What is there to do on the property?
Pick Fruit
Stroll through our two orchards or other fields to pick apples, stone fruit or raspberries. We mark the rows that are ready for picking so that you get the ripest fruit whenever you visit.
Browse our Farm Store
Don’t feel like picking? Visit our store in the front of the barn to browse a selection of hand-picked fruit, local jams and jellies, pickles, honey, syrup and lots of historical information and decor!
Take a Weekend Wagon Ride
Take a wagon ride through the orchard! Our tractor-pulled wagon rides are free for our customers! We run these wagon rides on Saturdays and Sundays between Labor Day and Indigenous Peoples Day from 10am-4pm, weather permitting.
Get lost in the Maze!
Conquer our maze! This activity is free for our customers, although donations are welcome! This is the second year that, instead of corn, we planted a grass called Sorghum which is better for soil health and functions as a cover crop for us.
Compared to other farms, our maze may seem small, it is 1 acre or less, and geared toward kids and kids at heart, but it’s still a blast! Can you figure out what we spelled in it this year?
Grab something Delicious to Eat!
Munch on some famous Captain Jack’s mini cider donuts, and be sure to visit our own Capt. Jack’s Donut Shack on Saturdays and Sundays from Labor Day through Indigenous Peoples Day to enjoy hot buckets of donuts as well as coffee, cider, cider slushies and more. We also have cider donuts for sale in our Farm Store during the week.
Bring a Picnic Lunch
We have picnic tables set in different places around the property and there are lots of grassy areas that are perfect for a picnic blanket.
Visit Our Fairy Village on the Ridge!
The story goes..."One day, Captain Jack was out for a walk and he stumbled upon a magical part of the forest where some woodland fairies and sprites had just recently moved. They were trying to build shelters before winter came, so Captain Jack helped them out by bringing down some tiny building supplies for them and opening the Fairy Village’s first ever “Gnome Depot”".
Each fall the fairies come back and need help building their houses to stay warm throughout the winter. Spend some time outside, use your imagination, and help us take care of the Hanson Ridge Fairy Village!
Hike Hanson Farm Trails
Hanson Farm Corporation owns the property and McDougal Orchards LLC maintains the trails. Please keep in mind that this is private property and you are using the trails at your own risk. We allow hiking, biking, snowshoe and cross country skiing although the trails are not always groomed. Some people also enjoy fishing in our pond Old Boney.
AS A REMINDER: We do not allow dogs in the barn or in the orchards BUT we have miles of trails where you can hike with them. Ask for a trail map in the Farm Store! Due to food safety regulations, dogs must stay in your vehicle if you drive into one of our orchards, so on hot days we recommend leaving your pups at home.
School Tours, Groups & Events
School Tours
Want to take your students on a fruit-filled educational adventure? Learn about the seasons of growing apples in our beautiful old barn, then take a wagon ride through one of our orchards and get dropped off in a prime spot to pick some apples. Each child gets a 1/4 peck bag (holds up to 3 lbs of apples) to pick into. We do not charge for school staff or chaperones. One parent per student may ride the wagon. Adults who also decide to pick apples will get a group discount.
If you are looking to come with older students or another educational group, we can offer any combination of the three elements (barn tour, wagon ride and apple picking) or simply give a group discount on u-pick fruit.
We only schedule school tours and private wagon rides Monday thru Friday.
Groups
Schedule an autumnal outing for your company, enjoy a relaxing day at the orchard and get flat-rate bags or a group discount on u-pick apples!
Birthday Parties
Schedule your next birthday party with us! Reserve the picnic tables in our Orchard Education Center and we can provide child-size apple bags for a flat rate. Adults attending the party will get a group discount for any apples they pick.
Weddings/Reunions
We would love to be the setting for your special day. Contact us for information on our fees and details about using our property for weddings, reunions or other special events.
Due to the nature of our business, we can only accomodate large events from May through July.
Photography
We do not charge families for personal photography on the property and we love when people tag us in their photos!
We do charge a fee for professional photographers (anyone getting paid for their photography skills) who use our property to take pictures of their clients. Please contact us for more details. During the picking season photos may be taken in any area of the farm open to the public as long as your photo shoot does not impact our business. During the off season (November through mid-August) you may be limited to certain areas of the farm.
