Where To Find The Best Sunflower Fields In New York

I love chasing sunflower fields in New York every August. The vibrant yellow hues bring life to the miles of green farmland that saturate upstate New York every summer. The towering yellow flowers make for the best Insta-worthy photos and allow travelers of all ages to come together and enjoy the last few months of summer.

There are many public sunflower farms and privately owned fields in upstate New York that welcome visitors every August. I love visiting them on a Finger Lakes road trip. Once they bloom, they won’t last forever, so make sure you time your visit just right.

For four years, I lived in upstate New York from June to October, but I have been visiting every July since I was born. I never realized New York had so many sunflower fields just waiting to be enjoyed. Some of New York’s sunflower fields require an entrance fee and offer U-pick flowers, while some are more “wild” and best enjoyed from the roadside. No matter what kind of field you visit, the New York sunflower fields are certainly worth a trip!

In this post, I am sharing my personal favorite sunflower fields and including all you need to know to enjoy them. From How to find them, when to go, entrance fees, and the best way to enjoy them, this guide will help you with all of that.

I have also included sunflower fields in New York that I have yet to visit but have rave reviews.

I’m including fields apart of upstate New York, which is everything north of New York City. My favorite area for sunflower fields is around the Finger Lakes. I highly recommend a visit to this area. There is a ton to see and do!

Best Time to See Sunflower Fields in New York

Most Upstate New York sunflower fields bloom early to mid-August. Each year’s bloom is slightly different, varying from week to week, depending on the weather. With that said, some farms have blooms through labor day. If you are making a special trip to a sunflower field, it is always a good idea to contact the farm directly and ask when their sunflower season is.

The Best Sunflower Fields in New York

Turek Farms

Turek Farms is a family-owned and operated produce farm in Cayuga County. This was the first sunflower field in New York that I visited. I stumbled upon these sunflower fields while driving to Ithica from Aurora on a Finger Lakes road trip. It was a sea of yellow and so exciting to stumble upon unexpectedly.

The first time I visited this farm, the flowers were off of HWY 90 right next to the entrance to Turek Farm. I asked the owner in the office if I could take photos in the field, and he was more than happy to allow it. A year later, the field moved across from Treleaven Winery on Center Road.

This is not an advertised sunflower field for tourists, so chances are you will be completely alone to enjoy this field, which of course, makes for a better experience and fantastic photos.

Dates: 2nd-3rd week in August. Peak bloom varies from year to year, depending on mother nature. You can call or email the farm to get updates.

Times: The Field is open 24/7

Location: 8558 State Route 90, King Ferry, NY 13081. Fields are usually planted off of 90 next to the farm facility or just down the road across from Treleaven Winery on-center road.

Cost: Free (no picking)

Contact: Facebook

Strawberry Fields & Floral Farm

This sunflower field maze is located right outside of Skaneateles, one of my favorite Finger Lakes, and offers more entertainment than just a sunflower field. Some years they split the field, half corn, half sunflowers, so the field is not as big as others on this list, but trust me when I say it is still plenty big! Strawberry Fields offers hayrides, U-pick sunflowers ($1 a stem), and guided tours but is known for its U-Pick standing-up hydroponic strawberries. They also have a cute farm store filled with locally crafted goodies and delightful gifts for friends and home.

You can only access this field during opening hours, they rope off their parking lot after business hours.

Dates: Late July to early September. Strawberries Mid-June to October.

Times: Tuesday- Friday 10-5 pm and Saturday & Sunday 10-4 pm (closed Mondays)

Location: 4240 E Genesee Street Road, (on Route 20) Skaneateles, NY 13021 (1 mile west of Auburn)

Cost: $2 entrance to sunflower maze, $1 per stem, guided tours $12 per person (by appointment only)

Contact: (315)-751-5657

Update: Frederick Farms has not opened in the past few years. Check with them directly to know if they are still planning their sunflower fields.

Frederick Farms

Frederick Farms is a family affair, as most upstate farms are, but this one offers sunflowers for a cause. Although initially planted in remembrance of a loved one, the fields brought so many smiles to neighboring faces that the owners made it an annual event. They don’t charge to enter, but they ask for donations. They grow over 30 acres of sunflowers, and sometimes, you can spot their vibrant fields from the NY State Thruway.

In addition, they offer hayrides, animal petting, and pony rides to children. They also have cut flowers and sunflower oil for sale. Follow Frederick Farms on Instagram (@frederick_farms) and Facebook for annual sunflower field updates.

A reminder that this field is on private property. While visiting, you will be at the owners’ home, so always be respectful while enjoying their beautiful sunflower fields.

Dates: Open to the public for peak bloom week in August (changes yearly). Check their Facebook page for updated days and times.

Times: Hayrides are usually 1-3:30 pm and 6 pm to sunset on certain days during peak week

Location: 2090 McBurney Rd, Clifton Springs, NY 14432, the fields were off of Stryker Rd. in 2020

Cost: Free, donations accepted (for the House of John)

Contact: (315)-548-2515, jffarms@zoom-dsl.com

Daniel Thorn Farm

I spotted this expansive sunflower field off the road while trying to locate another New York sunflower field. The sea of yellow in early August was easy to spot. There are no tourists, hayrides, or sunflower picking at this field, and there is no official parking. Thorn Farm’s sunflower fields cover 200 acres, with nearly 1 million sunflowers bursting with joy against the summer heat. Trespassing isn’t allowed, but the views from the road are still worth a stop.

You will have to pull over on the side of the rural road to park, so be mindful of oncoming traffic and others stopping to enjoy the fields. Please respect the owner’s wishes and do not enter the field or pick any sunflowers; the fields are for viewing only.

Dates: Bloom in early to mid-August, depending on Mother Nature

Times: Enjoy the fields from the road 24/7

Location: 10297 Turnpike Rd, Clyde NY 14433

Cost: Free

Contact: (315) 923-3789

Wickham Farms

Wickham Farms is the New York sunflower field you want to go to if you are looking for a full day of family fun. They offer over 25+ barnyard activities, including hayrides, mini-golf, carpet rides, and apple cannons, to name a few. All nestled among 12 acres of sunflowers with 30 sunflower varieties and over 1 million blooms.

For an additional fee, you can pick your own sunflowers and purchase food and drinks on-site. They also offer an annual pass to enjoy Lavender fields (end of June to mid-July) and pumping picking during their Fall Harvest Festival (early September to end of October).

Dates: Usually end of July through Labor Day. Dates vary every year; check their website before you go.

Times: 10 am-7 pm every day except closed Wednesdays

Location: 1315 Sweet Corner’s Rd. Penfield, NY 14526

Cost: $14 online $15 at the gate (weekday), $17 online, $19 at the gate (weekend) per person ages 3-79, $45 for an annual pass, purchase online for discount

Contact: (585) 377-3276, office@wickhamfarms.com

Stokoe Farms

Stokoe Farm near Rochester, NY, has been a family farm since 1812. They constantly pull out the creativity with their unique family events throughout the year from summer sunflowers, fall pumpkins, and winter Christmas trees. In August, over 250,000 sunflowers bloom in over 21 varieties illuminating their fields in vibrant yellows to deep crimson hues. Each sunflower experience comes with access to over 35 farm activities, from bounce pillows, giant slides, Billy Goat Mountain, cargo climb, nature trail, animals, and more! They also have a Sunset Sunflower Twilight Experience perfect for anyone looking to capture stunning photos.

Dates: Certain weekends in August; check their website for specific sunflower experience dates

Times: 10 am – 5 pm

Location: 656 S Rd656 S Rd, Scottsville, NY 14546

Cost: $$

Contact: (585) 889-0770, info@stokoefarms.com, Facebook

Sunflowers of Sanborn

Sunflowers of Sanborn started planting their field to brighten the days of the owners who were going through a hard time after losing family. It worked like a charm, and now their farm is home to over 100,000 sunflowers of six different varieties. This New York sunflower farm offers sunset sunflower yoga, food and drink concessions, a sunflower sifter and trail, a corn maze, and tractor rides.

Dates: August 1st through labor day, the full bloom is usually mid-August

Times: 11 am-8 pm daily weather permitting

Location: 3311 Saunders Settlement Road Sanborn, NY 14132

Cost: Free to enter and walk around the field, other activities are extra, U Pick flowers are $1 a stem or $5 for a dwarf sunflower, Photography permits $50-$175, purchase online.

Contact: (716) 628-9513, SunflowersOfSanborn@gmail.com

Kelder’s Farm

Kelder’s farm in southern New York is another fantastic New York sunflower field to enjoy with the whole family. This farm is open from April – November for a variety of seasonal activities, and U pick fruit. August 1 kicks off their Sunflower Extravanganza with thousands of blooms over 6 acres. They also have many different yard games and farmyard attractions, including mini-golf, tube slides, farm animals, jumping pillow, fruit picking, corn maze, and more. It is enough fun to fill a day!

Dates: August 6 through early September

Times: Open Daily 10 am – 6 pm closed Wednesdays. The last entry is 5 pm.

Location: 5755 US Route 209, Kerhonkson, NY, 12446 US

Cost: Day and seasonal passes $12-$150 depending on pass and day of the week; purchase online for discount

Contact: (845) 626-7137, info@keldersfarm.com

Hudson Valley Cold Pressed Oils

Hudson Valley Cold Pressed Oils is a family-owned farm offering 6-10 acres of New York sunflower fields to the public every year for pure enjoyment. The entrance is free, but there is a cut flower fee. The farm donates a portion of the cutting fees to local charities such as Sparrows Nest, Miles of Hope, and The Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie. The family agrees, “Without a doubt, opening the fields to the public is the best part of our job.” Read more about their story and how their sunflower fields came to be on their website.

Dates: August, contact farm for exact bloom dates

Times: 10 am – 5 pm or until sunset on special event days

Location: 235 Plass Rd. Pleasant Valley, NY 12569

Cost: Free until 5 pm, $5 per car after 5 pm – sunset on event nights

Contact: (845) 489-8368, hvcpoil@gmail.com

Sunflower Valley Farm

This sunflower farm in New York offers children’s games, a petting zoo (on most days), and kicked off the 2021 season with their first annual Farmer’s Market. They do sunset sunflower events but are most known for the Wawayanda Music on The Farm Festival every August. Enjoy family games, picnics on the lawn, craft food and drink concessions, live music, and of course, the beautiful sunflower fields.

Dates: End of July – early September, check the website for specific events dates

Times: Closed Mondays, Weekdays 10 am – 5 pm, Weekends 12-5 pm

Location:  366 County Route 12, New Hampton, NY 10958

Cost: Weekdays, age 12-Adult $10, age 5-12 $5, under 5, FREE. Sat/Sun/Holidays, Adults $12.10am-5pm Tues-Sunday Closed Monday. U pick sunflowers $1 a stem (2 FREE sunflowers with ticket). $30 1 hour photo session

Contact: (845) 843-9372, sunflowervalleyfarminfo@gmail.com

What To Know Before You Go

• There will be bees, but don’t worry, they are not interested in you and won’t sting if you leave them alone. They are important to the fields and to nature, so never kill them; just enjoy them at work!
• It will be hot! Most sunflower fields won’t offer any shade, so come prepared to sweat if the temperatures are warm. Wear lightweight clothing, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
• Wear closed-toe shoes with a back. Some fields may be muddy if you visit after rain, and there may be weeds and other bugs if you walk through unmanicured fields. It’s nature, so come prepared to get a little dirty.
• Bring garden cutting sheers if you are picking your own stems. Sunflower stems are thick so cutting sheers are better than basic scissors. Your hands may get a little dirty or sticky after cutting, so wear gloves if you wish.
• Read through sunflower farm rules before you go. Each field has different rules and admittance fees. Always be respectful and behave appropriately at each sunflower field to encourage the farmers to keep growing sunflowers year after year.
• Buy tickets online. Most fields that charge a fee have an online ticketing system. Purchase tickets prior to arrival to ensure you are not turned away, and to save money, some fees increase at the gate.

***

If you haven’t been to a New York sunflower field, what are you waiting for? August is a great time to visit upstate New York to relish in the beauty of its sunflower fields, hike in the state parks, or go waterfall chasing through the many scenic gorges. From the Catskills, Adirondacks, and the Finger Lakes region, New York is a fantastic state filled with exciting adventures around every corner, suitable for all ages and interests.