Apple Picking in Georgia – The notion of apple picking is one that conjures up romantic images of happy families exploring picturesque orchards and picking crisp red fruit with golden leaves. Add to that stunning location of Georgia and the perfect family activity has been created, with no tech in sight!
As you explore Georgia in the fall be sure to get out into the countryside to enjoy the delights of the traditional, bucolic orchards and take some time enjoying the most classic of fall activities – pick-your-own apples! Apple picking season in Georgia begins in late August and continues through to late September.
Please do check opening times and more details with each farm before your visit, just in case anything has changed since we published this post.
B.J. Reece Orchards
9131 GA-52, Ellijay, GA 30536
The whole family can look forward to the warmest of welcomes at B.J Reece Orchards!
“B.J. Reece Orchards is a family owned and operated orchard in Ellijay, Georgia. Tucked in the North Georgia Mountains, we are the home to U-pick orchards, a country bakery, petting farm, pony rides and much more. We have been rated one of Georgia’s top “fun get-a-way” destinations.
At Reece Orchards, we want you to come play and enjoy our farm with us. It doesn’t matter if you’re an old friend or a new face around the farm, you’ll enjoy our family friendly atmosphere and some of the best apples in North Georgia.
Apple picking information –
“Step 1 : Monday – Friday the admission is $2 per person and on Saturday and
Sunday admission is $5 per person.
Step 2: Choose which size bag you would like to purchase to fill up with Apples.”
Varieties of apples available and when –
August – Ginger Gold, Gala, Empire
September – Honey Crisp, Blondies, September Wonders, Crimson Crisp, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Mutsu, Jonagolds, Rome Beauty, Staymen Winesap
Pick-Your- Own apples in Georgia at the stunningly located Red Apple Farm.
“Come out and enjoy the beautiful Ellijay, Georgia mountains and the area with the best apple picking in Georgia!
Apple Picking/Tractor rides are on weekends in September, October and November or until all the apples are picked in the orchard.
Saturday is from 10:30am – 5:00pm. Sunday 1:00-4:00pm.
9.50 admission includes a Tractor ride to and from the orchard, an apple from the Orchard, a cup of apple cider(water if cider is unavailable), an apple cider doughnut, 2 flowers, water at the orchard, rock & pumpkin painting, games, picnic areas and playground for the kids.
Rate for additional apples in bins at the orchard:
Quarter Peck- 6.25 : Half Peck 9.50 : Peck 16.50 : Half bushel with basket $29
Includes all local & state taxes and applicable fees.
Walking to the orchard. You are welcome to walk to the orchard but will still need to pay and get your U-Pick sticker.
What to wear apple picking. You will be primarily on mountain sides so closed-toe shoes are recommended. Dress as you would for walking/hiking outdoors.
Pet Policy. Dogs are welcome but due to new Food Safety Regulations dogs are not permitted in the orchard or in the Apple Barn. You are welcome to bring small to medium size dogs on a leash or that you can walk/carry on the rest of the Farm. Please make sure to take them to the woods to use the bathroom or clean up after them with your own waste bag.
Have Fun! You can play Cornhole, Horse shoes, play games, make pictures at our small covered bridge across the creek, have a picnic, play in the field and take a walk in the hayfield. Come out and enjoy the farm and have a great time!”
There is a detailed and fascinating Apple Tasting Chart available on the website so you know which variety you would most like to pick!
Red Apple Barn
Hillside Orchard Farms
18 Sorghum Mill Dr, Lakemont, GA 30552
Nestled in the Georgian mountains, and enjoying far reaching views, Hillside Orchard is the perfect destination for a family day out in the fresh air.
“If you are in the Neighborhood, we would like to invite you to come spend a day at with us at the farm. Our retail store and farm is rapidly becoming a destination point for all.
You can wonder out to the barnyard to feed our herd of nanny goats, say Hi to Festus our Donkey. Visit our Indoor gem mine and watch a show put on by the residents: “Miner Jim & Donkey”, In the summer months we have u-pick blackberries for all to enjoy along with a pavilon and playground. Pick blackberries and then enjoy ice cream while the kids play.
In the Fall, Many colors of apples and pumpkins mark the farm. In 2015 we introduced our u-pick Apple orchard to a great success. We have our yearly corn maze that opens in September, included in it a game telling more about an activity or a item on the farm. The Train and Hayride runs all day on their routes around the farm either to the apples or to the animals.”
Pick-ur-own Apples:
Open in September, weather permitting. Special picking bags available. Varieties available in pick-ur-own: Enterprise, Staymens, Pink Ladies, Gold Rush, Arkansas Blacks and more being added.”
Hillside Orchards
Sweets Berry Farm
3800 Davis Academy Rd, Rutledge, GA 30663
Sweets Berry Farm is easy to find and offers a fun day out in the country for all the family.
“Our 15 acre farm is between Covington and Madison on Interstate-20. If you enjoy the great taste of sun ripened fruits and berries, picking with friends and being in the countryside, then pay us a visit. The difference between our fresh picked fruits and ‘ripened in the back of a truck or warehouse’ will keep you coming back! At Sweets Berry Farm, we plant many varieties of each type of fruit and berry, allowing us to have early, mid, and late season picking. Taste-test and choose the varieties that you like best!”
You can pick peaches, apples, blackberries, blueberries, pear and plums at Sweets Berry Farm.
Deep Roots Orchard
2984 Mobile Rd. McCaysvilleGA30555
There is something a bit special about Deep Roots Orchard. You are invited to visit and find out for yourselves what makes a trip to this fascinating place so good for the soul.
“Life in Appalachia has always been a bit more laid back, slower paced perhaps even, a bit more intentional. Set on a hillside below a little country church on the boarder of Georgia and Tennessee, Deep Roots Orchard offers a small step back in time. Bonfires, local music, wildflower fields, wagon rides, farm tours, picnics, U-pick, festivals, workshops and classes await you throughout the year.
While you’re here, stop at the old apple barn that is now an herbal apothecary, swap some stories, and pick up some home baked goodies from Mae’s kitchen.
We invite you to slow down for just a bit and see why we are one of Georgia’s most unique destinations.
Experiences are the gift that never gets stored in a back closet. They reside in our memory and our hearts for a lifetime.
As summer fades into autumn and the sun draws low and basks the earth in a golden hue and the mountain air becomes crisp and bright and so do the apples ripen to their peak and beckon you to walk amongst the trees.
We invite you and your family to begin a new tradition. We invite you to escape the hub bub and chaos of commercialism and crowds and take an old wicker basket and reconnect with where your food comes from. Pick you own apples from the trees that have lived on this Appalacian hillside for over 50 years. Create memories, start traditions that will last for generations. Come experience U-pick.
This is available September through October”
Access to the orchard at any time is $5
U-pick is $3 + cost of apples
Deep Roots Orchard
Jaemor Farms
5340 Cornelia Hwy, AltoGA30530
The ethos at Jaemor Farms is about family values, through and through.
“Tucked into the foothills of the north Georgia countryside, Jaemor Farms was established on family values and hard work that has been passed down for six generations in the Echols family. In 2002, we began to diversify the crops grown on the farm to beyond just peaches and apples.
Now our customers can enjoy homegrown strawberries, blackberries, muscadines, scuppernongs, Concord grapes, watermelon, squash, tomatoe, zucchini, pumpkins and more during our harvest season. In 2006, we opened our first corn maze and began to participate in the state’s agritourism industry. Today, on average, Jaemor sees more than a million customers annually and we are happy to host each and everyone one of them to let them taste the difference family makes.
One of the most cultivated and well-known crops throughout written history, the apple is still a firm favorite. During apple season Jaemor Farms specializes in east coast apples. While we grow Ginger Gold and Arkansas Black apples at the farm and harvest in late September/Early October, due to our working relationships with other farms we are able to bring in fresh Gala, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Winesap, Mutsu, Red Rome, among other varieties each fall when in season. We ensure that, even in our off season, we have a fresh supply of tasty apples available.”
Jaemor Farms
Mercier Orchards
8660 Blue Ridge Dr, Blue RidgeGA30513
Apple picking is available at Mercier Orchards from August through to October and the surroundings are breath taking.
“We are a 4th generation family & veteran-owned and operated apple orchard founded back in 1943 by Bill and Adele Mercier. Be sure to pick-up some delicious fruit, fresh baked goods, cider, and specialty items from the market when you visit.
Pick-Your-Own at Mercier Orchards is a fabulous experience for all the family!
“Load up on our tractors for a trip through the orchard. This fun ride will be sure to spark wonder as you make your way to your destination. Our guides will then give instructions on how to pick the fruit. Experience the difference between store-bought produce, and fruit straight from the vine. Fruit from our fields is sun-ripened and bursting with flavor. It’s bound to be love at first bite! Our fields sit on 300 acres of land, filled with idyllic scenery sure to take your breath away. Mountains line the beautiful countryside, giving the sense of peace, quiet, and the perfect day with your family. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience that you don’t want to miss out on! Afterward, you can enjoy a meal at our café and find some fantastic treats in our market. Be sure to try one of our famous fried pies!”
Mercier Orchards
R and A Orchards – Apple Picking in Georgia
5505 Hwy. 52 , EllijayGA30536
Offering an extensive variety of apples for picking, R and A Orchards is the ideal place to try flavors that you haven’t before!
“A family-owned, 150-acre apple orchard in North Georgia, R and A Orchards features a farm market filled with locally grown and sourced fruits, including 38 varieties of apples, 30 varieties of peaches and eight varieties of nectarines, as well as fresh vegetables, honey, jams, jellies and more throughout the year. Since 1947, this farm market, bakery and cafe has served up 18 different varieties of homemade fried pies, chicken and dumplings, sandwiches, fudge and more. In the spring, we have fresh-picked strawberries followed by fresh-picked peaches in the summer. During the fall, we offer U-pick for seven varieties of apples on the weekends during September and October. Admission for U-pick is $5 per person; children age 3 and younger are free. Throughout the year, we offer tours for schools, churches and other large groups.”
They are absolute apple experts and can provide extensive information on each of the apple varieties that they grow!
Gala
This is one of our earliest varieties of apple. This medium sized fruit is extremely sweet and is excellent for eating and cooking. This apple has become very popular in salads and other light dishes.
Detroit Red
This red and flavorful early apple is excellent cooking apple and is perfect for applesauce. This sweet and delicious apple begins to ripen in late August.
Red Delicious
This apple is still an American favorite, this sweet and crisp apple is very versatile and can be used for eating, cooking, and about any use imaginable.
Ozark Gold
This early golden variety is a cousin to the always popular Golden Delicious. This sweet and flavorful apple ripens in September and starts to herald the beautiful colors of fall.
Jonathan
This reddish blush apple ripens in the late part of September and add a hint of tart to the bouquet of apples that come in. This apple is noted for its green vertical stripes.
Golden Delicious
This constant favorite is called “the yellow apple” by those that do not know it by its true name. This sweet and mild large apple is a favorite for snacking
Honeycrisp
This is a newer variety of apple that has been introduced in recent years and has quickly gained popularity. Developed in Minnesota they have quickly spread, even to the southern portions of the country
Cameo
The Cameo is a cross between the Red Delicious and Golden Delicious developed in Washington State. this sweet apple perfectly meshes the flavors of the Golden and Red.
Pink Lady
This Australian apple has migrated the world over to come to Ellijay. This pink colored apple is medium sized and sweet and is perfect for eating and cooking.
Rome Beauty
This deep red apple is sweet and crisp, perfect for cooking. This sweet apple supposedly traces its origins back to its namesake city.
Mutsu
This sweet yet tart apple is a Japanese cross between the Golden Delicious and the granny smith, giving it a tart kick, with a sweet finish. This apple is very popular and is one of our top sellers
Kimrome
This variety of apple was developed by Farish Waddell in the Cartecay area of the county. These semi-tart apples are a split off from the standard Rome variety and have a deep reddish blush.
Jonagold
This cross between the Golden Delicious and Jonathan is another excellent and flavorful cooking apple.
Stayman Winesap
The Winesap gets its name from its tart wine-like flavor that rolls over the palate. This reddish blush apple is excellent for cooking and drying.
Granny Smith
This long time tart favorite is the green apple of movies and stories. This apple is used for cooking and eating above all things
Arkansas Black
This black colored apple is the firmest apple developed with it naturally lasting into January and February after harvest. This sweet, yet tart apple is perfect for baking and cooking.
Fuju
This apple developed in japan is medium sized and tart. This apple is another perfect for eating and cooking.
Yates
This small and tart apple is another late variety that is good for consumption and eating. This variety will keep extremely well through the winter months.
Aaron Family Orchards
Panorama Orchards
63 Talona Mountain Rd, Ellijay, GA 30536
First established in the 1920’s to produce apples, Panorama Orchards has since grown and developed into a popular orchard and farm market.
“Today we have available more than 20 varieties of apples, as well as peaches, and fall vegetables. This production, along with a variety of apple related products and baked goods from our own kitchens, is sold direct to the public at our farm market.
Fresh picked apples and homemade baked goods will be available all Fall and into Winter. Good sound apples will still be available in the off season until supplies run out.
The Ellijay area is widely known for its apples. The long growing season and cool nights during ripening insure superior flavor. Apples come in an amazing range of varieties, one of which will suit almost anyone’s taste. “
And here’s a top tip from the apple experts –
“To store fresh apples, pour loose into the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator. If you have a larger quantity, you can keep them in a paper bag open to the air in a cool place such as a garage or basement. The optimal temperature is 34 or 35 degrees but do not go below 32 degrees.”
Panorama Orchards
Hillcrest Orchards
9696 GA-52, Ellijay, GA 30536
At Hillcrest Orchards Pick-your- Own -Apples commences in September through to October or until apples are picked.
“Visit the most popular apple orchard and farm market in the North Georgia Mountains located near Ellijay, Georgia. We are a short 1.5 hour drive from Atlanta, Georgia or Chattanooga, Tennessee. Hillcrest Orchards is a seasonal business and is only open during the months of September, October & November. Hillcrest is family owned and operated and has been growing apples and fun for children, adults and seniors since 1946.
One bag size is offered for u-pick- 1/2 peck. Call for pricing.
After you enter the festival area you can purchase your u-pic bag and fill it anytime during the day.
Varieties in the U-Pic Orchard:
Rome Beauty
Golden Delicious
Granny Smith
Goldrush
Arkansas Black
Yates
Admission includes the petting farm, wagon rides and all our playgrounds- including the giant slides, kiddie corn maze playground, trike rides, jumping pillow and the new ball zone.
The bakery is open every day and offers goodies such as fried apple pies, apple cider doughnuts and our famous apple fritters.
The farm market is open every day and has bushels and bushels of tree ripened apples, cider, canned goods, honey, baskets, peelers, toys and so much more. So plan to fill your shopping bags here.”
