The 11 Best Apple Orchards in Arkansas

For many years, the state of Arkansas was one of the most prolific producers of apples in the country. The best apple orchards in Arkansas produce heirloom varieties and apples that are perfect for growing in the Ozarks, including the Arkansas Black apple. 

Over time, the state was outstripped by Washington State and soon fell far behind in apple production. These days, you will find many more places to get fresh peaches, blackberries, and blueberries than apples. 

Though, that being said, there are still a few prime spots to get your hands on fresh apples in Arkansas! Some of these farms have pick-your-own opportunities for visitors, while others sell their produce at a farmers market or produce stand. 

You’ll also find lots of places to get your hands on freshly-made baked goods and preserves like apple butter, jam, and jelly. Arkansas might not be the apple producer it once was, but there are still plenty of opportunities to find fresh, delicious fruit! 

Here is our list of the 11 best apple orchards in Arkansas.

1. Drewry Farm And Orchards

Dover, Arkansas

Drewry Farm and Orchards is located in Dover, AR. In addition to Arkansas apple picking, the farm hosts regular events throughout the year. It has an extensive peach orchard, blackberry patch, and pumpkin patch. 

Visitors to Drewry Farm can also purchase fresh eggs, honey, and seasonal vegetables. The farm also hosts breakfasts every weekend as well as farm tours and cooking classes so you can learn how to use the farm-fresh produce. 

Though the farm doesn’t list its apple varieties online, visitors will find ample opportunity to pick their own fruit and enjoy homemade goods like cider, smoothies, baked goods, and more at one of the best apple orchards in Arkansas.

2. Cox Berry Farm And Nursery

Clarksville, Arkansas

Cox Berry Farm is in Clarksville, AR. As its name implies, the farmers devote most of their attention to their berry crops, and the property is open for berry picking throughout the early summer! 

Though, in August, apple picking season starts and runs through October. During this time, visitors can help themselves to a variety of apples. You’ll find everything from Gala to Yellow Delicious, Freedom, Liberty, Suncrisp, Enterprise, Fuji, Gold Rush, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Arkansas Black.

During the fall, Cox Berry Farm also features a pumpkin trail where you can pick your own pumpkins, squash, and gourds. 

3. Cadron Crest Orchard

Guy, Arkansas

Cadron Crest Orchard in Guy offers different fruits and vegetables for self-picking throughout the year. Summer is the time for peaches and strawberries. Visitors are provided with eco-friendly reusable produce bags on arrival and can stroll through the orchards to help themselves to fruit. 

The orchard may also have blackberries and other berries depending on the season. In the late summer, apple season begins, and Cadron Crest becomes one of the prime spots for Arkansas apple picking!

Apple varieties here include Jonathan and Cortland, among many others. You can also stop by the orchard market to help yourself to freshly-picked vegetables.

4. Vanzant Fruit Farms

Lowell, Arkansas

Vanzant Fruit Farms isn’t only one of the best apple orchards in Arkansas, it is also one of the oldest. Since 1949, it has supplied the northwestern part of the state with fresh and delicious produce, including apples. 

You can find everything here from peaches to grapes, blueberries, blackberries, tomatoes, pumpkins, and more. The market also sells fresh honey, jam, jelly, and apple butter. 

Vanzant Fruit Farms grows 17 varieties of apples, making it one of the best places for Arkansas apple picking! Many of these are heirloom apples, though you can also find popular classics like Gala, Winesap, Arkansas Black, and Jonathan.

5. Roberson Orchards

Omaha, Arkansas

Though Roberson Orchards, located in Omaha, doesn’t offer a self-pick option, they do have a large market with fresh-picked produce making it one of the best apple orchards in Arkansas. Here, you can help yourself to apples, nectarines, peaches, and vegetables, as well as honey, nuts, dried fruit, jam, jelly, and dressing. 

The orchard has been family-owned and operated since 1979. In the decades since then, it has expanded its offerings. You can even access a tour bus to take you around the property. 

Roberson Orchards does not advertise its apple varieties online. You may have to wait to see what is available when you arrive, depending on the season, but it is well worth a visit!

6. Dickey Farms

Springdale, Arkansas

Dickey Farms is located in Springdale, Arkansas. Although they focus most heavily on peaches (which is the case with many farms in Arkansas), they also plan to start growing apples in the next few years.

Depending on the time of year, the farm is open to visitors seven days a week. Dickey Farms is family-owned and operated. This great orchard is located at the foot of the Ozarks in Northwest Arkansas. 

The farm doesn’t just offer peaches, as you can find lots of other fresh produce here, including strawberries, pumpkins, and more. In other words, there is something to be found at any time of the growing season. 

Dickey Farms has estimated that its first apple crop will be ready for harvesting in 2022. It remains to be seen if they become one of the best apple orchards in Arkansas, but with their great farming history, we can’t wait to find out!

7. Friend Orchard Farm Market

Bellefonte, Arkansas

Friend Orchard is located in Boone County, Arkansas. It is family-owned and has been growing apples and peaches since it was founded in 1977. You will find customers who have been getting their produce there for decades! 

Though the orchard does not offer apple picking, it features a farm market where you can buy farm-fresh produce and other goods. This includes apples, peaches, jams, jellies, and much more. 

Friend Orchard Farm Market does not have a significant online presence, so you might not know what is on offer until you arrive. Despite this, its variety and fresh, delicious produce count it among the best apple orchards in Arkansas.

8. Rivercrest Orchard

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Rivercrest Orchard in Northwest Arkansas offers a huge variety of fresh produce, pick-your-own opportunities, and fun farm activities. In addition to being one of the best apple orchards in Arkansas, you can also pick blackberries and strawberries in the summer as well as pumpkins in the autumn. The orchard also has a corn maze that is the star of its annual fall festival. 

The orchard aims to grow its produce with sustainable methods while minimizing pesticide use. Though they don’t list their available apple varieties online, the orchard offers tons of things to do. There is a picnic area and regular events, including the annual sunflower festival.

Rivercrest Orchard is a great family-friendly orchard and worth visiting again and again. You can visit their website to learn what new events they are hosting, since these update regularly. 

9. Mountain Home Berry Farm

Mountain Home, Arkansas

Mountain Home Berry Farm is a first-generation farm in Mountain Home, Arkansas. It is family-owned and operated. The owners prioritize simple living and sustainable farming, which means that the crops they produce are some of the best around. These practices are just one thing that makes this one of the best apple orchards in Arkansas!

As the name implies, the farm largely focuses on fresh berries, and there are self-pick opportunities throughout the year, but when autumn rolls around, it’s apple season! 

Though Mountain Home Berry Farm doesn’t offer options for hand picking apples, you can get your hands on their fresh apples in their farm store. They have a lot of other fresh fruit on offer, as well as freshly-made preserves and other goods here. 

10. Ames Orchard And Nursery

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Ames Orchard and Nursery in Fayetteville, AR, specializes in disease-resistant fruit trees. These varieties are especially suited to life in the Ozarks, which means you can bet on getting the healthiest, most delicious fruit grown with the best practices. It’s just one thing that makes Ames Orchard one of the best apple orchards in Arkansas.

In addition to apples, Ames Orchard also grows disease-resistant pears, grapes, elderberries, pawpaws, and much more. 

Though they don’t advertise their apple varieties online, you can be sure that you will find delicious Arkansas apples at Ames Orchard. They are available from July to October. 

Visit the Best Apple Orchards in Arkansas!

Even though the heyday of Arkansas apple orchards has come and gone, you can still find plenty of the best apple orchards in Arkansas to get your hands on some fresh, delicious produce. These include not only popular varieties but some that are special to the state, including Arkansas Black and many heirloom varieties. 

Some of these orchards offer the chance to pick your own fruit, while others do the work for you. Regardless, you can’t beat the delicious taste of a fresh apple or some top-notch, locally-made apple butter, pie, or jam. If you are in Arkansas for apple season, these orchards are unmissable destinations.

Ready for more apple content? Keep reading to learn all there is to know about apples: apple varieties, apple recipes, apple orchards, and more!