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Even though it seems like a big orchard would allow you plenty of space to safely socially distance and enjoy a safe outing, some U Pick orchards can get pretty crowded. We’ve checked through our list of favorites near and far for Fall 2020 Apple Picking for changes and updates and have covered the high points below. You will definitely want to check in before you go anywhere though, since along with the usual annual uncertainties about ripening and quantities, this Fall brings us added changes due to the pandemic response.
Still, chin up, and get to picking. You will feel so much better after a day with nature. U-Pick Apple Farms Sorted by driving distance from the QC:
Carrigan Farms
1261 Oak Ridge Farm Highway. Mooresville, NC 28115
2020 Picking Season: September only
Distance from CLT about 33 miles
Apple picking will begin around September 8, 2020 at Carrigan and last through the end of the month, September 30. The shortest drive from Charlotte, this farm is ideal if you want a quick outing.
Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill
1860 Black Hwy, York, SC 29745
2020 Picking Season: Tentatively Opens September 11 for pick-your-own
2020 = Reservation Required for U Pick, make online
*PICKING AVAILABLITY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DEPENDING ON WEATHER, CROWDS, AND AVAILABILITY OF RIPE FRUIT*
Distance from CLT about 40 miles
Also close to Charlotte, Windy Hill is a boutique apple orchard and hard cider producer. Licensed and bonded, they have been producing the hard cider since 1996 (long before it was popular at the breweries). Pick your own or enjoy pre-picked apples, fresh pressed apple cider, donuts and more. We might call Uber for an adults only small pod trip to this one. Windy Hill offers the Stayman Winesap apple for pick your own. The Stayman Winesap is an heirloom southern variety that is a sweet aromatic apple that has a slight hint of tartness. They are equally good for cooking and eating and retain their flavor when baked or used to make apple sauce.
This year, in order to limit capacity and ensure availability of fruit for picking ALL PICK YOUR OWN REQUIRES A PRE-PURCHASED RESERVATION for everyone 2 years of age and older. must have their own pre-purchased reservation/bag. Reservations available online on Monday evenings prior to each upcoming weekend.
Apple Hill Orchard
2075 Pleasant Hill Ave. Morganton, NC 28655
Picking Season: Open now through early November. U Pick List HERE
Distance from CLT about 80 miles
Nestled in the South Mountains of Western North Carolina between CLT and Asheville, Apple Hill Orchard is conveniently located just south of Morganton, NC and has been growing apples since 1955. Pick some apples and enjoy their country store, cider mill, and bakery. They offer 18 available for u-pick which begins in Mid August and continues until all the apples are harvested, usually in early November but it does vary each year.
A few unique changes this year for your safety:
- We will provide u-pick bags that you keep. U-pick bags will be sold pre-picking. We will not be weighing any apples. Baskets can be purchased at cost for you to pick with and take home.
- The majority of Bakery items are pre-packaged inside the Bakery and then sold in the store or out of the Bakery windows. There will be no self serve, or service from our in-store checkouts.
- Sampling stations have been removed from the store.
- Curbside and or in-store pickup is available during set days and times.
- On busy weekends and days, the store is rearranged and our apples will be sold next door in our grading room. This is to allow for easier social distancing and more customer space.
Sky Top Orchard
1193 Pinnacle Mountain Rd. Zirconia, NC 28731
Picking Season: Now to late October
Distance from CLT 104 miles
With 22 varieties of apples, this one is not your average North Carolina orchard. Its autumn mountaintop views are cinematic and one-of-a-kind, and their U-pick orchard is huge and full of different areas to explore. There is an apple ready for picking from August through October, so check out their Ripening Schedule to see when your favorites are in season. At less than a 2 hour drive, it’s still a day trip, albeit an all day trip.
Changes Due to Covid (more info here)
- Face Masks Are Required in the Fruit Stand.
- We are asking guests to follow directional signage in the Fruit Stand in an effort to reduce cross traffic.
- Social distancing on hayrides. Families will be asked to leave a safe distance between their family and other families.
- Because we could not increase the distance on the bee train, we have discontinued that ride for this season.
- We’ve added plexiglass barriers between guests and staff at key contact points.
- We have elminated our sampling station.
- At U-Pick, we have elimiated the need to bag apples after picking. When you purchase a basket to go apple picking, you get to the keep the basket.
Grandad’s Apples
2951 Chimney Rock Road. Hendersonville, NC 28792
Picking Season: Now to Mid-October
Distance from CLT about 105 miles
This 80 acre Hendersonville farm is open 7 days a week from 8am to 6pm and their bakery is open the same hours daily as well. Grandad’s Apples offers more than 30 different types of pre-picked apples in their Grandad’s Barn and Country Store, a bakery with delicious treats and a new fermented apple cider. Say hi to the barnyard friends and check out the 5 acre corn maze. You may even get lucky enough to pick both peaches and apples if you go before Labor Day.
Blueberry Thrill Farm – closed for apples for 2020
6938 Eaglesfield Road Gibsonville, North Carolina 27249
Picking Season: Now to Mid-October
Distance from CLT about 106 miles
The experts advised the farm to let their 600 trees “rest” so the trees could put their energy into growing stronger for future year’s picks. Blueberry Thrill will re-open for pumpkin picking later this fall, so do check back with us or with them! Located in Gibsonville, NC, Blueberry Thrill Farm sits about halfway between Greensboro and Burlington.
Lyda Farms
3465 Chimney Rock Road. Hendersonville, NC 28792
Picking Season: Now to November
Distance from CLT about 107 miles
CURRENTLY CLOSED –>stay tuned / please check back.
Coston Farm and Apple House
3748 Chimney Rock Rd. Hendersonville, NC 28792
Picking Season: Labor Day (Golden Delicious) to late Oct or early Nov
Distance from CLT about 108 miles
Coston Farm opened for biz Saturday, August 15th for fresh-picked Ginger Gold, Gala, or Honey Crisp Apples by the bag or bushel and for Pick-Your-Own Gala apples. You can check their estimated apple ripening schedule here. Their Coston Apple House Gift Shop and Bakery are open where you can buy cider, homemade apple pies, fried apple pies, frozen apple cider slushies, caramel apples, and more. Please check back on the CostonFarm.com website in for details regarding fun farm activities planned for Labor Day Weekend at the orchard.
Stepp Farm’s Hillcrest Orchard
170 Stepp Orchard Dr. Hendersonville, NC 28792
Picking Season: Now to late October; Also picking grapes and sunflowers
Distance from CLT about 108 miles
Stepp Farm’s Hillcrest Orchard is perfect if you’re looking for a full day of family fun ~ and it’s a dog-friendly orchard (leash required). Pick your own apples, take a wagon ride, get lost in a corn maze or shoot apples at targets with an apple cannon. A few activities like the wagon ride and apple cannon are only available on the weekend so please check their site out here. Monday – Saturday, 9 – 6, Sunday 10 – 6 with driving in the orchard on week days only.
Covid Guidelines
Your safety is very important to the Stepp family. You can enjoy spacious outdoor surroundings on our 100 acre farm with plenty of sunshine and room to run around. For your safety please:
- Wear a face covering in the Apple House.
- Prepay for apples before picking.
- Use sanitizer provided in various places.
- Socially distance your group on wagon rides and around the farm.
- Follow directional arrows and be aware of social distancing in the Apple House.
- For your safety this year you will prepay for your apples at a tent when you arrive to reduce contact and reduce crowds. A Farm Hand will be waiting to assist you.
Justus Orchard
187 Garren Road. Hendersonville, NC 28792
Picking Season: Now to late October
Distance from CLT about 108 miles
You could spend an entire weekend in the beautiful Western North Carolina Mountains visiting all the orchards in or near Hendersonville, including Justus Orchard, a fourth generation orchard and farm. Right now, you can Pick Your Own Gala and Sweetie apples and Blackberries. For We Pick, the farm has Honeycrisp, Gala, Cortland, Gingergold and Golden Supreme! After you’ve picked your apples, let the kids take a ride on the Cow Train and visit the farm animals or stop by the ponds to see the ducks. Don’t skip the bakery where you can buy homemade fried apple pies, apple cider donuts, apple cider, cider slushies, caramels, apple bread and more.
Historic Orchard at Altapass
1025 Orchard Rd. Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Picking Season: Now through late October
Distance from CLT about 115 miles
Another orchard steeped in history, the Orchard at Altapass has over 40 different varieties of apples for you to pick. The mission of the non-profit Altapass Foundation is to preserve, protect and educate the Blue Ridge Mountains and its history. Be sure to look at their apple ripening schedule to catch your favorite or see what’s ripe when you visit.
A Word About Our Apples ~ “Ugly apples” are caused by minimal use of chemicals. We are a 501c3 public charity dedicated to preserving the land and the life that exists on that land, which includes bees and butterflies. We tolerate surface damage to avoid harm to these innocent critters. The flavor of the apples remains if not enhanced by the lack of heavy chemicals. In addition to preserving our Orchard, we are surrounded by 3,000 acres of forest land forever protected from development. We are mindful of a larger responsibility.
Once you’ve picked all the apples you can carry, be sure to check out our Apple Recipes here. Feel free to invite us over for freshly baked apple anything 🙂
And please let us know if you have any favorite U-Pick farms we’ve missed and tag us at @scoopcharlotte with your pickin’ pictures! Have a Happy & Safe Fall 2020!
