If you’re looking for some of the best apple orchards in North Carolina, then you’ve come to the right post! North Carolina ranks 7th out of the 32 states that commercially produce apples, so it’s no wonder there are some great apple picking opportunities to be found all throughout the state. After all, nothing says ‘autumn’ like the first bite into a fresh apple straight off the tree.
Here are 12 of the best apple orchards in North Carolina that you should definitely visit this autumn!
1. Carrigan Farms
Mooresville, North Carolina
First on our list of best apple orchards in North Carolina and active for over 100 years, Carrigan Farms has deep roots and provides some of the best apple picking in the state. In addition to their apples, their other u-pick crop offerings include pumpkins, strawberries, asparagus, and sunflowers. Complete with a beautiful quarry on-site, Carrigan Farms also serves as a wedding and special event venue, a place for educational school trips, and a good old-fashioned swimming hole.
2. Apple Hill Orchard
Morganton North Carolina
Apple Hill Orchard has been around since the 1930s and offers a huge variety of apples, including Ginger Gold and Honeycrisp. Even though the orchard has been around for decades and changed dramatically since it was first built, the apple picking tradition is still alive and well. The orchard offers both u-pick and pre-picked apples, as well as a charming Farmhouse Bakery stocked with all kinds of offerings, including pies, apple cider donuts, and over 20 kinds of bread! No wonder it made my list of the best apple orchards in North Carolina.
3. Coston Farm and Apple House
Hendersonville, North Carolina
Third in our list of apple orchards in North Carolina is one of the memorable orchards in the prolific Hendersonville area: Coston Farm and Apple House. This is a great option for families with young children interested in getting into the autumn spirit since the orchard even has an on-site playground!
Additionally, the orchard’s gift shop is absolutely gorgeous, and they go all out on the Fall decor. Depending on the ripening schedule, you and your family will have around 11 varieties of apples to choose from, making this one of the best apple orchards in North Carolina.
4. Creasman Farm
Hendersonville, North Carolina
A normal year at Creasman Farms yields around 40 varieties of new and heirloom apples, wow! Though all 40 varieties may not be available for u-pick, you can still pick a great selection of apple varieties, from Gala to Shenshu.
Creasman Farms also makes appearances at many local festivals and farmers’ markets in the area, so you can catch this best of apple orchards in north Carolina there and have a nice chat with the farmers!
5. Devil Dog Orchard
Reidsville, North Carolina
Devil Dog Orchard is considered by many in the area to be a local Rockingham County gem of all apple orchards in North Carolina. Spread across 57 acres of all-around beautiful trees, the orchard has a casual, laid-back vibe that is absolutely perfect for a chill day spent apple picking in North Carolina! Just be sure to check out their website before your trip, so you can see when your favorite variety will be ripe and ready to pick.
6. Justus Orchard
Hendersonville, North Carolina
The Justus Orchard has been one of the best known apple orchards in North Carolina for four generations, with a fifth now an active part of the orchard as well. With varieties like Fuji and Granny Smith apples, there’s a little something for everyone whether you’re looking for ingredients or for an apple you can eat right off the tree.
Justus Orchard is a great destination for the whole family, as well. Kids can have a great time on the outdoor playground and even catch a ride on the cow train. The bakery even offers fresh apple cider donuts and apple cider slushies!
7. Granddad’s Apples ‘N Such
Hendersonville, North Carolina
With 100 acres of apple trees and varieties ranging from Braeburn to Pink Lady, there’s room for the whole family at Granddad’s Apples ‘N Such! With seasonal business hours 7 days a week, a bakery open from 8 am to 5 pm, and a market, Granddad’s is a great option for anyone looking to experience North Carolina apple orchards.
At Granddad’s you can find apple cider donuts, slushies, cookies, pies, and other apple delights.
8. Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard
Hendersonville, North Carolina
Around for close to 50 years, Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard is one of the ultimate destinations when it comes to best apple orchards in North Carolina. The 70-acre farm is home to both an apple cannon and a five-acre corn maze, as well as a bakery serving fresh apple cider and pumpkin donuts.
You (and your friends and family) can choose from 21 varieties of apples available on the farm either by picking your own or buying the pre-picked ones. The orchard is also dog-friendly, so your four-legged family members can come along for the experience as well!
9. Sky Top Orchard
Zirconia, North Carolina
A 100-acre farm, Sky Top Orchard offers panoramic views of the mountains, a beautiful bamboo forest, lovely orchard ponds with geese and ducks, a barnyard area with all kinds of animal friends, and some downright heavenly apple cider donuts. The orchard has a wide variety of apples, including Winesap apples, which are great for producing cider. This is really one of the best apple orchards in North Carolina!
10. Millstone Creek Orchard
Ramseur, North Carolina
Millstone Creek is a 360-degree experience all in one place. This is a definite North Carolina bucket list item, with year-round offerings and friendly staff who can help you make the most of your time there.
They’re best known in the fall season for their cold-pressed apple cider and apple cider slushies, but the farm also offers a farmer’s market, seasonal special events, and a waterfront concert series. All this and more make it easily one of the best apple orchards in North Carolina.
11. The Orchard at Altapass
Spruce Pine, North Carolina
The Orchard at Altapass is a historic place, a 501(c)3 non-profit working to ‘save the good stuff’, meaning the local customs, the land, and all the creatures on it. Surrounded by 3,000 acres of forest land protected from development, the orchard provides a variety of heirloom apples such as Gala and Golden Delicious, with minimal use of chemicals. During the apple season, there’s also live music in the pavilion from Thursday to Sunday.
12. Knob Creek Orchards
Lawndale, North Carolina
In operation since 1958, Knob Creek Orchards prides itself on being environmentally friendly. While you won’t be able to pick your apples straight off the tree here, you can still bag your own from bins provided for visitors.
Knob Creek also runs strong with the apple theme, offering apple jelly, apple butter, apple cider, and even apple ice cream! In fact, they have 12 kinds of homemade ice cream available in their shop. You can also check out The Porch — a variety shop full of local jams, jellies, veggies, pickles, and even honey that’s been gathered right there in the orchard.
Visit the Best Apple Orchards in North Carolina
Now you know the 12 best apple orchards in North Carolina for you to visit this autumn. From the smaller, laid back, and rustic like Devil Dog Orchard to the more modern and sprawling like Millstone Creek, there’s a little something for everyone here in North Carolina, especially during the fall apple picking season. Excited for more apple content? Next, keep reading to learn everything you’d want to know about apples: more apple orchards, apple varieties, recipes, and more!