UPDATED for Fall 2023
If you’re looking for a day of family fun or a new date idea, look no further than apple picking at a NC orchard. It’s the perfect kick-off to the fall season, and who doesn’t love fresh apples? Not to mention apple cider, apple donuts, and much more.
We’ve rounded up orchards around Charlotte offering apple picking this season, organized by driving distance. As always, check before you go as weather and other factors can affect opening times.
2023 SEASONAL NOTE: The nearby farms had a tough growing season and several have limited dates and reservations. Be sure to book early or drive a bit farther away!
Carrigan Farms
1261 Oakridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28115
Picking Season: Begins September 5 through September 30 – VERY SHORT!!
Driving Distance: Approximately 35 minutes
This year, apple picking at Carrigan Farms runs from September 5 – 30. Reservations are required and the cost of apple picking is $15.00 per person for everyone ages 2 and above. For that price, you get access to the hayride and orchard where you can pick a half-peck bag of apples. Advanced reservations are required and can be made here.
Windy Hill Orchard & Cidery
1860 Black Hwy, York, SC 29745
Picking Season: U-Pick season is expected to start early September (reservation only)
Driving Distance: Approximately 47 minutes
Close to Charlotte, Windy Hill is a boutique apple orchard and hard cider producer. Pick your own or enjoy pre-picked apples, fresh-pressed apple cider, donuts, and more. While you’re there, be sure to enjoy Hard Cider tastings at their Cider Bar, open at the orchard on select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
All pick-your-own requires a pre-purchased reservation. Reservations will be posted in late August as they monitor the crop development.
Apple Hill Orchard and Cider Mill
2075 Pleasant Hill Ave, Morganton, NC 28655
Picking Season: Begins August 12, 2023
Driving Distance: Approximately 1 hour, 18 minutes
Nestled in the South Mountains of Western North Carolina between CLT and Asheville, Apple Hill Orchard is 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. Before you go, purchase a Picking Pass here, and read about the apples currently available for U-pick.
Blueberry Thrill Farm
6938 Eaglesfield Rd, Gibsonville, NC 27249
Picking Season: Stay tuned for an official opening date
Driving Distance: Approximately 1 hour, 36 minutes
Blueberry Thrill Farm offers much more than blueberries, including pre-picked and U-pick apples for fall. Check their Facebook page for updates on an opening date.
Millstone Creek Orchards
506 Parks Crossroads Church Rd, Ramseur, NC 27316
Picking Season: Only on September 23rd
Driving Distance: Approximately 1 hour, 41 minutes
Join Millstone Creek Orchards an Apple Pickin’ Adventure on September 23rd. Due to a 70% crop loss, the only way to pick apples this season is by purchasing tickets in advance for September 23rd. For $19.95 a person (kids 2 & under free), get access to u-pick apple orchards, fresh apple tasting, orchard hayride, a four-ounce apple cider slushy, and more. Reservations are required for apple picking and tickets can be bought here.
Visit here for other fall festivities including sunflower picking, pumpkin picking, apple cider everything, live music and more.
Grandad’s Apples
2951 Chimney Rock Road. Hendersonville, NC 28792
Picking Season: Pre-picked and pre-bagged apples are available
Driving Distance: Approximately 1 hour, 46 minutes
This 80-acre Hendersonville farm is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with pre-picked apples available. Head to their Facebook page to see what variety of apples are offered before you go. Be sure to take a trip to their bakery for fresh pressed apple cider, hot apple donuts, and much more yummy apple treats to put you in the fall mood. Check out corn maze while you’re there, too.
Sky Top Orchard
1193 Pinnacle Mountain Rd. Zirconia, NC 28731
Picking Season: Open Daily from 9am – 6pm
Driving Distance: Approximately 1 hour, 47 minutes
This North Carolina orchard has autumn mountaintop views that are 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.
Sky Top is open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and has its bee train, hayride, apple cannon, and gem mine operating for some more fall fun. Be sure to try their fresh apple cider and hot apple cider doughnuts while you’re there.
Justus Orchard
187 Garren Road. Hendersonville, NC 28792
Picking Season: Now through late October
Driving Distance: Approximately 1 hour, 53 minutes
Justus Orchard is located in the beautiful Western North Carolina Mountains, perfect for a weekend trip with the whole family. This fourth-generation orchard and farm offers pre-picked and pick-your-own apples with a variety to choose from. Visit here to see the ripening schedule for this year.
During your visit, be sure to stop by the Apple House Bakery and try their apple cider donuts, apple cider, cider slushies, caramels, apple bread and more.
Stepp Farms Hillcrest Orchard
170 Stepp Orchard Dr. Hendersonville, NC 28792
Picking Season: NOW OPEN! Fall hours are Monday-Thursday, 9am-5:30pm; Friday-Saturday, 9am-6pm, and Sunday, 10am-6pm.
Driving Distance: Approximately 1 hour, 54 minutes
Stepp Farm’s Hillcrest Orchard is perfect if you’re looking for a full day of family fun. Pick your own apples from their six orchards with 26 different varieties. Plan your trip before you go and know what’s available to pick by visiting here.
Coston Farm and Apple House
3748 Chimney Rock Rd. Hendersonville, NC 28792
Picking Season: Open Now! Monday-Saturday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Driving Distance: Approximately 1 hour, 55 minutes
Gala apples are ready to pick right now, with other varieties including Fuji, Honey Crisp, Mutsu, Shizuka, Stayman, Cameo, and more available for U-pick later on. Visit here for the ripening schedule.
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: U-Pick available now 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday
Driving Distance: Approximately 2 hours
Another orchard steeped in history, the Orchard at Altapass is a must-visit. You’ll be able to walk through the orchard for a guided U-pick on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, or buy the available varieties by the bag from their Apple Shed. As of August 2023, the only apples for U-pick are Mcintosh.
While you’re there, take the kids on a “heyride”, stop by the general store for some homemade goodies and check out the Apple Core Grill, open Wednesday through Sunday.
Please let us know if you have any favorite U-Pick farms we’ve missed and tag us at @scoopcharlotte with your pickin’ pictures!
