Ski-Hi Fruit Farm in Baraboo, WI
Enjoy farm-fresh fruit, local charm, and family fun in Baraboo, WI! Check hours and plan your visit for a sweet, memorable experience.
If youâre in the Baraboo area and autumnâs in the air, chances are youâll hear someone recommend a trip out to Ski-Hi Fruit Farm. This isnât just another roadside orchardâitâs a century-old, family-run spot where apple season feels like a local holiday, with fresh cider, homemade pies, and a real sense of Wisconsin tradition. Just know: especially on weekends, youâll be sharing the place with a few thousand of your new closest friends, so it pays to plan ahead.
Ski-Hi Fruit Farm is the kind of place where fall memories are madeâthink wagon rides, apple picking, and the smell of warm donuts drifting over the hills. Locals and visitors alike make the pilgrimage each year, and for good reason: the apple selection is huge, the cider is pressed on-site, and the homemade bakery treats draw lines for a reason.
Location & Contact
Address: E11219A Ski Hi Rd Ste A, Baraboo, WI 53913, USA
Phone: (608) 356-3695
Website: Official site
Parking: Parking is available right near the store, but itâs limitedâespecially on busy fall weekends. If the main lot is full, look for overflow parking across the street. Be prepared to walk a bit during peak hours, and definitely watch for traffic when crossing.
Accessibility: Full wheelchair accessibility details arenât listed, so itâs a good idea to call ahead if you have specific needs. Most of the grounds are grassy or gravel, so sturdy shoes are a must for everyone.
What's the Deal
What to Expect
What Sets This Place Apart
Ski-Hi Fruit Farm stands out not just for its sheer variety of apples (more than a dozen kinds, from classic Cortland to coveted Honeycrisp), but for its deep roots in Barabooâs farming history. The orchardâs been run by the same family for over 100 years, and you can feel that sense of tradition everywhereâfrom the hand-lettered signs to the old-fashioned cider press running in the back. Itâs a place where you can sample apples youâve never tasted, watch cider being made, and send the kids off to feed goats or ride the wagonâall in one afternoon.
The Offering
- Signature items/services: Fresh apple cider (pressed on-site and available by the gallon), homemade bakery treats (the apple cider donuts are legendary and sell out fast), and dozens of apple varieties for purchase or picking. Apple picking bags start at a set price, with premium apples like Honeycrisp available for an additional fee.
- Quality highlights: Apples are picked at peak ripeness, and the cider is made fresh daily during season. Baked goods are made in small batches, so youâre getting that just-out-of-the-oven quality. Locals rave about the freshness and the classic, simple flavorsâno overly processed stuff here.
- Range & variety: Expect a wide range of apples (Cortland, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, and more), plus pears, pumpkins, and other seasonal produce. The bakery counter features pies, turnovers, donuts, and cookies, along with jams and preserves.
- Seasonal/special offerings: Wagon rides and a petting zoo (with goats, ponies, pigs, and geese) are available during the peak fall months. Look out for special events and extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays during apple season (open until 6:00 PM those nights).
The Experience
The family-friendly, laid-back farm vibe means youâll see everyone from toddlers chasing chickens to grandmas picking out pies. The place is bustling but rarely feels overwhelming if you time your visit right. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable about the apples, and thereâs a real sense of communityâpeople chat in line, swap apple pie recipes, and kids run from the petting zoo to the bakery in a sugar-fueled daze.
Service experience: Expect a casual, welcoming staff who know their apples and arenât shy about offering samples or advice. During peak times, lines can get long (especially at the bakery counter), but things move efficiently. If you have questions about apple varieties, cider, or the best way to store your haul, just askâfolks here are happy to help.
Detailed Experience Breakdown
- Arrival process: Pull into the gravel lot and follow signs to the main store. On weekends, staff may direct you to overflow parking across the road. Grab a cart or basket if youâre planning to pick apples or stock up at the store.
- Space & layout: The property is spread out, with the main store, bakery, cider press, and picnic tables all within easy walking distance. The petting zoo and wagon ride area are set a bit away from the store, so expect a short stroll over grassy or gravel paths.
- Interaction style: Itâs a mix of self-serve and personal attentionâbrowse the store at your own pace, but donât hesitate to ask for help or recommendations. The bakery counter and apple tasting station are staffed by folks who love to talk fruit and local food.
FYI (For Your Information)
Timing & Logistics
Best times: Arrive before 10:00 AM on weekends or visit on weekdays to avoid the biggest crowds and get first pick of apples and bakery items. ⢠Peak periods: Saturdays and Sundays in late September and October are packed, sometimes topping 5,000 visitors in a dayâexpect longer waits and limited parking. ⢠Seasonal notes: Apple season runs from late August through November; wagon rides and petting zoo are typically only available in September and October.
What You Need to Know
- Booking/Access: No reservations needed for general visits or apple picking. For wagon rides or group activities, itâs smart to call ahead, especially during busy weekends or if you have a large party.
- Payment & Costs: They accept cash, credit cards, and Android Pay. Apple picking bags are prepaidâexpect to pay a bit more for premium apples like Honeycrisp. Bakery items range from $2â$20 depending on what you get.
- Facilities & Amenities: Restrooms are available on-site. There are picnic tables for eating or relaxing, but seating is first-come, first-served. Parking is tight during peak hours, and the grounds are mostly grass or gravelâgood shoes are a must.
- Preparation: Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Layers are smart in fall, and a hat or sunscreen is handy on sunny days. No strict dress codeâjust come ready for outdoor fun. Bring cash if you want to speed up checkout.
Insider Tips
Local knowledge: The apple cider donuts are so popular they often sell out by early afternoon on weekendsâhit the bakery counter first if theyâre on your must-have list. Locals also know that the best apple selection is right when they open, especially for Honeycrisp or Cortland.
Managing Expectations
- What works well: The selection and freshness of apples, the quality of bakery treats, and the full-on fall atmosphereâespecially for families and groups.
- Potential limitations: Parking can be a hassle during peak times, and lines for bakery items or cider can get long. The grounds arenât fully paved, so accessibility is limited in some areas.
- How to optimize: Come early, especially on weekends, to get the best produce and avoid crowds. If you can, visit on a weekday or plan your trip for late August or early November for a more relaxed experience.
Timing Considerations
Fall is prime time at Ski-Hi Fruit Farm, with the best experience from late August through November. September and October are peak months for both produce and crowdsâexpect a lively, bustling scene on weekends, especially in the run-up to Halloween. If youâre after a quieter visit or want to try less common apple varieties, aim for early in the season or midweek. Wagon rides and the petting zoo are typically only available in the heart of apple season, so check the calendar if those are must-dos.
Local Context
Ski-Hi Fruit Farm isnât just a stop on the fall tourist trailâitâs a local institution thatâs woven into Barabooâs community traditions. For generations, families have made it their go-to spot for apple picking, cider sipping, and picking up those must-have pies for Thanksgiving. The farm embodies Wisconsinâs agricultural heritage, and you see that in the crowds: plenty of locals making their annual pilgrimage, but also visitors from Madison, the Dells, and beyond who want a taste of authentic, small-town fall.
Beyond the apples, Ski-Hi serves as a gathering placeâkids run wild at the petting zoo, neighbors catch up over cider, and the staff always seem to know someoneâs grandma by name. Itâs the kind of place where you might bump into a friend from high school or get a hot tip on which apples are at their peak that week. For Baraboo, itâs more than just an orchard; itâs the heartbeat of autumn and a living piece of the areaâs rural character.
Final Assessment
Overall Recommendation
Bottom Line: If you want the full Wisconsin fall experienceâfresh apples, homemade treats, wagon rides, and that unbeatable orchard vibeâSki-Hi Fruit Farm is a must-visit. Yes, it gets crowded, and parking can test your patience, but the quality of produce, the sense of tradition, and the family-friendly fun make it absolutely worth the trip. Just come early, bring your appetite, and be ready for a little small-town magic.
Best For
- Families looking for a classic fall outing with activities for kids
- Apple enthusiasts and home bakers who want fresh, local fruit
- Visitors seeking an authentic slice of Wisconsinâs rural community and food culture
Ski-Hi Fruit Farm delivers on its local legend status with a mix of tradition, quality, and genuine hospitality. Whether youâre on a mission for the best Honeycrisp in the county, want to introduce your kids to farm animals, or just need a break from city life, youâll find something here to make the trip memorable. Itâs not the place for a quiet, solitary escapeâespecially in peak seasonâbut if you embrace the lively atmosphere, youâll understand why folks come back year after year.
