Are you ready to embrace the crisp autumn air and indulge in a classic fall activity? Look no further than apple picking in Virginia! This charming state is home to some of the best orchards in the country, where you can experience the joy of plucking ripe, juicy apples straight from the trees. Whether you’re searching for a weekend adventure with the family or a peaceful solo outing, Virginia orchards have it all. In these picturesque settings, you can wander through rows of apple-laden trees, taking in the fragrant scent of ripening fruit as you fill your basket. The orchards offer a variety of apple types, ensuring there’s something to satisfy every palate. From the tart Granny Smith to the sweet Honeycrisp, you’ll be spoiled for choice. So, put on your favorite plaid shirt, grab your apple-picking basket, and head to the orchards of Virginia. With their scenic beauty and bountiful harvest, these orchards are sure to fill your day with delightful memories and bushels of apples. We’re lucky to have fresh fruit available at local farms and apple orchards from spring through fall. Keep in mind it is always a good idea to call ahead for times and harvest availability.
Many Charlottesville apple orchards have apple festivals to celebrate the harvest with corn mazes and pumpkin patches later in the fall, so you may want to return in a few weeks with the family! You might learn how to cook apple butter, enjoy a petting zoo, live music for food trucks too. Get ready to experience the quintessential fall activity that will leave you craving apple pie and cider all season long. For a list of the best orchards to go apple picking, see our Apple Picking Guide below to discover a dozen beautiful Blue Ridge apple orchards for your next family fun outing.
When is the Best Time to Pick Apples in Virginia?
Apple season in Virginia is from August to early November with mid-September to mid-October as the premium time to pick the best fruit at area pick-your-own apple orchards. While we’re blessed with multiple orchards in our area, it’s always a good idea to check an orchard’s Facebook page or website before heading out, or call ahead to confirm that they are still offering apples and haven’t been picked out already.
What Types of Apples Grow in Virginia?
Virginia grows lots of apple varieties including Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome, Stayman, Gala, Winesap, York, Granny Smith, Jonathan, Fuji and Ginger Gold are common types of apples grown in our region. But more and more orchards are also dipping into history and cultivating heirloom varieties, such as Ashmead’s Kernel, Albemarle Pippin, Ralls, Baldwin, Winesap, Esopus Spitzenburg and more! You can also get fresh apples at area farm stands.
Tips for Apple Picking Near Me
Ready to head out to a Charlottesville orchard? Here are tips to help you have a great visit picking apples!
• Call ahead for conditions, supplies and prices.
• Get directions from the orchard’s website, or when you call, since mapping programs like Google are not always accurate in rural areas.
• Pack a picnic and a picnic blanket.(if allowed)
• Don’t forget to use bug spray and sunscreen.
• Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes.
• Carry canvas shopping bags, which won’t rip when full of heavy fruit.
• Bring a little wagon along to carry apples—or tired pickers. Some orchards have them available for visitors.
• Ask about discounted pre-picked seconds or blemished apples, which are fine for baking and cooking.
• Check apples for worms.
• Have cash on hand, since not all orchards will take credit or debit cards.
• Visit the website to check which varieties are pick-your-own and which are pre-picked.
• Time your visit carefully if you’re looking to pick a lot, because you may be joined by school groups on weekdays and festival-goers on weekends.
Where to Pick-Your-Own Apples Near Charlottesville
1. Carter Mountain Orchard, Charlottesville
Look for hayrides and pumpkins in the fall, and enjoy baked goods, jams and fresh apple cider donuts—a mouth-watering local tradition—year-round. This is the closest apple orchard to Charlottesville so expect crowds and busy weekends require tickets. This is also a great place to bring visitors to pick apples, since the panoramic view of Charlottesville and the Blue Ridge Mountains is nothing short of fantastic. 434-977-1833, cartermountainorchard.com
2. Chiles Peach Orchard, Crozet
Though they’re known for their peaches, Chiles Peach Orchard offers a variety of produce, including berries, veggies, pumpkins and apples. Apple picking season typically lasts from mid-August to November, and their website gives helpful updates about what’s available to be picked every day. Once you’ve picked all the apples you can carry, stop by their farm market and bakery for some sweet treats like ice cream or savory sauces, made with fresh ingredients grown in the orchard. 434-823-1583, chilespeachorchard.com
3. Critzer Family Farm, Afton
Another great Charlottesville place to pick apples! Stemming from five generations of farmers, Critzer Family Farm in Nelson County near Blue Mountain Brewery offers a variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the year, with apples in the fall and blackberries throughout September. Open Monday–Saturday, and closed on Sundays. 540-241-3305, critzerfamilyfarm.com
4. Dickie Bros. Orchard, Roseland
This Nelson County apple orchard has been owned and operated by the same family for more than 268 years, ever since King George issued their land grant! The orchard—home to many apple varieties—is located near the scenic George Washington National Forest and Wintergreen Resort, and many families include a hike to Crabtree Falls while in the area. 434-277-5516, Pick-your-own apples schedule.
5. Drumheller’s Orchard, Lovingston
This family-owned and managed orchard is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains’ foothills. They grow numerous varieties of apples, peaches, blackberries, raspberries, plums, and pluots. The pick-your-own season starts in June with blueberries and finishes in December with apples. The orchard also sells homemade baked goods, jams, and butters all created from scratch in their on-site farm market kitchen by third and fourth-generation farmers. In the fall, apples are crushed and pressed weekly to produce delicious, unpasteurized cider. The farm is a popular field trip destination and pet-friendly. Watch the CharlottesvilleFamily calendar for their Super Peach Days and Apple Harvest Festivals each Fall. Check fruit available.
6. Fruit Hill Orchard, Palmyra
Whether you’re simply popping in for a few apples or spending the afternoon picking in the orchards, playing corn hole on the grass, exploring the apple museum, or picnicking, families are sure to have a great time. The farm shop is overflowing with fresh baked goods, canned goods, pre-picked fruits, vegetables, many tomato varieties, honey dairy and meats – all grown locally. Pick your own berries and peaches available earlier in the season. Confirm apple orchard hours.
7. Graves Mountain Farm, Syria
Graves’ Mountain Pick-Your-Own apple orchard is open weekends only mid-September-October. Graves’ orchard includes Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Empire, Stayman, Rome, Mutsu, York, Winesap, Granny Smith, and Fuji. Though, for your convenience from late August to Thanksgiving, picked fresh apples are available daily at the Graves Packing Shed fruit stand in bags, half-bushels, and entire bushels. Tickle your taste buds with fresh pressed apple cider and apple butter too. There is also an amazing apple festival and in October, come for pumpkins and gourds. Check the apple picking schedule in advance.
8. Henley’s Orchard, Crozet
Just north of downtown Crozet, Henley’s grows more than 25 varieties of apples with a low-spray method—including the regional darling: Albemarle Pippin. They also offer a farmers market and some on-site food you can eat at a picnic table to make your apple picking trip even more enjoyable. 434-823-7848, Double check times for apple picking.
9. High Hill Farm & “The Pumpkin Patch”, Wincester
While Wincester is 2-hour drive from Charlottesville there are so many unique opportunities on the property we just had to tell you all about it! This working farm is recognized as a Virginia Century Farm and includes a dairy, apple orchard, beef cattle, and ‘The Pumpkin Patch’. Families can pick-your-own apples, enjoy hayrides, view an antique equipment display, explore an 8-acre corn maze and a 4,000-square-foot haunted house. The High Hill Farm Packing Shed serves fresh & sparkling apple cider, fresh baked pies, pumpkin pie fudge, apples and antiques. An area of picnic tables is perfect for taking a break and you are welcome to bring your own food. If you are heading to Wincester, make a full day of it and also visit the children’s museum on their pedestrian mall. Pick-your-own apples and apple festival schedule.
10. The Market at Grelen, Somerset
Located on the Grelen nursery property, this market offers pick-your-own apples in the fall, along with a café, garden shop and plenty of workshops that teach varied planting techniques. There are also scenic trails where a pre-ordered lunch from the café or a Grelen picnic basket can be enjoyed at a table at the Outlook Trail. 540-672-7268, Call ahead to confirm orchard hours.
11. Seamans’ Orchard, Roseland
Pick-your-own apples are only available one day a year, rain or shine: September 21—and are sold by the half-bushel and bushel. Seamans’ is located in Roseland, and families are encouraged to picnic on the property while visiting. Watch our calendar of Charlottesville Events for festival weekend when they have extra special activities planned for kids and families who come out to pick apples. 434-277-8130, Check the apple orchard event schedule.
12. Silver Creek Orchard, Tyro
Although the packing shed (farm stand) is open daily in September, this orchard’s pick-your-own apples dates are limited to two Saturdays, rain or shine: September 11 & October 9 last year so check their website. Plan to peruse the local goodies at the packing shed after you pick your basketful. Retail shop is closed on weekends with limited hours throughout the week. Together with Seamans’ Orchard, Silver Creek hosts Apple Butter Makin’ Festivals throughout the season. 434-277-5824, Call ahead to confirm apple-picking details.
13. Valley View Farm, Delaplane
Valley View’s pick-your-own orchards include peaches, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, and apples. The farm welcomes families and even offers educational tours during the season that include education about local farming, animal husbandry, orchard management, beverage production and the Honey Bee Initiative.540-592-1021, Check ahead for fruit fruit-picking schedule.
Apple Recipe Ideas
Looking for a recipe to make with your freshly picked Charlottesville apples? Try this Apple Fritter Donut Recipe or these Apple Cider Donuts on our Wine & Country Life website. For a date idea, try out one of these Cideries in Central Virginia.
