One of my favourite memories from childhood will always be filling up ice cream pails with fresh strawberries alongside my brother and my dad at the U-Pick field near our house. Since houses now cover that field, I’ve done a little digging to find some of the best U-Pick Berry Farms near Calgary so I can recreate those memories with my own kids. As it turns out, there are a lot of great options for getting your fill of fresh produce, whether you’re looking for berries, veggies, or even flowers.
Check out our list (in order of closest to town to furthest away) and prepare to get pickin’!
U-Pick Berry Farms Near Calgary
Note: Before heading out to any U-Pick location, check their website or call ahead of time to make sure that the type of produce you’re looking for is in season and ready for picking. You may also want to check on their availability as many fruits and veggies are sold on a first-come, first served basis. All U-Pick farms recommend that you come wearing long sleeves (to protect you from scratches, the sun, and bugs), a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and a bottle of water to keep you hydrated during your pick! For hygiene reasons, pets are asked to be kept at home. Although the time it takes to fill a bucket varies by person and what you’re picking, in general, 30-60 minutes should be enough time to fill a 4L bucket with yummy berries!
Purple Ridge Farm | facebook.com
(35 km from Calgary) – 107 Farries Dr, Airdrie, AB
By appointment only
Purple Ridge Farm is a small family farm that welcomes guests for picking by booking an appointment. They are closed daily from 12:30 pm-2:30 pm but are quite flexible with times. While they don’t grow strawberries, they do have a range of fruit and veggies such as Saskatoons, rasberries, rhubarb, zucchini, potatoes, and peas. Be sure to bring cash, as they are a cash-only farm!
Prairie Berry YYC | prairieberryyyc.com
(39 km from Calgary) – 225036 RR 282, Rocky View County
Monday to Sunday, 9 am – 6 pm
If 2 different varieties of pesticide-free Saskatoon berries are on your must-pick list, you’ve gotta make a quick trip to Prairie Berry YYC! This family-run farm provides a great place to get your hands juicy, in addition to offering information on how to find and pick the best berries, and which recipes they will shine in after they head home in your bucket! The farm also has a mini market which carries Albertan-made crafts and other products.
The Saskatoon Farm | saskatoonfarm.com
(48 km from Calgary) – 80181 338 Avenue East #20, Foothills No. 31
Monday to Sunday, 9 am – 5 pm
Our family loves the Saskatoon Farm. It’s easy to spend the better part of the afternoon wandering around looking at the beautiful flowers and plants, taking in incredible views, checking out the unique home décor items for sale, visiting pigs, bunnies, roosters and hens, and, of course, picking our favourite berries at the U-Pick. Check their website to see what’s in season and available for picking – strawberries, sour cherries, black currants, apples and Saskatoons are usually grown on the farm.
Solstice Berry Farm | solsticeberryfarm.com
(67 km from Calgary) – 29250 Range Rd 34, Crossfield
By appointment only
Keep an eye on Solstice Berry Farm’s website for updates on the opening of their 2023 growing season, as it’s looking like their 10 acres of Saskatoons may be making an appearance early this year! When you arrive at the farm,check in with our staff at the store first for directions to the best picking locations in the orchard. You can bring your own bucket for picking, or purchase one on site. In addition to picking berries to take home for your own cooking, if you’d like to try some of the recipes they’ve perfected, be sure to pick up some of their artisanal preserves and pies.
Sweet Life Saskatoons | sweetlifesaskatoons.com
(48 km from Calgary) – 281047 Symons Valley Road NW, Madden, AB
Monday to Sunday, 9 am – 6 pm
When you arrive at Sweet Life Saskatoons, check-in at the small brown shop at the end of the driveway to get your picking buckets and then get ready to go! Once you return with your bucket full, the berries will be transferred to a bag for you to take home. There are usually picnic tables and a play area where you can take a break and have a snack (maybe try a handful of berries or two!) before heading back home. Last year’s Saskatoon crop wasn’t hearty enough for picking, so be sure to reach out before heading out to pick in 2023.
Pleasant View U Pick Berries | pleasantviewupickberries.com
(63 km from Calgary) – Rocky View No. 44, AB
Monday to Saturday, 8 am – 12 pm and 5 pm – 8 pm. Sundays & Holidays, 8 am – 12 pm. In-season picking is provided by appointment only.
Because there is no sales staff at Pleasant View U Pick Berries, appointments need to be made ahead of time to make sure that someone is ready to greet you upon your arrival to the field. Bring your own containers and prepare to fill your buckets. Your container will be weighed before you fill it up with yummy berries, and then weighed again afterwards to determine the price of your haul. This is a family farm, so there are no concessions or washrooms available. Haskaps, raspberries, saskatoons, rhubarb and other berries are generally available. Stay up to date on their Facebook page for the latest news.
Saskaberry Ranch | saskaberryranch.com
(104 km from Calgary) – Township Rd 324, Mountain View County
Monday to Saturday, 9 am – 6 pm
This small family farm welcomes guests to enjoy the sunshine while picking their own produce including strawberries, raspberries, sour cherries, rhubarb, cherry tomatoes and Saskatoons (dependent on the season). Bring your own pail or borrow one of theirs; when you’re all finished picking, you can pay by cash, e transfer or check. Check their website to learn more about current U-Pick conditions but don’t be surprised if calls or e-mails go unanswered during the day, as the owners are usually out picking alongside their guests.
The Jungle Farm | thejunglefarm.com
(126 km from Calgary) – 28120 Township Road 362, Red Deer County, AB
Monday to Saturday, 8 am – 6 pm
While the U-Pick fields at The Jungle Farm are open 7 days a week, the general store and greenhouses are only open Monday-Saturday from 10 am – 6 pm, so plan your visit accordingly if you’d like to spend some time shopping on the farm after your picking of strawberries, raspberries and Saskatoons is all done! The renovated 1940’s barn is filled with yummy treats, produce and gorgeous giftware, while the greenhouse has hanging baskets, bulbs, bedding plants, and everything else you need to fill your yard with beautiful blooms! Strawberries, raspberries and Saskatoons are all available. As always, please check the website or call ahead for last-minute and up-to-date info.
Does your family have a favourite spot to pick berries and other produce? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Tagged under: Calgary,berry picking,berry farms Calgary
Category: attractions,outdoor-play
