Updated July 2023
If you’ve ever been up here in August, you likely already know that Rim Country is home to LOTS of wild blackberries! Patches can be found all over if you know what to look for. Typically, peak ripeness is right around mid-August each year. Blackberry plants are easy to identify because of the extremely thorny branches, slightly fuzzy pointed leaves, and white flowers (before the berries form).
We actually have a few blackberry bushes on the Inn property, and always love harvesting the berries together as a family! My tip: once you know the blackberries are ripening, try to come up mid-week, as the berries often get picked over during the weekend.
If you plan to go pick blackberries, make sure you wear long sleeves, long pants, and gloves. The thorns on the bushes are extremely sharp, and even with all that protective clothing, don’t be surprised if you end up with a couple of little scrapes. Lastly, if the blackberry patch you find seems like it may be on private property, make sure you get permission from the owner to pick!
Once you pick your berries, what then? There are so many options! Just like Forrest Gump with shrimp, you can make: blackberry cobbler, blackberry smoothies, blackberry syrup, blackberry ice cream, blackberry jam, or just plain blackberries! So many delicious choices! Make sure to book one of our accommodations with a kitchen if you want to make a treat while the berries are ultra-fresh. Follow the link to book your berry picking getaway.
Happy Picking, everybody!