Ultimate Guide to Apple Picking Near Asheville, NC

Everything you need to know about apple picking near Asheville

Did you know that there are several orchards near Asheville for picking apples? The area that surrounds Asheville is actually the heart of North Carolina apple country! In fact, North Carolina is a top ten producer of apples in the US.

Needless to say, if you are looking for opportunities to pick apples, come to Asheville! And if you need a nudge in the right direction, this guide to apple picking near Asheville should help. We’ll start with a map and then dive right into a list of 8 orchards, the majority of which are u pick.

Map of Apple Orchards Near Asheville, NC

Most of these apple orchards near Asheville are actually in Hendersonville. The closest orchard to downtown Asheville is Grandad’s Apples. It’s about 30 minutes (26 miles) from downtown. As you’ll see in the map below, there are several clustered around one area.

List of U-Pick Apple Orchards Near Asheville, NC

  1. Jeter Mountain Farm
  2. Justus Orchard
  3. The Orchard at Altapass
  4. Sky Top Orchard
  5. Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard
  6. Creasman Farms
  7. Coston Farm & Apple House
  8. Grandad’s Apples (not U pick, but we didn’t want to leave them out!)

Jeter Mountain Farm Apple Orchard

A When In Asheville Favorite

Jeter Mountain Farm is a 400-acre farm located near Dupont State Forest between Hendersonville and Brevard. It is our top apple orchard pick for our fall weekend in Asheville itinerary. It is truly unmatched.

The family-owned and operated farm is set in beautiful surroundings and is the perfect place for fall apple picking.

In addition to a U-Pick apple orchard and typical orchard attractions, including a farm market, fresh apple cider, and apple cider donuts, Jeter Mountain Farms also has a hard cider taproom, a BBQ smokehouse and a coffee house. This makes Jeter Mountain Farm a full-service attraction with activities, food and drinks!

Jeter Mountain is one of the longest drives at over 50 minutes from Asheville, but it is so worth it!

About Jeter Mountain Farm

Location: 1126 Jeter Mountain Road | Hendersonville

Open Season: U-pick orchards along with 1813 Smokehouse and the Hard Cider Taproom will reopen July 16, 2022. Peaches and berries will be available to pick in July and apple picking will begin in August.

U-Pick Hours: Saturdays & Sundays: 10a – 5p (Mid-July through the end of October) and Thursdays & Fridays: 10a – 3p​ (September through the end of October) — Check the farm’s website for the latest!

Apple Varieties: Jeter Mountain Farms produces 20 varieties of apples as well as other fruit. Check out their full harvest calendar here!

Farm Stand Offerings: Apple cider donuts, apple cider, apple butter, pickles, salsas, gifts.

Other Attractions: Hard Cider Taproom, 1831 Smokehouse BBQ, coffee house, 6,000 square foot covered play area, live bluegrass music on weekends, trailer rides.

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Justus Orchard

Fields at Justus Orchard near Asheville, NC

With over 100 years of apple growing tradition, Justus Orchard was one of the first U-Pick orchards in the Asheville area and is still one of the most popular. They produce 19 apple varieties on the farm as well as blackberries and pumpkins.

In addition to picking apples, they have a great market and bakery as well as activities including a huge jumping pillow, picnic area and playground to keep the kids entertained.

About Justus Orchard

Location: 187 Garren Road | Hendersonville

Open Season: Open for blackberry picking in July with the bakery open on Saturdays and Sundays. Open for apple picking in August.

U-Pick Hours: In July you can go blackberry picking on Saturdays and Sundays. Apple picking starts in August and goes through October. They are open daily 9am to 6pm during apple season.

Apple Varieties: Justus Farms produces 19 varieties of apples as well as blackberries and pumpkins. Check out their list with ripening dates here!

Farm Stand Offerings: Apple cider, pies, donuts, candy & caramel apples, Good to the Bone BBQ on weekends beginning labor day

Other Attractions: apple cannon, jumping pillow, playground picnic area, pond, farm animals, cow train.

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The Orchard at Altapass

Apple butter and apples at Orchard at Altapass near Asheville, NC

The Orchard at Altapass is a 280-acre orchard run by the nonprofit Altapass Foundation to preserve the land, wildlife and Blue Ridge Parkway views.

This is the lone U-Pick orchard in the Asheville area that is not located in Hendersonville County. Located in Spruce Pine near the Blue Ridge Parkway about 1 hour northeast of Asheville, this orchard has so much to offer. And because of its location, it actually feels like it’s in the mountains. Others like this are Sky Top and Jeter Mountain.

From tractor wagon rides to live music, there is plenty of fun to be had at the Orchard at Altapass.

About Orchard at Altapass

Location: 1025 Orchard Road | Spruce Pine

Open Season: Open through October 2022

U-Pick Hours: Guided U-Pick on Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays 10 am – 4 pm. The General Store is open Wednesdays through Sundays 10 am – 5 pm.

Apple Varieties: Over 20 apple varieties are available

General Store Offerings: Jams, jellies, honey, pickled veggies, salsas, fudge, ice cream, gifts

Other Attractions: walking trails, trailer rides, The Apple Core Grill, live music on weekends, general store, model train.

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Sky Top Orchard

View of apple orchard and mountains at Sky Top Orchard near Asheville

Sky Top Orchard is an apple-picking oasis in the North Carolina mountains. Located just south of Flat Rock in Zirconia (about 45 minutes south of Asheville), Sky Top is a fun destination for the entire family.

Starting out as a commercial apple orchard, Sky Top converted to a U-Pick orchard years ago to share the orchard apple picking experience with the public.

Sky Top Orchard is a great place to spend a few hours picking apples, shopping at their fruit stand and letting the kids play, mine for gems, shoot at the apple cannon and see the farm animals.

About Sky Top Orchard

Location: 1193 Pinnacle Mountain Road | Zirconia

Open Season: August until early December

U-Pick Hours: Open daily 9 am to 5 pm until Labor Day and 9 am until 6 pm after.

Apple Varieties: Over 25 varieties of apples!

Farm Stand Offerings: Kettle corn, apple cider doughnuts, hand-pies, caramel apples, fudge, fresh apple cider, apple cider slushies, hard apple cider, apple butter, jams, jellies, honey.

Other Attractions: Gem mine, playground, farm animals, apple cannon, bee train, hayride, bamboo forest, picnic tables

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Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard

With 21 apple varieties growing on a 38-acre orchard, Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard is Henderson County’s first U-Pick apple orchard. The 4th generation farm is a great place to visit, pick and play.

In addition to apples they also have U-Pick grapes and plenty of other activities for the family. The orchard is even dog friendly, so bring your pup along!

About Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard

Location: 170 Stepp Orchard Drive | Hendersonville

Open Season: Open Daily Thru October

Hours: Friday & Saturday 9am-6pm // Sunday 10am-6pm // Monday thru Thursday 9am-5:30pm

Apple Varieties: Check out the ripening schedule for Stepp’s 21 different varieties.

Farm Stand Offerings: Apple cider and pumpkin donuts, slushies, gifts

Other Attractions: 5-acre corn maze, U-Pick grapes and pumpkins, covered picnic area, dirt pile (seriously) and a ‘hayground’ playground. Weekends only: apple cannon, jump pad, wagon rides.

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Creasman Farms

Apples at Creasman Farms orchard near Asheville, NC

This family farm is a hidden gem, attracting less attention from visitors than some of the more well-known orchards in the area.

Creasman Farms is a third-generation farm located in the rolling valley land between the Dana and Edneyville communities.

In addition to apples, the farm produces peaches, berries and vegetables that are sold at Farmers Markets in and around Asheville.

About Creasman Farms

Location: 280 Bent Arrow Ln | Hendersonville

Open Season: U-pick is available from Labor Day through the end of October

U-Pick Hours: Sundays only from 1 to 5 pm

Apple Varieties: The farm grows over 40 varieties of apples with 16 varieties you can pick

Other Attractions: Creasman Farms keeps it simple with Sunday afternoon apple picking. You can also find them selling their delicious fresh produce at Farmers Markets around town.

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Coston Farm & Apple House

Sign at Coston Farm Apple House in Hendersonville, NC

Coston Farm and Apple House is a family-owned and operated orchard. It’s a great place to pick your own apples and fun for the entire family. In addition to picking apples, you will not be able to resist their delicious apple baked goods ranging from fried apple pie to apple bread. They also make their own fresh apple cider and apple butter (try the cider slushy on if you’re picking on a warm day!)

Their gift shop is full of other apple tools, decorations, sauces, honey and yummy treats. If you happen to miss peak apple season, check out their pumpkin patch for your fall pumpkin needs!

About Coston Farm

Location: 3748 Chimney Rock Road | Hendersonville

Open Season: U-pick is open from late August through the end of October (exact dates will be announced closer to harvest)

U-Pick Hours: Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 6 pm

Apple Varieties: The farm grows over 20 apple varieties in its orchard.

Farm Stand Offerings: Baked goods, apple cider, cider slushies, jams, jellies, preserves, sauces, candy, honey, gifts.

Other Attractions: small playground and covered picnic area

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Grandad’s Apples – No U-pick

Barn at Grandad's Apples orchard in Hendersonville, NC

The 120 acre Grandad’s Apples is not a U-pick but we wanted to include them because it’s still a fun outing with plenty to do.

It’s a popular spot for locals and tourists and very easy to get to (just off Chimney Rock Road near Hendersonville.)

Crowds flock to Grandad’s Apples for their hot apple cider donuts. From their corn maze to playground and farm market to bakery they have something to keep everyone in the family entertained!

FAQs about apple picking near Asheville

Where are apples grown in NC?

Apples are grown in Western North Carolina primarily in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Hendersonville County, just south of Asheville is North Carolina’s biggest apple-producing county with just over 3,500 acres of apple orchards.

What is the best time of year to pick apples in Asheville, NC?

If you are planning a trip to the Asheville area you may be asking yourself, what is the best month to go apple picking? Luckily, the apple harvest is from mid-August through October as temperatures begin to cool off for fall.

And if you are wondering what is the best week for apple picking, that will depend on the location of the orchard, apple variety and weather during the growing season. Typically the middle of September is the best time to go, though!

What kind of apples are grown in Western North Carolina?

The primary varieties of apples grown in Western North Carolina are Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty and Galas, though there are dozens more specialty varieties produced as well.

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