Kansas City Region
Waverly's apple orchards and the Missouri River bottoms
Waverly and the surrounding Missouri River bottoms are known for apple orchards and fertile bottomland farming, a distinctive part of Lafayette County's agricultural identity tied to the river.
Waverly’s apple story is now official enough to have a state source trail. The Missouri Secretary of State says that in 2025, Waverly in Lafayette County was designated the official apple capital of Missouri.
The reason is not just a cute town label. The state page points to the Waverly area’s long tie to apple producers and says Lafayette County’s loess soil is well suited to fruit. It also notes Waverly’s Apple Jubilee, a local tradition that began in or around 1929, and a State Apple Judging Contest and Auction held in September.
For a visitor, this is still working farm country, not a theme park. Public hours, harvest timing, farm stands, and orchard names can change from season to season. Use the state page for the official claim, then check local orchards or event sources before making a special trip.
Where to see it
- Waverly, Missouri apple capital source trail
Use the Missouri Secretary of State page for the official state-symbol source, then check local orchards for current public hours.
References
More from Lafayette County: browse every local note for the county.
Last checked against the sources above: July 3, 2026.