Photo:
iStock
This time of year, my daughter anxiously checks the blueberry bushes in our backyard, hoping for bursts of color peeking through the leaves. Our modest couple of plants can’t compare to the outstanding U-pick blueberry farms in the area, though. So we’ve made it a summer tradition to visit a nearby blueberry farm, buckets in hand, to stock up on berries for muffins, cakes, smoothies and more. Lucky for us, there are plenty of farms to choose from.
Snohomish and Skagit County blueberry picking
Bow Hill, Bow
Location: 15628 Bow Hill Rd., Bow
When to pick blueberries: Bow Hill typically opens its U-pick season in mid-July, with picking Friday–Sunday through mid-September, while the berries hold out.
Established in 1947, Bow Hill Blueberries is the site of the oldest family-run blueberry farm in Skagit Valley. The farm specializes in heirloom berries and has over 4,500 bushes that are a combination of Rubel, Stanley, Jersey and Bluecrop. The U-pick fields are Bluecrop — you can lightly comb the branches with your fingers and the ripe berries will fall right into your hands. The farm supplies buckets for picking and freezer bags so you can take your berries home. While you’re there, you can also pick up treats like blueberry ice cream and popsicles.
Carpenter Creek Farm, Mount Vernon
Location: 20177 E. Stackpole Rd., Mount Vernon
When to pick blueberries: Blueberries usually come in mid-July. Be sure to confirm picking availability on the farm’s website or Facebook page.
Owned by a family that lives in northeast Seattle, Carpenter Creek is a small blueberry farm located just south of Mount Vernon. Stop in for ready-picked blueberries as well as U-pick. Though the farm is not certified organic, it does not use any synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Bonus: Keep your eyes peeled for red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, bald eagles, tree frogs and other animals.
Valentina Farm, Arlington
Location: 5628 Grandview Rd., Arlington
When to pick blueberries: The farm is open June 30 through mid-September, with different blueberry varieties available as the season progresses. Check the Facebook page or website for more information.
Formerly known as Bryant Blueberry Farm, this farm couldn’t be more kid-friendly. It has a playground, jumping pillows and a train ride. Plus, there are farm animals! Bring lunch and you can sit, rest and eat at the picnic tables. The farm uses sustainable agricultural methods. Besides blueberries, Valentina Farm offers currants, tayberries, raspberries, blackberries and many berry products.
Mountainview Blueberry Farm, Snohomish
Location: 7617 E. Lowell Larimer Rd., Snohomish
When to pick blueberries: The season opens July 9 this year and runs through Aug. 31. Check the website or Facebook page for updates. Buckets provided.
Mountainview Blueberry Farm is nestled against a hillside in the Snohomish River Valley, and on clear days you can see all the way to Mount Baker. Dating back to the 1940s, the farm grows eight varieties of blueberries on nine acres. Blueberry preserves and syrups are available as well. The farm also has a ticketed sunflower festival in August with 25 varieties of sunflowers, backdrops ideal for photos and scheduled butterfly releases.
Hazel Blue Acres, Silvana
Location: 430 Hevly Rd., Arlington
When to pick blueberries: The farm opens for U-pick this year on July 5, with the blueberry season lasting through mid-September.
This local family farm offers up WSDA-certified organic blueberries for most of the summer, and families can choose to pick the blueberries themselves or purchase them pre-picked. The farm also sells salmon, hazelnuts, scones, eggs, salsa and more. Not sure what to do with your farm fresh haul? Don’t miss the farm’s fantastic free recipes (with video tutorials!).
The Rodale Institute Pacific Northwest Organic Center, Skagit Valley (closed for 2025)
Location: 55931 State Rte. 20, Rockport
When to pick blueberries: Closed for the season.
Editor's note: The Rodale Institute Pacific Northwest Organic Center is not offering U-pick blueberries this year. The farm will reevaluate the availability of U-pick blueberries for the 2026 season.
The Pacific Northwest Organic Center at Cascadian Farm sits on 90 acres in eastern Skagit Valley. The farm has been in continuous organic farming practices for over 50 years, and the Rodale Institute has made it the base of operations for researching best organic practices. It serves as a regional resource for farmers interested in using organic practices and advancing a regenerative organic future.
Eastside blueberry picking
Larsen Lake Blueberry Farm, Bellevue
Location: 700 148th Ave. S.E., Bellevue
When to pick blueberries: The blueberry picking season starts July 8 this year and runs through late August. Check the website or call ahead for status. They accept checks, cash or Venmo.
Located in the lovely Lake Hills Greenbelt area, Larsen Lake is operated by the Bellevue Parks and Community Services Department in order to preserve Bellevue’s agricultural heritage. After filling your pails, stroll the trail near the lake or do some fishing. If it’s hot, head up to the shaded produce stand, where you can shop for reasonably priced fruit and veggies. Or just put your feet up on the porch swing.
Mercer Slough Blueberry Farm, Bellevue
Location: 2380 Bellevue Way S.E., Bellevue
When to pick blueberries: The blueberry picking season starts July 8 this year and runs through late August. Check the website or call ahead for status.
Located just off I-90 in Bellevue, this historic blueberry farm opened a new farmstand last summer. In addition to U-pick blueberries, farm visitors can now shop for cut flowers, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and frozen blueberries.
Henna Blueberry Farm, Carnation
Location: 32500 60th Street N.E., Carnation
When to pick blueberries: Blueberry picking season began at the end of June. Check the farm’s Facebook page for updates before heading out.
Located in the Snoqualmie River Valley and surrounded by a nature slough, Henna Blueberry Farm grows several varieties of exceptionally sweet berries on 15 acres. They don’t use synthetic pesticides or chemicals. Frogs, turtles, beavers, cranes and other animals make their home in the slough, so pack a picnic and go “critter viewing.”
Fable Farm, Fall City
Location: 34301 S.E. 39th Pl., Fall City
When to pick blueberries: The farm is open for U-pick now through the beginning of August. Check the website and Facebook page for details.
This small farm, started by a group of four families, focuses on blueberries and bees. The bees frequent the farm’s blueberry fields, in addition to the nearby blackberries, raspberries, clover and wildflowers, to make honey. While you’re there, stop by the farm stand to pick up some raw honey, jam or berry shrub.
Pearson’s Bees and Berries, Renton
Location: 1733 N.E. 20th St., Renton
When to pick blueberries: The farm welcomes pickers for U-pick by appointment. Check back in July for appointment times to be released when the berries are closer to ripe. You can also find up-to-date info on Facebook.
Pearson’s got into the U-pick game after the Pearson family bought and began restoring the old Kennydale Blueberry Farm. Heirloom blueberries have been planted on top of peatland, and the farm does not use any herbicides or pesticides. Check out the raw, unfiltered honey the farm produces as well, and read up on the farm’s detailed list of tips and instructions for U-pick before you go.
South Sound and South King County blueberry picking
Canter-Berry Farms, Auburn
Location: 19102 S.E. Green Valley Rd., Auburn
When to pick blueberries: Blueberry season typically opens in late July and runs through Labor Day. Call or check the Facebook page before heading out to confirm that the farm is open when you want to pick.
Canter-Berry Farms grows eight different varieties of blueberries, boasting flavors from sweet to tart to (a little) spicy. Though not certified organic, the farm does not use sprays and limits chemical use. Buckets are provided to pick with, but bring your own to carry the berries home in. In the farm store, you’ll find chocolate-covered blueberries, raw honey, blueberry teas and hand-painted blueberry pottery. There is a nice area for a post-picking picnic too.
Linbo Blueberry Farm, Puyallup
Location: 1201 S. Fruitland, Puyallup
When to pick blueberries: Blueberry U-pick opens July 17 this year, and lasts through Aug. 3. Check the Facebook page for updates and open hours.
Linbo Farm cultivates 20 varieties of blueberries, all of which are grown pesticide-free. Richard Linbo purchased the farm in 1998, and today his legacy continues with his son and daughter-in-law, Tor and Tiffany Linbo, continuing the U-pick operations. Head to nearby Decoursey Park afterward to have a picnic or play on the playground.
Charlotte’s Blueberry Park, Tacoma
Location: 7402 E. D St., Tacoma
When to pick blueberries: Picking season is typically July to September, depending on the weather. You can pick five varieties of blueberries, all free and first come, first served.
Looking for free blueberry picking and food foraging? We have you covered. There are more than 3,000 blueberry bushes in this city park, which has been farmed since 1929. Charlotte’s Blueberry Park expanded this year, doubling its food forest supply and offering visitors access to gooseberries, plums, cherries, persimmons, figs and more, in addition to blueberries. There is also a playground and plenty of spots for a picnic.
The park is named after Charlotte Valbert, founder of Friends of Blueberry Park. Metro Parks does not use any pesticides or fertilizers on the blueberry bushes, which are maintained by volunteers. Volunteer opportunities are posted on the park’s website.
Rusty Plow Farm, Enumclaw
Location: 23206 S.E. 448th St., Enumclaw
When to pick blueberries: U-pick opens the second week of July and typically runs through August, but be sure to check the website or the Facebook page for updates before heading out.
Rusty Plow is a farm on the Enumclaw plateau that specializes in blueberries. This farm has some 5,000 blueberry plants with six varieties to choose from. Although the farm is not certified organic, they use many of the same sustainable practices organic farms use. They cater to U-pick customers and provide buckets for picking and containers to take your berries home. If you are looking for a quick fix, you can call ahead or just stop by for pre-picked berries.
Note: The farm is open this summer, but is currently up for sale. The farm owners are hoping to pass the torch to someone who will carry on the farm tradition!
Spooner Berry Farms, Olympia
Location: 3327 Yelm Hwy. S.E., Olympia
When to pick blueberries: Spooner Berry Farms plans to offer blueberry picking at its Olympia location in August.
This family farm is beloved for its berries. The farm will announce U-pick details on its Facebook page, so follow along to learn when you need to pounce on the picking. You can also find already-picked Spooner berries at a dozen locations throughout the Puget Sound area.
Tips for picking blueberries with kids
Preparation is the key to a successful day picking blueberries with kids. We’ve learned from experience and found these tips help make the day go smoothly:
- Check with the farm first: Before you head out to your farm of choice, double-check the farm website or Facebook page to confirm U-pick availability and location.
- Arrive early: For the best selection of berries at smaller farms, you’ll want to be among the first to the farm in the morning. Larger farms have more berries for picking, meaning you can show up later and miss the crowds and direct sun.
- Dress for full sun: Blueberries need sunshine to grow, so these farms have little to no shade in the fields. On a sunny summer day, you’ll want to make sure you have hats, sunscreen, water and snacks. Closed-toe shoes (even rain boots!) are best for farms.
- Pack a bag: Bring cash (or check to make sure the farm takes credit cards). You may want to bring your own pail or box, though most farms supply those. And if you have a long drive home, consider bringing a cooler to keep your hard-earned blueberries fresh.
- Leave the pets at home: Most blueberry farms do not allow pets, so it’s best to leave the family dog at home.
- Check before sampling: Some farms allow kids to sample the berries as they pick, but double-check the sampling policy before giving kids free rein. And keep a water bottle on hand to rinse any residue from the blueberries first.
- Set realistic expectations: Blueberries can be easier to pick than strawberries since you don’t have to crouch down to the ground. But berry picking is still hard work, and kids may tire of it before you have a full bucket. Luckily, many farms sell pre-picked berries so you don’t go home empty-handed!
More summer activities for Seattle-area families: |
Editor’s note: Every year, ParentMap shares details on seasonal U-pick berry farms. A version of this article was originally published in 2017, but it was revamped for the 2025 blueberry picking season. Allison Holm contributed to this article.
