Small, weekend-only apple orchard with on-site bakery and pumpkins; good for families wanting apples and baked goods alongside a quick pumpkin stop.
Big Apple Orchard is fundamentally an apple operation. The 2,200 trees across 20+ varieties represent substantial inventory and, typically, a picking operation for families. Pumpkins are listed as a secondary offering—you can get them here, but the farm’s identity is apples.
This makes it particularly suited for visitors who want both apples and pumpkins in one stop, or families with strong apple interests (apple picking, cider, pie ingredients, fresh eating).
September and October, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am–5pm. Weekday visitors cannot access the orchard. For working families, weekend-only access is standard, but it’s worth noting upfront if you have limited weekend flexibility.
Early arrival (10am opening) typically means smaller crowds and fresher bakery items.
The presence of an on-site bakery sets this apart from pumpkin-patch-only operations. Bakery items are not detailed in available sources, but typical farm bakeries offer apple pie, donuts, cinnamon rolls, or apple butter. These items are non-perishable enough to buy and enjoy for days, so investing in bakery purchases can extend your outing value.
Pricing and current inventory require a call.
Neither admission pricing nor pumpkin pricing is published in available sources. Apple-picking fees (if picking is allowed) are also unstated. For a family of four planning a budget, this requires a direct call to the farm.
Ask when you call whether there is an admission fee, how apple picking is priced (if available), and what pumpkins and bakery items typically cost. The farm can give you a better sense of the budget needed for your visit.
Highway 30 near Mount Vernon places the orchard in a scenic central-eastern Iowa location. The farm is roughly between Cedar Rapids (30 min west) and Iowa City (25 min southeast), making it feasible as a lunch-and-orchard outing from either town.
Mount Vernon itself has cultural attractions (Cornell College) and a small downtown; the combination of orchard, bakery, and town time makes a full afternoon.
October is prime apple season in Iowa. Cooler temperatures make apples crisp and flavorful. The bakery will be busy making apple products. This is the ideal time to visit for both fresh apples and baked goods. Late September can be warmer and less ideal; early November can see frost affecting remaining tree fruit.
Families who value both apples and pumpkins will get the most use. Baking-oriented visitors (pie fillings, crisps, sauce) benefit from fresh apples and a nearby bakery. Couples or adults without kids can enjoy apple picking and bakery browsing without pressure.
This is not a festival environment or multi-activity destination; it’s a straightforward orchard and bakery stop. Families expecting corn mazes or entertainment should look elsewhere.
The farm operates a 2,200-tree orchard; parking is likely to be a standard farm lot (unpaved but usually manageable in October). Closed Monday–Friday, which concentrates weekend demand. Arriving at 10am opening time typically yields shorter waits than afternoon visits.
Fresh bakery items are typically available in-shop; consider calling ahead if you have specific requests (special orders, checking today’s baked goods).
Call (319) 361-7692 to confirm:
October weekends, when both apples and pumpkins peak and bakery items are fresh-made.
1.5–2 hours
Weekend-only operation attracts concentrated demand on Saturdays and Sundays; early morning (10am opening) is quietest.
Farm lot; assume unpaved but typically firmer during October.
Not confirmed. Call (319) 361-7692 before visiting with mobility needs.
You need weekday access (closed Mon-Fri) or specific 2026 pricing; admission and pumpkin costs are not published.
The record lists 'apple orchard' and 2,200 trees across 20+ varieties, suggesting picking is available. Confirm picking policy and current varieties with a call.
On-site bakery confirmed. Specific items (pies, donuts, bread, etc.) vary by day and supply. Call (319) 361-7692 to ask what's currently being baked.
Specific pricing not published. Call to ask about per-pound or per-bushel rates, or whether picking is free with orchard admission.
Mount Vernon is 30 min east of Cedar Rapids, 25 min north of Iowa City. Located on Highway 30, central-eastern Iowa.
2026 dates had not been published when we last checked. In past seasons it has run: Sep-Oct Sat-Sun 10am-5pm. Check with the farm before driving out.
Admission pricing was not published when we last checked.
1115 Hwy 30 W, Mount Vernon, IA 52314, in Cedar County. It is one of 6 patches we track in Cedar Rapids-Iowa City.
We track 6 patches in Cedar Rapids-Iowa City, 1 of which are free to walk into. The farm has not published a gate price, so it cannot be compared on cost — call before you budget.
What sets it apart locally: it has a market, bakery or taproom, which most Cedar Rapids-Iowa City patches on our list do not.
One caveat worth repeating: this farm had not published its 2026 dates when we last checked, while 0 of the 6 patches we track in Cedar Rapids-Iowa City had. Treat any date you see elsewhere as last year's until the farm confirms it.
There are 2 other patches we track in Cedar County. All Cedar Rapids-Iowa City patches →
Map pin is set to the town centre. Navigate to the street address above, not the pin.
Checked August 2026.