The best farm stays in the USA

As its name suggests, Philo Apple Farm is a sprawling California orchard home to 1,300-plus trees producing 40 varieties of apples and pears. The land also hosts handsome guest cottages equipped with gas fireplaces, plush bedding and clawfoot tubs—all the trappings of a romantic weekend away. Breakfast is included with your stay, so fill up on coffee, biscuits, apples and jam before setting out on an adventure. The property also hosts more intensive "Stay and Cook" experiences for groups, where guests learn various recipes and techniques from experts.  

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If your day-to-day life revolves around a laptop and an iPhone, a change of pace is waiting at Stony Creek Farmstead, located 200 miles northwest of Manhattan. Here, you'll milk cows in the morning, collect eggs for breakfast, tour the farm in the afternoon and cook pizzas in a brick oven for dinner. The rustic but spacious canvas tents sleep six and are outfitted with wood floors, canopy ceilings and stoves for cooking—everything you need for an off-the-grid getaway.

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Cedar Mountain Farm is a 440-acre family tree farm located at the foot of Cedar Mountain in northern Idaho. With forests, fields, a trout stream and near-constant views of Cedar Mountain, there is plenty to explore on-site and close by, including hiking trails and snowshoeing opportunities. The petting zoo, which includes bunnies, chickens, ducks, geese, goats, sheep and mini ponies, is a hit with guests of all ages. Accommodations range from rental cabins to main lodge rooms and RV sites. 

Want to see the stars and wander through a lush forest? Book a family-friendly farm stay at Willow-Witt Ranch, where owners Suzanne Willow and Lanita Witt have painstakingly restored a working wetland and forest in Oregon's high country. Visitors can join the staff to care for and feed animals and work the vegetable garden or take a breather with a hike around the grounds and a leisurely lunch with the farm's friendly pack of goats.

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Love the calming effects of lavender? Book a stay at a working lavender farm, which boasts 25 acres of the heavenly-scented purple flower, colossal cottonwood trees and manicured gardens. Los Poblanos balances luxury and relaxation with its family-run agricultural business, allowing visitors a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The hotel's on-site restaurant is unparalleled and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner menus celebrating organic local produce. Before leaving the property, be sure to stop by the farm shop for handmade lavender body products that bring some rest and relaxation to your everyday life.

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Set in the heart of the North Texas Hill Country, the 1,500-acre Wildcatter Ranch & Resort offers accommodations to suit every need, from hotel rooms and guest homes to cabin suites for both romantic twosomes and families. A host of activities are available, including horseback riding, archery and clay shooting; you can even have a go at ranch roping and tomahawk throwing or learn about the ranch's history on a guided 4x4 tour. Alternatively, if you prefer to relax and recharge, catch some rays around the infinity pool, soak in the hot tub or indulge in a pampering massage.

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There's truly never a dull moment on ABC Acres, a Montana farm where curious travelers can book one of three stunning private homes. The farm is wonderfully diverse, with pigs and cattle, bat houses, a crater garden and a greenhouse. ABC Acres offers stays year-round; winter is especially popular with skiers and snowboarders. Guests also have access to abundant walking paths, the Bitterroot River and a family-friendly playground.

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Nestled on a 19-acre farm, Mountain Goat Lodge offers a serene retreat that connects guests with nature and the simple joys of farm life. The star here is the small, friendly herd of dairy goats who live on-site. Owner Gina's passion for goats began with rescuing orphaned baby goats, leading her to create a sanctuary dedicated to their rehabilitation and rehoming. Today, the lodge's goats produce fresh goat cheese used in guest meals. You can also take cheesemaking classes, goat-raising lessons, and participate in goat yoga, of course. If you're lucky, you'll get the chance to pet a baby goat, too. After a day of activities, relax in the outdoor hot tub under the stars or unwind in the great room with a good book. Accommodations range from luxury suites to retro campers.

Set in the center of an expansive 3,300-acre farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Fort Lewis Lodge & Farm welcomes any and all visitors who are keen to learn just how amazing life can be on a farm. Open seasonally from April through October, the property offers several guest rooms or, for even more space, stand-alone cabins or houses. Don't miss the farm-fresh breakfast and dinner every day. Activities include paddling on the peaceful Cowpasture River, swimming in the on-site, five-foot-deep swimming hole or fishing for bass and trout. Or take it easy and enjoy a walk, a hike, or even a bike ride; come nighttime, settle in for some stargazing.

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Owners Beth and Bob Kennett aren't just farmers by trade—they embody and embrace every aspect of the farming lifestyle, making this a truly special retreat. Liberty Hill Farm & Inn is part farm, part inn, with seven rooms to choose from. Everyone here is welcome to try their hand at milking one of the hundreds of cows, bottle-feeding baby calves and snuggling country kittens. Days at Liberty Hill begin and end with a farm-fresh meal—from a hearty breakfast to a wholesome, sit-down dinner.

Easily the most luxurious stay on the list, you won't have to rough it at the iconic Blackberry Farm. Located in the Great Smoky Mountains, this 4,200-acre estate is a magnet for foodies and chefs. Guests are encouraged to participate in farm activities on the grounds, from cooking demos and tasting tours to informative gardening workshops. When you're done, hit the spa for a deep-tissue massage or take a restorative yoga class.

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Spanning 3,000 acres, White Stallion Ranch is a family-owned guest and cattle ranch set in the Sonoran Desert. You can bring the whole family to enjoy all the adventure and activities, including horseback riding, archery, rock climbing and more. Alternatively, relax by the heated outdoor pool, enjoy a spa treatment, play basketball or tennis, or enjoy cocktails at the bar. Accommodations are spread across 43 casitas; there's also a four-bedroom Hacienda for larger groups. For the best value, book the Full American Plan package, which includes three meals a day, horseback riding, evening entertainment and airport transfers. 

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A collection of 10 rustic cabins in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos Goji Eco Lodge is a great fit for couples, solo travelers, and families who want a bit more privacy. All of the homes are located on a 40-acre working goji berry farm that's surrounded by a national forest and inhabited by animals like goats, chickens and alpacas—that is, in addition to over 100 species of birds. While there are saunas and hot tubs, make no mistake: This isn't your traditional hotel stay. 

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Immerse yourself in the farm life and disconnect from your inbox at Fat Sheep Farm & Cabins, where five well-appointed cabins await. Owned by husband-and-wife duo Todd Heyman and Suzy Kaplan, the farm uses the land to grow everything from asparagus to zinnia, but the real stars of the show are the farm's fluffy residents. Guests can expect to mix and mingle with sheep, chickens and goats. Help with morning chores if you want to get your hands dirty or learn to make cheese or sourdough in the kitchen.

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If you prefer vino to veggies, check out the Inn at Black Star Farms, located on a working vineyard in Michigan's wine country. Travelers can choose from 10 distinctively designed rooms and suites, some with luxe amenities like en-suite fireplaces, soaking tubs and vineyard views. Shared amenities include an outdoor fire pit, a sauna, and a common room complete with a roaring fireplace and a selection of games, books and puzzles. Also, beyond the main attraction (reds, whites and everything in between), Black Star Farms is surrounded by three miles of hiking trails, paved biking paths that lead to other wineries and plenty of nearby beaches.

Want to see Hawaii through a different lens? North Country Farms is nestled on the north shore of Kauai, putting visitors just minutes away from some of the island's most stunning beaches. The property's organic farm grows everything from kale and Swiss chard to green beans and eggplant, and guests can take hour-long tours by request. Visitors stay in the 500-sq-ft farm stay cottage, which is equipped with everything you need and nothing you don't. It's the perfect place to return to after a long day of snorkeling, hiking and soaking up the sun.

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