I’ve spent years exploring our beautiful Inland Northwest, helping clients find their dream homes or land. But when the days get longer and the weather warms up, there is one local gem I find myself returning to time and time again: Green Bluff. I liked it so much, I decided to return every evening; that’s why we built our home here!
Related: Building a Custom Spokane WA Home
While many people associate this farming community with autumn pumpkins and apple cider, I am here to tell you that summer on the Bluff is an absolute must-do. If you're new to the area or just looking for a weekend adventure, I've put together this ultimate summer guide to Spokane's favorite farming community.
What is Green Bluff?
Located just 15 minutes north of Spokane, Green Bluff is a picturesque loop of over 30 independent family farms. You can read a great historical overview on Visit Spokane’s Green Bluff blog, which highlights the rich history of this agricultural hub. Over the years, it has become a staple for locals and visitors alike—just take a look at the glowing TripAdvisor reviews for Green Bluff to see how much people love it.
Whether you are looking for fresh produce, local artisan goods, or just a scenic drive through the country, this community has something for everyone.
Related: Orchards and Acreage: Exploring Green Bluff Just North of Spokane WA
How do you get to (and through) Green Bluff?
Green Bluff is north east of Mead, WA. But, since it comprises many farms, it’s not easy to give a quick address for how to get there. But, locals know that the intersection of E Day Mt Spokane Road and N Bruce Road is where the adventure begins. Google maps has even caught on and marks this place as the “Green Bluff Loop.”
If you start at this intersection and head east on E Day Mt. Spokane Road, you’ll begin to loop up the hill and into Green Bluff that merges with E Greenbluff Road near Beck’s Harvest House, and eventually heads back south as it merges with N Greenbluff Road. You’ll stumble upon many farms as you traverse the loop that takes you around the hill. Or you can take small jaunts off the main road to find many more farms and adventures.
This map from the Green Bluff Growers Association website is helpful to have on your journey!
What’s Fresh This Summer? A Month-by-Month Guide to Green Bluff
Summer is peak U-Pick season, and the crop availability rotates quickly! Here is a helpful breakdown of exactly what you can expect to find as the summer progresses:
- June: The season kicks off with sweet strawberries. June is also an excellent time to find fresh cut flowers, rhubarb, mushrooms, and both garlic and garlic scapes.
- July: As the heat turns up, July bursts with flavor. This is prime time for cherries and raspberries. You will also start to see apricots, early blueberries, blackberries and plenty of farm-fresh veggies and local eggs.
- August: August is arguably the sweetest month for the trees on the Bluff! The trees are heavy with peaches, early apples, nectarines, plums, and pears. You can also pick blackberries and blueberries while stocking up on fresh summer tomatoes.
Here is a resource from Green Bluff Growers that shows what is in season during the peak summer months.
Photos from Green Bluff Growers.
The Busiest Summer Farms to Visit
With so many farms to choose from, knowing where to stop can be overwhelming. While I have so many favorites, here are some of the busiest and most popular farms during the summer months that offer incredible produce, food, and family fun:
- Beck's Harvest House: Beck's is a powerhouse in both summer and fall! Known for their U-Pick cherries and peaches, Beck's features a fantastic Country Kitchen restaurant, bakery, and a gorgeous outdoor patio. On summer weekends, you can sip local wine or cider while enjoying live music and taking in expansive views of Mt. Spokane.
- Walters Fruit Ranch: If you are hunting for strawberries, cherries, or "bend-over peaches" (so juicy you have to bend over to eat them!), Walters is the place to be. It is incredibly popular for families thanks to their "Fruit Loop Express" tractor rides. Grab a tasty sandwich at their Orchard Cafe and finish with a giant scoop of Mary Lou's ice cream over fresh-baked pie.
- Sunset Orchard: Home to a stunning 130-year-old orchard, Sunset Orchard is bustling in the summer. They offer an absolutely massive variety of peaches and cherries. Be sure to visit their store, June Rose, for gorgeous cut flower bouquets, honey, jams, and even wild-foraged morels and huckleberries.
- Hidden Acres: A beautiful farm known for its rustic, relaxed atmosphere. They operate entirely in tune with the land, meaning no massive corporate farming practices here! It’s a wonderful spot to pick up farm-fresh eggs (including duck and quail!), sourdough bread, and seasonal U-Pick fruits.
- Wildland Cooperative: One of the most unique and vibrant stops on Green Bluff. Operating as a worker-owned cooperative, this modern, community-centric hub beautifully blends sustainable agriculture with a relaxed social house vibe. Wildland grows its own no-till produce, flowers, and seasonal crops, but they are perhaps best known for their exceptional on-site taproom and artisan market. Visitors can hang out on the spacious, dog-friendly cherry tree patio to enjoy panoramic views of the Mt. Spokane foothills while sipping small-batch farm beers and custom wine blends crafted in collaboration with Townshend Cellar.
To keep up with exactly what is ripe for picking on any given summer weekend, your best bet is to follow the Green Bluff Growers on Instagram, as crops can change depending on the weather.
Related: A Three-Day Weekend Guide to Spokane in Summer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Green Bluff, WA
When is the best time to visit Green Bluff during the summer?
I highly recommend going early in the morning on weekends to beat the heat and the crowds, or taking a peaceful mid-week drive. Fruits like strawberries in June and cherries in July can get picked out fast on Saturdays!
Are dogs allowed on the farms?
It depends on the specific farm. Because these are working agricultural properties (and for food safety reasons regarding U-Pick fields), many farms ask that you leave your pets at home. Some farms, like Hidden Acres, have their own free-roaming farm dogs, so always check the individual farm's website before bringing your furry friend.
Do I need to bring my own containers for U-Pick?
Most farms provide boxes or buckets for you to pick into and will weigh them at the end. However, bringing your own reusable bags or boxes to transport the fruit home in your car is highly encouraged to reduce environmental impact.
Is it cash-only?
While many farms have updated to accept credit and debit cards, the cell service on the Bluff can occasionally be spotty, which can cause card readers to lag. I always carry some cash just in case—plus, it's great for tipping the local musicians you'll often find playing on the farm patios!
What are the farm hours?
Hours are farm-specific! While many farms are open daily during peak harvest, some close entirely on Mondays or Tuesdays, and others switch to reduced winter or weekday schedules after the Fall Festival. Always check the Green Bluff Growers site or individual farm pages before heading out.
Do I need to pay an entry fee?
Most individual farms do not charge an entry fee. You simply pay for what you pick (by the pound or container), or for specific activities like corn mazes, train rides, or festival events.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, Green Bluff is generally pet-friendly. Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome to walk around the grounds of most farms. However, for health and safety reasons, pets are typically not allowed inside farm stores, restaurants, or in certain U-pick orchards.
What is there to do besides fruit picking?
Green Bluff is much more than agriculture. Visitors can enjoy local craft beer and cider at spots like Big Barn Brewing Company and Twilight Cider Works, dine on farm-fresh lunches, browse artisan gift shops, or attend summertime concert series and festivals.
What is the best way to get around?
You will drive from farm to farm. During the busy season, the narrow roads can get heavily congested. Visitors highly recommend arriving early (before 10:00 AM) to avoid traffic, and utilizing the maps provided by specific farms to take alternative, less-congested routes.
Looking Ahead: Reasons to Visit this Fall
While summer is my personal favorite, I can't talk about Green Bluff without acknowledging its legendary fall harvest! If you are planning a trip for late September or October to pick pumpkins, get lost in a corn maze, and eat your weight in pumpkin donuts, bookmark these fantastic fall guides:
- KXLY: Your Fall Guide to Green Bluff
- Spokane Eats: Your Fall Guide to Green Bluff
- Beck’s Harvest House: Fall Harvest Festival
- The Inlander: Tips to enjoy the bounty of Green Bluff orchards' fall apple harvest and much more
- Visit Spokane: Green Bluff Spokane Fall
- Explore WA Visitor’s Guide to Green Bluff
- The Whitworthian’s Green Bluff Guide for Students
Whether you are hunting for the perfect peach this summer or planning ahead for autumn, Green Bluff is one of the many reasons I am so proud to build homes and live in the Spokane community. And, if you want to talk all things Green Bluff or all things Spokane, get in touch with me here or view my listings. See you on the Bluff!
