As the seasons change and the air fills with the scent of ripened fruit, it’s time to head out to the North Georgia orchards and farms for the chance to spend a day in nature at one of the pick your own fruit farms. Visit the well known farms like Mercier Orchards (Blue Ridge GA) or explore some of the smaller orchards in the North Georgia mountains. These family friendly places let you pick your own apples (from dozen of varieties), pumpkins, blueberries, strawberries, and more!

Fruit picking in the North Georgia Mountains
Apple picking in the North Georgia Mountains

Additionally, there are other opportunities to celebrate North Georgia’s agricultural customs and history at annual harvest festivals. Take a look at the many options below and choose your favorite(s) to enjoy during this amazing time of year!

Note that the dates of the season and fruit availablity can vary depending on attendance and weather conditions, so it is best to contact each place in advance of your trip to confirm their hours.

Pick Your Own Fruit in the Georgia Mountains

These farms have a wide variety of family activities that include picking fruits and family games, hay rides, and much more! Find the closest pick your own fruit farm or orchard and make plans to visit your favorites!

Mercier Orchards (Blue Ridge)

Mercier Orchards in the North Georgia Mountains
Mercier Orchards in the North Georgia Mountains

Mercier Orchards is a 300-acre family owned orchard that features blueberries, cherries, strawberries, apples, and more. This family-friendy destination is open early and invites you to dine at their cafe (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

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 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 “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

Reviews & Social Media

  • FACEBOOK: @Cider-House-Orchards-106784536044145 Rated 4.5 (65+ reviews), 2,100+ Likes
  • TripAdvisor: Rated 4.5 (75+ reviews)

Red Apple Barn (Ellijay)

Red Apple Barn in the North Georgia Mountains
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. 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 in these beautiful mountains.

Contact & Visit

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
Hillcrest Orchards in the North Georgia Mountains

The Hillcrest apple orchard provides lots of unique autumn farm experiences for families! Visit during the annual “Apple Pickin’ Jubilee” 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.

Also features the south’s first Apple Tree Maze (open on select weekends)!

Contact & Visit

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
BJ Reece Orchards in the North Georgia Mountains

This Ellijay U-pick apple farm opens for the season during late August and runs through late October (with selected attractions open through late December). Enjoy family friendly activities 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

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
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 (children 2 years old and under are free). An online store is open year-round.

Contact & Visit

  • HOURS: Open seasonally from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • PHONE: (800) 600-2878
  • EMAIL: burtsfarm@gmail.com
  • ADDRESS: 5 Burt’s Farm Rd, Dawsonville, GA
  • WEBSITE: burtsfarm.com

Reviews & Social Media

Other Harvest Related Events

There are also local events and festivals that celebrate the agricultural history of the area. 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.

Blairsville Sorghum Festival (Blairsville)

Blairsville Sorghum Festival in the North Georgia Mountains

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 & Visit

Reviews & Social Media

  • FACEBOOK: @BlairsvilleSorghumFestival Rated 4.7 (90+ reviews), 3,250+ Likes

Georgia Apple Festival (Ellijay)

Georgia Apple Festival in the North Georgia Mountains

The annual Georgia Apple Festival that happens on 2 weekends every October in Ellijay is the area’s biggest festival and draws a lot of people (expect higher than average traffic on these weekends). The Georgia Apple Festival features handmade arts and crafts, live entertainment, a classic auto show, a parade, and delicious treats from hundreds of vendors! Learn more about the qualities and varieties of Ellijay apples that you will find at the Georgia Apple Festival.

Contact & Visit

  • 2019 DATES: October 12, 13, 19, 20
  • HOURS: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Saturdays) and 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Sundays)
  • COST: $5 (ages 11+), FREE for ages 10 and under, $5 parking
  • PHONE: (706) 636-4500
  • EMAIL: info@gilmerchamber.com
  • ADDRESS: Lions Club Fairgrounds (1729 S Main St, Ellijay, GA)
  • WEBSITE: georgiaapplefestival.org

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?