Fall in Western Montana brings crisp air, colorful landscapes and one of the region’s sweetest fall traditions—the annual apple harvest. Apple growing has deep roots in Montana, where family-owned orchards have cultivated dozens of varieties for generations. Today, visitors can still experience that heritage. From picking apples straight from the tree to sipping hard cider made with Montana-grown fruit, apple flavors and festivities are the perfect way to savor the season.
FRESH APPLES + LOCAL ORCHARDS
Fall is the time to get your hands on the freshest apples in Western Montana. Farm stands, orchards and u-pick operations open their gates from September through October—sometimes into November if the weather holds. Visitors can pick their own apples, sample fresh-pressed cider, or shop for locally grown fruit and baked goods at farmers markets and grocery stores.
Orchards:
- Fat Robin Orchard & Farm, Polson
- Green Bench Orchard, Missoula
- Red Hen Farm & Orchard, Missoula
- Swanson’s Mountain View Orchard, Corvallis
- The Last Best Place Orchard, Bigfork + Missoula deliveries
HARD-CORE FLAVOR AT LOCAL CIDERIES
Cider making is flourishing across Western Montana, where local cideries turn Montana-grown apples into crisp, flavorful blends.
In the Bitterroot Valley, Montana CiderWorks in Darby was the state’s first commercial cidery and continues to craft award-winning ciders using locally sourced fruit. Nearby in Florence, FireRoot Spirits adds a creative twist with farm-distilled AppleJack brandy and Apple Jill—a smooth cider-whiskey blend that’s just right served over ice.
Farther north in Kalispell, Big Mountain Ciderworks blends apples, cherries and pears into bright, balanced ciders that showcase the flavors of northwest Montana.
Apple season is the perfect time to visit, when tasting rooms pour fresh releases and the valley’s orchards are full of life.
GUIDING GLACIER: WESTERN CIDER
For Western Cider, great cider starts long before the first pour—it begins in the orchard. With more than 5,000 trees and over 50 apple varieties growing in the Bitterroot Valley, Western Cider is helping revive Montana’s apple heritage through craft rooted in community and the landscape that inspires it.
Founded by friends with a shared passion for apples and agriculture, Western Cider blends traditional methods with a modern approach. Their orchard south of Missoula grows everything from heirloom McIntosh—some on trees more than 80 years old—to experimental varieties that thrive in Western Montana’s warm days and cool autumn nights. That climate, and the care given to each harvest, shapes every cider they make.
Their tasting room along the Clark Fork River in Missoula has become a local gathering place. Visitors can sip cider on the riverside patio, try rotating seasonal blends, and enjoy live music and local food. Whether you’re a longtime cider fan or new to the craft, Western Cider reflects what makes Glacier Country special—strong roots, local flavor and a community that knows how to raise a glass together.
Please note: We ask that all our visitors and residents recreate responsibly by being mindful of the following: know before you go; plan ahead; play it safe; leave no trace; tread lightly; and help build an inclusive outdoors.
October 27, 2025
Related: Bitterroot Valley, Cideries, Darby, Dining, Fall Fun, Florence, Hamilton, Indoor Fun, Kalispell, Missoula
Comments