Hidden Valley Orchards is a working farm and agritourism destination in Lebanon, Ohio, blending decades of fruit-growing heritage with modern attractions, fresh food, and seasonal events.

A Farm with Deep Roots

Hidden Valley Orchards traces its story back to 1956, when the Rothman family opened the first farm market on land where farming records suggest activity dating back more than 150 years. The original goal was simple: to sell “the finest fruits and vegetables that can be grown.” In those early years, the farm included 15 acres of peaches and 10 acres of apples, along with strawberries, cherries, plums, blueberries, and raspberries.

A major milestone came in 1982, when Hidden Valley celebrated its first official apple U-pick season, turning harvest time into a hands-on family tradition. Over the following decades, the farm continued to evolve, adding a Donut Barn in 2009 and a major expansion in 2025 that enhanced its attractions and food offerings. Today, Hidden Valley sits at 5474 North State Route 48 in Clearcreek Township, Warren County, and has grown into a beloved regional destination for families, school groups, and event-goers.

Free Farm Access, Optional Play Yard

One of Hidden Valley’s most visitor-friendly features is that entry to the farm itself is always free. Guests can park at no charge, walk the grounds, visit animal areas, enjoy open lawns and scenic orchard views, and relax near live music without paying an admission fee. The only paid area is the Apple Play Yard, a ticketed zone with more than 30 family-friendly attractions.

The Apple Play Yard includes features such as Sproutsville, Grain Bin Basketball, the Apple Crate Crawl, jump pillows, and the corn chute slide. On certain days, such as Thursdays, the Play Yard may be offered at a reduced rate and paired with a free farm learning experience at noon, featuring wildlife encounters, farm animals, and tractor rides. This model allows casual visitors to enjoy the farm’s atmosphere and scenery while giving families the option to upgrade for a full day of structured play.

Attractions and Experiences Across the Farm

Hidden Valley is designed around several core experience zones that appeal to different ages and interests.

• Apple Play Yard: The farm’s main attraction hub, with dozens of interactive games, climbing structures, slides, and activities designed for kids and families. Some days feature only the Red Apple Area, while others open both Red and Green Apple Areas for a fuller experience.

• Animal Area and Petting Zoo: Guests can visit farm animals such as goats, sheep, pigs, cows, bunnies, chickens, and ducks in dedicated animal spaces. Regular “Meet the Animals” sessions bring different animals onto the Social Lawn for up-close interaction, especially on weekends.

• Bee Barn and Exhibition Garden: Educational elements like observation beehives and an exhibition garden turn parts of the farm into an outdoor classroom where kids can learn about pollinators, plant life cycles, and sustainable farming practices.

• Cidery and Cider-Making: On-site cider production lets guests see how fresh-picked apples become crisp, delicious cider, tying the farm’s agricultural roots to its food-and-drink offerings.

• Private Events and Historic Barns: The property’s historic barns and scenic spaces serve as venues for private gatherings, weddings, corporate events, and celebrations, leveraging the rustic orchard setting for memorable occasions.

Together, these zones create a layered experience: a toddler can attend Story Time and meet a bunny, older kids can spend hours in the Play Yard, parents can relax with cider and live music, and the whole family can enjoy the scenery and farm animals.

Food and Drink: From Donuts to Frozen Cocktails

Hidden Valley’s food and beverage program is designed to keep guests fueled and entertained throughout the day, with multiple venues spread across the farm.

• Farm Bakery: This is the farm’s sweet stop, offering fresh donuts, pastries, cinnamon rolls, decorated cookies, pies, and other baked goods. Seasonal specials include cherry donuts for Easter and berry-inspired treats for summer events.

• Main Barn Market: Positioned near the bakery, the Main Barn Market serves coffee, cider, and grab-and-go items, providing a quick caffeine and snack hub for guests moving between attractions.

• Pizza Barn: A highlight of the farm’s dining scene, the Pizza Barn serves fresh, farm-made French bread pizza baked daily. Pizza Night every Thursday has become a recurring tradition, with French bread pizzas designed for sharing and paired with cold drinks, warm donuts, and time in the Activity Yard.

• Orchard Kitchen: This spot focuses on quick, savory staples such as breakfast sandwiches in the morning and all-day menu items like sandwiches and kid-friendly fare later in the day.

• Farmstand: Offering snacks, slushies, twisty bread, and drinks, the Farmstand acts as a grab-and-go hub for light meals and refreshments.

• Crate Room: Named after the apple crates used throughout the orchard, the Crate Room functions as the farm’s taproom. It features local craft beers and signature frozen cocktails, including seasonal spiked slushies and specialty drinks like espresso martini slushies.

• Cidery: The cidery anchors the farm’s beverage identity, serving fresh cider and cider-based drinks that highlight the orchard’s core product.

Special events expand the menu further. For example, Easter celebrations have featured specialty cocktails like the “Bunny Rita” and “Cherry Blossom Mule,” along with event-specific slushies such as Orange Creamsicle. Summer events introduce burgers, hot dogs, sweet corn on the cob, and ice cream happy hours, creating a festival-like food scene on the farm.

Seasonal Events and Weekly Traditions

Hidden Valley Orchards runs a dynamic calendar of weekly programs and seasonal events that transform the farm throughout the year.

Weekly traditions include:

• Story Time: Held on weekend mornings during the season, Story Time offers a calm, cozy farm morning designed especially for toddlers and young kids.

• Pizza Night: Every Thursday from late afternoon into evening, families gather for oven-baked farm pizza, creating a midweek social tradition.

• Learn & Play Thursdays: Discounted Play Yard admission paired with a free farm learning experience at noon, where families can meet animals, hop on tractor rides, and participate in educational activities.

• Toddler Farm Adventures: A program designed for very young children and their caregivers, offering age-appropriate farm experiences during summer sessions.

Seasonal events expand on these weekly rhythms with larger celebrations:

• Easter Egg Hunt: A free, family-friendly spring event with egg hunts, food, activities, and live music.

• Mom’s Farm Day (Mother’s Day): A Sunday celebration in May with extended hours and family-focused activities.

• Babies & Berries: An early summer event designed especially for families with young children, featuring strawberry-inspired baked goods, wild berry slushies, and seasonal treats.

• Half-Toberfest: A Bavarian-themed weekend in May celebrating German food, festive drinks, live music, and playful competitions throughout the orchard.

• Summer Palooza: A two-day summer festival featuring burgers and hot dogs fresh off the grill, sweet corn on the cob, ice cream happy hour, frozen cocktails, live music, and lawn games.

• Fall Season and U-Pick: The farm transitions into fall with apple picking, pumpkin-related activities, and extended weekend hours, offering a classic autumn farm experience.

The farm’s calendar is updated regularly, with detailed hours and offerings changing by day of the week and by season. For example, weekday mornings may focus on quieter experiences for young children, while weekends open the full range of attractions, food options, and entertainment.

Practical Information for Visitors

Hidden Valley Orchards operates seasonally, with the 2026 season having kicked off on April 2 and running Thursday through Sunday each week into the fall. Hours vary by day:

• Thursdays: Typically 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM for Pizza Night and related activities.

• Fridays: Often 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with a broader set of food and drink options and partial Play Yard access.

• Saturdays: The “full farm experience,” commonly 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with all food and drink options available, including the Farm Bakery, Main Barn Market, Cidery, oven-baked pizza, and mobile kitchen.

• Sundays: All-day family fun, frequently 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with a focus on family-friendly activities and dining.

Key policies shape the visitor experience:

• No outside food or beverages are allowed, encouraging guests to sample the on-site menu.

• The property is tobacco-free, with smoking and e-cigarettes prohibited.

• Pets are not permitted, except for service dogs, to protect farm animals and comply with insurance requirements.

• As a working farm, Hidden Valley is only open to the public during posted hours, and guests must enter through the main entrance.

The farm also includes legal notices about inherent agritourism risks under Ohio law, reminding visitors that activities involve exposure to land, equipment, and animals, and that participants assume certain risks.

Community Role and Reputation

With a strong regional reputation, Hidden Valley Orchards has become Ohio’s top family destination for unforgettable traditions, according to local coverage. Visitor reviews highlight the fresh cider barn, kid-focused activities, corn maze and pumpkin launching in fall seasons, fire pits, and the overall “breathtaking” venue as reasons to return for date nights or family weekends. The farm also hosts school field trips and group visits, with staff praised for being organized, knowledgeable, and friendly.

Beyond tourism, Hidden Valley plays a role in local collaborations, inviting acoustic musicians, farms, and makers to partner via email. This openness to partnerships helps the farm stay integrated with the broader Lebanon and Warren County creative and agricultural communities.

Why Hidden Valley Stands Out

Hidden Valley Orchards distinguishes itself by combining a real working orchard with a thoughtfully designed guest experience. Free farm access lowers the barrier for casual visitors, while the optional Play Yard and robust food-and-drink program create multiple reasons to linger. Weekly traditions like Story Time, Pizza Night, and animal encounters build repeat visitation, and seasonal festivals give the farm a festival-like energy at key points in the year.

For families in and around Cincinnati and Dayton, Hidden Valley offers a reliable, multi-activity destination where children can play, learn, and interact with animals, while adults can relax with local drinks and live music in a scenic, agricultural setting. Its blend of history, hospitality, and hands-on farm fun makes it a standout example of modern agritourism in Ohio.