Royal Oak Farm Orchard Harvard McHenry County Illinois

Our McHenry County trip visits Royal Oak Farm Orchard in Harvard, Illinois where apples rule. We found crisp fresh apples, apple pie, apple slices, caramel apples, apple donuts and apple cider. This third generation Harvard, Illinois farm is family friendly. As you cruise the scenic driveway, notice the namesake oak trees lining the road.

The orchard began with a few trees planted on Grandpa’s retirement homestead. The sprinkling of saplings grew into 13,000 apple trees in 29 varieties. U-pick apples are available July through November each year. Check with the farm for current crops as each variety matures at different times of the season.

Our tractor pulled wagon ride took us through the orchards where Justin Bell explained the history of the farm and how they create new trees through grafting. Each year 1000 new trees are planted. As we continued our ride, we passed u-pick raspberry and blackberry bushes. Choose your own pumpkins and gourds. The farm has their own bee hives and their Apple Blossom honey is sold in the gift store.

Royal Oak Farm Orchard Market produce

A bounty of produce at Royal Oak Farm Orchard Market

Stop by the market to stock up on farm fresh produce, bakery items and gifts.

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Try the blackberry pie at Royal Oak Farm County Restaurant

The Royal Oak Farm Country Restaurant is a popular comfort food lunch stop. Breakfast is available on Saturday mornings. I recommend the blackberry raspberry pie with ice cream.

Click on the picture below to watch a video of our visit.

Kids will keep busy in the entertainment area. Feed and pet the animals in the petting zoo, ride the carousel or the “Royal Oak Express” trackless train.

Connect with Royal Oak Farm Orchard on Twitter and Facebook for updates. Corporate groups, family reunions, birthday parties, weddings, receptions and large groups welcome.

ROYAL OAK FARM ORCHARD
15908 Hebron Road
Harvard, Illinois 60033
815-658-4141
www.royaloakfarmorchard.com

Royal Oak Farm is open for apple picking July through November. Hours and prices vary. Check their website for PumpkinFest and AppleFest special events.

Our trip was sponsored by the McHenry County Visitors Bureau and Royal Oak Farm Orchard.

Royal Oak Farm Country Kitchen Restaurant on Urbanspoon

5 thoughts on “Royal Oak Farm Orchard Harvard McHenry County Illinois

  1. Pingback: Tweets that mention Royal Oak Farm Orchard Harvard McHenry County Illinois « April M. Williams -- Topsy.com

  2. UNHAPPY CUSTOMER!!!!

    We go to Royal Oaks Apple Orchard in Hebron and have been going there for the last 6 years. This year we went there like every other and were EXTREMELY dissapointed with the lack of apples they had and he quality of the ones that were still left. We decided to ask for our money back and just purchase the apples we knew were good in their store but were given a VERY hard time. After we were given our $ back we were approached by the Quality Control Man and he had a TON of excuses and never apologized. Instead he told us we were entiltled to our opinion and when we called him out for puting flags on apples that weren’t even ripe yet his response was ‘the people would just pick them anyways” So he told us to go out in the orchard and try other apples in hopes that we would change our minds so we did. We really didn’t find anything to our liking so we decided again to go and purchase them inthe store. When we were walking to the store we noticed an unmarked bin full of apples and saw similar bins in the field and assumed they were for picking. So my three small children and my husband and I all tried these new apples and liked them. Suddenly we were approached by the boy that gave us our money back and he was yelling at us and pointing his finger at us telling us “Who do you think you are returning your bags and now you’re taking apples from us!” We were in shock and tried to explain that we were not aware that they weren’t for trying and he continued to badger us and basically calling us thieves. My daughter started to cry and I was so upset I was nearly speechless! The other man came over and told us we had been nothing but trouble and we needed to leave!!!! Appparently if you voice your dissatisfaction with their product this is how you are treated there! We were sent away in tears with no apology but instead just more ridicule! I will NEVER set foot in that place again!

    Reply
    1. April M. Williams

      It is unfortunate when an experience does not meet our expectations. I passed along your comment to Royal Oak Orchard.

      Speaking for myself, our visit to the farm was very different. The orchard was crowded with happy customers picking apples, shopping the produce market and dining in the restaurant. Children happily played on the carousel. The employees we interacted with were helpful and courteous.

      Reply
  3. Dennis Norton

    Unfortunately I tried to offer this customer a beautiful bag of Jonagored and Empire apples at no charge when they were eating apples out of our bins in front of our Packing Room overhead door at the rear of our building that is posted employees only so they would not go home empty handed, but they refused them and then began swearing at us, called us filthy names so when the swearing started we just asked them to leave. We are so sorry this had to happen!

    Reply
    1. April M. Williams

      Dennis,

      Thank you for your comments. The 13,000 trees on the farm produce 29 varieties of apples throughout the season. The apples we brought home were crisp, juicy and refreshing. I’m still partial to the cider donuts. I warmed them up the next day and the tasted freshly made.

      Reply

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