Chapin Orchard feels like the template for what many visitors imagine when they picture a New England orchard: pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, hayrides, cider doughnuts in the retail barn, and a genuinely long season (September 1 through October 31). It’s the kind of place you can spend a full morning and come away with apple cider, homemade jams, and the sensory satisfaction of having actually grown something on a farm.
The pumpkins here are a serious offering, not an afterthought. The farm lists both pick-your-own and pre-picked options, which means if you show up mid-season with toddlers who can’t be trusted with a cutting tool, you can still leave with pumpkins without feeling like you’ve taken the shortcut.
If you’ve never experienced a farm stand’s fresh-made cider doughnut in October, you’re missing one of the legitimate reasons people drive out to orchards. The farm makes them daily, which means they are reliably fresh—not a pre-packaged novelty, but an actual point of pride for the operation. On a cool fall morning, a warm cider doughnut and hot cider are a real economic win compared to what the rest of the farm stand charges; budget for them.
The retail barn sells pre-picked apples, pumpkins, mums, maple syrup, honey, and jams, so if you’re not in a picking mood but want the farm-stand experience, you can get it. The hayrides add variety if your group spans different ages or energy levels—toddlers and older relatives who can’t walk fields can at least get a tour.
Early September and late October offer two very different Chapin experiences. Early September means fewer crowds, lower odds of weekend traffic, but also smaller pumpkin selection and possibly not-yet-peak apples; pick-your-own is more work when there’s less to pick from. Late October means peak selection and peak foliage, but also serious Saturday traffic and the sense of a place that’s slightly overwhelmed by popularity.
The farm’s consistent 9:30am–5:30pm hours every day is a major advantage over farms with variable schedules—you can reliably plan to arrive without calling ahead to confirm they’re open. Arrive early (by 10:30am at the latest on weekends) if you want the best pumpkin selection and the least chaotic parking situation.
The farm does not publish admission or picking costs on their website as of late August. This is important because pumpkin-patch economics vary wildly: some farms charge per pound of fruit picked, others charge per-person gate admission, others let you walk the patch free and just buy what you pick. Call 802-879-6210 before heading over to understand which model applies here — it meaningfully changes what the visit costs, and there’s no way to estimate it honestly without knowing the structure.
Essex is just east of Burlington, so this is an easy drive from the Burlington-Montpelier corridor or from I-89. If you’re combining this with other fall activities (restaurant hopping in Burlington, walking Church Street, a lake sunset), Chapin fits naturally into a longer day.
Mid-September through October. The farm opens September 1 and closes October 31, so you can visit during early-fall color (less crowded, pumpkins may be smaller) or peak-color weekends (busier, better pumpkin selection).
2-3 hours
Weekend traffic during peak foliage (mid-to-late October) will be significant; weekday visits are much quieter.
On-farm parking available.
Call 802-879-6210 to confirm accessibility for visitors with mobility needs; orchard picking requires walking to trees/fields.
Chapin Orchard is in Essex, just east of Burlington in lower Chittenden County. Pair with a visit to downtown Burlington (Church Street, Lake Champlain waterfront, local restaurants), or explore other Chittenden County farms and orchards if you're making a regional farm-visiting day.
Yes—Chapin offers both pick-your-own apples and pumpkins throughout their September 1–October 31 season.
Admission pricing was not published on their website as of August 28, 2026. Call 802-879-6210 to confirm prices, and clarify whether admission is per person, per family, or if picking is a separate charge.
The farm's website lists 'daily-made cider doughnuts,' which is a strong signal they are fresh. Expect them to be one of the main attractions, especially on weekend mornings when they sell out quickly.
Most orchards provide bags; confirm with the farm what tools and containers are provided versus what you should bring.
September 1 – October 31, 2026. Daily. Hours: 9:30am-5:30pm.
Admission pricing was not published when we last checked.
150 Chapin Road, Essex, VT 05452, in Chittenden County. It is one of 5 patches we track in Northern Vermont.
We track 5 patches in Northern Vermont. The farm has not published a gate price, so it cannot be compared on cost — call before you budget.
Its season runs about 61 days against a regional average of 51, so it is a notably longer window than most of its neighbours, which takes the pressure off picking a weekend.
What sets it apart locally: it has hayrides, a market, bakery or taproom, which most Northern Vermont patches on our list do not.
There are 2 other patches we track in Chittenden County. All Northern Vermont patches →
Map pin is set to the town centre. Navigate to the street address above, not the pin.
chapinorchard.com · trip.com
Checked August 2026.