A 33-acre family orchard since 1886 that combines pumpkin picking with real pick-your-own apples and famous apple cider donuts, worth a weekend visit if you're in Bergen County.
Admission fees apply to enter orchard; cost of fruit picked charged separately
Demarest Farm is not a pumpkin-only destination—it’s a 33-acre diversified orchard that happens to include pumpkins alongside its main business: apples, peaches, nectarines, and the farm-stand goods that draw locals year-round. Founded in 1886, it’s one of Bergen County’s oldest working farms, and that heritage shapes the experience. You’re picking from actual crops on actual farmland, not shopping at a festival.
The farm charges admission to enter the orchard, then charges separately for the fruit you pick. This is the honest-money conversation you should have before you go: a family of four can expect admission plus the cost of apples, peaches, or pumpkins they select. Call (201) 666-0472 to get current rates. If you plan to pick generously, the cost can add up. If you’re modest about quantity, it’s no worse than buying the same produce at a farmers market, and the experience is better.
The farm is genuinely set up for families to walk the orchard, select what looks ripe, and pick it themselves. This is different from buying pre-picked pumpkins at a garden center. For children, especially those old enough to carry a small basket, the act of picking teaches something: the pumpkins and apples don’t teleport to shelves; they grow here. For adults, it’s a bit of work and a lot of charm, and the fruit tastes fresher because you picked it an hour ago.
The farm also operates a farm stand open year-round (May–December on weekday/weekend schedules), so if you visit mid-season and the orchards aren’t yet productive, you can still grab fresh cider and baked goods.
This is where Demarest’s scheduling creates a real question: Weekends run 10am–4:30pm, offering a full afternoon. Weekdays run 3pm–4:30pm only—90 minutes. If you have weekday flexibility, you can visit after school, but you won’t have much time to pick. A Saturday morning, arriving by 10am, is the real way to enjoy the farm. Mid-October Saturdays are crowded; arrive early to get the better fruit.
A spring frost in 2026 has affected the apple harvest. Call ahead to confirm that apples are available in the quantity and varieties you want. The farm may have smaller pick-your-own options if the frost was severe. Pumpkins should be fine—they grow later and were not affected.
Old farms don’t survive by accident. Demarest has succeeded because it adapted: adding PYO capability, opening the farm stand, hosting school tours and birthday parties. The cider donuts you’ll taste in the farm stand are a testament to that commitment to doing things well. If you’re a traveler who prefers character and history over polished infrastructure, this is the feel you get here.
Late September through early October on a Saturday or Sunday; apples are fresher and the farm is in full swing by then.
2.5 to 3.5 hours
Busy on weekends, especially mid-October; arriving early (10am) on a Saturday gives you the best pick of fruit. Weekdays are nearly empty but operating hours are minimal.
On-site orchard parking; unpaved, typical for the region. Recent rain makes it muddy.
Call (201) 666-0472 for details on wheelchair/mobility accessibility in the orchard and at the farm stand.
You want to visit on a weekday afternoon or prefer free admission; the reduced weekday hours (3pm–4:30pm) are short and impractical for most families.
Demarest is 10 minutes from Ward's Pumpkin Patch (Ridgewood) and 20 minutes from Fairfield Farms (Fairfield). A two-farm weekend is easy from here.
Admission fees allow you to enter the orchard. The cost of apples and pumpkins you pick is charged separately by weight or count. The farm's website does not publish specific prices as of our last check; call (201) 666-0472 to confirm current rates.
Yes—the research notes specifically mention them as a 'famous' farm offering. They're made fresh on-site and are worth trying if you enjoy warm pastry. Availability is best on weekend mornings.
Yes. The farm is a pick-your-own orchard with multiple apple varieties plus peaches and nectarines. A spring frost in 2026 may have affected availability; call ahead to confirm which fruits are ready.
Weekdays run 3pm–4:30pm (just 90 minutes). Weekends are 10am–4:30pm. The weekday window is designed for after-school visits and is too short for a full outing.
September 12 – October 31, 2026. Weekends and weekdays (reduced). Hours: Weekends 10am-4:30pm, Weekdays 3pm-4:30pm.
Admission pricing was not published when we last checked. Admission fees apply to enter orchard; cost of fruit picked charged separately
244 Werimus Road, Hillsdale, NJ 07642, in Bergen County. It is one of 5 patches we track in North Jersey.
We track 5 patches in North Jersey. The farm has not published a gate price, so it cannot be compared on cost — call before you budget.
Its season runs about 50 days against a regional average of 52, so it is broadly in line with the rest of the region.
There is 1 other patch we track in Bergen County. All North Jersey patches →
demarestfarms.com · pumpkinpatchesandmore.org
Checked August 2026.