Apple Picking in North Georgia: 2026 U-Pick Guide
As the weather starts to cool and the air fills with the sweet scent of ripened fruit 🍎, it’s the perfect time to visit North Georgia’s apple-picking orchards.
North Georgia U-Pick Apple Orchards
Whether you prefer a quiet weekday strolling through apple trees on a local farm or the excitement of a local harvest festival, there are many great ways to enjoy the apple harvest.
Use the guide below to find great places to enjoy the 2026 apple harvest in North Georgia.
The late-summer and autumn apple harvest is the most popular time to visit well-known large farms, such as Mercier Orchards, or some of the smaller orchards in North Georgia. These family-friendly destinations offer dozens of apple varieties. Some orchards also have U-cut flowers, U-pick pumpkin patches, and more.
North Georgia Apple Pies Fritters
These beautiful apple orchards and farms offer U-pick apples, and many include additional family attractions, such as games and hayrides. Learn more about these pick-your-own fruit farms and plan to visit your favorites during the colorful fall harvest season.
As fruit availability varies with the weather, season yield, and visitor turnout, check with each farm before your trip to confirm current hours and produce availability.
NOTE: North Georgia orchards may adjust their schedules because of unexpected weather. Please confirm open hours before starting your trip.
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Map of North Georgia Apple Houses 🗺️
🗺️ Use the North GA apple orchard map to find a great place to spend an autumn afternoon in the mountains, either picking your own apples or purchasing them from a North Georgia apple house. Click the top left of the map for a legend and interactive features.
North Georgia Apple Markets with U-Pick Apple Orchards
Ellijay is the “Apple Capital of Georgia” and has the most apple options during peak picking season, but there are excellent orchards in other parts of North Georgia too. Choose your favorite and arrive early on weekends to get ahead of the crowds.
B.J. Reece Orchards
🍎 Fresh-pressed apple cider doughnuts and a massive U-pick orchard make this an Ellijay fall must-do.
BJ Reece Orchards Ellijay GA
B.J. Reece Orchards is an Ellijay farm market that remains open year-round. During the late-summer and fall harvest, the orchard adds U-pick apples and a long list of family activities. Weekday attractions include a farm slide, a petting zoo, a corn box, and a rubber-duck race. Weekends bring even more excitement with wagon rides, pig races, cow milking, a cow train, jumping pillow, apple cannon, corn maze, and pony rides.
Save time for the market, where seasonal produce and bakery counters are filled with fried pies, cider doughnuts, fresh bread, and other farm treats. Leashed dogs are permitted in the orchard, but not inside the market or petting-zoo area.
Hillcrest Orchards and Farms
🐐 Visit North Georgia’s only Apple Tree Maze, plus U-pick apples, a petting farm, and more than 20 family activities.
Rows of Ripening Apple Trees at Hillcrest Orchards in Ellijay GA
Hillcrest Orchards has grown apples since 1946, making 2026 its 80th harvest season. The farm market and bakery feature apples, pies, fritters, cider doughnuts, jams, cider, and other treats throughout the season.
September and October weekends become the Apple Pickin’ Jubilee, with U-pick apples, live entertainment, cow milking, pig races, a kiddie corn maze, mini golf, wagon rides, and a petting farm. No pets are allowed at Hillcrest.
Hillside Orchard Farms
🚂 Ride the farm train through the orchard before grabbing jams, jellies, fritters, and other treats from the country store.
Hillside Orchard Farms is a relaxed Rabun County option with a goat barnyard, donkey, indoor gem mine, café treats, and fall activities. The corn maze, train, and hayride add more ways for families to enjoy the orchard when the autumn season gets underway.
The farm offers apple U-pick in September and October when fruit is available, but it has not posted a specific 2026 opening date. Call or check the farm’s current social update before planning your drive.
Mercier Orchards
🥧 This landmark Blue Ridge orchard is famous for its fresh fried pies, sprawling market, and annual orchard activities.
Sampling apple varieties at Mercier Apple Orchard in Blue Ridge, GA
Mercier Orchards is the place for apples in Blue Ridge. Although this 300-acre, fourth-generation orchard is best known for apples, visitors may also find fresh flowers, blueberries, cherries, and strawberries through the growing season. The family-friendly destination includes a large bakery and café, market store, catch-and-release fishing ponds, and a tasting room for hard cider and fruit wine.
Pets are allowed only in approved outdoor areas, including the deck and pond. They are not permitted in the orchards, café, or market, except for service animals.
R&A Orchards
🥗 Pick your own apples, then enjoy a café lunch with a mountain view right on the orchard.
The R&A Orchards market, bakery, and café are open daily throughout the season. The 160-acre farm adds tractor tours in spring and pairs U-cut flowers with U-pick apples during the fall harvest.
Opening weekend brings Rome Beauty, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Mutsu, and September Wonder apples. No pets are allowed.
Red Apple Barn
💐 Enjoy autumn apple picking plus pick-your-own flowers for a colorful take-home bouquet.
Spend a fun day picking your own apples, pumpkins, and flowers at the Red Apple Barn in Ellijay. A tractor-drawn wagon carries visitors through the mountain scenery to the orchard. After picking, return to the barn for pie, fritters, cold cider, and games in the Family Fun Barn.
The bundled farm admission makes this especially fun for families, with animals, playgrounds, tire swings, picnic areas, and seasonal extras included with the orchard visit.
North Georgia Apple Markets
When you want freshly baked goods or a bag of just-picked apples without heading into the orchard, these North Georgia apple houses are perfect choices. Most do not offer regularly scheduled apple U-pick. Aaron Family Orchards now offers limited pop-up picking dates, so watch for updates if you want to catch one.
Aaron Family Orchards
🚗 A roadside tradition is growing into a fresh fourth-generation farm experience with apples, baked goods, flowers, and limited picking opportunities.
Aaron Family Orchards offers apples, cider, pies, canned goods, bakery treats, and U-cut flowers. Since the fourth generation took full ownership in 2024, the family has been planting dwarf apple trees and adding experiences intended to make the farm even more welcoming to visitors.
In 2026, the orchard began testing limited-time, one-day U-pick apple pop-ups. These are announced only when enough fruit is available, so they should not be treated as a standing daily schedule.
Jaemor Farms
🍑 Much more than apples, this massive market has U-pick peaches August 22–23, plus produce, legendary fried pies, a seasonal corn maze, and more.
Jaemor Farms GA Local Foods
Jaemor Farms is a destination-sized farm market with apples, produce, bakery goods, and a popular eatery. There are no U-pick apples, but Jaemor hosts separate seasonal U-pick events for strawberries, tulips, flowers, and peaches. The market is open Monday–Saturday from 7:00–6:00 and Sunday from 12:30–6:00.
The Harvest Celebration begins in September and expands to daily operation in October. The new 2026 Sesame Street-themed corn maze gives families another playful reason to visit this fall.
Mack Aaron’s Apple House
🥮 Pick up fresh produce throughout the season and choose from at least 11 kinds of homemade baked and fried pies.
Mack Aaron’s Apple House Ellijay GA
Mack Aaron’s Apple House is a classic family-run stop for fresh fruits and vegetables, jams, jellies, preserves, cider, honey, boiled peanuts, and at least 11 kinds of freshly handmade fried pies.
Fresh peaches usually fill the market from midsummer through Labor Day, followed by the main fresh-apple season from August into November.
Panorama Orchards
🧀 Panorama is known for old-fashioned apple cider and shelves filled with mountain-made goodies.
Christmas Fruit Cakes at Panorama Farm Market, Ellijay, GA
Panorama Orchards is especially well known for fresh cider blended from sweet and tart apples with no additives. The flavor changes subtly as different varieties ripen during the harvest.
The market kitchens make Panorama fried pies daily, along with homemade ice cream, applesauce bread, apple brandy cake, and baked apple pie. Visitors can even watch the baking process through viewing windows.
Payne’s Apple Orchard
🍎 Fresh produce stand sold on the “honor system” and set up to serve yourself.
Payne’s Apple Orchard is a simple self-serve market for fresh fruit and produce. Check its Facebook page for the latest crop arrivals before making a special trip to Epworth.
Penland’s Apple House
🥜 A classic roadside apple house with fresh apples, boiled peanuts, and a wide variety of locally made treats.
Penland Apple House Ellijay GA – main “515” location on Talona Mtn Rd
Purchase fresh produce and locally made goodies from the two Penland Orchards markets. This fifth-generation family farm has grown apples since 1936 and now offers more than 30 varieties across the harvest season.
At the main location, settle in at the covered picnic tables behind the apple house and play cornhole with a fried pie, apple fritter, caramel apple, or another freshly made treat.
The Folk Collaborative Apple Orchard
🎨 Apple season looks different here in 2026, but the tractor rides, farm tours, mountain air, seasonal flavors, and creative fall atmosphere are still returning.
The scenic Folk Collaborative features about 20 apple varieties, including rare fruit with flavors unique to the orchard. The apples started arriving unusually early this year, and a small supply of Johnny Smith apples is already available inside the shop while it lasts.
There will be no apple U-pick in 2026 because construction and other activity among the trees make it unsafe for visitors to roam freely through the orchard. The farm is keeping the spirit of the season alive with tractor rides, guided farm tours, picnics, The Table, crisp mountain scenery, select apples for purchase, seasonal goods, apothecary treasures, and a returning fall café menu.
Frequently Asked Questions About North GA Apple Orchards
Planning a trip to North Georgia’s apple orchards? 🍎 The rolling hills around Ellijay are packed with U-pick farms, roadside apple houses, and family-friendly fall activities. Whether you want to pick your own apples, find the best market treats, or plan around the crowds, these answers cover the essentials.
When to Go Apple Picking in North Georgia
- When is apple season in North Georgia? The season generally runs from late August through late October, with some varieties and market apples continuing into early November.
- What month is best for apple picking in Georgia? September usually offers the widest variety of apples and comfortable mountain weather. 🍎
Planning Your Apple Orchard Trip
- Which North Georgia orchards offer U-pick apples?
B.J. Reece Orchards, Hillcrest Orchards, Hillside Orchard Farms, Mercier Orchards, R&A Orchards, and Red Apple Barn have announced 2026 apple-picking seasons. Aaron Family Orchards offers limited pop-up dates. The Folk Collaborative will not offer U-pick in 2026. - Do I need reservations? Most orchards accept walk-ins or sell admission onsite, but policies vary. Check current details before you go.
- What should I wear? Dress for the day’s weather and wear closed-toe shoes suitable for uneven farm paths. 🥾
- What should I bring? Bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and anything your group needs for outdoor comfort.
- Are pets allowed? Policies vary sharply. Some farms permit leashed dogs only in certain outdoor areas, while others do not allow pets. Confirm before bringing an animal.
- What does apple picking cost? Prices vary. Most orchards charge admission plus the cost of apples, while some bundle activities or treats into the admission fee.
- Which orchards are best for kids? Hillcrest, B.J. Reece, and Red Apple Barn offer especially large collections of kid-friendly activities, including petting farms, wagon rides , games, and play areas.
B.J. Reece Orchards, Hillcrest Orchards, Hillside Orchard Farms, Mercier Orchards, R&A Orchards, and Red Apple Barn have announced 2026 apple-picking seasons. Aaron Family Orchards offers limited pop-up dates. The Folk Collaborative will not offer U-pick in 2026.
Confirm before bringing an animal.
, games, and play areas. 
Orchard Treats & Market Finds
- Do the orchards sell more than apples? Definitely. 🍩🍎🥟🥧 You’ll find baked goods, cider, preserves, seasonal produce, local products, and plenty of fall treats.
- Which apple-house treats are must-try? Popular choices include apple cider doughnuts, apple fritters, fried fruit pies, caramel apples, and fresh cider.
- Can I buy pre-picked apples? Yes. All of the farm markets above sell apples without requiring a U-pick visit.
Practical Tips for Visiting
- Are apple orchards open in the rain? Many remain open during light rain, but picking or attractions may pause for severe weather. Bring a raincoat and waterproof shoes. ☂️
- Do orchards stay open after apple season? Many farm markets and bakeries remain open beyond the picking season, and several operate year-round. 🌸☀️🍂❄️
Lodging Near the North GA Apple Orchards
Be sure to plan ahead and book lodging in advance for peak harvest and festival weekends in the autumn. Enter your travel dates in the interactive map below to find great lodging near Ellijay, Ga, the “Apple Capital of Georgia.”
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Apple season passes quickly! Save this guide for your 2026 fall adventures and share it with the friends or family members you want to bring along.
Apple Picking in the North Georgia Mountains
Complete your North Georgia fall itinerary with these seasonal favorites:
- North Georgia Corn Mazes 🌽
- North Georgia Pumpkin Patches 🎃
- North Georgia Fall Harvest Festivals 🌿
- Alpine Helen Oktoberfest 🥨
Which orchard or fall tradition are you most excited to experience this year?
Every trip to apple-picking farms for the family is time well spent. This consolidated list of destinations is very helpful and will save a lot of time on research, so thank you!
One challenge to visiting different locations is anticipating the rush seasons and what location is easier to access than others.
Are there farms you would recommend accessing based on the times of the apple picking season?
Wayne, early-season visits in late August and early September are often best for lighter crowds and first-pick varieties, with Mercier Orchards, Red Apple Barn, and BJ Reece typically among the earlier U-pick options. For the widest apple selection, September is ideal, but weekday mornings are the move for easier parking and a more relaxed family apple-picking trip.
As fall festival weekends arrive, Ellijay orchards get much busier, so checking each farm’s U-pick calendar and calling ahead before the drive can save time and help match your visit to the apples and activities your family wants most. Enjoy!
Hey there, it’s Tripp! I was super happy that I came across this article and website as I used to live in Georgia. Now when I go visit my family and friends I know exactly what to do and where to go – these apple houses look like a great place to spend the afternoon outside. Just wanted to thank you for all the time and effort you put into making this article for people like me!
Hi, Tripp! The North Georgia apple houses are fun to visit to pick up fresh baked goods (for now) and packaged items to enjoy later at home with family and friends. Enjoy!!
I like these topics very much. I would like to see such topics daily, this post is very good indeed. There are people like you in the world who put forth their views. Thank you so much for posting such a great post.
Thanks, Riya!
Apple picking is a lot of fun for the whole family. I didn’t realize Georgia was known for its apples. I guess I always thought peaches. Anyway, this is a great article for anyone in Georgia looking to spend an afternoon gather some apples. I went apple picking here in Oregon a few years ago and it was amazing how much better they tasted right off the tree.
Hi Jamie, Thanks for sharing your apple picking experience!
You are correct that Georgia is known as “the peach state”, but Gilmer County (including Ellijay) in North Georgia is better known as the “apple capital of Georgia”.
Hey thanks again for this post! I was on your other post about mazes and found it contained a lot of useful details so obviously I decided to visit another page. My favourite apple type is the Fuji apple and pink lady, this is what we call them in the UK. I’m not to sure how different they are from the American apples.
I would love to visit these apple gardens and collect some apples as well as other fruits and other fun activities!
Hi Sariyah, There are lots of different apple varieties grown in North Georgia. BJ Reece orchards have 30 types of apples — including your favorite Pink Ladies.
Wow, those apple orchards sound like a great place to visit with the whole family. I mean, I have been looking into places like this but with two small children, I feel family attractions are kind of a must.
I loved the idea of an apple tree maze. I mean, personally, I’m a huge fan of mazes. One made of apple trees I have not had the chance to visit yet. Swimming pig races also sound really fun. I bet my kids will absolutely love that. And petting farms are always nice for kids. Yeah, I think Hillcrest Apple Orchard is something we’ll 100% visit. Thank you!
And I think that’s good advice. We’ll definitely call ahead. 🙂
Hi Matiss, Most of the orchards will have a shorter u-pick season this year due to a late frost in April. The sooner you can go, the better! Enjoy!!