- Apple Holler, Sturtevant, Wisconsin
- Mercier Orchards, Blue Ridge, Georgia
- Cider Hill Family Orchard, Kansas City, Kansas
- Swan Trail Farms, Snohomish, Washington
- B.J. Reece Orchards in Ellijay, Northern Georgia
- Saunders Brothers, Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia
- Bowman Orchards, Rexford, New York
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Apple Picking Orchards Near You: Where to Go This Season
- Apple Holler, Sturtevant, Wisconsin
- Mercier Orchards, Blue Ridge, Georgia
- Cider Hill Family Orchard, Kansas City, Kansas
- Swan Trail Farms, Snohomish, Washington
- B.J. Reece Orchards in Ellijay, Northern Georgia
- Saunders Brothers, Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia
- Bowman Orchards, Rexford, New York
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Apple picking is one of the sweetest traditions of fall. Across the country, orchards open their gates for families and friends to enjoy crisp apples, festive activities, and the joy of harvest season. From cider donuts and hayrides to u-pick orchards and farm markets, each destination brings its own unique charm.
Whether you’re planning a day trip with kids, a weekend getaway, or just craving a basket of fresh fruits, here are some of the best orchards across the US where you can make the most of this apple-picking season.
Apple Holler, Sturtevant, Wisconsin
If you’re in Wisconsin, you'll want to visit Apple Holler in Sturtevant, located about halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee. In addition to apples, you’ll find lots of family fun activities, including the Family Fun Park, a corn box, straw mountain, spider web rope structure, and more. There are also educational activities for the family at the Johnny Appleseed History Walk and the Bees and Trees Learning Center.
Of course, the best part of the trip is the freshly picked farm-fresh apples you can get from their Farm Store or U-pick orchards. Each month, they donate a dollar from every bag of apples they sell to a local charitable organization.
Mercier Orchards, Blue Ridge, Georgia
Georgia might be known for peaches, but they also grow some of the best apples in the country, and Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge won’t disappoint! They offer a variety of apples, as well as blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and other fruits. Join them for their U-pick events, featuring a bakery, deli, and market.
And for those family members who are over 21, Mercier was one of the first orchards in Georgia to grow, press, ferment, and bottle its own products. They offer seasonal wines and hard ciders that keep their customers coming back year after year to enjoy in their tasting room or on the dog-friendly deck.
Cider Hill Family Orchard, Kansas City, Kansas
Apple season at Cider Hill Family Orchard in Kansas City begins in August and lasts until November. Families flock to the vast orchards with 6,000 trees of 18 different delicious varieties. They spend the day picking their own apples and enjoying tasty treats like kettle corn, cider donuts, apple pie nachos, & apple cider slushes!
They also offer family hayrides, a fire pit, fishing ponds where you can feed the ducks, shopping in the cottage store, kids' train rides, and plenty of fresh country air.
Why not make it an adventure and spend a couple of days in the area? Bring along the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus, featuring 600W of output and 1200W of X-Boost, to recharge your phones, tablets, laptops, or run camping lights or small appliances.
Swan Trail Farms, Snohomish, Washington
Washington state is renowned for its apples, which grow crisp and delicious in the Pacific Northwest. Swans Trail Farms has been owned and operated by the Krause family since 1984, offering a u-pick orchard with over 4,000 apple trees and four varieties, spanning 5 acres, as well as an expansive 50-acre u-pick pumpkin patch.
You can enjoy wagon rides, corn, a hay maze, and an apple orchard educational field trip that focuses on the process of growing, picking, and pressing apples into cider.
B.J. Reece Orchards in Ellijay, Northern Georgia
Ellijay, in the northern Georgia mountains, is a hugely popular orchard destination. B.J. Reece Orchards is a family-owned and operated u-pick orchard in the area, open from August to October, featuring 20 delicious apple varieties on 120 acres, including Honey Crisp, Red Delicious, and more.
In addition to the u-pick orchards, they offer farm tours, wagon rides, fried apple pies, apple cannons, a petting farm, cow milking, cow trains, pig races, pony rides, and a jumping pillow. Don’t forget to bring along your four-legged friends, since the orchards are pet-friendly.
Saunders Brothers, Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia
Saunders Brothers is a family farm established in 1915 by five brothers who raised rabbits, apples, and tobacco. Today, the fourth generation of the Saunders now grows apples, peaches, Asian pears, boxwoods, annuals, and perennial plants.
They offer outdoor seating, a kids' play area, and live music on Saturdays from 11am to 2pm. They also have a seasonal Farm Market, offering fresh produce and delicious apple butter, peach preserves, sandwiches, coffee, and ice cream.
Bring along your EcoFlow RAPID Pro-X Power Bank, featuring 27,650mAh of air-travel-friendly charging capabilities with multi-device charging power so you never run out of power for all your photos!
Bowman Orchards, Rexford, New York
For those seeking an apple orchard in New York, Bowman Orchards offers over 65 acres of apples and more than 63 varieties, boasting the largest selection in the Capital District area.
In addition to apples, you can find strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, cherries, and plums from June to October. There are also family-friendly events to enjoy at the u-pick orchards, including animals, rides, entertainment, photo ops, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Month Is Best for Apple Picking?
The best month depends on the type of apples being picked, as they ripen from June to November. Still, the majority of apple varieties typically ripen in September and October, the peak fall harvest season.
How Much Does It Usually Cost To Go Apple Picking?
Apple-picking costs vary significantly depending on the farm and the size of the bag. Smaller bags are cheaper since they hold fewer apples, ranging from $5 for a small quarter-peck bag (about a dozen) to $30 or more for a larger half-bushel bag that might hold 48 apples.
Final Thoughts
Apple picking is more than just filling a bag with fruit. It’s about celebrating fall with family, friends, and fresh fall air. From historic orchards in Virginia and bustling farms in Wisconsin to Georgia’s mountain getaways and Washington’s crisp Pacific Northwest apples, every orchard offers something unique.
The memories made over cider, wagon rides, and farm-fresh treats will last long after the season ends. To keep your trip stress-free and connected, bring along the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus, ensuring your devices stay powered for every picture-perfect fall moment.