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It’s that time of year again, apple picking time. Unfortunately, a late freeze in North Carolina has limited apple crops. But don’t worry, there are still apples to pick this year!
Whether you’re looking for a day of family fun or a creative date idea, apple picking is something anyone can enjoy. North Carolina has tons of fantastic orchards to explore, and we’ve got the scoop on the best apple picking locations around Charlotte.
Windy Hill Orchard and Cider Mill
1860 Black Hwy, York, SC 29745
Picking Season: September 10 through October 15
2021 = Reservation Required for U Pick, make online
*PICKING AVAILABILITY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DEPENDING ON WEATHER, CROWDS, AND AVAILABILITY OF RIPE FRUIT*
Distance from CLT about 40 miles
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. The farm opens on August 19 where you can shop the Farm Stand and enjoy Hard Cider tastings.
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 are available online here.
Millstone Creek Orchards
506 Parks Crossroads Church Rd, Ramseur, NC 27316
Picking Season: Now through September
Distance from CLT about 77 miles
Also close to us here in Charlotte, Millstone Creek Orchards is just over an hour’s drive away. Honeycrisp apples are available for U-pick now with more varieties coming later this fall.
Due to the late freeze in April, the only way to pick apples throughout the summer/fall season is by reservations only. Visit here to purchase your Apple Pickin’ Adventure ticket and make reservations.
Included in each Apple Pickin’ Adventure ticket is:
- Orchard hayride
- Fresh fruit education
- U-pick apple experience
- 4-ounce apple cider slushie
- A quarter peck bag (2.75 lb) of fresh u-pick apples
Apple Hill Orchard
2075 Pleasant Hill Ave. Morganton, NC 28655
Picking Season: Early to mid-August through early November.
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. U-pick will begin in early to mid-August and continue until all the apples are harvested, usually in early November but it does vary each year.
Sky Top Orchard
1193 Pinnacle Mountain Rd. Zirconia, NC 28731
Picking Season: August 20 to late October
Distance from CLT 104 miles
This North Carolina orchard has autumn mountaintop views that 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 20 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.
Things to know for 2021 picking:
- Pay for a bag for your picking instead of getting a basket.
- They use a special bag at U-Pick. No other types of bags or baskets may be used for U-Pick.
- The U-Pick price is for a full bag of fruit.
- This year’s crop is not as big as in years past due to a freeze in April but don’t worry. If you don’t find enough apples in the orchard to fill your bag, you can visit our mix and match bins to top off your bag.
Grandad’s Apples
2951 Chimney Rock Road. Hendersonville, NC 28792
**Due to late freeze, not offering u-pick this season
Fall season begins August 12
Distance from CLT about 105 miles
You might not be able to pick apples yourself this year at Grandad’s Apples, but they are still offering more than 30 different varieties of apples that can be purchased pre-picked.
Beginning August 12, the 80 acre Hendersonville farm will be open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with their bakery open the same hours daily as well. Don’t forget to try their delicious treats and apple cider while you’re there!
Justus Orchard
187 Garren Road. Hendersonville, NC 28792
Picking Season: Mid-August through Early November
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.
In mid-August, Justus Farm plans on opening the Apple Shed and Bakery where they will have U-pick apples along with pre-picked ready to purchase, and a NEW and larger bakery filled with homemade fried apple pies, apple cider donuts, apple cider, cider slushies, caramels, apple bread and more.
Don’t forget to take the kids on a ride on the Cow Train and visit the farm animals available on the weekends.
Stepp Farms Hillcrest Orchard
170 Stepp Orchard Dr. Hendersonville, NC 28792
Picking Season: August 20 to October
Distance from CLT about 108 miles
Stepp Farm’s Hillcrest Orchard is perfect if you’re looking for a full day of family fun. Open August 13 for pick your own grapes and pre-picked apples, with U-pick apples available on August 20. After apple picking, stroll the orchard while enjoying apple cider and pumpkin donuts, navigate the challenging 5-acre corn maze, take a wagon ride, and so much more. A few activities like the wagon ride and apple cannon are only available on the weekend so please check their site out here.
Coston Farm and Apple House
3748 Chimney Rock Rd. Hendersonville, NC 28792
Picking Season: August 23 until all picked
Distance from CLT about 108 miles
This year, apples are limited due to the late freeze North Carolina experienced. They are planning to have apples available in store and for U-pick on August 23. You can check their estimated apple ripening schedule here.
Don’t forget to check out the Coston Apple House Gift Shop and Bakery when you go, where you can buy cider, homemade apple pies, fried apple pies, frozen apple cider slushies, caramel apples, and more.
Historic Orchard at Altapass
1025 Orchard Rd. Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Picking Season: August 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.
U-pick dates will be announced on their homepage and FB page, so stay tuned! This year, U-Pick will be stationed at The Apple Shed (Apple Core Grill location). You’ll be able to sign up to U-Pick, which will be scheduled on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday-Sunday, or buy the available varieties by the bag.
Creasman Farms
280 Bent Arrow Ln, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Picking Season: Begins in September through October
Distance from CLT about 120 miles
This Hendersonville farm is a third-generation farm located in the mountains. Their U-Pick orchard is open Sundays only from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in September (after Labor Day) and October. While they grow over 40 heirloom and new apples, you can pick yourself 16 different types, including Honeycrisp, Crimson Crisp, Gold Rush, and Gala. Can’t make it on a Sunday? You can still get pre-picked apples at farmers markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Visit their FB page for market schedules and updates!
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 2021!
