Fall is in Charlotte passes you in a flash, it seems to go from hot to cold with a peek of cool fall in no time. If you do not pay attention, apple-picking season will pass you by! Many farms are ready for you to visit and have apples ready to go! Bookmark this page so you have this list ready to go~
Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill
1860 Black Hwy | York, SC | (803) 684-0690
Hours: please check the calendar
Located roughly an hour from Charlotte, Windy Hill is a boutique apple orchard and hard cider producer. This orchard does require reservations and expects to be open for U-Pick in early September. Reservations open the Monday for the week ahead. The orchard also features hayrides, hard cider tasting, live music and more fall activities. Also please note that Windy Hill’s Apple Heritage Festival will take place on October 15th.
Apple Hill Orchard
2075 Pleasant Hill Avenue | Morganton, NC | (828) 437-1224
Open: Monday-Saturday, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Growing apples since 1955, this historic orchard offers a varity of apples, a country store, cider mill and bakery. And, wagon tours are back on this year! You’ll need to purchase a picking pass, which is $3, through their website. (If there are spots open you can purchase the picking pass on-site, but no guarantees on that.)
Coston Farm
3748 Chimney Rock Rd. | Hendersonville, NC | (828) 685-8352
Open: Monday-Saturday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Opening for the season on August 17th, this 4th-generation family farm offers u-pick and pre-picked apples, pumpkins, and Apple House store complete with fall decorations and delicious baked goods available daily! Nothing says fall quite like sitting on the front porch, sipping fresh apple cider and indulging in a slice of homemade apple pie! Check HERE for the growing season options!
Skytop Orchards
3403 Greenville Highway | Flat Rock, NC | (828) 692-7930
Open: Monday-Sunday, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm (cash only)
What started as a commercial family business, Skytop has become a fan-favorite among families looking for a u-pick orchard close to home. Skytop offers lots of family-friendly and memory-making activities - it's a don't miss on the apple-tour of the Carolinas; but you are encouraged to come during the week, as its less crowded!
Carrigan Farms
1261 Oak Ridge Farm Highway | Mooresville, NC | (704) 664-1450
Apples and Pumpkins and Quarry Jumps, Oh My! This 5th generation family farm, and among the closest to home, offers the full gamut of fall fun - including SCARIGAN Farms haunted trails in October. Reservations are required. Picking season runs Sept. 6-25 and tickets include a hayride to the petting zoo and orchard and a half peck bag to fill with juicy apples. You can pick delicious red apples and delicious golden apples.
Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard
170 Stepp Orchard Dr. | Hendersonville, NC | (828) 685-9083
Open: Monday-Saturday, 9:00 am-6:00 pm; Sunday 10:00 am- 6:00 pm
On the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains and just outside historic Hendersonville, this 4th-generation working farm spans 70 acres. The 38 acre orchard offers 21 varieties of apples for picking and was the first of its kind in Henderson county! Offering hayrides, jump pads, a corn maze and an apple cannon, this is a great family fun activity with loads to do (most activities are weekend-only). And don't miss the apple cider or pumpkin doughnuts, fritters and kettle corn. Pumpkins should be available soon for picking.
Grandad's Apples 'N' Such
2951 Chimney Rock Rd. | Hendersonville, NC | (828) 685.1685
Open: 7 Days a week 8a - 5p
Sitting on 80 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this farm has quickly become a favorite among Charlotteans. Known not only for its 20+ types of pre-picked apples and vast orchard, but mostly for its amazing apple cider doughnuts and fermented cider, the farm also boasts barnyard friends and a 5-acre corn maze. You can also hop aboard the Cow Train and take a turn with the apple cannon to add to your family fun!
Historic Orchard at Altapass
1025 Orchard Rd | Spruce Pine, NC | (828) 765-9531
Open Daily for U-Pick 10a - 4p
Return to a simpler time for an hour or a day when you visit this orchard, steeped in rich history and home to 40 different varieties of apples for you to pick. Owned by the non-profit Altapass Foundation, its mission is to preserve, protect and educate the Blue Ridge Mountains and its history. With a return to normalcy, you can also enjoy HEYrides and other family fun!
Justus Orchard
187 Garren Rd | Hendersonville, NC | (828) 974-1232
Hours: Daily, 8:30a - 6p
The Justus Family has been growing delicious NC Apples in Hendersonville for more than four generations. When you visit Justus Orchard, there is something for everyone and all ages. Whether you are intersted in touring the orchard to pick apples, visiting our ducks at the pond or the farm animals or taking a ride on the cow train through the orchard - you are guaranteed a day of fun! The Apple House offers pre-picked Apples, Honey, Jams, Jellies and Preserves and other homemade goodies and the bakery offers their famous homemade Fried Apple Pies, Apple Cider Donuts, Apple Cider, Cider Slushies, Caramels, Apple Bread and more! You can also find fresh Mountain Cabbage, Sweet Potatoes and other local fall vegetables.
Millstone Creeks Orchard
506 Parks Crossroads Church Rd. | Ramseur, NC | (336) 824-5263
Hours: Mon-Sat 9-6 / Sun: 1-5:30
Millstone Creek's Apple Orchard Adventure brings all things we love about fall to you: hayrides, cider pressing demonstrations, fresh apple cider, cider slushies, and fresh pre-picked apples. Reservations are required. You can also visit for music and other fun fall activities - check the website for full details.
454 Damascus Church Road | Long Creek, SC | (864)647-9768
Hours: Tues - Sun 9-6P
This delightful farm in the upstate offers U-pick apples in a large number of varieties, plus quite a few exotic fruits, like paw paws, figs, and more. They also offer disc golf and other farm events; please check the calendar due to private events.
Blueberry Thrill Farm
6938 Eaglesfield Rd | Gibsonville, North Carolina 27249 | (336) 449-7246
Hours: Saturdays 7:30 a - 12 p (hours subject to change, please check Facebook)
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Blueberry Thrill Farm is a second-generation family-owned farm started in 1982 offering a variety of pick-your-own and pre-picked fruit and flowers.
Perry Lowe Orchards
8741 North Carolina 16 | Moravian Falls, NC 28654 | 336.921.3123
Hours: Friday and Saturdays, 10a - 5p; Reservations required
Family-owned and operated, Perry Lowe Orchards offer a large variety of apples and fun for your family as well as pre-picked fruit and other goodies.
No matter where you go this season, make sure to show us your adventures on social media by using the #ucmkapples. Have fun, be safe and make some fall memories!
