Apple Picking in Virginia: The 21 Best Orchards and Farms

Virginia is absolutely beautiful year-round. However, it has a special kind of magic in the fall. That also happens to be the time of year when delicious apples are in season. So, why not enjoy the colorful leaves and crisp air while wandering through an orchard? We wanted to help you find your first (or new) favorite. That is why we gathered a list of the 21 best apple orchards in Virginia. Happy harvesting!

1. Ayers Orchard — Cana

Take a drive out to Ayers Orchard in Cana for a truly unique U-Pick experience. The family-owned farm has been open for business for over 100 years. This location grows abundant fruit, including apples. There are endless varieties to choose from, so you can easily spend all afternoon wandering through the orchard. However, in case you don’t have that kind of time, you can also grab some pre-picked apples from their farm stand. Harvesting season depends entirely on the weather. So, they recommend calling before you head out to the orchard. Some of the varieties you can find include Gala, Lodi, Virginia Beauty, Ozark Gold, and Blushing Gold.

2. Carter Mountain Orchard — Charlottesville

This Charlottesville favorite stays open all year, so local residents and visitors have plenty of time to swing by. However, their apples aren’t ready to pick until roughly late July. They typically have a decent selection through mid-December, though you may not get your favorite variety if you wait too long! Some of the apples they grow include Golden and Red Delicious, Ginger Gold, Pink Lady, Gala, Jonagold, Granny Smith, Winesap, and Fuji.

Other fun happenings at the orchard include cider donuts, apple pies, and fresh apple cider.

3. Crooked Run Orchard — Purcellville

Get your fill of U-Pick fruit at Crooked Run Orchard. This stunning spot has been family-owned for over two hundred years. It has a wide selection of apples available every fall, usually starting in late July. But that’s not all! This orchard also grows a range of other fruit and produces homemade treats. Consider stopping by the farm store before leaving with your apple haul.

4. Dickie Brothers Orchard — Roseland

If you are looking for one of the oldest apple orchards in Virginia, you’ve come to the right place! The land that Dickie Brothers Orchard sits on has been in the family since the 1700s. The orchard offers U-Pick or pre-picked options from among their twenty apple varieties from July through November. Some choices you may find are Rome, Gala, Empire, Granny Smith, or McIntosh. It also grows other fruits and vegetables throughout the year. 

Don’t forget to pick up some fresh apple goodies and homemade apple cider while you’re there. 

5. Fruit Hill Orchard — Palmyra

Fruit Hill Orchard is a family-run farm that has been in business for almost 100 years! They have a couple thousand fruit trees, including a fantastic selection of apple trees. This orchard grows Gala, Ida Red, Crimson Crips, Blondie, Crispin, Honeycrisp, Arkansas Black, and Enterprise. Guests can choose from pre-picked apples at their stand or U-Pick options in the orchard. 

However, this farm doesn’t stick strictly to apples. They also grow a ton of vegetables every year, produce fresh cider, and sell homemade treats.

6. Graves Mountain Farms — Syria

One of the most popular apple orchards in Virginia is Graves Mountain Farms. That is partly due to their U-Pick orchard, but also partly due to the spectacular Apple Harvest Festival, they throw every fall. Get set for a weekend of memories when you attend this fall treat. You will find apple cider, a hay maze, live music, vendors, and hayrides. There are also plenty of farm animals ready to entertain your kids!

7. Great Country Farms — Bluemont

Stop by Great Country Farms for a U-Pick experience you won’t forget! This farm has a load of apple varieties to choose from and plenty to keep the family entertained before or after hitting up the orchard. There are cider donuts, a cider press, slides, wagon rides, and plenty more. You can find the apples you’ve dreamed of from late August through the end of September. They grow Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Gala, Jona Free, Ruby Jon, Candy Crisp, and Fuji.

8. Gross’ Orchard — Bedford

One of the apple orchards in Virginia that sits in a picturesque location is Gross’ Orchard. It is only a thirty-minute drive from Roanoke, so plenty of families can make the trek. While they don’t offer visitors the chance to pick their own apples, there is a large selection ready and waiting in the market. Discover perennial favorites like Fuji and Red Delicious. Or try a new type like York Cortland, Stayman Winesap, or Rome Beauty. Before you leave, make sure to snag one of the homemade syrups, ciders, or jams. 

9. Henley’s Orchard — Crozet

Locals love Henley’s Orchard because they can count on consistent quality. The family-owned spot started operations in 1932, and residents look forward to its early apple-picking season. They have some varieties available as soon as July. Picking typically runs through the end of October, weather-dependent. The orchard offers U-Pick opportunities, as well as pre-picked options. And with over 25 varieties to choose from, you definitely won’t walk away empty-handed. Look for Ginger Gold, Lodi, Honey Crips, Summer Rambo, Prima, and more. 

10. Hollin Farms — Delaplane

Take a drive into the Blue Ridge Mountains to find this unique, family-run farm. Hollin Farms offers U-Pick produce (including apples). It also raises pasture-raised beef, which you can purchase while you’re there. But before you start exploring their meat and vegetable selection, swing by the orchard for your apple haul. The farm grows Cameo, Mutsi Crispin, Fuji, Pink Wonder, Gold Rush, Honeycrisp, and more. Its apple season typically runs September through October, weather dependent. 

11. Johnson’s Orchard — Bedford

If you plan to drive in the Blue Ridge Mountains this fall, you may want to pencil in a stop at Johnson’s Orchard. It boasts nearly 8,000 apple trees and 200 apple varieties! This orchard also has fresh, homemade apple cider available. They also welcome field trips for local schoolchildren so they can see what a working orchard is all about.

12. Levering Orchard — Arat

Levering Orchard got its start as an apple orchard in 1908. But today, they also grow a range of fruit, including pears, cherries, nectarines, and peaches. The apple season at this location usually starts in early September and runs through mid-October. Visitors can head into the trees to pick their own haul or snag some great varieties in the farm store. 

13. Mackintosh Fruit Farm — Berryville

One of the newer apple orchards in Virginia is Mackintosh Fruit Farm. This family-run operation was launched in 1988. It has peach and apple trees, along with berry and vegetable options. Their apples are ready for a U-Pick adventure starting in August. Visitors can usually snag a decent harvest through October. However, each variety ripens at different times. So, if you have your heart set on one, you will want to call in advance.

14. Marker-Miller Orchards Farm Market — Winchester

This stunning apple orchard has been in business since the 1930s, and it remains family-owned. Visitors to Marker-Miller Orchards Farm Market will find a cozy market and plenty of orchard space to pick their own apples. They grow Rambo, Gala, Idared, Empire, Honeycrisp, and Ginger Gold. And don’t forget to swing by again at the beginning of October for their fun Apple Harvest Festival.

15. Morris Orchard — Monroe

This fantastic, family-run orchard sits a short drive away from Lexington. It has apples available for purchase from late July through October. You will want to call to find out which varieties are in season. Morris Orchard grows Jonagold, Red Delicious, Arkansas Black, Gala, Fuji, Rome, and more.

Don’t forget to pick up some fresh-pressed apple cider while you’re there. They produce new batches weekly through the fall.

16. Seamans’ Orchard — Roseland

Another Roseland favorite is Seaman’s Orchard. It is family-owned and operated and grows a large range of delicious produce. Their U-Pick options are sometimes limited. But they always have a solid apple selection at the market. Pick from Honeycrips, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, Gala, and more. 

17. Showalter’s Orchard — Timberville

Showalter’s Orchard is more than just an apple orchard. It is also a beloved local cidery and event center. You can stop by to pick your own apples from among the over thirty varieties they grow. However, if you are short on time, you can also snag plenty of pre-picked apples at their farm store. The season starts in mid-July and runs through November. Some of the varieties you can find include Rome Beauty, Gala, Sweet Lady, Ginger Gold, York, and Granny Smith.

18. Silver Creek Orchard — Tyro

Another one of the oldest apple orchards in Virginia is Silver Creek Orchard. This beautiful orchard has grown apples since the mid-1800s. Most of their apples come pre-picked. However, they do offer two U-Pick chances throughout the season. Give them a call to find out which varieties are in season in a given month.

Make sure to pick up some of their fresh-pressed apple cider while you’re there! Additionally, you may want to go back to the Apple Butter Festival in October for another chance to grab some tasty treats.

19. Stribling Orchard — Markham

Soak in the magnificent views from this 200-year-old farm. It remains family-run and a favorite of area residents. The orchard produces plenty of homemade goodies from their bountiful fruit harvest. But don’t worry. There are plenty of apples left for you! Head into the orchard to harvest your own apples. Some delicious varieties grown on the land include Smokehouse, Lodi, Rome, and Empire. The season runs from August through November. 

20. Valley View Farm — Delaplane

Valley View Farm has a large selection of apples starting in September. Guests can pick their own or choose from a large pre-picked collection. They also offer U-Pick options for loads of other fruits with varying seasons. This family-owned farm is also an educational center and boasts a fantastic farm store, where they get to showcase other local vendors. 

21. Williams Farm — Wytheville

At Williams Farm, there is plenty of fall fun available! There are tons of apples to choose from, an exciting fall festival, homemade goodies, cider, and more. This family-run farm prides itself on providing the best possible produce to its visitors. They grow Ginger Gold, Red Delicious, Rambo, Early Gold, and more.

Summary of the 21 Best Orchards and Farms

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Rosemarie Gearhart/Shutterstock.com