Apple U-Pick Orchards in Far Western North Carolina in 2024, by county
Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for apples that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have apples orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!
Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!
PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.
Buncombe County
- Long Branch Environmental Education Center - apples, blackberries, blueberries, chestnuts, other berries, pears, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), walnuts, Other fruit or veg, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, school tours
278 Boyd Cove Road, Leicester, NC 28738. Phone: (828)-683-3662. Email: paul@longbrancheec.org. Open: Monday to Sunday, from 8 am to 7 pm; Please call or email to make appointments for picking. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
Long Branch Environmental Education Center Facebook page. . Also wineberries. - Riverview Orchard - Apples
793 Glenn Bridge Road, Arden, NC 28704. Phone: 828-687-1936. Click here for a map and directions. .
Graham County
- Stoney Hollow Farm - Uses natural growing practices, apples, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, corn (sweet), flowers, grapes, melons, other berries, pears, peaches, peppers, persimmons, plums, pumpkins, raspberries, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, prepicked produce, farm market, gift shop, restrooms
941 Ollies Creek Road, Robbinsville, NC 28771. Phone: 828-735-2983. Email: stoneyhollowfarm@outlook.com. Open: 5 days a week, 8 am to 6 pm; Closed Wednesdays and Saturdays. Directions: From the center of Robbinsville (Hwy. 129/Hwy. 143) go North on highway 129 3 miles. Just before the Ted Jordan Bridge, turn right on E. Buffalo Circle. Go 1 mile and turn right on E. Buffalo Road Go .3 mile and turn left on Ollies Creek Road Go .9 mile and you will see the farm on the left. Parking, farm map, and picking buckets are available in the barn at the top of the hill. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
Stoney Hollow Farm Facebook page. . . Crops are usually available in April through November. Jams and baked goods featuring products from the farm are available. Be sure to visit our website and sign up to receive a free e-letter with updates during the peak season. We use natural practices, but are not certified Organic. (UPDATED: June 11, 2014, from their Facebook page)
Haywood County
- Yates Roadside Stand - Apples
1460 Pigeon Road, Waynesville, NC 28786. Phone: (828) 452-0557. Open: 10 am to 5 pm. Directions: From Asheville take I-40 West, 20 miles; 19S/23S/74W 1.3 miles; 276S to Exit 102, 3.1 miles (through downtown) on right. . Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (828) 456-3775 pick-your-own.
Henderson County
- Billy Laughter Orchards - Apples
111 Tullahoma Farms Lane, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Phone: 828-685-3241. Click here for a map and directions. . Click here for a map to the farm. 8 am to 8 pm; no Sunday sales. 64 East from Hendersonville, left on St. Paul's Road 2.5 miles, will be a sign or left on waters Road, orchard on right. - Continental Divide Produce - apples pumpkins
2494 St. Paul Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Phone: 828-674-9764. Click here for a map and directions. . You will have to call for hours and availability; they have no online presence. U-Pick Orchard with apples and Pumpkins and already harvested Vegetables. (ADDED: June 28, 2018, JBS) - Coston Farm and Apple House - Apples, pumpkins, gift shop, bakery, farm market
3748 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Phone: 828-685-8352. Email: costonfarm@bellsouth.net. Open: Monday to Saturday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, closed on Sunday. Directions: Bat Cave Exit 49A off I-26, 6.5 Miles on U.S. 64 East (Chimney Rock Road). Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate phone: 828-685-8350. . Click here for a map to the farm. Picking Season: Labor Day (Golden Delicious) to late Oct or early November. Enjoy a memorable pick-your-own-experience at Coston Farm with the NC mountains as a back drop. You can pick fresh apples in the Coston Farm U-Pick Orchard August to October by the bag, box or truckload. Golden Delicious will be available Labor Day weekend. Please check back to see if the other varieties listed below will be ready to pick. Pick Your Own Orchard open until the end of October or until all apples are picked. Reservations are not required in our U-Pick Orchard; call ahead for availability. Drop by the Apple House for an apple picking container for your fresh-picked apples. Their market has cider, homemade apple pies, fried apple pies, frozen apple cider slushies, caramel apples, and more. (UPDATED: August 16, 2020 JBS) - Creasman Farms LLC - apples, pumpkins
280 Bent Arrow Lane, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Phone: 828-685-7728. Email: creasmanfarms@hotmail.com. Click here for a map and directions. . Animals to pet (goats and ducks). Take I-26 to Exit 18A (Bat Cove Exit) to US 64E; turn right at red-light onto Sugarloaf Rd; go approx. 6.5 miles on Sugarloaf (past 5 Points Grocery); turn right onto Ridge Road and go one quarter mile; turn right on Union Hill Road then take 2nd gravel drive on left. - Grandad's Apples N' Such - Apples, nectarines, peaches, pumpkins, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo
2951 Chimney Rock Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Phone: 828-685-1685. Email: grandadsapples@yahoo.com. Open: 7 days a week until mid November from 9 AM to 5 PM. Directions: I-26, Exit 49-A. Go straight on 64East 2 miles. Big barn with tractor on silo on left. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
Grandad's Apples N' Such Facebook page. . Click here for their Facebook page. Select pre-picked fresh apples right off the tree from our assorted bins inside the store or the opportunity to pick your own from the orchard is available! We offer more than 20 different varieties of apples that can be purchased pre-picked! We gladly let you mix and match your varieties. .Apple Varieties / Ripening Schedule . (UPDATED: August 16, 2020 JBS) - Henry Barnwell Farms - apples
743 Grant Mountain Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Phone: 828-685-7371. Click here for a map and directions. . - Jimmy Nix and Sons Apple House - apples, pumpkins
305 Orchard Valley Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731. Phone: 828-685-7222. Click here for a map and directions. Jimmy Nix and Sons Apple House - Just Us Orchard - blackberries, apples and pumpkins, bakery, restrooms, snacks and refreshment stand, picnic area, picnic area
187 Garren Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Phone: 828-974-1232. Email: Apples@JustusOrchard.com. Open: 7 days a week from Mid August through Early to Mid November, daily, from 8:30 am to 6 pm; Apples - mid August thru early November; peaches - August thru early September; blackberries - early July thru September. Directions: Take Interstate 26 to Exit 49A (old exit 18A) to 64 East. From 64 East, turn left at North Henderson High School (Fruitland Road). Proceed to stop sign at the end of Fruitland Road. Turn right onto Mills Gap Road. Go up the large hill and turn left onto Garren Road. Look for our signs with the red and yellow apples all along the route. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard . We have many . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard .
Just Us Orchard Facebook page. . They close November 8 in 2010. Apple Varieties to choose from including Gala, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, September Wonder, Red Delicious, Candy Crisp, Ambrosia, Mutsu, Cameo, Jonagold, Stayman Winesap, Rome, Hampshire Mac, Ruby Jon, Fuji, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Gold Rush, Arkansas Black. Check our apple ripening schedule to see what will be available when you plan your outing. Justus Orchard Facebook page. Blackberries from July thru AugustApples from Mid August thru Early November. (UPDATED: August 16, 2020 JBS)
Comments from a visitor on November 02, 2010: "Loved it! Went today for the first time. They have apple cider donuts which are out of this world, hot apple cider, and apple slushes that are awesome. Also, two friendly dogs. Their brochure also states apple pies and cobblers; jam, jelly and preserves; local honey; boiled peanuts, pumpkins, mountain cabbage and sweet potatoes; and tractor rides and more. Church groups welcome." - Lively Farm Outlet - apples, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries
5691 Howard Gap Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731. Phone: 828-698-5551. Click here for a map and directions. - Mack Jackson Orchard - Apples
276 Sugarloaf Mountain Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Phone: 828-685-3882. Click here for a map and directions. - Point Lookout Farms - apples
158 John Delk Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Phone: (828) 685-8430. Click here for a map and directions. . They offer fresh picked , have a U-Pick Orchard, and a Farm Market. - Riverview Orchard - apples
Glenn Bridge Road, Hendersonville, NC . Phone: 828-687-1936. Click here for a map and directions. . - Skytop Orchard - apples apples, peaches, Asian pears, grapes, sour cherries
Pinnacle Mtn Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731. Phone: 828-692-7930. Email: skytoporchard@gmail.com. Open: see their picking schedule. Directions: Take I-85 south to U.S. 74 at Kings Mountain. Go to I-26 West and take Exit 54. Go 3.2 miles to Exit 5 (Flat Rock/U.S. 25). Turn right and go about a half mile to Pinnacle Mountain Road. Follow the signs. . Click here for a map and directions.
Skytop Orchard Facebook page. . About 20 varieties of apples more than 50 acres. Usually begin picking in late August, continuing through November. Farm stand open late August until late December. Also fresh cider and other apple products, and pick-your-own pumpkins in October. Prices vary; take-home containers available. Farm stand, playground, petting zoo, picnic area. Hayrides available. 9 am to 6 pm, daily. Open as usual, with cider, honey, farm stand, playground, petting zoo, picnic area and hayrides. In addition to a long list of apple varieties, visit Sky Top Orchard and you will enjoy panoramic mountain views, orchard ponds with ducks and geese, a barnyard area with sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, peacocks and more, a bamboo forest to explore, lots of picnic areas and, of course, a mountaintop of fragrant apple and fruit trees. (UPDATED: August 16, 2020 JBS) - Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard - Apples, grapes, pumpkin patch- pick in the field, corn maze, and prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, tractor-pulled hay rides, wagon rides
221 Stepp Orchard Drive, Hendersonville, NC 28793. Phone: 828-685-9083. Email: apples@steppapples.com. Open: 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday 10 am to 6 pm Sunday Mid August thru October Mid August - Mid October Directions: From Asheville, NC Take I-26 East to the US 64 East, Bat Cave, Chimney Rock exit (exit 49A). Directions: From Asheville, NC Take I-26 East to the US 64 East, Bat Cave, Chimney Rock exit (exit 49A). Stay on 64E (Chimney Rock Rd.) for 4.5 miles. Turn right onto Pace Road. Go one mile and turn right on Stepp Orchard Drive. From Charlotte, NC: Take I-85 South to I-26 West in Spartanburg, SC. Take I-26 W to the US 64 East, Bat Cave, Chimney Rock exit (exit 49A). Stay on 64E (Chimney Rock Rd.) for 4.5 miles. Turn right onto Pace Road. Go one mile and turn right on Stepp Orchard Drive. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard. . 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday 10 am to 6 pm Sunday Mid August thru October Mid August - Mid October Enjoy a visit to a working apple farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina! Ride on the farm wagon through acres of orchard and Farmer Stepp's pumpkin patch and grape vines. Pick your own bag of apples and/or pumpkin. Drink a cup of delicious local apple cider. Enjoy a short educational presentation in the apple barn. Find your way through our corn and/or soybean maze. Bring a picnic lunch to eat beside the orchard. (UPDATED: August 16, 2020 JBS) - Tall Pine Apple Orchard - apples
228 Wayne\'s Way, Hendersonville, NC . Phone: 828-685-7422. Click here for a map and directions. . - The Apple House Owenby Orchards - apples
PO Box 7, Edneyville, NC 28727. Phone: (828) 685-9917. Open: Call for hours. Click here for a map and directions. . We offer U-Pick on our farm! We welcome visitors to our farm -- please call first. We have other fruit that is already picked; call to verify availability, but sometimes we have: , Asian pears, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupes, cherries, figs, grapes, kiwis, melons, nectarines, paws paws, peaches, pears, persimmons, plums, raspberries, strawberries, watermelons. (UPDATED: June 11, 2014, from their Facebook page) (ADDED: March 15, 2010, phone call to the farm) - Wilkie's Orchard - Apples
PO Box 92, Edneyville, NC 28727. Phone: (828) 685-8438. Open: 8 am to 6 pm 7 days a week. Directions: From I-26 take Exit 18A (Bat Cave Exit) to US 64E, go 3.6 miles, on left. . Click here for a map and directions. Wilkie's Orchard Phone: are for sale in all quantities; pick-your-own. Also Jellies, Jams.
McDowell County
- The Orchard At Altapass - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, U-pick and already picked, gift shop, concessions \\/ refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, school tours
1025 Orchard Rd, Spruce Pine, NC 28777. Phone: 828-765-9531. Email: information@altapassorchard.org. Open: Pick your own available subject to apples being ready, generally beginning in August and extending thru October. Directions: We are located at mile marker 328 on the Blue Ridge Parkway approximately 3 miles north from the highway 226 / Blue Ridge Parkway intersection near Spruce Pine NC. GPS address: 1025 Orchard Road Spruce Pine NC. Apples are available for purchase or Pick Your Own, from August thru October. We use integrated pest management practices. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
The Orchard At Altapass Facebook page. . . We also offer free live music Wednesday thru Friday from 1:30PM to 3 Pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 Pm to 4:00. We have story telling tractor pulled hayrides on weekends. In fall please call for reservations on hayrides. Also: Music, Food Treats, Handmade Crafts & Demonstrations, Jams, Apple Butter, Cider, Honey, Fudge, and Ice Cream. Herb & Butterfly Gardens. Storytelling Hayrides. Historic Plays. Tour Packages. IN SEASON, apples are available at the store or for U-Pick (a favorite for the kids). Just purchase a bag at the store and you're on your way. (We supply picking poles so you can reach the ones in the higher branches.) The available apple trees are marked. Take a walk on the trails, find a tree or two, and please, give them a taste before you choose. Apples are a staple at the Orchard. As are the music, the dancing, the exuberance of the people who come down the driveway. But the Orchard offers so much more: evening heritage plays and monthly historical discussions, lectures, and even book signings and book club meetings; in depth looks at parts of the magical puzzle that is the region's history. Please check the calendar of events for information, dates, and times of all the evening productions this coming season. (UPDATED: August 16, 2020 JBS)
Apple Picking Tips, Recipes and Information
Apples ripen from the outside of the tree towards the center, so the apples out the outside of the tree will ripen first. Once they are picked, they stop ripening. Picking apples directly from a tree is easy. Roll the apple upwards off the branch and give a little twist; don't pull straight away from the tree. If two apples are joined together at the top, both will come away at the same time. Don't shake the trees or branches. If the apple you are trying to pick drops, (or others on the tree) go ahead and pick it up. They're perfectly fine! But do wash them before you eat them! More info: How to tell when apples are ripe
- Once picked, don't throw the apples into the baskets, place them in gently, or they will bruise and go bad more quickly.
- Don't wash apples until just before using to prevent spoilage.
- For an explanation of why apple slices turn brown and how to stop it, see this page!
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Keep apples cool after picking to increase shelf life. A cool basement is ideal, but the fruit/vegetable drawer of a refrigerator will work, too. A refrigerator is fine for small
quantities of apples. Boxed apples need to be kept in a cool, dark spot
where they won't freeze. Freezing ruptures all of an apple's cells, turning
it into one large bruise overnight. The usual solution is to store apples in
a root cellar. But root cellars often have potatoes in them: apples and
potatoes should never be stored in the same room because, as they age,
potatoes release an otherwise ethylene gas, which makes apples spoil faster.
If you can keep the gas away from your apples, they will keep just fine.
Just don't store them right next to potatoes.
Prevent contact between apples stored for the winter by wrapping them individually in sheets of newspaper. The easiest way to do this is to unfold a section of newspaper all the way and tear it into quarters. Then stack the wrapped apples . See more here: How to store apples at home - Apples don't improve or "ripen" after being picked - this is an urban myth - see this page for the truth - with references!
Which apple variety is best?
There are tens of thousands of varieties of apples, developed over centuries. They vary in sugar, acoidity, flavors, storing, crispness and many other attributes. See our guides to apple varieties:
- Summary table of many apple varieties and their characteristics
- Detailed descriptions of each apple variety with detailed characteristics
- Apple varieties, sorted by the order in which they typically ripe
- Apple varieties that don't turn brown when they are cut
- Why are some apples brown or spotted inside when you first cut them open?
Canning apples - fully illustrated, with step-by-step instructions
- How to make applesauce
- How to make apple butter
- How to make apple jelly
- How to make apple pie filling (canned)
- How to can apples
- Home canned apple juice
Recipes, illustrated with step by step instructions
- Apple pie recipe and directions and illustrated! I can say, with, ahem, no bias at all, that this is the best apple pie recipe in the world! (Alright, I did have an apple strudel in Vienna once at that place listed in Fodors that was REALLY good, but that wasn't a pie, was it? And since this was the recipe my grandmother used, it must be great!)
- How to make applesauce for a single meal (not canning it) with NO special equipment
- Apple cobbler
- Apple crunch - best of all! Moist, low sugar and using oats!
- Apple crisp - ever-popular, low sugar and using oats!
- Apple, blackberry, cherry, and/or peach cobbler
- Apple-blackberry, crumble - a English favorite (or favourite)
Using fresh apples and miscellaneous
- How to stop cut apples from browning
- Apple festivals - find one near you!
- Apple facts
- Apple seeds and cyanide