If your family is like mine, you absolutely love blueberries. Blueberries are a superfood with tons of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants- not to mention a great addition to smoothies! If you have ever considered picking your own blueberries, consider this your blueberry picking 101 article! This article will not only tell you where to find blueberry picking near you, but it will also give you some pretty cool tips and tricks from our team’s experiences picking blueberries with their kids.
Pack up the sunscreen, bug spray, and rain boots to head out for a fun adventure at a local farm! The following spots for u-pick blueberries are within about two hours of Chicagoland.
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 (or check the farm’s Facebook page) 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.
Blueberry Picking in Illinois
2701 Glenwood Dyer Road
Lynwood, IL 60411
- Organic agricultural farm located just 25 miles south of Chicago
- Open for U-Pick blueberries beginning late June/early July-no exact 2025 date released yet!
- Picking buckets $2/ Blueberries are $6 per pound; but feel free to bring your own bucket
- Credit card/cash accepted
- Check their social accounts for updates
- Port-a-potty restrooms on site
Stade’s Farm and Market
3709 Miller Road
McHenry, IL 60051
(815) 675-6396
- Open for blueberry U-Pick middle of July; check their Facebook page for exact dates after July 4, 2025.
- $6 1-pint basket, $12 1-quart basket, $20 2-quart basket.
- Each person that enters is required to pick 1 pint
- Open for the strawberry u-pick season May 24, 2025
- Can only pick using Stade’s baskets.
- All forms of payment accepted except American Express.
- Call ahead or check Facebook page before visiting the farm.
Tammen Treeberry Farm
37131 Essex Road
Wilmington, IL 60481
(815) 458-6264
- Season usually begins around mid-July, and pick for 4-5 weeks.
- Tammen Treeberry Farm update their Facebook page with dates.
- 2024 U-Pick prices were $2.95/lb.; pre-pick price $4.35/lb.
- Open 8:00am – 4:30pm
- They also sell Christmas trees in winter
McCann Berry Farm
18110 Kishwaukee Valley Road
Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 568-8810
- Blueberry season runs approximately mid July through August, the exact opening dates for 2025 have not been announced.
- Check their Facebook page for updates.
- Containers are provided, blueberry cost $4.25/lb
- They also grow sunflowers in the summer.
- McCann Farm asks for check or cash payment, parking is free.
Blueberry Picking in Indiana
Fritts Berry Farm
10301 N. State Road 10
DeMotte, IN 46310
(219) 987-2228
- Blueberry season opening day is not yet announced. The season usually lasts through early August.
- Bring your own blueberry container
- Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00am – 6:00pm and Saturdays 7:00am – 3:00pm.
- Their website is updated regularly; check back for details.
- Cash and check only
Eenigenburg’s Blueberries
6721 W. State Road 10
Demotte, IN 46310
(219) 987-2957
- Blueberry season opening day is anticipated to be July 1, 2025.
- U-pick $2.50/pound; ready-picked $3.75/pound
- Check their Facebook page for most up to date information.
Merrillville Farms
6716 Colorado Street
Hobart, IN 46342
(219) 947-0223
- U-pick starting early this year on June 28, 2025.
- Must enter from the 61st Street entrance due to construction on the farm
- Free admission
- Monday-Saturday 10:00am – 7:00pm and Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm.
- Organic blueberries
- Check their social media for updates
Johnson’s Farm Produce
8960 East Ridge Road
Hobart, IN 46342
(219) 962-1383
- Blueberry U-Pick season begins June 28, 2025.
- Normal U-Pick hours open Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays-admission is $5/person
- Fun Farm is open Saturdays and Sundays for $15/person, this includes U-Pick
- 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
- 2025 opening day is around July 4.
- 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 estimated to begin July 1, 2025.
- 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.
Mitzner Farms
9895 W. 1700 S.
Lacrosse, IN 46348
(219) 733-9080
- U-Pick usually starts early July.
- Their Facebook page is more regularly updated; check for updates.
- Cash or check only.
Blueberries of Indiana
2388 W. 1000 North
LaPorte, IN 46350
(219) 326-8686
- Opening day for 2025, TBD.
- Open daily with the exception of Tuesdays.
- Bring your own containers or purchase some from the farm store.
- Call ahead to find out weather, and check their social media for updates.
- Going through the process of becoming certified organic, they are in year two of the three year process.
Garwood Orchards
5911 W. 50 S
LaPorte, IN 46350
(219) 362-4385
- Opening day is usually early July.
- Open daily 9:00am – 5:00pm
- This farm offers many different fruits and vegetables for purchase and picking.
- Check their Facebook for up-to-date information on what is available.
Stateline Blueberries
9957 North Frontage Road
Michigan City, IN 46360
(219) 874-7721
- Blueberry U-Pick opening day for 2025 is June 25.
- U-Pick hours are 7am-6pm, but verify before heading out.
- Credit cards are accepted with a minimum purchase of $10
- Free parking, no admission fee, and no pets
Bonnell’s Blueberry Patch
4840 S. 600 West
North Judson, IN 46366
(574) 896-5365
- Due to a cold spring, opening day will be a week or two after their initially projected date of July 4, 2025.
- 2025 prices: Ready-pick is $3.25/lb.; U-pick is $2/lb.
- Open daily, 7:00am-6:00pm
- Cash or check accepted only; bring your own boxes or containers.
- Check their Facebook page for more information on opening day.
Blueberry Picking in Michigan
Starbucks Blueberry Farm
9245 Gast Road,
Bridgman, MIÂ 49106
(269) 465-4745
- Blueberry U-pick usually begins second week of July. Last year it lasted for 3 weeks
- Also check out their farm-side store with all sorts of homemade blueberry products.
Planning Your Blueberry Picking 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!
What to Bring for Blueberry Picking
- 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.
- Sunblock and insect repellent. Picking blueberries is fun; getting sunburned or bitten is not. Take precautions and don’t forget to reapply.
- Containers. Some places supply their own, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
- Hand wipes or baby wipes. Double- and triple-check, as this adventure can get sticky quickly.
- Stroller or wagon. The fields can be far away from the parking area.
- Water. Drink it often! You don’t realize all the bending over and sunshine catches up with you.
- Picnic lunch or snack. Even if you plan on going out for a meal afterwards, blueberry picking is hungry work.
- Blanket to sit on while you eat. Depending on the farm, there may or may not be picnic tables available, but a blanket is handy in case the ground is muddy or the tables are full.
What to Wear for Blueberry Picking
Dress lightly and wear gym shoes with socks, or even better yet, boots. Think Peppa Pig and puddles! 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. Also, don’t forget your sun hats to keep the sun off your face.
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 Ziploc bag and place flat 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.
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