2022 Best Orchards for Apple Picking in Georgia

It’s apple season! Pick your own crisp, juicy apples and enjoy family-friendly extras at one of these orchards. Expect to pay around $10 per half-peck of apples. Be sure to check with the apple orchard on availability before you go.

Due to precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, some farms may requiring face masks or not offering u-pick. Some activities may be unavailable or canceled. Call or check websites before you go for apple availability.

B.J. Reece Orchard

Crimson Crisp, Rome Beauty and Stayman Winesap are just a few of the apple varieties available to pick; apple picking bags are $10-$40. The orchard fee is $8 on weekdays and $13-$26 on Saturdays and Sundays. On weekends, kids can enjoy a wagon ride, cow milking, pig races and the giant slide. Grab a fried apple pie at the Market & Bakery before heading home. Through Oct. 30. Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun. 1-6 p.m.

Hillcrest Orchards

The orchard’s farm market and bakery opens on Sept. 3, along with the petting farm, jumping pillows, wagon ride and playgrounds. Their Apple Pickin’ Jubilees occur on weekends; visitors can pick from several tasty varieties, including Granny Smith and Goldrush. The $12-$18 admission fee includes farm activities and games. Through Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 1-30, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Hillside Orchard

Take a train ride around the orchard for $4. Hayrides to the barnyard start in October and cost $2, and you can purchase goat feed for their goats. Search for gems, play on the playground, visit the animals in the barnyard, view antique equipment and more. The corn maze opens on Sept. 1. Due to a freeze earlier this year, they’re not currently offering apple picking. See website for hours.

Mercier Orchards

Take a tractor ride through this 300+ acre orchard of seasonal fruits and veggies. Grab jams, jellies, preserves, apple butter, fried pies and more in the market. Listen to live music on Saturdays and Sundays. See website for u-pick dates.

R&A Orchards

This farm planted its first apple trees more than 70 years ago and today has more than 60 acres of trees, including Winesap, Ginger Golden and Jona Gold. U-pick apples, u-pick flowers and farm tours are available on weekends in September and October from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The roadside market offers all things apple: jams, jellies, sauces and pies and is open daily from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Red Apple Barn

The orchard’s $10 admission fee includes picking one apple, a tractor ride to the orchard, farm tour, games, cider and a doughnut. Enjoy the kids’ playground and stop in the farm market, which sells everything from fried pies to peanut brittle. Their pumpkin patch is expected to open late Sept. Sept.-Nov. Sat. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun. 1-4 p.m.

Events:

Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay

Ellijay is known for being apple country and this fall festival celebrates their prize fruit with a parade and apple-themed activities. Oct. 8-9, 15-16.