Apple Picking in Corrales, NM: Fall Traditions and a Taste of Homeownership

There’s something magical about fall in New Mexico. The crisp morning air, the golden cottonwoods lining the Rio Grande, and the smell of roasted green chile drifting from roadside stands all signal the season’s arrival. But one of the most cherished fall traditions in the Albuquerque area is apple picking in Corrales, NM.

When I was a boy, my dad once took us out to a Corrales farm that advertised, “Take home as many apples as you’d like if you help with the harvest.” My father was a hardworking man, and true to form, he picked a truckload of apples in a single day— he's took home nearly 50 bushels. The farm owners were so impressed they even offered him a job as an apple picker. Not knowing he owned a private school in Albuquerque. 

That year, our family pantry (which was an overturned dump truck bed, and a hand dug well may dad re purposed int o a root cellar) was overflowing with apples. We had apple butter, apple jam, and apple pies that lasted well into the spring. What started as a simple fall outing became a memory—and a tradition—that tied us to the land and community in a way that felt uniquely New Mexican.

Corrales, a charming village just minutes from Albuquerque, is well known for its lush orchards, small farms, and tight-knit community. Each September and October, families gather at local farms to pick apples, sip fresh cider, and soak in the beauty of the season.

Here are some tips if you're up for the adventure. 

• Wagner Farms: Likely hosting plenty of fall festivities. Apple picking may be part of that, based on tradition, but confirm directly for 2025.

• Alary Farm: Definitely offering apples and cider in early September—check if pick-your-own is available later in the season.

• Harvest Festival: Not a pick-your-own venue, but a vibrant fall event full of seasonal charm and community gathering.

What You Can Do Next

• Call or check websites for both Wagner Farms and Alary Farm to confirm:

  • Are pick-your-own apple activities available?

  • What are the specific dates and hours?

• Plan a visit around the Corrales Harvest Festival (last weekend in September) to soak in local fall traditions—even if apple picking isn't the main attraction, the atmosphere is unbeatable.

Fall Traditions That Bring Community Together

Apple picking in Corrales isn’t just about filling a basket with fruit—it’s about celebrating community. Families bring children to run through orchards, neighbors meet up for cider festivals, and many locals make it an annual tradition to bake pies or freeze applesauce for winter.

From pumpkin patches to hayrides, Corrales offers a slice of small-town charm that feels worlds away from the bustle of Albuquerque, even though it’s only a short drive. This blend of rural beauty and city convenience is exactly why so many people consider buying a home in Corrales or nearby.

Why Corrales is a Hot Spot for Homebuyers in Fall

When you visit Corrales for apple picking, you quickly see why it’s one of the most desirable places to live in the Albuquerque metro area. Tree-lined acequias (historic irrigation canals), spacious properties, and wide-open skies create a lifestyle that balances comfort, tradition, and natural beauty.

For buyers, homes for sale in Corrales, NM often include larger lots, farmland, or custom properties that provide room to grow. For sellers, showcasing the community’s seasonal traditions—like apple picking—helps highlight the lifestyle buyers are searching for.

Many people moving to New Mexico are drawn not only by the homes themselves but by the fall traditions and cultural richness that make life here unique. Corrales stands out as a place where buyers don’t just find a house—they find a community rooted in tradition.

Living the Corrales Lifestyle

Imagine this: after a Saturday morning of apple picking, you return home to enjoy cider on your back patio with mountain views. Your neighbors wave as they walk to the Corrales Growers’ Market. In fall, the air smells of piñon fires, the leaves glow gold, and life slows down just enough to appreciate it all.

That’s the lifestyle Corrales offers, and why it continues to be a sought-after destination for buyers looking to put down roots in New Mexico.