Do Apple Picking AND Pumpkin Picking in One Trip:
The Ultimate Fall Combo at Hidden Valley Orchards
There is a particular kind of magic that only happens in autumn in Ohio. The air sharpens with a hint of woodsmoke, the leaves burn gold and crimson, and suddenly every family in Lebanon starts talking about the same thing: it is time to get out to the farm. But here is the question that comes up every year: do we do apple picking this weekend and pumpkin picking next weekend, or do we somehow squeeze both into one glorious fall outing?
At Hidden Valley Orchards, the answer has always been simple: you can do both, beautifully, in a single trip. Since 1956, this family farm on North State Route 48 has been the heart of fall traditions for generations of Ohio families. With fresh-picked apples ready in the orchards and five full acres of u-pick pumpkins spread across the fields, Hidden Valley is quite literally the only stop you need to make this season. This guide will walk you through how to do it right, covering what to expect, insider tips for both experiences, the best events happening during peak season, and how to plan a day that the whole family will talk about all winter long.
Apple Picking at Hidden Valley Orchards: What to Expect
Apple picking at Hidden Valley Orchards is not a transaction, it is an experience. Walking the rows of the orchard with a bag in hand, reaching up to pull a firm, fragrant apple from the branch, and hearing the satisfying snap of the stem these are the kinds of sensory memories that stick with kids for years. The orchard grows a variety of apple types across the season, so depending on when you visit, you might be reaching for crisp Honeycrisps, tart Jonathans, or the sweet-tart punch of a Fuji.
The picking area is family-friendly by design. Little ones can reach the lower branches while older kids and adults explore further into the rows. You pay for what you pick, which means the experience scales perfectly for every family size and budget. Come with a small bag for a taste of the season, or load up with a bushel if you are planning to bake apple butter, cider donuts at home, or a classic Ohio apple pie.
One important thing to know: apple picking is seasonal and availability changes week to week as varieties come ripe and are harvested. The orchard team updates availability regularly, so the best move is to follow Hidden Valley on social media or join their email list before your visit so you know exactly what is ready the day you plan to go.
U-Pick Pumpkins: Wandering Five Acres of Fall Magic
If apple picking is the warm-up, the pumpkin patch is the main event. Hidden Valley Orchards dedicates five full acres to u-pick pumpkins, and it is one of the most impressive pumpkin patches in the Lebanon, Ohio area. This is not a parking-lot pumpkin stand. This is rows upon rows of vines stretching across an open field, with pumpkins in every shape, size, and shade you can imagine.
You will find classic orange carving pumpkins for your Jack-o'-lantern masterpiece, small sugar pie pumpkins perfect for baking, and a beautiful range of specialty varieties warty heirloom types, flat Cinderella pumpkins in deep orange and cream, white ghost pumpkins, and petite little decorators that look incredible stacked on a front porch. No admission is required for the pumpkin patch. You simply wander in, grab a wagon, and pay for what you pick. It is genuinely one of the most photogenic spots on the entire farm, and the natural backdrop makes for fall photos that will absolutely be your social media highlight of the season.
The patch opens in fall and runs through the season while supply lasts, so earlier visits in October give you the widest selection. Weekends get busy in the best possible way so arrive early if you want the first pick of the field.
The Perfect Combo Strategy: How to Do Both in One Visit
The beauty of Hidden Valley Orchards is that the apple orchard and the pumpkin patch both live on the same farm, which means you are not driving across town or burning half your day in the car. A well-planned visit can absolutely deliver both experiences plus lunch, farm animals, and cider donuts without anyone melting down. Here is how to approach the day smartly. Start your morning in the apple orchard. Picking apples tends to require a bit more attention and wandering, and kids are freshest and most focused in the early hours. Get your bags, head to the rows, and let everyone pick at their own pace. This naturally flows into the Great Barn area where you can grab a cider donut and a warm drink to fuel up for round two.
After your mid-morning snack, head to the pumpkin patch. The fields are wide open and easy to navigate, and younger kids especially love the freedom to roam and claim their perfect pumpkin. Load up a wagon, take your photos, and make your selections. By early afternoon you will have a car full of apples and pumpkins, happy and tired kids, and the deep satisfaction of having absolutely crushed fall. If you are visiting with the Apple Play Yard tickets in hand, layer those into the afternoon after the patch. The Play Yard offers thirty-plus attractions grain bin basketball, Sproutsville, the apple crate crawl, and much more and gives you an easy anchor for the second half of the day while the little ones burn the rest of their energy before the drive home.
Apple Picking Tips: Getting the Most From the Orchard
A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to apple picking. These tips will help your family have a smoother, more rewarding orchard experience from the moment you arrive.
• Check variety availability before you go. Different apple types ripen at different times in Ohio's fall season. Early-season varieties like Zestar and Gala come ripe in late August and September, while later varieties like Fuji and Winesap extend picking deep into October. Hidden Valley updates availability through their social channels and email list, so sign up to stay informed.
• Wear layers and comfortable shoes. Ohio fall mornings can be surprisingly cool, especially in the orchard rows where the shade lingers. Layers you can shed as the day warms up are the move. Closed-toe shoes are a must since the ground can be uneven and sometimes muddy after a rain.
• Twist, do not pull. The correct way to pick an apple without damaging the branch is to cradle the fruit in your palm, twist gently, and lift. Yanking can snap off the spur the little woody nub where next year's apple will grow which is bad for the tree and bad for future picking seasons.
• Pick only what you can use. Apples are sold by weight or bag size, so resist the urge to grab every beautiful apple you see. A reasonable haul you will actually eat or bake with is far more satisfying than a bag of apples that sits forgotten on your counter.
• Arrive earlier in the season for the widest selection. Mid-September through mid-October is typically the sweet spot for peak apple picking at Ohio orchards. Going in late October means slimmer pickings but often also means the pumpkin patch is at its fullest, which makes the combo even more worthwhile.
Pumpkin Picking Tips: Finding Your Perfect Patch Partner
The pumpkin patch at Hidden Valley is enormous and the selection is genuinely impressive, but with five acres to cover and dozens of varieties to choose from, it helps to go in with a little strategy.
• Know your purpose before you pick. Carving pumpkins, decorating pumpkins, and pie pumpkins are three different things. Carving pumpkins should be large, firm, and symmetrical. Decorating pumpkins can be any shape or color the more unusual the better. Pie pumpkins (also called sugar pumpkins) are small, dense, and sweet. Knowing what you want saves a lot of wandering.
• Check the bottom. Turn the pumpkin over and look at the bottom before you commit. Soft spots, mold, or discoloration mean the pumpkin is already starting to break down and will not last on your porch. The bottom should be firm and consistent in color.
• Do not pick by the stem. Carrying a pumpkin by its stem is the fastest way to snap it off, which shortens the life of the pumpkin dramatically. Cradle it from the bottom instead.
• Bring a wagon or be prepared to carry. For families picking multiple pumpkins, the walk back from the far reaches of a five-acre patch can be a workout. Hidden Valley provides wagons take one and save your back.
• Look for variety beyond orange. Some of the most beautiful pumpkins in the patch are the ones people walk past. White Lumina pumpkins look stunning on a porch. Blue Hubbard-style squashes are conversation pieces. Flat Cinderellas with their deep ribbing are endlessly photogenic. Be adventurous.
Beyond the Picks: Everything Else to Do on Your Fall Visit
Apple picking and pumpkin picking are the headline acts, but Hidden Valley Orchards offers a full cast of supporting experiences that turn a two-hour stop into a complete fall day. Here is a look at what else is waiting for you on the farm.
The Apple Play Yard is Hidden Valley's premier paid attraction, and it is worth every cent for families with kids. With over thirty activities spread across a thoughtfully designed yard including the Sproutsville play area, Grain Bin Basketball, the Corn Box, Grain Tube Slides, and the Apple Crate Crawl it can genuinely occupy kids for hours. Tickets are purchased on-site and provide access to all thirty-plus attractions at once.
Hayrides roll through the property giving families a chance to see the farm from a different perspective and let little legs rest between adventures. The Corn Maze offers its own kind of fall challenge for older kids and adults, with twists and turns that make for a satisfying puzzle. The Petting Zoo lets younger visitors get up close with farm animals, always a highlight for the toddler and preschool crowd.
The Eat and Drink options at Hidden Valley are genuinely good. The cidery produces fresh apple cider from fruit grown right on the property, and cider donuts are essentially mandatory. Beyond that, the farm serves a rotating menu of farm-fresh food options that change with the season and with special events. Thursday evenings feature Pizza Night with fresh-baked French Bread Pizzas, which are popular enough that RSVPs are recommended.
The Bee Barn and Exhibition Garden add an educational dimension to the visit that older kids and curious adults really appreciate. Observation hives let you watch live bees at work, and the exhibition garden demonstrates the agricultural ecosystem in action.
Peak Season Events to Catch This Fall at Hidden Valley
Hidden Valley Orchards is not just a farm it is a destination that hosts a packed calendar of seasonal events throughout fall. Timing your apple-and-pumpkin combo trip to land on or near one of these events can take your visit from great to genuinely unforgettable. Here are the key events to know about for the fall season.
Half-tober Fest
This festive Bavarian-inspired event transforms Hidden Valley into a lively celebration complete with live music, beer-hall energy, communal tables, traditional games, and family-friendly feats of strength. Guests are encouraged to dress in Bavarian attire, raise a stein, and join in the sing-alongs. The food menu for the event features special items like Pork Schnitzel Sandwiches on Pretzel Buns, Brats with Sauerkraut, and Sourdough Pretzels. This is a full-farm ticketed event and one of the most popular days of the year book early.
Pizza Night Every Thursday
Running every Thursday from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Pizza Night is a beloved weekly tradition at the farm. Fresh French Bread Pizzas come out of the kitchen in a steady stream, perfect for sharing around a table after an afternoon of picking. RSVPs are required to manage capacity, so plan ahead if you want to combine a Thursday pick with a pizza dinner. It is a genuinely lovely way to end a fall day on the farm.
Story Time Every Friday
Every Friday morning at 10:30 AM, Hidden Valley hosts Story Time for toddlers and young children. It is a calm, cozy farm morning designed especially for little ones and their caregivers. If you have young kids and you are planning a Friday fall visit, arrive early enough to catch Story Time before heading to the orchard and the patch. RSVPs are required.
Meet the Animals Every Weekend
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11:15 AM, the team brings a different farm animal out to the Social Lawn for a free, up-close meet-and-greet experience. From goats and sheep to bunnies, chickens, ducks, and surprise guest animals, each weekend features something new. For families with young kids, this is an easy layering point during your fall combo visit. Arrive by 11:00 AM, meet the animal, then head to the apple orchard or pumpkin patch right after.
Toddler Farm Adventures Every Wednesday
Running every Wednesday morning, Toddler Farm Adventures is a structured farm experience designed specifically for children ages 18 months to 3 years old and their caregivers. It is a wonderful option for parents of very young children who want a more guided, age-appropriate farm experience alongside the open-ended fun of apple and pumpkin picking on another day of the week. Passes are available for purchase through the Hidden Valley ticketing page.
Plan Your Visit: Everything You Need to Know
Hidden Valley Orchards is located at 5474 North State Route 48, Lebanon, Ohio 45036. One important navigation note: make sure to spell out "North" in your GPS. Entering just Route 48 can send you to South Lebanon, which is not where you want to be when the pumpkins are calling.
Farm hours during the fall season run Thursday from 10 AM to 2 PM and again from 4 PM to 9 PM, Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 9 PM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. The farm is closed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday except for the Wednesday Toddler Program and scheduled field trips.
Entry to the farm itself is always free. You can park at no charge, explore the grounds, visit the animals, enjoy the social lawn, and wander to the pumpkin patch without spending a dime until you are ready to pick. Apple picking and pumpkin picking are pay-for-what-you-pick. The Apple Play Yard tickets are purchased on-site and are the only paid admission on the property. Outside food and beverages are not permitted, but the farm's own food and drink offerings are excellent and worth the experience.
Pets are not permitted on the property out of respect for the farm animals and in accordance with Hidden Valley's insurance policy. Service dogs are welcome. Children must be supervised by their caregivers at all times the farm team is there to create a great experience, not to supervise little ones. For families planning a larger group outing, the farm also offers private event bookings and field trips through their reservations page.
Make It a Tradition The Fall Day Your Family Deserves
There is a reason families have been coming back to Hidden Valley Orchards since 1956. This farm knows how to make fall feel like fall. It knows that the best family days are not over-planned; they are simply well-positioned. When you can walk from the apple orchard to the pumpkin patch, stop for a cider donut, let the kids pet a goat, take a hayride back at golden hour, and leave with a car full of things you picked yourself, that is not just a trip. That is a tradition in the making.
Doing apple picking and pumpkin picking in one trip is not just efficient, it is the most complete fall experience you can give your family in Lebanon, Ohio. You get the crunch of a fresh-picked apple and the thump of a perfectly round pumpkin hitting the bottom of the wagon. You get the orchard rows and the open field. You get the whole season in a single, satisfying outing.
So pick your weekend. Dress in layers. Bring your wagon and your camera. And head to Hidden Valley Orchards for a fall day that the whole family will want to do again next year, and the year after that, and every autumn after that for as long as the leaves keep changing colors in Warren County, Ohio.
