Strawberry picking is an early summertime favorite; we have options for your family in Central Illinois
Within a one-hour drive from Champaign-Urbana, you can find spots to take your kids strawberry picking — but don’t delay, strawberry season comes and goes quickly
Early summer means strawberries, and Champaign-Urbana friends are in luck: We’ve dug up several farms within roughly an hour’s drive from Champaign-Urbana where you can pick your own strawberries.
WARNING: The season is short for traditional berries, so if you blink you might miss it.
To be sure that there are berries ripe for the picking, we recommend that you call ahead before you go to any farm (some also put up information on their Facebook pages or websites).
Oh, and a few other tips:
1) Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen; sunglasses and hats are also helpful. Remember, there is no shade while berry picking. As for shoes, rain boots are a good option — or something else that you don’t mind getting dirty or muddy.
2) Where there is fruit you will often find bugs. Go early if possible; be prepared to do sunscreen and bug repellent.
3) In past years, we recommended that you bring cash to pay. That’s still good advice, but more and more places have options for credit.
4) Watch the weather. You don’t want to be picking with any threats of lightning.
5) BYOB — bring your own buckets. Sometimes that is required, every strawberry patch has different rules.
Looking for other u-pick info? Soon we will update our information on u-pick options near Champaign-Urbana for blueberries and apples.
U-Pick Strawberry Locations Near Champaign-Urbana (organized by distance)
Mariah’s Mums & More (Triple M Farm), Clinton
Experience u-pick strawberries “like never before” with this vertical, hydroponic growing system. This way of growing allows you to pick standing up and not on the ground. Also at Mariah’s, in the later summer and fall: a farmstand selling fresh produce as well as pick-your-own zinnias and the largest variety of fall mums grown in one location in Illinois.
Location: Mariah’s recommends using the directions on the website. About 40 minutes from Champaign. Not far from Clinton Lake.
Notes: Saturdays, 9 a.m. starting in June (weather dependent), until picked out for the day. Mariah’s recommends arriving by 9 a.m. Strawberries are $5 per pound during open picks. Cash preferred; local checks and Visa, Mastercard, and Discover also accepted. You can also make an appointment to have your own u-pick time (different pricing). Get the scoop on its strawberries here.
Butler Strawberry Acres, Danville
This locally owned family farm is already open – it typically has the earliest of the area’s strawberry seasons. Posts regular updates on its Facebook page. Upick price is $4.40/pound. Bring cash!
Location: Northeast Danville. Address: 515 Poland Road, Danville (one hour from southwest Champaign)
Notes: Closed on Sundays. Has other crops all season long, including pumpkins and tomatoes in the fall. Often open on Memorial Day.
Phone: (217) 443-3027
Braffet Berry Farm, Carlock
The season at Braffet generally starts around Memorial Day weekend and lasts about four weeks.
Location: Carlock, which is northwest of Bloomington-Normal (on the way to Peoria). (1 hour, 5 minutes from southwest Champaign). Directions here.
Notes: Open daily during picking season but check Facebook first. Only takes cash or checks. Posts regular updates on its Facebook page.
Phone: (309) 376-2012
Jefferies Orchard, Springfield
Our family went to Jeffries Orchard in Springfield a few years ago, and you can read all about this no-frills experience. Typically opens for u-pick in late May for strawberries. Jefferies has a roadside stand and sells produce all summer long.
Location: A great advantage for this place: it is close to Springfield and therefore close to other attractions, food, etc. About 75 minutes from southwest Champaign.
Notes: Open seven days a week. Takes credit cards. Posts regular updates on its Facebook page. Also has blueberry and peaches on site but season is much later in the summer.
Phone: (217) 487-7582
Just Berries, Stewardson
Just Berries typically opens for picking around Memorial Day. Strawberry season usually lasts about a month. On May 7, it posted on Facebook: “We are anticipating berry season to start in a couple of weeks. Watch for updates!”
Location: About 75 minutes from southwest Champaign, straight south between Mattoon and Effingham. Get directions on the website.
Notes: Open seven days a week during picking season. Posts regular updates on its Facebook page. Also has blueberries and blackberries on site, but season is much later in the summer.
Phone: (217) 343-8348
Ditzler Orchard, Rosedale, Ind.
This farm posted on Facebook: “Expect the earliest strawberries in the store the week of May 18. We expect to open u-pick on Memorial Day.”
Location: About 90 minutes from Champaign-Urbana. This orchard is near the sunflower maze not far from Paris.
Notes: Open seven days a week starting May 5. Posts regular updates on its Facebook page. Also has blueberries, blackberries and sweet cherries later in the season.
Make it a day trip: If you go to Rosedale, check out the children’s museum in Terre Haute. Also, it wouldn’t be hard to make a trip to Turkey Run as a part of a trip to the farm.
Directions: On Google Maps here
Phone: (765) 548-2308
Bigard’s Strawberry Patch and Peach Orchard, Newton
Plans to be open for picking by Memorial Day weekend — check on Facebook. Bring cash — no debit or credit at this time. Also has peaches much later in the summer. Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
Location: About 90 minutes straight south from Champaign-Urbana.
Notes: Posts regular updates on its Facebook page. You may pick in ice cream buckets, flats from previous years, or buy a new one for a small fee. No other containers will be allowed.
Make it a day trip: If you go to Newton, make sure to head over to Casey for the Big Things. (Trust us.)
Directions: Google Map link
Phone: (618) 783-3251
More ideas:
Where to Pick Blueberries Near Champaign-Urbana | Where to Pick Apples Near Champaign-Urbana | Farmers Markets in C-U and Beyond | Where to Buy Local Meats
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