Harvest Festivals & Apple Picking in North Georgia
When the weather changes and the air fills with the scent of ripened fruit, it’s time to head to North Georgia to spend a day in nature at one of the pick your own fruit farms.
As expected, there are many apple orchards near Ellijay GA, the “Apple Capital of Georgia.” There are also apple orchards in North GA in many other great towns! If you’ve ever been to North Georgia and wondered, “Are there apple orchards near me?”, the you-pick fruit guide below can help you locate where to pick your own fruit!
Apple picking in the North Georgia Mountains
The Autumn apple harvest is the most popular time to visit the well known farms like Mercier Orchards (Blue Ridge GA) or explore some of the smaller orchards in the mountains. These family friendly places let you pick your own apples (from dozens of apple varieties), pumpkins, and more!
Additionally, there are other opportunities to celebrate North Georgia’s agricultural history and customs at annual harvest festivals like the Georgia Apple Festival. Take a look at the festive options below and choose your favorite(s) to celebrate the harvest!
Note that fruit availability can vary depending on recent weather, overall season yield, customer attendance at farm, plus other factors. It is recommended to contact each farm in advance of your trip to confirm their hours and availability.
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Pick Your Own Fruit Farms in North Georgia
These beautiful orchards and farms offer you-pick fruits and often also include additional family activities like games and hay rides! Learn more about these pick your own fruit farms and make plans to visit your favorites during the beautiful fall harvest season.
Mercier Orchards (Blue Ridge)
Mercier Orchards in the North Georgia Mountains
Mercier Orchards is the place for apple picking in Blue Ridge, GA. This 300-acre orchard features blueberries, cherries, strawberries, apples, and more. This family-friendly destination is open early and invites you to dine at their café (Sat & Sun breakfast buffet), pick your own fruit, try the adventure / obstacle course, enjoy catch-and-release fishing in their pond, and sample their hard ciders and fruit wines in their tasting room!
There is also a Mercier Orchards store in downtown Blue Ridge — make sure you get directions for the location of your choice (in-town store or farm / orchard) when making the trip!
Contact & Visit Mercier Orchards Blue Ridge Georgia
- Hours: Open 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- U-Pick schedule: seasonal fruits picked on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) see website for details
- Cost: $5 (ages 2+) plus cost of fruits picked
- Phone: +1 (800) 361-7731
- Farm Address: 8660 Blue Ridge Drive, Blue Ridge, GA
- Email: customer.service@mercierorchards.com
- Website:mercier-orchards.com
Mercier Orchards Reviews & Social Media
- Facebook: @mercierorchards Rated 4.8 (2,500+ reviews), 70,500+ Likes
- Instagram: @mercierorchards 9,900+ followers
- TripAdvisor: Rated 4.5 (2,200+ reviews)
The Cider House Orchards (McCaysville)
The Cider House Orchards in the North Georgia Mountains
The Cider House Orchards are family owned and operated and offer Southern meals nestled amongst acres of rolling orchards in the Appalachian mountains. Stop in to purchase fresh fruit that has already been picked, or enjoy apple picking in the GA mountains on “U-Pick Wagon Rides” that are available every weekend and during the week!
Visit their website to see which fruits (apples, blueberries, pears, peaches) are available to pick. Call ahead to make an appointment.
Contact & Visit The Cider House Orchards
- Hours (seasonal): call for specifics and / or appointment
- Phone: +1 (706) 492-7753
- Address: 2984 Mobile Rd, McCaysville, GA
- Email: stephanie@theciderhouseorchards.com
- Website:theciderhouseorchards.com
The Cider House Orchards Reviews & Social Media
- Facebook: @Cider-House-Orchards-106784536044145 Rated 4.5 (65+ reviews), 2,100+ Likes
- TripAdvisor: Rated 4.5 (80+ reviews)
Red Apple Barn (Ellijay)
Fall day at Red Apple Barn in the North Georgia Mountains
Spend a fun day picking your own apples, pumpkins, and flowers at the farm at Red Apple Barn in Ellijay GA. Enjoy the gorgeous mountain scenery on a wagon ride behind the tractor up to the apple orchard. When you’re finished in the orchard, be sure to retreat back to the Red Apple Barn to enjoy a pie, fritter, cup of cold cider, or one of the other freshly made local treats.
Take your time and enjoy the “Family Fun Barn” while playing a friendly game of cornhole or horseshoes after apple picking in Ellijay Georgia at Red Apple Barn.
Contact & Visit Red Apple Barn
- Hours (Store): 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Monday-Saturday) and 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Sunday)
- Hours (U-pick): Open seasonally and posts picking dates for specific fruits online
- Phone: +1 (770) 635-5898
- Email: apples@redapplebarn.com
- Address: 3379 Tails Creek Rd, Ellijay, GA
- Website: redapplebarn.com
Red Apple Barn Reviews & Social Media
- Facebook: @redapplebarn Rated 4.7 (170+ reviews), 7,850+ Likes
- TripAdvisor: Rated 4.0 (35+ reviews)
Hillcrest Orchards and Farms (Ellijay)
Hillcrest Orchards in the North Georgia Mountains
The Hillcrest Apple Orchard GA provides lots of unique autumn farm experiences for families — including the south’s first Apple Tree Maze (open on select weekends)!
Visit during their annual apple picking festival Georgia — the “Apple Pickin’ Jubilee.” This festival happens during September and October weekends for U-Pick apples, live music, cow milking, swimming pig races, kiddie corn maze, wagon rides, petting farm, and more. Enjoy farm-produced products including apples, pies, fritters, donuts, jams and jellies, cider, and other gourmet foods.
Contact & Visit Hillcrest Orchards and Farms
- Hours: seasonal / open during months of September, October, and November
- Phone: (706) 273-3838
- Address: 9696 Highway 52 E, Ellijay, GA
- Email: applelan@ellijay.com
- Website: hillcrestorchards.net
Hillcrest Orchards and Farms Reviews & Social Media
- Facebook: @hillcrestorchardsellijay Rated 4.5 (625+ reviews), 11,500+ Likes
- TripAdvisor: Rated 3.5 (120+ reviews)
BJ Reece Orchards (Ellijay)
BJ Reece Orchards in the North Georgia Mountains
The BJ Reece Apple Orchard in Ellijay GA is a U-pick apple farm that opens for the season during late August and runs through late October (with selected attractions open through late December). Enjoy family-friendly activities at BJ Reece Orchards including hayrides, apple cannons, pony rides, petting farm, corn maze, zipline, lots of fresh seasonal produce, and a delicious bakery filled with fried pies, donuts, and breads!
Dogs (on leash) are permitted in the orchards.
Contact & Visit BJ Reece Orchards
- Hours: seasonal with expanded hours on weekends
- U-Pick schedule: posted online with fruit varieties available
- Phone: +1 (706) 276-3048
- Address: 9696 Highway 52 E, Ellijay, GA
- Email: reeceorchards@ellijay.com
- Website: reeceorchards.com
BJ Reece Orchards Reviews & Social Media
- Facebook: @BjReeceOrchards Rated 4.6 (520+ reviews), 12,300+ Likes
- Instagram: @reeceorchards 1,450+ followers
- TripAdvisor: Rated 4.5 (135+ reviews)
Burt’s Farm (Dawsonville)
Burt’s Farm in the North Georgia Mountains
Visit one of the best pumpkin patches in Georgia and enjoy the hayrides and a country store. Admission to the farm and parking are FREE, and hayrides are $6 / person (children 2 years old and under are free). An online store is open year-round. No pets or firearms allowed at Burt’s Farm.
Contact & Visit Burt’s Farm
- Hours (seasonal)
- Open daily during peak Autumn season from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Hayride daily during peak Autumn season from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Phone: +1 (800) 600-2878
- Address: 5 Burt’s Farm Rd, Dawsonville, GA
- Email: burtsfarm@gmail.com
- Website: burtsfarm.com
Burt’s Farm Reviews & Social Media
- Facebook: @Burts-Pumpkin-Farm-153437540941 68,200+ Likes
- Instagram: @burtsfarm 3,000+ followers
- TripAdvisor: Rated 4.5 (200+ reviews)
Harvest Events in North Georgia Mountains
In addition to the fun apple picking in Georgia, there are also local events and festivals that celebrate the agricultural history of these mountains. Make plans to attend one of these family-friendly events and enjoy the local flavors! Or, choose from one of many other local annual events in the Georgia Mountains.
Please note that these events have been cancelled for 2020 to help limit the spread COVID-19 coronavirus.
Apple Arts on the Square (Ellijay)
During the second and third weekends in October (the same weekends as the Apple Festival), the Gilmer Chamber hosts Apple Arts in historic downtown Ellijay. Enjoy the local shops and restaurants at this free, pet-friendly event. Vendors are set up on broad street next to the Gilmer County Courthouse.
Apple Arts on the Square in downtown Ellijay, GA
Contact and Visit Apple Arts on the Square
- 2020 Dates: Cancelled
- Cost: FREE
- Website: appleartsellijay.com
Blairsville Sorghum Festival (Blairsville)
This local festival is in it’s 50th year of grinding and cooking of sorghum syrup and celebrating the town’s sorghum history. Watch demonstrators cook sorghum over a wood fire on a copper pan and enjoy arts, crafts, exhibits, food, music, and fun activities for all ages!
The event hosts contests include pole climbing, log sawing, horseshoe pitching, and rock throwing. A parade (with prizes for the best floats) goes through town on Saturday, October 12th at 11:00 a.m. (rain or shine). Live Bluegrass and country music daily and a Square Dance on Saturday October 19th at 8:00 p.m.!
Contact and Visit the Blairsville Sorghum Festival
- 2020 Dates: Cancelled
- Cost: $5 (ages 13+), FREE for ages 12 and under, FREE parking
- Phone: +1 (706) 745-4745
- Address: Meeks Park (90 Meeks Park Rd, Blairsville, GA)
- Email: blairsvillesorghumfestival@gmail.com
- Website: blairsvillesorghumfestival.com
Blairsville Sorghum Festival Reviews & Social Media
- Facebook: @BlairsvilleSorghumFestival Rated 4.7 (90+ reviews), 3,250+ Likes
Georgia Apple Festival (Ellijay)
The annual Apple Festival in Ellijay GA features handmade arts and crafts, live entertainment, a classic auto show, a parade, and delicious treats from hundreds of vendors! And of course, there are countless opportunities to get more first hand knowledge about the qualities and varieties of Ellijay apples that you will find at the Georgia Apple Festival.
The Georgia Apple Festival happens every year on 2 weekends in October. This event is the area’s biggest festival and draws a lot of people out to celebrate, so expect higher than average traffic on these weekends.
Contact & Visit the Georgia Apple Festival
- 2020 Dates: Cancelled
- Cost: $5 (ages 11+), FREE for ages 10 and under, $5 parking
- Phone: +1 (706) 636-4500
- Address: Lions Club Fairgrounds (1729 S Main St, Ellijay, GA)
- Email: info@gilmerchamber.com
- Website: georgiaapplefestival.org
Georgia Apple Festival Reviews & Social Media
- Facebook: @GeorgiaAppleFestival Rated 4.4 (160+ reviews), 30,500+ Likes
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Make sure you feel prepared with these products that will make your harvest adventure even more memorable!
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Which farms / events look the most interesting to you?
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!
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!
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.
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! 😉
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.
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!!
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!
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!
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
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!
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.
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!
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!
Thanks Kelvin! I’m happy to hear that you are excited about all of the fun options available in North Georgia!!
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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!
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.
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!!
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.
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!!
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!
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!
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.
Thank you so much for sharing!
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
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.
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!
The Georgia Mountains are both a wonderful place to visit and to live! 🙂