Inside: Discover the best apple picking in Charlotte, NC, with our updated 2026 guide to apple orchards near Charlotte. Find fun for families and the freshest apples. Explore Charlotte apple picking this fall – the best apple orchards Charlotte, NC has to offer are right here!
Fall’s sweetest family outing-just a short drive away. Updated for 2026!
There are many wonderful orchards to go apple picking near Charlotte, NC. You’ll find most of them towards the Upstate or in Western North Carolina.
But one local favorite, Windy Hill Orchards, is just an hour from Charlotte, which is perfect for apples without the long drive to the mountains.
If you need some tips, don’t miss our list of tips for picking apples with kids. Have fun!
Watch!
First, get into the apple spirit. Here’s our trip to Sky Top Orchard near Flat Rock, NC.
The Season: Apple Picking Charlotte NC
When does the apple-picking season start in the Charlotte area?
The Charlotte apple season usually starts early to mid-August and runs through October. Go later in the season if you also want pumpkins and a better chance at crisp fall air.
What’s Picking? The apples near Charlotte
This is something that just changes a lot based on the weather and the overall apple growing season. Before you go, be sure to call ahead to check on hours and apple varieties available or check the orchard’s Facebook page for updates as many of the orchards will list upcoming events, changed hours, and an updated list of apples available both for u-pick and available pre-picked.
Apple Orchards Near Charlotte, NC
The apple orchards below are all within a couple of hours of Charlotte. But, if you just want to head out to the closest orchards to Charlotte, skip the list below and try these 3.
3 Closest Apple Orchards: Charlotte, NC
Carrigan Farms- Mooresville, NC (About 30 minutes from Charlotte)
U-Pick opens September 2, reservations required, hayrides, petting zoo
Get more information: Carrigan Farms
Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill- York, SC (About 50 minutes from Charlotte)
Opens mid-August, cider donuts, hard cider, live music *need reservations
Get more information: Windy Hill Orchard
Apple Hill Orchard & Cider Mill – Morganton, NC (About 80 minutes from Charlotte)
Offers pick-your-own apples (with a required Orchard Access Pass), a farm market, award-winning bakery items like cider donuts, and a cider mill
Get more information: Apple Hill Orchard
More Great Orchards Within 3 hours of Charlotte, NC
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Bryson's Apple Orchard
864.647.9427 1011 Chattooga Ridge Road, Mountain Rest, SC
Just a few miles from the Chattooga River, Bryson’s Apple Orchard is also close to gorgeous waterfalls and many of the hiking places that KAG has recommended (so maybe hiking and apple donuts one day this fall?). The Long Creek area, according to their website, is one of the “largest apple producing areas east of the Mississippi River.”
TBD for 2026 (they were closed in 2025)
Offers:
Prepicked apples
Asian pears
fresh peaches
Chattooga Belle Farm
864.647.9768 454 Damascus Church Road, Long Creek, SC
At the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains lies this gorgeous farm and orchard, which is not only a working farm but also a popular wedding venue.
Besides a pick-your-own experience, Chattooga Belle Farm also offers cabin rentals, a bistro for lunch and dinner, disc golf, and an amazing variety of exotic fruits like Asian pears, figs, pawpaws, and persimmons.
Open for the 2026 season
Variety of fruits available; apples are August for upick
Farm store is open year-round – Check the Chattooga Belle Farm Website for daily updates on available options.
Dogs are allowed, but not in the fruit areas or inside dining. They are allowed for outside dining and the disc golf trail.
Offers:
Restaurant serving lunch and dinner
Cabin rental
Event Venue
Disc Golf
Distillery
Pre-picked apples, table grapes, wine grapes, peaches, and more.
Farm Store
Grandad’s Apples N’ Such
828.685.1685 2951 Chimney Rock Road, Hendersonville, NC
With over 20 different varieties of apples, you are bound to find a favorite at Grandad’s Apples N’ Such. They also have a bakery on-site that sells pies, donuts, caramel apples, and cider. Activities for kids include a corn maze, cow train, and a huge pumpkin patch where kids are bound to find their ideal pumpkin.
Open for the 2026 season!
They will have u-pick and pre-picked apples for sale.
All pets must be leashed and picked up after while visiting.
Offers:
Offering U-Pick Apples as available**—check Grandad’s Facebook page for updates,
Pumpkin Patch (late September – October)
Farm Store and bakery
Corn Maze ($)
Cow Train ($)
Apple Cannons ($)
Jeter Mountain Farm
828.513.0404 1126 Jeter Mountain Road, Hendersonville, NC
Jeter Mountain Farm is the result of more than 150 years of farming history in the Hunsader family. Located on 411 acres near Hendersonville and Brevard, this farm offers Choose N’ Cut Christmas Trees, plus u-pick includes berries, peaches, pumpkins, grapes, and over 20 varieties of apples. Be sure to check the Jeter Mountain Farm Harvest Calendar to see what’s ready for picking. Important to note for the tractor enthusiasts in your family, orchards are accessed via tractor ride!
2026 season: Get updates for availability on their Facebook page.
Open Now.
Apple U-pick begins mid to late August, 2026.
Pumpkins will be available in early October, 2026.
Pets are not allowed at the u-pick orchards, inside the market, inside the tap room, coffee shop, and wagons.
Offers:
U-pick Apples & other fruits according to season
Market with pre-picked apples, apple cider, apple cider donuts, and other goods
Hard Cider Tap Room
1813 Smokehouse
Coffee Shop Onsite
Covered play area
Justus Orchards
828.974.1232 187 Garren Road, Hendersonville, NC
Located in a picturesque part of Hendersonville with views of the mountains, Justus Orchard is the perfect place to go apple picking. Their apple cider donuts are also a treat not to be missed. This apple orchard in Hendersonville, NC was one of the first in the state to invite customers to not only buy apples already picked but allow visitors to go into the orchard and pick their own apples.
Open for 2026 season
Check the Justus Orchard Facebook page for current u-pick status, before heading up.
U-Pick apples are now available
Well-behaved dogs on leash allowed and owners must pick up after them.
OFFERS:
Blackberries – July thru August
Apples – Mid August thru Early November
Bakery
Apple cannon ($)
Jumping pillow ($)
Cow Train ($)
Playground
Sky Top Orchard
828.692.7930 3403 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, NC
A Kidding Around reader favorite, Sky Top Orchard offers mountain views, ponds with ducks and geese, farm animals, play structures, and apple and fruit trees. Don’t miss the amazing apple cider donuts. Last year there were some concerns about Sky Top getting too crowded so maybe try to go during the week if you prefer smaller crowds.
Sky Top is open for the 2026 season!
Open daily for donuts, wagon rides, and farm store apples; follow their Facebook page for updates.
Dogs on leash allowed but not in the fruit stand.
Offers:
U-pick apples
Farm Store with Cider donuts
Farm animals
Wagon Rides
Playground
Gold Rush Gem Mine
Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard
828.685.9083 170 Stepp Orchard Drive, Hendersonville, NC
Open 50 years, Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard are experts on organizing their orchard for u-pick. They begin their family fun and farm activities in mid-August and invite you to bring a lunch and spend the day at the orchard.
Open for fall activities and apple picking in August 15, 2026.
Check their Facebook page for up-to-date info on what’s available for picking.
Offers:
U-pick Apples
Grapes
Sunflowers
Farm Store
Picnic Space
Corn Maze ($)
Jump Pads (on weekends) ($)
Apple Cannon (on weekends) ($)
The owners of the Windy Hill Orchard and Cider Mill got their start 20 years ago when they wanted to create the perfect apple cider (they apparently succeeded). Their main apple variety is the Stayman Winesapp and u-pick opens up in late August. The orchard asks that everyone 2 years of age and older have their own pre-purchased bag before heading into the orchard. They also have weekend events that include live music.
The apple cider donuts are AMAZING. Get our whole story on Windy Hill Orchard.
2026 season-opening date: August 13th, 2026
Offers:
U-pick Apples
Farm Store with baked apple goods
Hard Cider Tastings
Cider donuts
Apple cider slushies
Apple Hill Orchard farm market and bakery is open.
U-Pick apples and flowers will open August 7, 2026
Check their social media page for more details and purchase your picking pass ($4) now.
They are open 9 am-6 pm Fridays & Saturdays
- Bakery
- Farm market
- To pick, purchase a Picking Pass, and you will also need to pay for the apples you pick by container size ($4 per person picking pass; ages 2 and under are free)
Blueberry Thrill Farm offers U-Pick blackberries, blueberries, and tomatoes. They also sell peaches and other produce with occasional u-pick. Visit them select Saturdays in the fall for apples, pumpkins, and muscadines.
The best way to see what Blueberry Thrill Farm is currently offering is to check the Blueberry Thrill Farm Facebook page.
Knob Creek Orchards is a family-owned orchard that offers homemade ice cream and lots of local produce, including apples.
- No U-pick
- Produce grown on the farm
- Homemade ice cream
Millstone Creek Orchards
506 Parks Crossroads Church Road, Ramseur, NC
Millstone Creek Orchards is open daily for u-pick with lots of themed weekends throughout the fall with activities.
2026 Apple picking season begins Labor Day Weekend; grab your tickets here.
Cost: $19.95/person
- bakery
- hayrides
- pumpkin patch in the fall
- U-pick pecans in November
- live music
- animal visits
- U-pick blackberries (June)
- U-pick blueberries (June/July)
- U-pick apples early August
- Fall orchard tours
No pets allowed. Service animals are allowed but must wear a leash.
The Orchard at Altapass
828.467.4282 1025 Orchard Road, Spruce Pine, NC
The Orchard at Altapass usually offers U-Pick (only certain apple varieties) in late July/early August 2026. Due to difficult climate conditions in 2026, they may not open for u pick this season (check their Facebook).
They also have the Apple Core Grill onsite and a full calendar of live music throughout the summer and fall. Check their website before you visit!
Carrigan Farms
704.664.1450 1261 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy (Intersection of 150 & 152), Mooresville, NC
Carrigan Farms in Mooresville will open for Apple picking on September 2nd, 2025. You must make a reservation for apple picking. Apple picking is $15 per person for everyone ages 2 and up. They also offer:
- pumpkin picking
- a haunted trail
- open swim
- weddings
- and more!
Perry Lowe Orchard
336.921.3123 8741 North Carolina 16 , Moravian Falls, NC
This orchard is located in Moravian Falls, NC and has U-pick apples (by reservation) with an 3 admission per person. They offer 30 varieties of apples to pick!
2026 Opening Weekend: Labor Day Weekend 2026
They will be offering upick tickets for 2026. Book ahead to make it easier to check in.
Prices:
- General Admission — $4.39 online ($3.00 + $1.39 fee)
- Admission & Play (recommended for 12 and under) — $14.74 online ($13.00 + $1.74 fee)
- Admission & Play (recommended for 12 and over) — $11.63 online ($10.00 + $1.63 fee)
Offers:
Upick apples (by reservation)
Apple cider, dried apples, and produce
Tractor rides through the orchard
Tractor playground ($)
Jump Pillow($)
Megaslide ($)
Bee Train ($)
Apple Cider Donut Tour
We have an idea for a special, and very tasty, day trip. Make the rounds and visit several orchards while sampling apple cider donuts on our Apple Cider Donut Tour. We can’t think of a more perfect and delicious fall day. The orchards in this tour are mainly in the Western North Carolina mountains.
Where is your family’s favorite place to pick your own apples?