WHEN + WHERE + HOW TO VISIT THE APPLE ORCHARDS NEAR ASHEVILLE NC

Post Summary: Going apple picking at Justus Orchard, one of the many family-owned apple orchards near Asheville, NC. Tips on how to enjoy your time and a list of other great apple orchards in Hendersonville, NC.

Fall in Asheville means… it’s time for apples! A perfect Fall day in Asheville isn’t complete without a visit to one of the many apple orchards near Asheville, NC. Last week we made a visit to the apple picking orchard, Justus Farms, with the intention of getting a pumpkin and ended up so sidetracked by the apples that we completely forgot about the pumpkin! Now we have a peck of fresh-picked apples in our fridge and we can’t decide what to do with all of them. Apple sauce or apple pie? Apple pancakes or apple tart? These are hard decisions.

Did you know North Carolina is one of the largest producers of apples in the United States? The apple orchards in NC grow over forty apple varieties. The apple season in NC runs from late August through October, with the height of the apple festivals happening in September and October. Throughout the harvest season, many local growers open up their farms and let you pick apples from their orchard. In addition to apples, you can often pick pumpkins, berries, and peaches when they are in season. While apple picking is the main draw for visiting these Western North Carolina farms, it also offers the opportunity to reconnect with nature in a peaceful environment overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a feast for the senses to walk along rows of elegant apple trees and the rolling mountains cradling you in the distance.

Apple picking is a fun day out that all ages can enjoy. Even though Asheville is jam packed with fun activities, visiting the North Carolina apple orchards remains one of my favorite things to do in Asheville. If you’re visiting on Labor Day weekend, be sure to visit the annual Apple Festival in Hendersonville.

Read about visiting Justus Apple Orchard (a great choice for an apple orchard near Asheville), some tips to enjoy your time, and other farms to go apple picking near Asheville NC.

Justus Orchard

toddler pointing at apple in apple picking orchard

little boy sitting in wagon in apple picking farm near asheville

While there are some apple orchards near Asheville that are closer, we chose to visit Justus Orchard in Hendersonville, NC. Justus Apple Orchard is a family-owned farm spanning five generations and has been in the family for over 100 years. While at one time they were selling their apples to big-name companies like Gerber and White House, in 2006 they shifted their focus from selling their apples to companies to a focus on agrotourism. It’s evident that they’ve created an experience for families to enjoy their time there. In addition to rows and rows of dwarfed apple trees teeming with apples, there’s also a huge jumping pillow for kids to play on (sadly the adults can’t jump on it), an apple canon where you can shoot at a cardboard bigfoot, a petting zoo, a cow train that loops the property, horse-drawn hayrides, and a jungle gym set for kids to burn off the sugar rush from all the apples.

You can bring your own food and are welcome to eat at the picnic benches they have supplied. If you don’t bring your own food, there are plenty of apple inspired dishes to nosh on in their bakery, including apple fritters, apple cider donuts, apple pies, fried apple treats, apple butter, and apple slushies. On the weekends, you can also get some delicious BBQ supplied by Good To The Bone BBQ.

In addition to the bakery, there’s a country store called the Apple House where you can buy apples already picked as well as other fun fall products like sweet potatoes, mountain cabbage, and apple preserves.

The day we visited was First Responders Day and the local fire and rescue team were there to show the little ones their tools and the inside of the fire truck. Our little one was most impressed with the “jaws of life” tool. They were all eager to share what they do and what each instrument does. It was a nice addition to the day.

Tips for NC Apple Picking

When you arrive at the orchard you’ll pick out a basket from the open-air market and a map that outlines where each variety of apple is located as well as the peak time for each apple. Each row has a wooden sign to help identify the apple. With 17 apple varieties grown on the farm, you can choose from Fujis, Candy Crisps, Red Sweeties, and more. To be honest, we tried to pay attention to which variety we were getting, but at a certain point, we ditched that effort and happily frolicked along letting ourselves wander from row to row, picking apples whenever we felt inclined. After you’re done, you’ll take your picked apples up to the country store where you’ll pay for your apples.

Justus Orchard is open to visit 7 days a week from July to early November. Their hours are 8:30 AM-6:00 PM. You can check their website for updated info, but I found the most up to date information is on their Facebook page.

We visited on the weekend and there were a good amount of people there. The place is big enough that it never felt too crowded though, but if you visit on the weekday, the crowds will no doubt be less.

Other things to know before you go:

1. There is no admission fee to the orchard, rather you pay for what you pick. There is a charge for using the apple cannon, the jumping pillow, and the cow train.
2. The terrain is easy to walk, but you will be walking on small hills and gravel walkways, so you’ll want comfortable shoes for the day.
3. While there are shady sections, most of the orchard is exposed to direct sunlight so sunblock and a sunhat are a good idea.
4. Borrow a wagon from the open-air mart! Even if you don’t have a wee one to tote around, you’ll still have apples to lug around so having a wagon will go a long way towards enjoying your time there.
5. The apples are all dwarfed varieties so they are easy to pick, but it’s fun to grab an apple picker pole and get apples at the very top of the trees.
6. If it’s a busy day and you don’t see any wagons or apple pickers available, I would ask someone who is walking back to the market and most likely done with their wagon. That’s how we scored our sweet wagon!
7. Since it’s an apple orchard, there are quite naturally bees flying around and happily doing their pollination part of the apple making process. If you or your child are allergic to bees, don’t forget to bring your EpiPen.

We spent about 3 hours there, but if you plan to eat there you might want to allow 3-4 hours for your time there.

Apple Orchards Near Asheville NC

Justus Orchard is an easy 30-40 minute drive from Asheville. There are a good handful of apple orchards in Hendersonville NC and Chimney Rock area and most offer the same activities where you can pick your own apples along with a country store and outdoor activities. We did notice a few had fun corn mazes as well!

Here are some other nearby NC apple orchards that offer apple picking near Asheville.

Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard

Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard is located in Hendersonville and is about 40-50 minutes away from Asheville. This family overs sits on 70 acres and offers over 20 varieties of apples. They offer a country store with apple inspired fare, a corn maze, an apple cannon, wagon rides, nature trails, picnic benches, a pumpkin patch, and grapes to pick from as well.

Grandad’s Apples

Grandad’s Apples N’ Such is another Hendersonville apple orchard located about 30-45 minutes away from Asheville. This 80-acre family farm offers over 20 different apple varieties and a country store and bakery with all kinds of apple inspired delights. In addition to apple picking, there is a five-acre corn maze, barnyard animals, and a pumpkin patch.

Sky Top Orchard

Sky Top Orchard is a pick-your-own produce farm in Flat Rock, North Carolina. Located about 5o minutes to an hour from Asheville, the farm includes apples, peaches, pears, grapes, pumpkins, gourds, and other fall festive goodies to take home with you. There’s a country store to stock up on apple snacks and delights. In addition they have a bamboo forest nature walk, barnyard animals, hayrides, and a working beehive.

Have you gone apple picking in Asheville, NC? Share with us your best tips and recipes! Also, if you liked this article, please share the love and pin it on Pinterest! You can use the pin it button below.

Pin It For Later