Visit North Georgia for its many apple orchards! You’ll find u-pick activities for the whole family during apple picking season. Also, you’ll bring home bags of delicious, fresh apples!
Gilmer County is “the apple capital of Georgia†and is the most popular state destination for apple picking! However, other Georgia counties and cities have charming orchards. In this article, I’ll look more into the 9 Best Orchards for Apple Picking in Georgia Mountains!
Best Apple Orchards in Georgia at a Glance
| Orchard | Location | Apple Picking Season | Google Rating | Yelp Rating |
| B.J. Reece Orchards | Ellijay, GA | September to October |  1673 reviews |  125 reviews |
| Penland’s Apple House | Ellijay, GA | August to November | 638 reviews | 22 reviews |
| Hillcrest Orchards | Ellijay, GA | September to October | Facebook: 634 reviews |  /69 reviews |
| Red Apple Barn | Ellijay, GA | September to November | 448 reviews |  /17 reviews |
| R&A Orchards | Ellijay, GA | August to early December | 847 reviews | 50 reviews |
| Mercier Orchards | Blue Ridge, GA | August to October | 5,963 reviews  | 543 reviews |
| Deep Roots | MacCaysville, GA | September to October |  46 reviews | 4 reviews |
| Hillside Orchard Farms | Lakemont, GA | September |  219 reviews  | / 10 reviews |
| Jaemor Farms | Alto, GA | July to December | 4,040 reviews  | 185 reviews |
With so many options, you may find it challenging to choose the top place for apple picking in the North Georgia Mountains. So, I’ve narrowed the list to the nine best apple orchards to visit.
Pro Tip: Make sure to bring sunglasses or a hat. The orchards are pretty well shaded, but the rides to and from the picking sites are bright and sunny! A sun hat and sunglasses like these are good options on Amazon.
When is the best time to go apple picking in the North Georgia Mountains?
The ideal times for apple picking in North Georgia are the cooler months of September and October.
Apple Orchards in Ellijay, GA
1. B.J. Reece Orchards
| Operating Hours: 9 AM to 6 PM (Monday -Saturday) 1 PM to 6 PM (Sunday) | Activities: U-pick apples Giant slide Petting farm Field trips Pricing: U-Pick – $2.00 (Free for kids aged 2 and under) Petting farm – $3 per person Half peck bag (10-15 apples) – $10 1 peck bag (20-25 apples) – $20 Half a bushel (40 – 50 apples) – $40 |
| Address: 9131 GA-52 Ellijay, GA 30536 Contact Number: 706-276-3048 | Visit B.J. Reece Orchards |
Enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and the picturesque beauty of North Georgia mountains when you go apple picking at the B.J. Reece Orchard!. You can choose from 30 varieties of apples.
These include everything from Crimson Crisp, Rome Beauty, to Granny Smith, Empire, and a whole lot more.
Select one of their group packages if you want to add more activities on top of apple picking! Extras include a cow milking demonstration, bee observation, wagon ride, petting farm visit, and jumping pillow playtime.
If you’re coming in without a reservation, make sure you arrive early in the day because the juicy apples get picked first.
And since you are already in Ellijay, check out some of the best dining options the town offers!
2. Penland’s Apple House
| Operating Hours: 9 AM to 6 PM (Tuesday to Sunday) | Activities: Apple picking Fruit sand vegetable shopping Pricing: Contact management for prices |
| Address: 41 Talona Spur Rd Ellijay, GA 30540, Contact Number: 706-635-5110 | Visit Penland’s Apple House |
The Penland’s Apple House is ideal for those who want to harvest or buy fresh veggies and fruits! You can also go apple picking for the day.
The picking season spans between late August and early November. You’ll be able to pick different types of apples ranging from Granny Smith and Sun Crisp, to Pink Lady and Jonagold.
Stop by their country store for homemade products and merchandise too!
3. Hillcrest Orchards
| Operating Hours: Contact management for schedules and reservations | Activities: U-pick apples Kiddie corn maze Petting farm Pig races Apple Pickin’ Jubilee Pricing: Admission fee: $10 per person Apple Pickin’ Jubilee: $15 admission fee |
| Address: 9696 GA-52 Ellijay, GA 30536 Contact Number: 706-273-3838 | Visit Hillcrest Orchards |
When it’s apple season, don’t miss the Hillcrest Orchards and its fun farm activities that go beyond traditional apple picking.
After gathering your picks from various apple varieties such as Yates, Rome Beauty, Pink Lady, and Jonagold, to name a few. Bring your children to the kids’ corn maze, petting farm, trike rides, giant slide, jumping pillow, and new ball zone. Visit the farm store for a selection of basked goodies, homemade treats, and other local products.
During the festival weekends, check out their Apple Pickin’ Jubilee, where you can pick your own apples, milk a cow, watch swimming pig races, and witness lives bands and cloggers perform.
4. Red Apple Barn
| Operating Hours: 9 AM to 6 PM (Monday – Saturday) 1 PM to 5:30 PM (Sunday) | Activities: U-pick apples Tractor ride Pumpkin patch Picnic and playground area Pricing: Admission – $9.99 + tax (Free for kids aged 2 and under) Apples: Quarter peck – $6.25 Half peck – $10.50 Peck – $18.75 Half bushel – $36 |
| Address: 3379 Tails Creek Rd Ellijay, GA 30540 Contact Number: 706-635-5898 | Visit Red Apple Barn |
When visiting the Red Apple Barn, make sure you come on weekends during the apple picking seasons (September to November)!
Help yourself from the wide apple varieties in the barn, such as the Stayman Winesap, Golden Supreme, Fuji, Gala, and more. With admission, you can also ride the tractor and enjoy a cup of apple cider and apple cider doughnut.
5. R & A Orchards
| Operating Hours: 8:30 AM to 6 PM (Monday to Sunday) | Activities: U-pick apples Group tour via appointment Pricing: Contact management for prices |
| Address: 5505 GA-52 East Ellijay, GA 30536 Contact Number: 706-273-3821 | Visit R & A Orchards |
Here’s another great place to take the whole family for apple picking. R & A orchards thrive from its owner’s firm belief in hard work.
Visitors can enjoy apples like Detroid Red, Arkansas Black, Gala, Granny Smith, etc. Groups can book an appointment for weekend tours starting in September.
And if you’re looking for other fun in Ellijay, there are a lot of places to go river tubing!
Apple Orchard in Blue Ridge, GA
6. Mercier Orchards
| Operating Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM (Monday to Sunday) | Activities: U-pick and tractor tours Farm winery visits and hard cider tasting Fishing Pricing: U-Pick – $8.00 (Free for kids aged 2 and under) Tractor Tour – $5 per person |
| Address: 8660 Blue Ridge Dr Blue Ridge, GA 30513 Contact Number: 706-632-3411 | Visit Mercier Orchards |
Mercier Orchards has been in operation for 75 years! Also, its a family business in its fourth generation of management. This orchard continues to be one of the best placees to pick fresh apples, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries (seasonal).
Mercier Orchards is 2.7 miles from downtown Blue Ridge, which is only a 7-minute drive.
Take the tractor tours and visit the bakery for the must-have apple turnovers. Their apple pies and apple cider doughnuts are delicious as well. Don’t forget to check out their winery, market store, and Candy Kitchen for more products you can bring home to your friends.
You can visit Mercier Orchard all year round, but the best time to go apple picking is during the cool months of September and October.
Apple Orchard in MacCaysville, GA
7. The Folk Apothic @ Deep Roots Orchard
Enjoy different varieties of apples in The Floe Apothic @ Deep Roots Orchard (Source: folkapothic)
| Operating Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM (Wednesday to Saturday); 11 AM to 4 PM (Sunday) | Activities: Apple picking Wagon & Tractor rides Tour Picnics Yoga Workshops *Their Cider Days event includes an orchard tour and cider making Pricing: Orchard Access – $5 Tractor ride – $6 Farm tour – $10 Cider Days $30 (reservation) or $35 (walk-in) *Free for children 3 and under |
| Address: 2984 Mobile Rd, McCaysville, GA 30555, Contact Number: 706-492-7753 | Visit Deep Roots Orchard |
If you’re looking for an apple picking experience with breathtaking views, check out The Folk Apothic @ Deep Roots Orchard. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, this family-owned orchard is committed to activities for the whole family and creating memories for everyone who visits!
Aside from the apple u-pick activity, you can also go for wagon rides on the fields or take tractor rides for convenient farm tours.
If you need a break, breathe in the fresh Appalachian air while relaxing in the picnic areas. In September, they hold Cider Days where you can learn the harvesting process and make your own apple cider via a vintage cider press.
Check out other activities in Deep Roots Orchard, such as their Yoga Workshops and Fire on the Mountain.
Apple Orchard in Lakemont, GA
8. Hillside Orchard Farms
| Operating Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday)* 1 PM to 5 PM (Sunday) *Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday | Activities: *Pick your own apples Farm hayride and train rides Indoor gem mining Corn maze Playground for kids Petting farm Pricing: Contact their management for updated pricing |
| Address: 18 Sorghum Mill Dr, Lakemont, GA 30552, United States Contact Number: 706-782-2776 | Visit Hillside Orchard Farms |
Boasting a family farm atmosphere, Hillside Orchard Farms provides fresh produce and over 700 locally made products to their visitors! They also offer farm experience through their regular activities and attractions as well as some cool seasonal events.
You can pick your own apples (Pink Lady, Gold Rush, Stayman, Enterprise, etc.) throughout September. Then take the farm train to explore the orchard, take a hayride to the barnyard, do a little gem mining, and visit the corn maze.
Children can also interact with farm animals and spend their time in the playground, greenhouse, and giant sandbox.
Apple Orchard in Alto, GA
9. Jaemor Farms
| Operating Hours: 7 AM to 6 PM (Monday to Saturday) 1 PM to 6 PM (Sunday) | Activities: U-Pick apples (Other fruits depending on the season) Fall corn maze Pumpkin patch Night at the Farm Pricing: Admission fee is $5 + tax for visitors aged 3 and above Box or bag for picking depends on fruit type and season |
| Address: 5340 Cornelia Hwy Alto, GA 30510 Contact Number: 770-869-3999 | Visit Jaemor Farms |
Experience the old-school fruit picking at Jaemor Farms. This more than a century-old farm managed by the sixth generation of the Echols family is at the forefront of sustainable agriculture. Not only will you let your kids learn and enjoy apple picking, but you can also make the visit an opportunity to let them know about sustainable and responsible farming.
Some of the apple varieties you can pick during its early (July to August), mid (late August to late September), and late (October to December) seasons include Golden Delicious, Ginger Gold, Arkansas Black, Fuji, Mutsu, Red Rome, Cameo, Honeycrisp, and Red Delicious.
Aside from apple picking, you can also enjoy their annual fall corn maze and pumpkin patch. If you’re up for a romantic dinner with live music, check out their schedule for the Night at the Farm.
Summary
As the leaves change color and pumpkin flavors start showing on menus, you know it’s Fall. It’s also a good reminder that it’s the season for apple picking in Georgia Mountains. Visit the best apple orchards in the state, with most places concentrated in Ellijay, GA.
Other Activities You Might Also Like in Georgia…
- Visiting during summer? Try Fly Fishing in North Georgia Mountains
- Don’t miss out on the Best Gem Mining Places for you and your family
- Or book a day of Golfing in Georgia’s Top Golf Courses
