WARWICK- As late Summer begins to give way to Fall across the Hudson Valley, a beloved local tradition comes to life: apple picking, fresh apple cider, apple pie, and mouthwatering cider doughnuts.
A short drive from New York City, apple orchards in the Hudson Valley offer visitors the chance to slow down, enjoy the countryside, and experience one of the Hudson Valley’s most enduring autumn traditions; however, this year the start of apple-picking season carries a little more significance after a historic September freeze.
The 2026 harvest season follows a historically challenging Spring for fruit growers across the Northeast. An unusually warm stretch in early Spring where temperatures hit the mid-80s pushed apple development ahead of schedule, followed by freezing temperatures that killed off delicate full-bloom fruit buds that were slated to become apples, peaches, pears, and cherries. Crop losses were significant, including in Orange and Ulster counties.
The result of this historic freeze was a difficult and uncertain growing season for many fruit farms, including . Masker’s 113th harvest season will be unlike others in the century prior after being impacted by crop losses early in the season.
“This is going to be a very different season,” said Dan Olsen, farmer at Masker Orchard. “While we do have a beautiful crop of apples, planning your trip early is the best bet to ensure you’ll be able to find exactly what you are looking for. Harvest volumes are down everywhere but we have worked hard to be sure we have a crop for our customers to enjoy.”
At , the 200-acre orchard has announced that its 2026 season will open September 5 and continue seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., into early November with no reservations necessary. At Masker’s, visitors can drive directly to the trees, picnic, and bring their pets, making the experience especially family-friendly.
Other Hudson Valley farms are also preparing for the September harvest. Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm, for example, anticipates beginning its 2026 apple harvest on September 5 and also encourages visitors to consider September picking to find apples on the trees.
While the apple crop has been impacted by weather, the production of warm cider doughnuts at Masker Orchard continues on.
The cider doughnut’s origins are often traced to early American traditions, but the treat was revolutionized more than a century ago when New York baker Adolph Levitt invented a doughnut-
making machine. Today, the cake-like, lightly sweetened pastry has become an iconic part of the autumn experience throughout New York, including in the Hudson Valley.
At , the country store allows visitors to purchase apple cider doughnuts, pies, cider, apple butter, jams and other farm favorites. On weekends and holidays, cider doughnuts and pies are available at Grandma’s Apple Pie and Donut Shop located on premises. There is also a bar that serves hard cider and a barbecue pit that is a favorite among guests.
“Mark your calendar for next weekend,” said Olsen. “Please consider coming out and supporting your local orchard this Fall–after the year we have had, we hope that when you get here, the first bite tastes a little sweeter.”
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