25 Best Apple Picking Orchards/Places to Visit in Virginia
Pick your own fruit - fresh apples in Virginia with family and friends this year. Whether you are a Virginia native, passing through Virginia in the early fall, or coming to Virginia due to its large production of apples, you will love apple season in Virginia. Virginia has 25 of the best places to pick your own apples in Virginia.
These Virginia apple orchard options are family friendly and offer a wide variety of apples of the highest quality! Check out the list of apple picking orchards in Virginia and pick your own apples across the beautiful state. Visit 1 or visit them all and enjoy some of the best apple orchards in the United States.
25 Best Apple Picking Orchards/Places to Visit in Virginia
There are so many special events, live music and apple festivals happening all around Virginia during apple picking season. Families will love visiting local farms or traveling to check out new u-pick apples and walking through the fruit trees during growing season. The best part of so many of these apple orchards in Virginia is not only the variety of fruits / apples you can find, but that they are family run. Grab some apples, take in the beautiful scenery and landscape of Virginia, sip on some fresh cider in a great spot, inhale some apple cider donuts and make memories with your family.
Types of Apples / Apple Trees You Can Pick in Virginia?
Golden Delicious
Red Delicious
Ginger Gold
Gold Rush
Gala
Blondie
Honeycrisp
Daybreak Fuji
Jonagold
Ida Red
Nittany
Crispin
Empire
Crimson Crisp
Rome
York
Stayman
Winesap
Fuji
Gold Rush
Arkansas Black
Enterprise
Braeburn
Granny Smith
Pink Lady
When is apple picking season in Virginia?
Weather permitting, most apple harvest and picking in Virginia happens from early July to late October / early November. Weather and climate really impact things every year so keeping up to date with the orchards in Virginia and double checking before you head out is really important! Most families look forward to enjoy apple picking in September and October when the weather in VA is cool and perfect for hanging outside!
Apple picking orchards in Virginia in alphabetical order. This list of apple picking orchards provides information about location, amenities, admission fee, and other pertinent information for you and your family before apple picking this year!
Apple Orchards in or near Charlottesville get a ton of traffic during the apple picking season. These apple picking orchards are super popular for visitors near and far and can get crowded on the weekends. But don't be fooled Charlottesville, Virginia isn't the only place in Virginia for picking your own apples. Far from it! There are many locations within driving distance of Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, and near the North Carolina Border too!
26 YOU PICK apple picking orchard locations in Virginia
Find these 30 apple picking orchard locations in Virginia in alphabetical order below for ease of finding one or many to choose from and visit!
Ayers Apple Orchard
This century old apple orchard farm is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, just a few miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can pick apples there beginning late June - early October. Be sure to check out this orchard for cherries and peaches too!
2. Bush Neck Farm
located in Williamsburg, Virginia this farm is you-pick Apples, Blueberries, Peaches, Pumpkins in season end of June through Mid-November. Visitors of this orchard all agree that the farmer is so kind and welcoming and will stop and chat and share history of the farm and crops. It feels like home!
3. Carter Mountain Orchard
This apple picking orchard is one of my family's favorite apple picking spots in Charlottesville, Virginia. This apple picking orchard is a 5-generation family run business that is home to a Bold Rock-hard cider or Carter Mountain wine in the tasting room with some of the most beautiful views in Virginia. Look out onto the 13 apple varieties growing while sitting at picnic tables and enjoying apple cider donuts.
4. Chiles Peach Orchard
Within reach of charming downtown Crozet and surrounded by beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, fields of pick-your-own fruit beckon visitors outdoors. With Farm Market and Bakery favorites, wine, ice cream, and a festive calendar of events, there are so many picks for family fun and fresh fruits.
5. Crooked Run Orchard
located in Purceville, Virginia (Loudon County) this orchard has been run by the Brown family for over 250 years. Admission is free but cash is preferred for purchases. Crooked Run welcomes families to bring their own blankets and enjoy lunch together. The family behind Crooked Run Orchard really can do it all - from christmas trees to cherries, apples, peaches, and pears this orchard is sure to become a family favorite.
6. Dickie Brothers Orchard
271 years of this family farm and going strong. 20 apple options from July to first week of November gives you the perfect excuse to make this apple orchard your new go to stop. They harvest 70,000 bushels of apples per year! They don't stop at apples though, you can find 7 variety of peaches, nectarines, plums, blackberries, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, corn and much more.
Alongside Little De Priest Mountain on the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains (near Crabtree Falls) is where you'll find the amazing Dickie family's legacy and an abundance of delicious fruit waiting.
7. Drumhellers Orchards
Drumheller’s Orchard is a 5th generation family owned and operated farm located in Lovingston, VA. At Drumheller’s Orchard, they are known of our wide variety of great tasting apples! Whether for baking in a pie, making your own sauce, putting it into a salad, or just for snacking-we’re bound to have what you are looking for! Also home to peaches and blueberries and blackberries are coming soon!
8. Fruit Hill Orchard
Home to over 2,000 fruit trees this family business in Virginia is the perfect apple picking location. Whether you’re just stopping in for a few apples or planning on spending the afternoon picking in the orchards, playing corn hole on the lawn, learning in self-guided apple museum, or picnicking with family and friends Fruit Hill Orchard is a perfect destination for apple picking from their own crops. Fruit Hill Orchard also boasts an Air-Bnb rental / Farm Stay Experience through Airbnb! The lovely 4 bedroom, 2 bath home is located on the farm in Palmyra, VA. and turn apple picking into a trip/vacation.
9. Great Country Farms
Great Country Farms is a 400 acre working farm situated at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains outside the village of Bluemont, VA. Late August through September are when you will find apples at Great Country Farms. August is for Honey Crisp, and September features Gala, Jona Gold, Jona Free, Candy Crisp, Ruby Jon and Fuji varieties.
Do not despair, there is a lot of family fun waiting.30th year of family fun on the farm and Pick your Own strawberries in May, Cherries in June, Peaches & Sunflowers in July, Peaches in August, Apples in September and Pumpkins in October. One of the things I love most about the Great Country Farms apple orchard is the fan of the farm season pass available for families. This pass includes unlimited farm play, unlimited wagon rides, unlimited putt-putt, unlimited u-pick and 25% discount on what you pick, visits for any festivals, and priority seating for the lounge and vineyard. Also to note admission is not free - typically runs around $12-$16/guest/visit.
10. Hartland Orchard
Located in Markham Virginia Hartland Orchard takes pride in offering you the freshest, juiciest fruit possible. During the fruit season, you can stop by to purchase fruit that has already been picked; or spend a few hours in a beautiful country setting picking your own fruit. Containers and bags will be provided for you upon entering the orchard.We specialize in several varieties of cherries, blueberries, peaches and apples, . And we offer homemade cider and Hartland honey ! The apple picking season at Hartland apple orchard runs from summer to winter.
11. Henley's Orchard
Henley's Orchard is located in beautiful Crozet, VA, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, just west of Charlottesville. Henley's orchard is a great place to find 25 different varieties of apples. Be sure to stop by Henley Fest in October on the weekend for hay rides, petting zoo pony rides and visit farm animals, local beer and live music among other fun festivities for families.
12. Hollin Farms
Hollin Farms is located next to Sky Meadows State Park, in Fauquier County Virginia, lies Hollin Farms, a fourth generation family farm. We are located about 45 minutes west of the DC beltway. This family run farm has you pick apples and so much more available!
13. Jenkins Orchard
Pick your own apples begins at this apple orchard in mid September. We are a family owned orchard since 1954. Our season begins in mid June till Mid December and has lots of other produce available too. Jenkins apple Orchard is located in Woodville, Va.
14. Lee's Orchard
This laid back apple orchard in Rappahannock County, Virginia is welcoming and ready for pick your own apples. Lee's Orchard is the only pick your own apple orchard within 50 miles so if you are in that area of Virginia or passing through, stopping at Lee's orchard is a must.
15. Levering Orchard
You may know Levering Orchard for its award winning cherry trees and recognition but its also home to apples as well to pick. Pick your own apples starting early September and is available on Saturday and Sunday only. Levering Orchard is located in Ararat, VA.
16. Mackintosh Fruit Farm
Mackintosh Fruit Farm is a family-owned pick-your-own farm nestled in the beautiful Northern Shenandoah Valley in Clarke County, Virginia. In 2023, the admission fees are for the pick your own experience. Fees are $2 per person. Children that walk on their own are also $2. People picking will be given a wristband to be admitted into the fields to pick. Shopping in the market, having lunch, or visiting the author on reading days, is free.
17. Marker-Miller Orchards
Another family run orchard in Virginia, Marker-Miller Orchards is at the fifth generation of family working the farm. Guests can enjoy pick your own apples and other fruit from July to October. Located in Winchester, Virginia this apple orchard is a must stop destination for families this fall!
18. Morris Orchard
Morris Orchard is a family owned and operated farm. This amazing family run Virginia orchard is located at the base of High Peak Mountain in Monroe Virginia. When you visit Morris Orchard, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the small farm atmosphere. They not only grow Apples, but Peaches, Blueberries, Blackberries, Pumpkins, and press Fresh Apple Cider. Find apple picking options from late July to mid-October!
19. Paugh's Orchard
This orchard is a small family-owned orchard with a market option and a pick your own apple option for on average .79c per pound.
20. Saunders Brothers Orchard and Farm Market
Saunders Brother Orchard is family owned nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in Nelson County, Virginia. They are well known for their beautiful and delicious peaches but you can also find pick your own apples from June through December.
21. Silver Creek Orchards
Pick your own is cash or check only. Located in Tyro, Virginia you can find many varieties from this apple orchard beginning in September through end of October. Silver Creek Orchards is a 7th generation family farm that lies at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Flippin family has been growing fresh market apples in Tyro, Virginia since the mid 1800’s. Today, Silver Creek Orchards grows high quality fresh apples that are packed and shipped all over the world.
22. Seamans' Orchards
located in Roseland, Va. Since September 1996, Seamans’ Orchard has hosted a pick-your-own apples’ weekend on its farm. Every year on the third weekend in September you can celebrate the harvest season. Generations of Seaman’s can be found on the farm helping continue this family tradition. This is a one weekend of pick your own apples!
23. Stribling Orchard
This orchard is run by the sixth generation of Striblings.Although some of the trees in the orchard date back to the early 1930's, most were planted within the past forty years. The orchard currently consists of approximately 2,500 apple trees, and 800 peach trees. Bring a blanket and have a picnic with your family. There are farm animals on the orchard you can check out while visiting this apple orchard in Markham, Virginia.
25. Wades Orchard
Come ready for pick your own apples by the lb, bag, bushel or truckload from July - November. This apple orchard is open 7 days a week and is family owned and operated in WoolWine, Virginia.
26. Williams Orchard
This apple orchard is located in Flint Hill, Virginia and available for pick your own apples 7 days a week.
For specific dates for apple picking at any of these beautiful apple orchards in Virginia, check their Facebook page for updated info on apple crops, best time to visit, and information on visiting when you are planning a visit to apple pick in Virginia.
Be sure to follow along with these orchards because most of them have other fruits year round like their own strawberries and fresh produce and farm store with other products like apple butter, local cheese, or sweet potatoes. Be sure to check out which Virginia farms carry amazing items to pick and shop for all year round. Shop small and local Virginia!
If you are looking for other fun Halloween themed family friendly activities, look no further. We put together a 31 days of Halloween activity list with so many fun things planned. You wont want to miss picking your own pumpkins at local pumpkin patches beginning in late September. Pumpkin picking with my children and wandering through the corn maze is one of my favorite things to do together.
Hosting a Halloween cookie swap is also a really fun way to bake cookies and host Halloween parties and have some Halloween fun this time of year! Everyone brings a different tasty treat and goes home with other special treats from friends! We love doing this at Christmas, but swapping these delicious cookies is a great way to add some extra fun Halloween style! Get some cozy blankets ready and choose a Halloween themed movie that is kid friendly to watch!
As you are taste testing and putting together delicious Halloween themed popcorn mixtures, you will want some delicious pumpkin beverages all fall season long. Be sure to print out and save this 31 bucket list ideas for Halloween activities. If you decide Halloween themed popcorn isn't enough to satisfy your sweet tooth this fall season, these Halloween Mummy inspired cakesicles are the perfect addition. This list has amazing ideas for families and educators, like Halloween Color by Number printables, Halloween crafts and Halloween I Spy games. Halloween Bingo is such a hit at our house and Halloween Scavenger Hunts are so much fun.
Halloween themed reading is such a fun way to expand on the fall season with children of all ages like Halloween board books, Halloween picture books, and for independent readers Halloween chapter books.
