Melick's Town Farm (Califon Orchards) At A Glance...
- Dwarf apple and peach trees put the fruit within easy reach, even for small pickers.
- A free corn maze and a tractor tire playground for the kids, and tractor wagon rides included with entry.
- 200 acres of working farmland from the family that calls itself New Jersey's largest apple grower, farming here since the 1720s.
- Todays Sunrise: , Sunset:
- New Jersey Skylands Region Hunterdon County
About Melick's Town Farm (Califon Orchards)
Melick's Califon Orchards is the northernmost of the Melick family's farms. Melick's Town Farm calls itself the largest apple grower in New Jersey, with about 650 acres of land and 120 acres of orchards, and it is run by 10th generation farmers, siblings Peter, Rebecca and John Melick, with their parents George and Norma; the family traces its roots in the area back to the 1720s. The homestead and the Cider Mill and Orchard are in Oldwick, and the Califon farm grows peaches, apples and pumpkins on 200 acres of working farmland.
Califon is a pick-your-own farm. The trees are a dwarf variety, so the fruit is within easy reach. Peaches come first in summer, apples run from late summer through October, and pumpkins are ready to pick off the vine starting in October. Tractor wagon rides are included with the entry fee, and kids can explore the free corn maze, play in the tractor tire playground and visit the farm animals. In October the farm is decorated for fall. Picnic tables are set up outside the orchard area.
The Califon farm stand sells pre-picked produce, the farm's own sweet corn and vegetables, fresh baked goods and the family's own hard cider and wine. The farm is also a pickup point for Melick's CSA, and it can host birthdays, corporate get-togethers, reunions and other parties.
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Activities:
- Playing in the playground
- Picnicking
Amenities:- Picnic / Sitting Area
- Picnic tables
- Playground
Farming:- Apple Picking
- Corn Maze
- Farm Stand
- Hay Rides
- Pick Your Own
- Pumpkin Picking
Park Type:- Playground
Attractions:- Animals
Rules/Regulations:- Entrance Fee Required
- Dogs Not Permitted
Contact / Location
Admission & Guidelines
There is an entry fee for the orchard, with tractor wagon rides included. For the 2026 fall season it is $4.99 per person on weekdays and $6.99 on weekends, and apples are charged by the pound. No reservations are needed. Admission at Califon is not good at the Oldwick picking location. Please leave pets at home, for food safety reasons.
Hours / Season of Operation
The Califon farm stand and orchards are open for the season from July through early November, daily from 9 AM to 6 PM, with last entry into the orchard at 5 PM. Tractor wagon rides run from 10 AM to 5 PM. Pick-your-own pumpkins start in October, and the apple season runs through October. If you are coming for a particular fruit or activity, call 908-832-2905 to check what is ready.
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Nearby Places
Make a day of it in the Califon area. Teetertown Ravine Nature Preserve is about 2 miles away, and Ken Lockwood Gorge Wildlife Management Area, Voorhees State Park and Hacklebarney State Park are all within about 5 miles.
Here are 10 places near Melick's Town Farm (Califon Orchards)
- Melick's Town Farm (Califon Orchards) (~0 miles)
- Teetertown Ravine Nature Preserve (~2 miles)
- Teetertown Camping Area (~2 miles)
- Ken Lockwood Gorge Wildlife Management Area (~4 miles)
- Voorhees State Park (~5 miles)
- Voorhees State Park Campground (~5 miles)
- Voorhees State Park Observatory / NJAA (~5 miles)
- Schooleys Mountain County Park (~5 miles)
- Ort Farms (~5 miles)
- Hacklebarney State Park (~5 miles)
- CK Hoffman Veterans Memorial (~6 miles)
- Union Furnace Preserve (~6 miles)
Califon, New Jersey 07830