Family Cranberry Bog Tours: The Hidden Gem of Fall Fun

Family cranberry bog tours are the hidden gem of fall. They’re part science lesson, part adventure, and 100% worth the drive.

So if you’ve been coveting those pictures of walking into a bog with fresh cranberries floating around you (hello, Ocean Spray commercials!), scroll on down for all the details of how your family can get in on the action.

👉Jump to: Where to go? | Where to hop in the bog? | What are tours like? | When to book? | Can I take kids? | Is it messy? | What to pack? | Where to go afterwards?

Where can you go into a bog?

The first question that always comes up (always), is: Can you actually walk into a bog? Yes, you can! And it’s easier than you think to plan it.

While there’s a few other options across the country, Southeastern Massachusetts is the ultimate spot! It’s just a short drive from all the New England states. (New England Bucket List, here we come!)

But, watch out my friend, not all cranberry tours are created equal. Some farm owners pick cranberries dry and don’t flood their bog at harvest season. While others, even the ones that do flood them, don’t allow people to wade in because it adds some wear-and-tear to the plants. (A total bummer, but understandable.)

The result? Limited options for public tours with a bog-wading experience.

Which Cranberry Farms Let you Walk into the Bog?

– Hartley Family Farm — Rochester MA
– Red Meadow LLC — Carver MA
– Benson’s Pond — Middleborough MA 

They’re all independent farms, with the Benson’s Pond being a third-generation family-owned cranberry farm- such cool history!

What Makes These Tours So Special?

It’s not just a bucket list checkmark. It’s the fall experience your family didn’t even know they were missing. 

Since it’s so unique, it makes for the best kind of story at both the carpool and lunch lines alike! This is the kind of thing your kids will still be talking about come Thanksgiving.

And it’s got something for everyone. That quaint country farming vibe for you. A quick adventure that keeps kids’ attention. It’s a Win – Win!

Plus the photos? Next-level. Even on a cloudy day, you in waders in a cranberry bog = the perfect holiday card!

What are the Tours Like?

These experiences check all the boxes! They’re part educational tour, and part bog wading fun. 

At the start, you’ll learn how dry harvesting works. Your tour guide will explain the history of cranberry and explain the different farming methods. You’ll even see antique farm equipment – perfect for the gearhead in your group. 

Most of these farms are made up of acres of cranberry bogs! So pack comfortable walking shoes for this part of the tour. You’ll thank me later after navigating the sometimes uneven paths.

Walking into the Cranberry Bog

After the “land tour” is where the real action begins. 

Each farm offers you a pair of waders with built-in boots. And they’ve got a variety of sizes and lengths. (One less thing for you to pack – woohoo!) You’ll put them on and feel like you’re stepping into a commercial! 

As a group, you’ll all get to wade into a sectioned-off bog that’s been flooded with water. The water’s about 1-2 feet high, so it’s perfect for school aged kids to try.

The ground below the bog will feel a bit squishy. That’s actually the cranberry plants you’re stepping on! If your kids have a million questions before trying something new, this is a great heads-up to share.

While you’re in there, you’ll guide will help you snag some group and individual photos. (hello, Instagram moment!) You’ll even try out the cranberry paddle, the tool they use to wrangle stray cranberries. You’ll look and feel like a cranberry harvesting pro!

When is Cranberry Season?

Cranberries in Massachusetts are picked between mid-September and early November. The peak time is early October — the best time time to go in my opinion (though I’m a little biased since October is my favorite month of the year!).

Bonus: That time of year is also when the leaves change in the Northeast! So you might get a two for one deal — leaf peeping and cranberry bogging — in just one visit!

When Should I Book a Cranberry Farm Tour?

As I mentioned, harvest tours where you can wade into the bog are pretty hard to come by, which means they fill up fast. Your best bet is to sign up in late spring or early summer, when the calendars first open. (My family cranberry bog tour was scheduled in July, and even then, all the October slots were almost gone.)

There are often daily tours of the bog, but tour times for weekends are definitely the most coveted.

Missed your window? No worries! There are tons of dry cranberry farm tours too, and kids won’t know what they missed. Book a cranberry tour this year anyway — you can always come back for a hop into the bog!

Can kids go on family cranberry bog tours?

Yes! Family cranberry bog tours are a great way for kids to explore and experience something totally different.

School aged kids seem to have the best experiences, but younger kids are welcome at most farms. Check out individual sites to know for sure. Typically little ones under 5 are allowed, but need to be held or closely monitored by an adult. Wader size can be a challenge at that age too, so waiting until they’re a bit older might make the trip easier.

Is it Messy? Do you get Soaked?

No and no! It’s not messy at all, even for the hands-on part of the tour. The waders do a great job of keeping you dry. And they go right up to your chest, so they cover most of your clothing.

What do I need to Pack?

That time of year, the weather can vary. Pack layers and sunscreen. The day we went was pretty warm, and we were out in the fields under the sun.

What else is there to do?

On the farm, there’s usually a gift shop with cranberry snacks and Massachusetts-themed items. It’s a perfect way to round out the experience and your whole family will find something they like.

The tours themselves usually only last about 2 hours, leaving you plenty of time to sightsee or grab a bite nearby. 

If you’re staying in Massachussets there’s so much more to do in the area. You can drive out to Cape Cod – see a lighthouse or the beach! There’s a naval museum where you can tour a real-life battleship.

Or head to Rhode Island and check out the mansions where the rich and famous vacationed in the 1900’s. (Think gilded chandeliers, wall-to-wall marble, and lawns at the edge of the ocean!)

Worried about running out of things to say in the car? Try asking your kids some fun questions to pass the time.

Need more easy, memory-making trips like this? Head to TinyAdventureMom.com for ideas that fit your crazy schedule—and actually make your kids say, “That was the best day ever.”