Best Blueberry Picking Farms and Festivals in New Jersey for Pick-Your-Own Berries

Pick blueberries to your heart's content at Happy Day Farm in Manalapan.
Pick blueberries to your heart's content at Happy Day Farm in Manalapan.

The best blueberry-picking farms in New Jersey offer the perfect summer activity for the whole family: the bushes are low, the berries easily pop off the plants, and your family can literally pick hundreds without breaking the bank. Luckily for us, blueberries are the official state fruit of New Jersey, and they are plentiful throughout the Garden State.

We’ve assembled a list of some of the best pick-your-own farms New Jersey has to offer, so read on for our recommendations on where to find this sweet summer treat. Find tons of other great things to do in the Garden State this season in our Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

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Best Blueberry Picking Farms in New Jersey

DiMeo U-Pick Blueberry Farms – Hammonton

If picking fresh, organic blueberries appeals to your family, DiMeo is the place to go. This farm, which has been around for more than a century, offers naturally grown, heirloom blueberries all summer long. Explore its fully-shaded picnic areas in the forest and its nature trails. You can also consider doing some adventure kayaking in the pine barrens for an additional fee. DiMeo even offers a take-home, fruit-bearing blueberry bush to plant at home. Picking is by appointment only.

Emery's Berry Patch – New Egypt

With 20 acres dedicated to blueberries, this farm is serious about its berries. Pick your own, visit the farm market and bakery, and meet the barn animals all in one trip. Be sure to call if you want to pick since the fields are sometimes closed to give the berries time to ripen. 

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Best Blueberry Picking Farms and Festivals in New Jersey: Alstede Farms Blueberry picking
Blueberry picking is just the beginning of the fun at Alstede Farms. Photo by the author

Alstede Farms – Chester

Alstede Farms is a pick-your-own favorite for many NJ families. In addition to pick-your-own berries (and tons of other items throughout the growing season), the farm has pony rides, a bounce house, a wagon ride, and more, along with farm animals and a farm store. Alstede gets very busy on the weekends during peak hours, so plan accordingly. You must purchase a pick-your-own ticket in advance—there's a separate ticket for some of the activities—via the website. Children under 2 are FREE! The best way to guarantee your entry is to purchase a ticket with a check-in time, and though you can walk-in, entrance isn't guaranteed and there's a $5 additional charge.

Haines Berry Farm – Pemberton

Kids will love the wagon ride to this farm's blueberry fields—and you'll love checking out the roadside market with lots of goodies. If you want to shop and not pick, the farm asks that customers purchase pre-picked berries or other items online and then pick them up at the farm. 

RELATEDGreat Picnic Spots in Northern New Jersey

Best Blueberry Picking Farms and Festivals in New Jersey: Phillips Farms
Phillips Farms lets visitors pick blueberries without an entrance fee! 

Phillips Farms – Milford

While apples may be the specialty here, bushels of pick-your-own berries abound as well. The roadside market features seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, jams, tomato products, and hanging baskets. This farm has no entrance fee, but each person in your party must pick a minimum of $5 worth of blueberries. Note that the pick-your-own area is closed on Tuesdays, and you should call its message line in advance for up-to-date picking information.

Happy Day Farm – Manalapan

This farm has heaping crops of blueberries and raspberries. Admission is just $4 per person and children 1 and under are FREE. Older kids can also try their hand at paintball, which is open on the weekends. Kids of all ages will like the shaved ice and lemonade available. Since picking conditions depend on the weather, check availability on the website or social media feeds before heading out. Take note: This farm is cash-only and is closed Monday and Tuesday.

Johnson's Corner Farm – Medford

There's a lot to do at this farm, which hosts some creative farm activities at its Discovery Barnyard and sports 3 splash pads in the summer. Tickets for pick your own must be purchased in advance through the website. Evening picking sessions are held on Fridays.

Snyder's Farms – Somerset

This lovely 80-acre farm has a nice pick-your-own blueberry and strawberry area that's perfect for kids. U-pick is open only on the weekends. Be sure to try the homemade berry ice cream! Note that the farm doesn't take credit cards, but an ATM is on site. Call before you go to check on crop availability. 

Best Blueberry Picking Farms and Festivals in New Jersey: Pick Your Own Blueberry Patch at Terhune Orchards
Terhune Orchards has sweet summer blueberries on bushes that everyone can reach.

Terhune Orchards – Princeton

Terhune has 2 acres devoted to blueberry bushes that are ripe for picking. Check out the farm store and barn animals during your trip. The farm's annual festivals are also great for family fun.

This article was originally published June 2011 and is updated annually.

Unless noted, photos courtesy of the farms

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