Ga Mountains Guide

Apple Picking in North Georgia

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45 Responses

  1. Tripp Anderson says:
    August 25, 2023 at 2:38 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      August 25, 2023 at 3:20 pm

      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!!

      Reply
  2. riya says:
    October 25, 2022 at 8:29 am

    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.

    Reply
  3. Jamie says:
    September 23, 2021 at 8:42 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      September 24, 2021 at 10:35 am

      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”. 

      Reply
  4. Sariyah says:
    September 22, 2021 at 3:56 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      September 23, 2021 at 11:10 am

      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. 

      Reply
  5. Matiss says:
    September 20, 2021 at 3:25 pm

    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. 🙂

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      September 20, 2021 at 5:43 pm

      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!!

      Reply
  6. Paul says:
    September 20, 2021 at 3:22 pm

    absolutely love this!  Makes me want to visit right now.  I actually love driving through Georgia as it is, and this is the perfect time of year for apples.  I actually go to a local farm stand around this time of year just for that alone because there is just something about them knowing that they’re freshly picked.  Not to mention how delicious they are too.  

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      September 20, 2021 at 5:42 pm

      Hi Paul, The market stands and apple orchards do get busy during the harvest — it’s a great time to enjoy the weather, changing leaves, and fresh apples!

      Reply
  7. Paul says:
    September 20, 2021 at 3:21 pm

    Wow this would make for such a nice scenic trip for apple picking. It makes me want to go visit Georgia right now! I absolutely love apples at this specific time of year too.

    Reply
  8. Ramah says:
    October 25, 2020 at 1:00 am

    Hey.

    Thank you for sharing this insightful post and idea about taking a break to a more rural and natural setting. Myself, I love agriculture and normally I like to learn more every day something new and sometimes a make a tour to visit various farms for leaning. This is my first time to hear of these great places that are so close by (like Mercier orchards). I wish someday to visit the town of Blue Ridge and enjoy picking fruit on a nice Fall day!

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      October 25, 2020 at 10:51 am

      Blue Ridge is definitely a charming mountain town and a good place to visit during the fall. Come and enjoy the weather and the gorgeous visuals of the leaves changing color!

      Reply
  9. Aluko kolawole says:
    October 25, 2020 at 12:55 am

    Hi,

    From my online research about the topic harvest festival apple picking in north georgia is a one of the favorite yearly traditions of apple picking. Georgia has some wonderful U-pick apple orchards less than two hours from Atlanta in the North Georgia Mountains, Georgia ‘s season runs late August through October, however not all varieties are available at the same time. They come to enjoy apples right off the trees, but also to drink cider, eat doughnuts and fried pies, listen to music, ride on wagons pulled by tractors and enjoy all things related to the Malus domestica.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Aluko.

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      October 25, 2020 at 10:48 am

      You have definitely done your research! However, now that you know that there are over a dozen varieties of fresh apples in North Georgia, the best research is to try them out personally and choose your favorites! 😉

      Reply
  10. ReeceMichael says:
    October 25, 2020 at 12:47 am

    Hello there, thanks for the very vital information about the Georgia mountain fruit harvest season that you have shared. It’s a shame (but understandable) that the festivals were cancelled this year for 2020. However, it is nice that the Georgia mountains have so many options to visit an apple orchard and pick your own fruit during the harvest season. It really sounds like the perfect way to spend a fall day for those who normally live in crowded cities. 

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      October 25, 2020 at 10:47 am

      Hi ReeceMichael, It is a shame that there aren’t any festivals this year, but hopefully that gives the organizers a good opportunity to plan for amazing events in 2021!!

      Reply
  11. Colin Hitchman says:
    October 23, 2020 at 12:48 pm

    I’m sure there was a song about the Blue Ridge Mountains, but I think that was Virginia, rather than Georgia. Would this be the same mountain range?

    Reading this from the UK, it just sounds so appealing! Such a beautiful part of the world. 

    As well as being great family days out, I wonder is it possible to have a working holiday to any of these farms? I think it would be brilliant in this sort of environment. I could see myself having a season in Georgia, working by day, and integrating with the locals. It is really good to “get under the skin” of an area, rather than just being a tourist, don’t you think? 

    Love this article, and hope I might get to Georgia one day. Looks Fabulous!

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      October 23, 2020 at 1:44 pm

      Hi Colin, You might be thinking about “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, the song about the state of West Virginia by John Denver. The Georgia mountains are a part of that same mountain range that the song is about and the 2 areas do share some similarities. Either one is a great place to visit — especially at this time of year to see the beautiful leaves changing colors! I hope the world craziness settles quickly and we’re all able to visit international friends again soon!

      Reply
  12. Bogadi says:
    October 20, 2020 at 11:13 am

    This was refreshing to read. Unfortunately for now I can only enjoy what I see in my imaginations as I go through this article. Georgia Mountain Harvest Festival sound like a place I would love to be. The thought of picking fruits of my choice, variety for that matter just refreshes my mind. Hopefully sometime in the future I will be able to visit this beautiful place 

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      October 20, 2020 at 3:59 pm

      Yeah, I definitely understand. Sigh. Most of us have had to change our travel plans at some point over the past 6 months due to the pandemic. Thanks for checking in on fun things to do in the North Georgia mountains and we hope to see you here for a visit when travel is more feasible!

      Reply
  13. Energy Kadango says:
    October 20, 2020 at 11:09 am

    I like this family outing to the pick your own fruit farm. It ca be fun to go with the wife and kids, walking out in the sun, with the kids running around and about, picking your own fruit which you then sit down to eat. Great family time. You can get to enjoy those pony rides and go on the zip line at BJ Reece Orchards. The family will just love it.

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      October 20, 2020 at 3:56 pm

      BJ Reece Orchards is a good place for family fun. It’s easy at this time of year to enjoy a full afternoon on a gorgeous Fall day!

      Reply
  14. Kelvin says:
    October 20, 2020 at 11:09 am

    This is great! I can not seem to get saturated with reading articles on this website about the amazing places and fun experiences to find in the Georgia Mountains. It is nice to know that there are Harvest Festivals and also fruit picking opportunities in the Georgia Mountains for the city slickers that don’t normally get to see this. 

    The Georgia Mountains just seems to be a very fun and amazing place to visit — I am definitely looking forward to a visit soon!

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      October 20, 2020 at 3:55 pm

      Thanks Kelvin! I’m happy to hear that you are excited about all of the fun options available in North Georgia!!

      Reply
  15. ReeceMichael says:
    October 20, 2020 at 11:04 am

    It’s really good to get basic information about some places before you visit so you don’t fall victim to crime in another mans land while you are ignorant of the rules and all. I have had to pay a fine when I travel to a place and I didn’t know I wasn’t meant to park there. So seeing all of this information to about the Georgia mountains is an additional knowledge to us all. 

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      October 20, 2020 at 3:53 pm

      That is certainly sound advice for anywhere you travel — know the rules and respect the local culture. If you have any specific questions about your trip to the Georgia mountains then please let me know and I’ll try to add some clarity. 

      Reply
  16. DarmiMaddie says:
    October 20, 2020 at 11:03 am

    Seriously, the more I am reading about the Georgia mountain here us the more I am feeling like I have never being there even though I have been there once in my life. Seriously it just feels like you know every little details that I never tend to pay attention to when I visited and I’m adding more and more things to my bucket list of to-do things when back there. Thanks

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      October 20, 2020 at 3:50 pm

      Hello! I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying learning more about all of the great things to do in the Georgia mountains. The Autumn is the peak tourist season for the North Georgia mountains and it’s a great opportunity to enjoy the Harvest festivities. The weather cools a bit (but still stays pleasant) and the trees put on a show with their bright, beautiful, multi-colored leaves. 

      Reply
  17. Claudio says:
    September 16, 2019 at 4:39 pm

    Hello!

    How happy I am to have found your place full of pure nature with fruit trees that give it very beautiful colors. I have been a grower and exporter of blueberries here in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

    There is nothing that matches the taste of a freshly harvested fruit. All the farms you show are very nice to spend a full day with the family. The harvest season is a unique moment and how nice it is to share it with other families. 

    Excellent article. Claudio

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      September 16, 2019 at 5:28 pm

      Hi Claudio, I imagine you have some wonderful scenery at your farm in Argentina as well. Thanks for visiting and sharing how wonderful it is to sample fruit that is fresh from the farm!

      Reply
  18. Jason says:
    September 16, 2019 at 4:38 pm

    I’ve always loved this time of year and the festivals that come along with it. They always bring me back to my childhood when we would all go with our family and our church to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Living up north has some decent festivities as well but I always think about our Pastor and the good times we had with our family and church down south. I hope to one day bring my grandchildren to experience all the great times I had as a child in Georgia.

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      September 16, 2019 at 5:22 pm

      This is definitely a wonderful place to bring your children (and your parents too). I’ve had many great times in North Georgia with 4 generations of family members making wonderful memories that will last a lifetime!!

      Reply
  19. Bryan says:
    September 16, 2019 at 4:36 pm

    I love visiting Mercier Orchards and the Red Apple Barn whenever we decide to take a weekend cabin trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains.  

    Burt’s Farm has some of the best pumpkins to choose from.  Whenever we visit there, we love take a KFC bucket of chicken and have a nice lunch in the picnic area.  Finishing off with the hayride makes a great way to wrap up the day.

    I’ve lived in Georgia for 21 years and this is the first I have heard of the Apple Festival in Ellijay.  I can’t believe I have missed out on this event all these years.  

    The Blue Ridge/Ellijay area is such a beautiful place to visit.  Anyone wanting a Georgia mountain experience needs to check out these places.

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      September 16, 2019 at 5:20 pm

      Hi Bryan, the apple festival is definitely a big deal for the area — when the weather is so nice, having another excuse to go outside and enjoy it is hard to resist! I like your idea of taking a bucket of chicken to enjoy too!!

      Reply
  20. Jordan Smith says:
    September 16, 2019 at 4:34 pm

    Awesome! I remembered 2 years ago, My wife and I spent some time picking apples in Hillside Orchard Farms. It was a great activity that we really enjoyed doing together. In fact we ended up picking lots of apple.The Hillside Orchard staff were polite and also very professional and offered to answer any questions we had about picking apples. Great family activity. We might consider Burt’s farm this year.

    Regards!

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      September 16, 2019 at 5:19 pm

      Thanks for sharing that memory! It’s great to hear that you both enjoyed the experience and are looking forward to visiting more farms in the North Georgia mountains!

      Reply
  21. Nazmun Nahar says:
    September 16, 2019 at 4:33 pm

    Wow, it was totally unknown to me about Georgia Mountains Harvest festival and fruit picking. My brother in law going there recently. He said he already decided where he will visit and where he will stay. But I am pretty sure he don’t know about this harvest festival and he can pick fruits as well. I am going to share this post with him. And I know he will be glad. Thanks for this post.

    Reply
  22. Jim says:
    September 16, 2019 at 4:30 pm

    Hi Alyce. Thank you for you’re amazing blog. The photo’s are simply breathtaking. My wife and  I will be visiting your country in about eighteen months time. Georgia is one of the states we wish to see. After looking at your images we are even more certain  that we need to check out your beautiful state. We have a background in horticulture so we would love to see some of those lovely farms. But we would also like to experience any of the festivals there. The annual Georgia Apple festival is a must see. The BJ Reece Orchards also look like they will be worth a visit. We are fascinated by the mountain views from this orchard. Thank you so much for highlighting these fabulous places. We will come back to your website as soon as we have decided on an exact time frame for our trip. Thanks Jim

    Reply
    • Alyce says:
      September 16, 2019 at 5:18 pm

      Thanks Jim! The Georgia mountains are beautiful all year, but they are busiest during the Fall when people arrive to view the gorgeous Autumn colors and enjoy the harvest.

      Reply
  23. Pentrental says:
    September 16, 2019 at 4:27 pm

    Wow another great activity in the Georgia Mountains! You are making me want to move there with all these great posts. Some of my favorite things are festivals, and you’ve provided an excellent and comprehensive list here. Orchards and apple picking are right up my alley too as I’m a big fan of apple cider donuts. The Georgia Apple Festival looks particularly inviting, and I might just have to make a point to get there. Thanks for the great recommendations!

    Reply

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