The 17 Best Apple Orchards in Maryland

1. Waters Orchard

Germantown, Maryland

Waters Orchard, located in Germantown, MD, is a labor of love by the owners. The couple has been a part of the farming community all their lives. Their goal is to provide fresh produce, grown in sustainable ways, to the local community. 

As far as their apple orchard goes, one trip and you’ll know why this is one of the best apple orchards in Maryland. Visitors have the ultimate apple-picking experience, with the chance to explore the orchard, then sit by the fire pit to enjoy fresh-pressed cider and apples. 

Varieties include Crimson Crisp, Jonagold, Shizuka, Cammi, Galarina, Cameo, Winecrisp, and Suncrisp.

2. Butler’s Orchard

Germantown, Maryland

Second on my list of best apple orchards in Maryland is Butler’s Orchard. Like Waters Orchard, Butler’s Orchard is also located in Germantown. This large farm hosts regular events throughout the year, with an open farm market and pick-your-own produce for visitors. 

The orchard has a calendar of fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers to pick throughout the year. Growing seasons start in the late spring with strawberries and peonies and wrap up with pumpkins in October as well as Christmas trees to the end of the year. 

Apple season runs from August to September at Butler’s. The orchard grows all its produce through a practice called integrated pest management, which reduces the amount of pesticides used on crops.

3. Catoctin Mountain Orchard

Thurmont, Maryland

Catoctin Mountain Orchard was once a commercial fruit orchard. In the sixties, it was bought by the current owners and transformed into a family-owned open-air market. These days, visitors can find everything from kale to apples, grapes, apricots, tomatoes, peppers, and more. 

Additionally, Catoctin Mountain Orchard sells a variety of freshly-made jams and baked goods. A visit here is a whole experience, with a playground area and the chance to stroll through fields of flowers (you can even cut your own!). No wonder they made my list of best apple orchards in Maryland!

Apple varieties here include Blondee, September Wonder, Crimson Crisp, Cortland, Mountain Honey, Evercrisp, Stayman, Pink Lady, and the orchard’s own Autumn Gala. 

4. Milburn Orchards

Elkton, Maryland

Milburn Orchards is located in Elkton, MD. Not only is it one of the best apple orchards in Maryland, but it was also named one of the best in America! 

Apple picking is far from the only thing to do at Milburn Orchards. The farm hosts regular events, including goat yoga, Easter egg hunts, and much more. In addition to picking their own produce, visitors can pop into the bake shop, where they will find fresh, delicious treats for sale.

Apple season is long here, starting in July and continuing into early November. Varieties include Red Rome, Mutsu, Orange Honey, McIntosh, and much more.

5. Baugher’s Orchards and Farm

Westminster, Maryland

Baugher’s Orchards and Farm in Westminster, MD, takes a traditional farm experience to the next level. Not only can you pick your own produce, but you can also eat in the orchard restaurant, visit the farmer’s market, play in the playground, and buy freshly-made pastries, pies, and cider. 

There are events all year long at Baugher’s, including a petting zoo and hay rides in the autumn. They even offer services for picking your own produce, including wagon rides to the field, making it one of the best apple orchards in Maryland. 

Apple season runs from August to October and includes varieties like Fuji, Empire, Stayman Winesap, Ida Red, Granny Smith, and more. 

6. Lewis Orchard Farm

Dickerson, Maryland

Lewis Orchard Farm isn’t just one of the best apple orchards in Maryland, it’s also one of the oldest! Now in its fourth generation as a family farm, it got its start all the way back in 1888. 

The orchard underwent extensive renovation and in 2003 added an enclosed market building with more storage, so visitors could buy even more fresh produce. 

You can get fresh produce here throughout the summer and fall, as well as freshly-baked fruit pies. Apples as well as apple pies are available in the fall, with classic varieties like Pink Lady, Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Empire.

7. Gardenhour Orchards

Smithsburg, Maryland

Seventh on my list of best apple orchards in Maryland is Gardenhour Orchards, which began in the 1890s and remains in the same family to this day. Now in its fourth generation, the orchard provides fresh, delicious fruit to visitors from all over the state. 

Fruit offerings are available from spring to autumn, starting with several varieties of berries in May. Midsummer is the time for peaches, with several different kinds. 

Apple season starts in August and continues until November. Depending on the time of year, visitors have the chance to pick their own Gala, Fuji, Jonagold, Jonathan, Cameo, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, and Pink Lady apples, among many other varieties. If you’re on the hunt for the best apple orchards in Maryland, this is a great addition!

8. Larriland Farm

Woodbine, Maryland

Larriland Farm is technically a network of several farms throughout Woodbine, MD. The purpose of this is to rotate crop fields to replenish the soil and allow for the most abundant and delicious crops. This technique makes Larriland Farm one of the best apple orchards in Maryland for sure.

Like many other farms, Larriland uses integrated pest management practices to reduce their use of pesticides. The extensive crop yields mean that there is always something available. The farm updates its self-pick options on its website daily. 

Apple picking starts in mid-August with Ginger Gold and ends in mid-November with Goldrush and Pink Lady. In between visitors can help themselves to varieties like Mutsu, Braeburn, Sansa, and many more.

9. Heyser Farm

Colesville, Maryland

Heyser Farm is a third-generation farm in Colesville, MD. In addition to apple picking, the farm is open year-round to offer a ton of other crops, as well as fresh baked goods, cider, eggs, ice cream, honey, jam, and much more. 

In the spring, visitors can get their hands on their own fruit trees, as well as seeds and transplants for their garden. Summer is the season for fresh peaches and flowers. 

Fall means it’s time for apple picking and this is definitely one of the best apple orchards in Maryland for this! Here you’ll find many varieties of apples, including Heyser Farm’s own Spencerville Red. You can also enjoy hay rides, entertainment, a pumpkin patch, and some fresh-pressed cider.

10. Shaw Orchards

White Hall, Maryland

Shaw Orchards is located between Norrisville, MD and Stewartstown, PA, right on the Mason-Dixon Line. It is one of the oldest and thus best apple orchards in Maryland, going back seven generations to the 1840s! 

Fruit is the name of the game at Shaw Orchards. Depending on the time of year, you can get your hands on everything from berries to melons, apples, peaches, and pumpkins. Of course, fresh jam, jelly, cider, honey, and apple butter is available as well. 

Pick-your-own apple season runs on the weekends in September and October, with varieties like Nittany, Gala, Cameo, Pink Lady, York Imperial, and Golden Delicious. 

11. Weber’s Cider Mill Farm

Parkville, Maryland

Based on the name, you would think that Weber’s Cider Mill Farm is all about apples. But this fourth-generation farm in Parkville, MD, showcases a lot of crops, including berries, peaches, and many more. 

However, apples take center stage here.  The farm features the oldest cider press in the state, with plenty of apple baked goods, preserves, and more to buy in its market. This is a must see on the list of best apple orchards in Maryland.

The apple-picking season is long here, running from July to November. Depending on the time of year, you can find everything from Lodi to Zestar, Blondee, Macoun, Cortland, Crimson Gold, Ambrosia, Crispin, Fuji, Evercrisp, and more.

12. Lohr’s Orchard

Harford County, Maryland

Lohr’s Orchard has been one of the best apple orchards in Maryland since its founding in 1928. Though the location has moved since it began, Lohr’s remains in the same family and even uses some of the same methods for producing delicious apple cider. 

Through the year, you can find produce both at the farm stand and as a pick-your-own option in the fields. The orchard also sells fresh cider, doughnuts, jams, and jellies, as well as fresh cheese from local dairy farms. 

Though they don’t list the apple varieties on offer, visitors can visit the orchard throughout the autumn for apple picking and events.

13. Homestead Farm

Poolesville, Maryland

Homestead Farm is located in Poolesville, MD. Here, you can pick produce throughout the year, including a huge variety of fruit. Spring and summer bring cherries, blueberries, and peaches, while autumn, of course, is apple season. 

Availability of all produce varies based on the growing season and the number of visitors. Weather may affect crops as well, so the conditions vary from year to year.

Apple season runs approximately from late August to late October, with a variety of cultivars available. Though the farm doesn’t host any regular events or sell other goods, it’s a great option for apple picking in Maryland making it one of the best apple orchards in Maryland. 

14. Kingsbury’s Orchard

Dickerson, Maryland

Number 14 on my list of best apple orchards in Maryland is Kingsbury’s Orchard in Dickerson, MD, which isn’t just a great place for apple picking. You can also find all kinds of fruit varieties here, including peaches and cherries. This picturesque orchard has been in operation since 1908. 

The orchard focused on peaches during the Great Depression and continued with a priority on peaches and dairy cows for close to 50 years. It grew into many other types of fruit, including apples, several generations later. 

Kingbury’s Orchard is open daily throughout the harvest season. Apple season runs throughout the autumn. You can also buy fresh baked goods and other treats at the farm.

15. Vessey Orchards

Westover, Maryland

Vessey Orchards in Westover, MD, lies on the banks of the Pocomoke River. Here, things operate the way they’ve operated for generations, all with the goal of bringing the freshest and most delicious produce to visitors!

The property also features the Caldicott Manor, dating from the 1700s. Between this historical site and the surrounding landscape is the orchard. School groups, clubs, and other visitors are welcome here all here to harvest their own peaches, apples, watermelons, tomatoes, and more.

Vessey Orchards has a few apple varieties available in the summer, but the best time to visit is during peak apple season in the autumn.

16. Blades Orchard

Blades Orchard offers a huge variety of fruit and other produce for pre-orders, farm market sales, or pick-your-own trips. You can also find the produce sold at farmers’ markets throughout the state. 

Fuji and Pink Lady are just a few of the apple varieties they offer at Blades Orchard. In the market, you can find fresh apple butter, as well as cider, cider doughnuts, honey, and hard cider straight from the orchard cidery. 

The many options for getting your hands on the fresh fruit are just one of the things that make Blades Orchard one of the best apple orchards in Maryland. 

17. Rock Hill Orchard

Mount Airy, Maryland

Rock Hill Orchard is an orchard near Germantown in tandem with Woodbourne Creamery. The owners started out as dairy farmers. Then in 2010 they branched into farming. Now, Rock Hill Orchard is definitely one of the best apple orchards in Maryland and a must-visit!

Visitors can come for pick-your-own opportunities throughout the growing season. Herbs, flowers, peaches, cherries, berries, vegetables, and apples are available at various times throughout the year. 

Rock Hill Orchard grows 30 varieties of apples on both old and new trees. These include classic favorites like Gala and Fuji as well as lesser-known apples like Melrose, Keepsake, Smokehouse, and Rising Sun Fuji.