Pine-O-Mine Ranch is one of the charming farms that make up the Apple Hill Grower's Association, a destination that attracts thousands of apple lovers every fall.
When I visit the hill, apple picking is always at the top of my list of things to do. My kids and I love the thrill of hunting for apples and tasting them right off the tree. There’s just nothing quite like a fresh-picked apple—so juicy that the sweet apple juice runs down your arms.
As a parent, I cherish the opportunity to show my kids where our food comes from and how much effort farmers put into nourishing us. Usually, we pick our apples at Denver Dan's #14, but this year we wanted to try something new, so we headed to Pine-O-Mine.
Upon arriving, we drove a short way in and were greeted by a bright red barn, surrounded by apple trees and a lovely pumpkin patch. While it’s on the smaller side, don’t let that fool you—it’s packed with charm.
The farm offers several popular apple varieties to choose from, including Fuji, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious. You simply grab a bag from the barn and head out to pick your apples, returning to get them weighed afterward.
After our apple hunt, we couldn’t resist trying the caramel corn from a nearby tent that we overheard others raving about. It was delicious and reminded me of Cracker Jacks from my childhood. The caramel corn is made by a family-owned business using their grandma’s recipe. These kind of recipes are the best - withstanding the test of time, carrying the warmth of family traditions.
Pine-O-Mine also had hot food provided by Brawt Envy, and let me tell you, their sausages were fresh, juicy, and delicious. The guys cooking our food were super down-to-earth, making the experience even more enjoyable.
We had to indulge in the classic caramel apple milkshake, which never disappoints. Next time, I’m definitely getting the Apple Pie Milkshake—a blend of apple milkshake with a piece of pie mixed in. A worker told me how amazing it is, and I was sold right away.
With its beautiful scenery, tasty food, delectable desserts, friendly people, pumpkins, U-Pick apples, and plenty of photo opportunities, Pine-O-Mine has become a new favorite for our Apple Hill visits.
Notes
-Apple picking is all about timing and weather, so call ahead to check on availability and the best time to pick apples. The orchard is on the smaller side and can run out of apples quickly.
-Inside the barn, there’s a limited selection of apple goods available for purchase, including frozen pies, jerky, alcoholic beverages, apple cider, and nuts.
- Plenty of parking is available
- Depending on availability, there are various food trucks to check out.
- The pumpkin patch is adorable, making it a great spot for photo shoots, but there are only a few picnic tables and Porta Potties with handwashing stations available.
***Information subject to change. All opinions are my own.
Photography
© Katherine Fung,
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