When crisp autumn air returns and the Blue Ridge Mountains begin to blaze with color, apple picking becomes one of Central Virginia’s favorite family traditions. Just a short drive from downtown Charlottesville, you’ll find a wealth of orchards—some perched on scenic hillsides overlooking the city, others nestled in the rolling countryside of Albemarle and Nelson counties.
Virginia orchards grow an impressive variety of apples to suit every taste, from tart Granny Smiths and aromatic Winesaps to juicy Honeycrisps and Fujis that kids love to snack on right from the tree. Many Charlottesville-area orchards make their fall harvest a full celebration, offering hayrides, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches alongside their pick-your-own apple rows. Depending on where you visit, you might also enjoy apple cider doughnuts, apple butter-making demonstrations, petting zoos, live music, or local food trucks set against the backdrop of golden mountain views.
Whether you’re planning a festive weekend outing with the kids or a leisurely autumn escape with friends, these orchards around Charlottesville promise a memorable taste of Virginia fall.
AT A GLANCE
- Popular Charlottesville area spots to pick your own apples include Carter Mountain Orchard, Chiles Peach Orchard, and Critzer Family Farm.
- Drumheller’s Orchard, Fruit Hill Orchard, and High Hill Farm are pick-your-own apple orchards a short drive from Charlottesville.
- Many farms and orchards in Virginia offer other fall activities such as hayrides, pumpkin patches, markets, and harvest festivals.
- Before you head to an apple orchard, call ahead to check hours and what fruit is in season. Always check the weather before leaving the house, and be prepared for everyone’s shoes or clothes to get muddy.
Tips for Apple Picking in Charlottesville
Before you’re ready to enjoy the fall at one of the best Virginia orchards, take some time to plan ahead. Orchards can be muddy, kids can get hungry and grumpy, and no one wants to walk around in wet shoes and socks. Being prepared for a day spent outdoors will help ensure that the whole family can have a fun time.
- Avoid surprises by calling the orchard before your visit to ask about conditions, picking supplies, and prices.
- Visit the website to check which varieties are pick-your-own and which are pre-picked.
- Get directions from the orchard’s website. GPS maps are not always accurate in rural areas.
- If the orchard allows it, pack a picnic and a picnic blanket. Otherwise, bring snacks and water bottles for kids.
- Don’t forget to use bug spray and sunscreen.
- Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes with good traction. Make sure everyone is dressed in clothes that can get dirty or muddy without worry.
- Bring a few canvas shopping bags; unlike the paper bags most orchards supply, these won’t rip when full of heavy fruit.
- If you have a wagon with sturdy tires, bring it along to carry apples or tired pickers. Some orchards have them available for visitors.
- Ask about discounts for pre-picked seconds or blemished apples, which are fine for baking and cooking.
- Always check apples for worms.
- Bring cash with you; not all orchards will take credit or debit cards.
- Time your visit carefully if you’re looking to pick a large amount. You may be joined by school groups on weekdays and festival-goers on weekends.
Best Apple Orchards Near Charlottesville
1. Carter Mountain Orchard, Charlottesville
This is the closest apple orchard to downtown Charlottesville, so busy weekends require tickets. It’s also a great place to bring visitors to pick apples, since the panoramic view of Charlottesville and the Blue Ridge Mountains is nothing short of fantastic. In addition to apple picking, you’ll find hayrides and pumpkins in the fall, as well as baked goods, jams, and fresh apple cider donuts year-round. SEVERAL DATES ARE TICKETED – CHECK AHEAD.
Learn more: 434-977-1833, cartermountainorchard.com
2. Chiles Peach Orchard, Crozet
Though they’re known for their summer peaches, Chiles Peach Orchard offers a variety of produce throughout the year, including berries, veggies, pumpkins, and apples. Apple picking season typically lasts from mid-August to November, and their website gives helpful updates about what’s available each day. Once you’ve picked all the apples you can carry, stop by their farm market and bakery for some sweet treats made with fresh ingredients grown in the orchard. Passes are needed for apple and pumpkin picking on weekends.
Learn more: 434-823-1583, chilespeachorchard.com
3. Critzer Family Farm, Afton
Only a half-hour drive from downtown Charlottesville, Critzer Family Farm is a favorite spot with apple-picking locals. Located in Nelson County, the farm has been run by five generations of farmers. It offers a variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the year, with apples in the fall and blackberries throughout September. They periodically close to the public between seasons, so be sure to call ahead of your visit.
Learn more: 540-241-3305, critzerfamilyfarm.com
4. Henley’s Orchard, Crozet
Just north of downtown Crozet, Henley’s grows more than 25 varieties of apples with a low-spray method. One of their most popular varietys is Albemarle Pippin, a regional darling. They also offer a farmers market and picnic tables for families. Check the orchard’s calendar for when local bands are playing at the Event Barn. And if you’re looking for a date night with a view, you’ll want to check out the orchard’s Estate Cidery! Learn more: 434-823-7848, henleysorchard.com
Scenic Day Trip Orchards in Central Virginia
5. Dickie Bros. Orchard, Roseland
This Nelson County apple orchard has been owned and operated by the same family for more than 268 years, ever since King George issued their land grant! The orchard—home to many apple varieties—is located near the scenic George Washington National Forest and Wintergreen Resort. While they are not doing pick-your-own this fall, you can still go out and have a great day. If you want to make a day trip out of your visit, don’t miss the chance to hike to Crabtree Falls while in the area.
Learn more: 434-277-5516, dickiebrothers.com
Looking for more fun autumn activities? Find 10 must-do family adventures in our Ultimate Fall Bucket List for Charlottesville families.
6. Drumheller’s Orchard, Lovingston
This family-owned and managed orchard is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They grow many varieties of apples, peaches, blackberries, raspberries, plums, and pluots. The pick-your-own season starts in June with blueberries and runs through December, with apples available starting in late summer. The orchard also sells homemade baked goods, jams, and butters, all created in their on-site farm market kitchen. When you visit for apple picking, don’t miss the chance to pick up a gallon of their cider, pressed weekly! And keep an eye on the CharlottesvilleFamily calendar for their Apple Harvest Festival each fall.
Learn more: 434-263-5036, drumhellersorchard.com
7. Fruit Hill Orchard, Palmyra
There’s something for the whole family at this orchard just south of Lake Monticello. Stop by for a short visit, or spend the afternoon picking in the orchards, playing corn hole, exploring the apple museum, and picnicking. The farm shop is overflowing with fresh baked goods, pre-picked fruits, vegetables, tomato varieties, honey, dairy, and meats, all of which are grown and produced locally
Learn more: 434-589-7215, fruithillorchard.com.
8. Graves Mountain Farm, Syria
Apple picking is available at Graves Mountain on weekends from mid-September to October. They offer a wide variety of apples, including Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Empire, Stayman, Rome, Mutsu, York, Winesap, Granny Smith, and Fuji. The orchard also sells fresh-picked apples at the Graves Packing Shed from late August to Thanksgiving; you can buy them in bags, half-bushels, and entire bushels. And don’t forget to pick up some of their fresh-pressed apple cider and apple butter, too! In October, you’ll also find pumpkins and gourds, and every fall the farm hosts an amazing apple festival to benefit the local community.
Learn more: 540-923-4231, gravesmountain.com
9. High Hill Farm & The Pumpkin Patch, Winchester
If you’re willing to make a day trip out of it, the two-hour drive to this Winchester farm is well worth the visit. High Hill is recognized as a Virginia Century Farm and includes a dairy, apple orchard, beef cattle, and their famous Pumpkin Patch. Families can enjoy pick-your-own apples and hayrides, view an antique farm equipment display, explore an 8-acre corn maze, and step inside a 4,000-square-foot haunted house. At the farm store, known as The Packing Shed, you’ll find apple cider, fresh-baked pies, fudge, and antiques. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and take advantage of the picnic area. Learn more: 540-667-7377, thepumpkin-patch.net
10. The Market at Grelen, Somerset
The Market at Grelen is a nursery just north of Gordonsville. On the property, you’ll find pick-your-own apples in the fall, along with a café, garden shop, and workshops that teach a variety of planting techniques. Visitors can eat at the café or pre-order a picnic basket to take to one of the tables located on the scenic Outlook Trail. Learn more: 540-672-7268, themarketatgrelen.com
11. Seamans’ Orchard, Roseland
If you want to pick like a local in the know, mark your calendar for the third weekend in September, rain or shine. This is the only time of the year that Seaman’s Orchard offers pick-your-own apples. They’re sold by the half-bushel and bushel, and families are encouraged to picnic on the property while visiting. Learn more: 434-277-8130, seamansorchard.com
12. Silver Creek Orchard, Tyro
Although the farm stand, known as The Packing Shed, is open daily in September, this orchard’s pick-your-own apples dates are limited to two Saturdays, rain or shine: one in September and one in October. You’ll want to keep an eye on the website to plan your visit. Together with Seamans’ Orchard, Silver Creek also hosts the Apple Butter Makin’ Festival on the first and third weekends in October. The festival features pumpkin picking, a corn maze, local crafters, live music, food vendors, and more. Learn more: 434-277-5824, silvercreekorchards.com
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CHARLOTTESVILLE AREA APPLE PICKING
When is the best time for apple picking in Charlottesville?
Apple season in Virginia is from August to early November, and mid-September to mid-October is the premium pick-your-own apples time. However, it’s always a good idea to visit an orchard’s website, check social media pages, or call ahead to confirm what is available before heading out. Some orchards may also require timed tickets to manage the flow of visitors during the busy season.
What types of apples grow in Virginia?
Virginia orchards grow lots of apple varieties, including Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome, Stayman, Gala, Winesap, York, Granny Smith, Jonathan, Fuji, and Ginger Gold. Many orchards also cultivate heirloom varieties, such as Ashmead’s Kernel, Albemarle Pippin, Ralls, Baldwin, Winesap, Esopus Spitzenburg, and more! If you miss the chance to pick your favorite variety, ask the farm what’s available at their local farm stand.
Can I bring my dog to Charlottesville area apple orchards?
Charlottesville residents love their dogs, so many apple orchards near Charlottesville are pet-friendly! However, some orchards allow only service dogs, not pets. If you bring your dogs with you, plan to keep them leashed throughout the visit. Fruit Hill Orchard, for example, states on the website that they welcome dogs as long as they are leashed and friendly to other visitors; if your dog acts aggressively toward other people or pets, you will be asked to leave. Seaman’s Orchard, on the other hand, allows only service dogs on the property. Before taking your dog with you, check the orchard’s website or call ahead to confirm their pet policy.
What are other family-friendly fall activities in the Charlottesville area?
Virginia is full of activities for families in the fall! Many Charlottesville-area farms offer flower-picking during the fall, along with corn mazes, and pumpkin patches. And don’t miss the Graves Mountain Festival, Crozet Book Festival Jr., and Halloween events. If you love fun events, be sure to sign up for our popular e-Mag, check out our Guide to Fall Festivals and meet our local partners.
Ellen Sewell has a degree in Communications and Media Studies and a gift for the written word. She especially enjoys interviewing local people making a positive difference and sharing events with other parents. Passionate about hands-on learning and being active, Ellen loves to explore museums, playgrounds, and outdoor attractions of all kinds with her three amazing children.