As the seasons transform into autumn, the sprawling cranberry fields of British Columbia undergo a breathtaking metamorphosis, unveiling a spectacle of vibrant red hues that are so bright, they can be seen from the air. Against a backdrop of rolling hills and boundless skies, these bogs come alive with a wash of rich red colors, a testament to nature’s artistry.
The sight of farmers carefully tending to the harvest, knee-deep in the crimson sea, feels traditional but also evokes a lively curiosity. This annual event not only yields the ruby-red jewels of cranberries but also offers a captivating glimpse into the age-old rhythms of rural life, where the earth’s bounty is nurtured and celebrated with unwavering dedication.
Prior to visiting British Columbia, I had never stumbled upon an endless carpet of crimson red stretching as far as the eye can see. Did you even know that something this stunning existed—and even better, that despite its striking beauty, still goes relatively undiscovered by photographers and Instagrammers?
A couple of years ago, I was scrolling on Instagram when I came across this incredible sea of red posted by one of my favorite photographers, Kristina Makeeva:
But honestly, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was looking at. I went to do some digging and found out that she was actually visiting flooded cranberry fields in British Columbia, Canada, during their annual autumn harvest.
British Columbia produces approximately 95% of cranberries for Ocean Spray and delivers the harvest every year to their headquarters in Washington state. In British Columbia, cranberry production and harvesting follow a straightforward yet effective process. The cranberry vines thrive in sandy bogs, benefiting from the region’s specific climate.
While the striking red fields are obviously more obvious to the eye, a large quantity of cranberries is actually dry-harvested by trawling through cranberry bushes, resulting in a higher-quality harvest. The rest of the cranberry fields are then sectioned off and flooded with water. This flooding helps detach the ripe cranberries from the vines, allowing them to float to the surface—a method called wet harvesting. This practical approach ensures efficient collection and maintains the cranberries’ quality. Once gathered, the cranberries undergo careful sorting and packaging, ready to grace tables and dishes with their tangy goodness.
The inside of a cranberry has 4 hollow compartments, contributing to the cranberries’ ability to float during harvesting. This air is what allows the unique harvesting method to work because when surrounded by water, the cranberries will float to the top!
The Best Time to See BC Cranberry Harvests
The optimal time window to witness the mesmerizing cranberry harvest in British Columbia is relatively short, peaking in late September to mid-October. However, not all farms will be open to the public during this entire period, so you’ll want to keep an eye on schedules beforehand.
To make absolutely sure that you’ll be able to see cranberries during your trip to BC, check the dates for the annual Fort Langley Cranberry Festival on their website. They state that the festival is held every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, but make sure to check the website for any updates or changes.
For reference, the year I went, the festival was on October 9 and I saw cranberry fields absolutely everywhere, so it’s a perfect benchmark.
Want to see something unique for fall, but the west coast is too far? Check out this incredible fall foliage leaf-peeping trip in Vermont and New Hampshire that will take your breath away.
Where to See BC Cranberry Harvests
Like a lot of seasonal travel attractions, I thought a cursory Google search would be enough to tell me where to find these carpets of crimson. However, it turns out figuring out where to see the harvests actually proves quite difficult. I think this is mainly because farmers, for obvious reasons, don’t want their fields crowded with curious tourists when they’re trying to ensure a quality crop.
I did some research and found that you can see lots of flooded cranberry fields in BC from the side of the road, but obviously you won’t be able to get too up close and personal with most of them unless you have a relationship with the farmers there. However, I was interested in seeing the fields and even possibly getting to wade into them myself, so I had to invest a little more time into the perfect location.
The Bog at Riverside Cranberry Farm in Langley, BC is located only an hour away from Vancouver and offers not only the ability to take walking tours in between the actual harvesting fields, but also an option to put on some waders and plunge into a flooded cranberry field itself. Even if you’re not interested in swimming through a cold cranberry field, I highly recommend at least purchasing entry to the farm. You get to walk alongside the fields of red and can even touch the water and the floating cranberries!
Note: you can find tickets under “Tours” on their website menu, but they only open up tickets for the harvest and the cranberry plunge when it gets closer to harvesting season (September-October). Bookmark it for fall!
I spent at least an hour here just obsessing over how beautiful the crimson berries were against the sky and the mountains in the background. It looks so visually striking, one of those moments where nature’s colors really pop. Getting lost in the scene felt immersive, like a peaceful pause in the midst of it all.
In the midst of the vibrant red sea, we had a chance to chat with the hardworking farmers. They were knee-deep in the whole cranberry harvest process, and they shared insights into how these berries are grown, sorted, and processed. Standing there, surrounded by the fields and hearing firsthand about the journey from farm to table, I gained a newfound respect for the work that goes into these little bursts of flavor we enjoy.
Riverside Cranberry Farm is family-operated and everyone there will be more than happy to answer any of your questions. We got to watch one of the family members bounce cranberries through a sorting machine and she even let us try some raw cranberries (spoiler alert: they are very tart). You can also purchase dry cranberries, cranberry powder, jellies and jams, and more on-site.
For a modest additional cost of around 15 CAD, you have the chance to step right into a specially designated area of the cranberry field and have a firsthand encounter with the whole setup. It’s not just about the photo op (although that’s definitely a plus), but it’s also about having a total blast!
The staff will provide you with over-the-shoulder waders. Wearing this unusual outfit, you can descend into the bog and walk around by lifting your feet comically high so you don’t get snagged by pond muck. When you get into the water, the pressure will cause the waders to suction around your legs—a very curious feeling for sure.
The staff will happily take photos and videos for you and even encourage you to throw cranberries at one another. Not that I would ever do something so juvenile.
Unfortunately, you only get a few minutes of time (about 3-5 minutes) in the field since so many people will be in line. However, I’d say it’s definitely a worthwhile experience!
The cranberry harvest in British Columbia during the fall season offers a truly fascinating and unique opportunity to witness nature’s bounty in action. As the fields transform into a sea of vibrant red, the sight of farmers meticulously harvesting the cranberries is both captivating and inspiring. The rhythmic process of flooding the fields and using specialized equipment to gather the cranberries showcases the dedication and precision required in this age-old tradition. Make sure to put this on your Vancouver autumn bucket list!
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