Blueberries are ready for U-Pick at some farms this weekend! Pick a sunny, summer day and head to one of these U-Pick blueberry farms, all just a short drive away. Blueberries freeze nicely, so you can enjoy their deliciousness (and antioxidants) year-round. But where to find blueberry picking near here? We’ve rounded up all the blueberry U-Pick farms within two hours of Chicago.
2022 Blueberry Picking Season: U-Pick Berries Near Chicago
Note that some of these farms may be in a different time zone (Indiana), so please keep that in mind when you plan your trip. Hours may also change as the season winds down or the supply begins to run low. Please call ahead to ensure the best trip possible for you and your family. It would be terrible to drive out to a farm and not be able to pick, so we’ll say it one more time . . . call ahead!
U-Pick Blueberries Map: Find a Blueberry Farm Near You
Blueberry Picking Near Chicago: Start Dates, Hours, Features
The following spots for u-pick blueberries are within about two hours of Chicagoland. Please call ahead or check for information on the day you plan to go to ensure availability, which can change from day to day.
Tammen Treeberry Farm
37131 Essex Road
Wilmington, IL 60481
(815) 458-6264
- Season usually begins around mid-July. They update their Facebook page with dates.
- 2022 prices: U-Pick prices are $2.79/lb.; prepick prices are $4.25/lb.
Valley Orchard
911 East State Street
Cherry Valley, IL 61016
(815) 332-9696
- They estimate the blueberry season will begin around the second week of July, 2022.
- Check their Facebook or Instagram pages for regular updates.
- They also usually have strawberries, rhubarb, cherries, blackberries, and raspberries available for u-pick when in season.
McCann Berry Farm
18110 Kishwaukee Valley Road
Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 568-8810
- Blueberry season usually begins mid-July and ends in early August.
- Check their Facebook page for updates.
- McCann Farm asks for check or cash payment.
Fritts Berry Farm
10301 N. State Road 10
DeMotte, IN 46310
(219) 987-2228
- Opening day is July 6, 2022.
- The season usually lasts through early August.
- Their website is updated regularly; check back for details.
Eenigenburg’s Blueberries
6721 W. State Road 10
Demotte, IN 46310
(219) 987-2957
- Opening July 1, 2022
- 2022 Prices: U-pick $2.50/pound Ready pick $3.75/pound
- Check their Facebook page for most up to date information.
Merrillville Farms
6716 Colorado Street
Hobart, IN 46342
(219) 947-0223
- Call ahead to check U-Pick hours.
Johnson’s Farm Produce
8960 East Ridge Road
Hobart, IN 46342
(219) 962-1383
- Blueberry U-Pick opens July 2, 2022.
- Their Blueberry Festival is happening July 2 and 3, 2022; $10/person including fun activities.
- See their U-Pick page for updates, pricing information, hours, and fun farm info.
Blue Sky Berry Farm
15552 S. 1050 W.
Wanatah, IN 46390
(219) 733-2416
- They hope to open over the July 4 weekend, but as of June 30, had not announced dates. Check their Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.
VanKley’s Blueberries
2666 W. St. Road 10
Wheatfield, IN 46392
(219) 956-3687
- U-Pick season is open for 2022 as of June 30, 2022.
- 2022 prices: Ready-picked blueberries are $3.75/lb, U-pick blueberries are $2.50/lb.
- They recommend checking their Facebook page or calling to check field conditions before driving out.
Grandma’s Berry Patch
9895 W. 1700 S.
Lacrosse, IN 46348
(219) 733-9080
- U-Pick opens July 2, 2022.
- Their Facebook page is more regularly updated; check for updates.
- Cash or check only.
- U-Pick season usually begins in July; watch their website for more information.
Blueberries of Indiana
2388 W. 1000 North
LaPorte, IN 46350
(219) 326-8686
- Season usually lasts July 4 through Labor Day; check their website or Facebook for updates.
- Bring your own containers or purchase some from the farm store.
Garwood Orchards
5911 W. 50 S
LaPorte, IN 46350
(219) 362-4385
- Opening day is usually early July.
- This farm offers many different fruits and vegetables for purchase and picking. Check the website for up to date information on what is available.
Stateline Blueberries
9957 North Frontage Road
Michigan City, IN 46360
(219) 874-7721
- Opening July 1, 2022.
- All forms of payment are accepted; no pets.
Billy Boy’s Blueberry Barn
650 Freyer Road
Michigan City, IN 46360
(219) 872-7477
- On June 30, they shared that they will announce an opening date for 2022 in the near future.
- Check their Facebook page for updates about opening day.
Bonnell’s Blueberry Patch
4840 S. 600 West
North Judson, IN 46366
(574) 896-5365
- Opening July 9, 2022.
- 2022 prices: Ready-pick is $3/lb.; U-pick is $1.75/lb.
- Cash or check accepted; bring your own boxes or containers.
- Check their Facebook page for more information on opening day.
Planning Your Trip
Questions to Ask
Always call before you go picking to verify hours. (We can’t stress this enough!) Ask if the fields are picked over or still have a decent amount of blueberries to pick. The length of the season is greatly affected by the weather, especially with berries.
Some farms charge for containers or don’t supply them at all, so plan for that, too. You might bring small buckets or metal coffee cans with soft rope through each side.
Ask the type of payment they prefer. Many prefer cash or check, while others want credit card only.
You can also ask when the fields were sprayed, to see if it has rained since then. It’s way more fun to pick if you can sample along the way!
Things to Bring
Hats. Sometimes you can stand in the shade of the blueberry bushes, but shade isn’t always available in the field. If you bring a baby, put them in a big-brimmed bucket hat or set up a blanket with an umbrella in the middle of the row and make sure your little one is in the shade.
Bring a stroller or wagon. The fields can be far away from the parking area.
Dress lightly and bring sunscreen and bug spray. After it rains, sometimes the mosquitos linger. Wear gym shoes with socks, or even better yet, boots. You will get dirty, but that’s half the fun, right?
Water! Drink it often! You don’t realize all the bending over and sunshine catches up with you!
Bring a picnic lunch or at least a snack and a blanket to eat on. Bring wipes and hand sanitizer, too.
Don’t wear nice clothes or shoes. Especially with kids, you almost always get blueberry juice on your clothes… which is really hard to get out! Bring a change of clothes to wear on the way home for the kids, and maybe grown-ups, too.
Blueberry Picking Tips
Blueberries are ripe when they are all dark blue. The portion around the stem turns color last, so don’t pick berries that are just blue on the bottom. If the berries are slightly red around the stem they are good, just a little tart.
If you have a bucket or coffee can with a rope tied to it, you can hang it around your neck to allow the berries to fall into the container as you pick (much faster).
Often there are great berries in the center of the bush, or down low, which is perfect for your little ones!
When You Get Home
Don’t wash your blueberries until you are ready to eat them. Washing makes them more prone to spoiling. If you would like to wash them in batches, we recommend filling a large bowl with water and adding some vinegar. Swish the blueberries around in the diluted vinegar water, then drain and rinse with water.
Freeze your blueberries: It is better to freeze blueberries without washing them so they do not get icy (or make sure to let them completely dry if you want to wash them). Just pour them into a ziplock bag and place in the freezer. Blueberries can keep for months in the freezer!
We’ve got tons more outdoor activities to do with your family this summer! Did we forget one of your favorite blueberry farms? Please comment below so we make sure to add it. Did you visit one of these farms? We’d love to see your pictures! Tag us on Instagram with #sharekidlist.
