Yes, You Can Visit the Apple Orchard Without Paying for the Festival
Orchard admission is free; pay by weight for every apple you pick. Paid Harvest Festival attractions require separate admission.
Yes. You can pick apples at Swans Trail Farms without buying a Harvest Festival ticket, and there is no separate admission fee for the U-Pick Apple Orchard. You must pay by weight for every apple you pick. Free orchard admission does not include the Harvest Festival’s paid attractions and activities, according to the farm’s U-Pick and festival FAQ.
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The short answer: no festival ticket is needed
For an orchard-only outing, the cost structure is simple:
- Orchard admission: Free
- Apples: Sold by weight
- Harvest Festival attractions and activities: Separate paid admission required
The key distinction is between free entry and free fruit. Guests must keep and purchase everything they pick, so choose the amount you want before filling your bag or basket. Orchard access also applies only to the U-Pick purpose; it is not a pass for paid festival attractions.
Orchard-only visit versus Harvest Festival admission
Use your main activity to decide whether you need a ticket:
| Visit type | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Orchard-only visit | No orchard admission fee. Pick only in open rows and pay by weight for all apples picked. Paid festival attractions are not included. |
| Harvest Festival visit | A festival ticket is required for its attractions and activities. Apples are still a separate by-weight purchase if you also visit the orchard. |
For 2026, listed Harvest Festival general admission for visitors ages 2–64 is $16.95 plus tax and fees Monday through Friday and $24.95 plus tax and fees Saturday and Sunday. These are season-specific festival prices, not an orchard entry charge.
Check the 2026 schedule and crop status before leaving
The published 2026 schedule has the U-Pick apple season opening on September 12, 2026, with hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Treat these as scheduled season details rather than a guarantee of same-day operation or fruit availability.
Apple varieties, open rows, and supply can change or become limited during the season. Before leaving Seattle or starting a longer drive, check the farm’s current website or updates for:
- That day’s operating hours
- Live U-Pick crop status
- Varieties and rows currently open
- Current apple price per pound
- Any weather- or supply-related changes
A Seattle-area community discussion about apple-picking timing similarly advises checking the opening date, crop status, and prices before traveling. It is anecdotal, however, and does not independently confirm that picking is open on a particular day. Use the farm’s current information to make the final decision.
Confirm the current per-pound price directly with the farm before visiting so you can budget for the amount you plan to pick.
Know the picking and checkout rules
Once you reach the orchard, follow this sequence:
- Check which rows are marked open. Visible fruit does not necessarily mean a row is available for picking.
- Pick only in designated open rows. Available sections and varieties can change during the season.
- Keep everything you pick. Remove fruit only if you are prepared to buy it.
- Take the apples to checkout. All picked apples are sold by weight.
You may bring an outside bag, basket, or other container, but the apples must be weighed in Swans Trail Farms containers at checkout.
Dress for an agricultural field rather than a paved attraction. Closed-toe footwear with useful traction is the practical choice. Travelers with specific mobility needs should contact the farm before visiting for current guidance.
Pets and emotional-support animals are not allowed in the orchard. Trained service animals are permitted as required by law.
For an orchard-only outing, skip the Harvest Festival ticket, budget to pay for every apple by weight, and check the farm’s current crop status, hours, open varieties, and price immediately before making the trip.