80107
  • More Info: www.townofelizabeth.org

HIGHLANDS RANCH FARMERS MARKET

  • When: Sundays from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
  • Dates: April 7 through October 27, 2024
  • Where: Highlands Ranch Town Center, 9288 Dorchester St., 80129
  • More Info: www.denverfarmersmarket.com

LARKSPUR FARMERS MARKET

  • When: Wednesdays from 3:00–7:00 PM
  • Dates: June 28 through July 19, 2023
  • Where: Larkspur Community Park, 8820 Spruce Mountain Rd., 80118
  • More Info: thelarkspurfarmersmarket.com

PARKER FARMERS MARKET

  • When: Sundays from 8:00 AM–1:00 PM
  • Dates: May 14 through October 29, 2023
  • Where: The Schoolhouse Parking Lot, 19565 E. Mainstreet, 80138
  • More Info: thelocalcolorado.com
Pick-Your-Own Farms

AULT: ADAM'S APPLE ORCHARD & COUNTRY STORE

  • When: Saturdays and Sundays
  • Dates: Typically late August through October
  • Where: 42135 County Rd. 43, Ault, CO 80610
  • What: More than 150 varieties of apples, plums, and pears, as well as a do-it-yourself cider press, pumpkins, specialty preserves, and other locally produced agricultural products. While not certified organic, they practice natural and organic methods.
  • More Info: www.adamsapplecolorado.com
  • Contact: hello@adamsapplecolorado.com or (970) 760-0279 

BRIGHTON: BERRY PATCH FARMS

  • When: Saturdays from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
  • Dates: Typically mid-June through October
  • Where: 13785 Potomac St., Brighton, CO 80601
  • What: Raspberries, strawberries, carrots, pie cherries, currants, basil, cucumbers, and fresh flowers are available for picking by reservation. You'll also find many other fruits and vegetables in the produce stand, along with coffee beans, meat, eggs, jams, salsas, and gifts. Berry Patch is a Certified Organic farm.
  • More Info: www.berrypatchfarms.com
  • Contact: bpf@qwestoffice.net or (303) 659-5050

ERIE: ANDERSON FARMS

  • When: Thursday–Sunday
  • Dates: Summer 2023 TBD
  • Where: 6728 County Road 3-1/4, Erie, CO, 80516
  • What: Pick your own sunflowers.
  • More Info: andersonfarms.com
  • Contact: info@andersonfarms.com or (303) 828-5210

FORT COLLINS: GARDEN SWEET

  • When: By reservation
  • Dates: Typically July through September
  • Where: 719 W. Wilcox Ln., Fort Collins, CO 80524
  • What: Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, sunflowers, apples, and other bountiful berries and flowers vary based on the time of the season. Pick-your-own flower bouquets are available in July, and berry baskets in mid-July. Pumpkins are available later in the season.
  • More Info: gardensweet.com
  • Contact: Info@GardenSweet.com

GOLDEN: NELMS FARMS

  • When: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM, Labor Day weekend by reservation only
  • Dates: September 3-4, 2023
  • Where: 5305 Orchard St., Golden, CO 80403
  • What: Pick your own pesticide-free and chemical-free apples, peaches, potatoes, and pumpkins by reservation. You can also purchase local honey produced by their honeybees.
  • More Info: www.nelmsfarm.com
  • Contact: ralph@nelmsfarm.com or (303) 917-2707

LONGMONT: THE BEE HUGGER

  • When: Daily from 8:00 AM-Dusk
  • Dates: Open year-round; you-pick sunflowers typically begin in late July
  • Where: 12590 Ute Hwy., Longmont, CO 80503
  • What: Pick your own sunflowers to brighten up your home! They also have honey for sale, animals to feed, tractors to climb, ponies to ride (Sundays and Wednesdays from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM for ages 6 and younger), and a seasonal pumpkin patch and Christmas tree lot. 
  • More Info: www.facebook.com/HoneyHarvestsHappiness
  • Contact: comeandbee@gmail.com or (303) 330-8277

LONGMONT: YA YA FARM & ORCHARD

  • When: Tuesday through Sunday; times vary 
  • Dates: Typically July through mid-October
  • Where: 6914 Ute Hwy., Longmont, CO 80503
  • What: Pick your own apples, pears, plums, cherries, and flowers. With 128 different varieties, the apple store is full of deliciousness, including fresh-picked apples, apple cider, apple cider donuts, and more! While not certified organic, they practice natural and organic methods. Reservations are required for U-Pick apples and pears.
  • More Info: yayafarmandorchard.com/u-pick-it
  • Contact: info@yayafarmandorchard.com or (303) 549-7447

PAONIA: ORCHARD VALLEY FARMS & MARKET

  • When: Daily from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
  • Dates: Typically June through October
  • Where: 15836 Black Bridge Rd., Paonia, CO 81428
  • What: Pick your own raspberries, cherries, peaches, cucumber, basil, dill, peaches, nectarines, blackberries, tomatoes, chili peppers, okra, eggplant, green peppers, zinnias, apples, and pumpkins. There will be a train running to the pumpkin patch from the last weekend of September through October.  
  • More Info: www.orchardvalleyfarms.com
  • Contact: (970) 527-6838

PLATTEVILLE: MILLER FARMS

  • When: Daily from 9:00 AM–6:00 PM 
  • Dates: Labor Day through October
  • Where: 9040 US Hwy 66, Platteville, CO 80651
  • What: Admission includes up to four bags of vegetables per person: red and yellow onions, peppers, tomatoes, a variety of squash, carrots, leeks, corn, and more. Call ahead to ensure availability.
  • More Info: www.millerfarms.net/fall-harvest-festival
  • Contact: info@millerfarms.net or (970) 785-6133

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