Tennessee is home to beautiful mountains, lush farmlands, and rolling green hills. But if you are looking for the best apple orchards in Tennessee to visit this fall, there are plenty of options for you! Tennessee apple orchards range from activity-packed family-friendly farms to simple, traditional fruit orchards among acres of farmland. There is something for everyone in the state if you just know where to look.
Tennessee also offers the chance for you to try a variety of heirloom apples that you might not be able to find anywhere else. One thing is certain: Tennessee is a great place to be when apple season rolls around.
Here are our 13 picks for the best apple orchards in Tennessee!
1. Wheeler’s Orchard
Dunlap, Tennessee
Located near Dunlap, Tennessee, Wheeler’s Orchard lies at the foot of Fredonia Mountain. Here, you will find a family farm that has been growing delicious local produce for nearly 50 years.
The family started out with apple trees and grapevines. These days, the orchard and vineyard continue to thrive, grown through sustainable methods that protect the earth and the farmland.
Apple season is long at Wheeler’s, running from July to October! Visitors can pick varieties like Liberty, Empire, Turley Winesap, Mutsu, Tennessee Red, and Hardy Cumberland.
2. Morning Glory Orchard
Nolensville, Tennessee
Morning Glory Orchard is located in the historic town of Nolensville, just minutes from Nashville. This beautiful orchard offers not only apples, but also peaches, honey, freshly-pressed cider, jams, preserves, applesauce, and homemade baked goods, making it one of the best apple orchards in Tennessee.
You can also find vegetables for sale, depending on the season. The farm offers five apple cider varieties and even cider slushies for sale in the store. There is also a gift shop, where you can find artisanal gifts such as homemade soap.
Though they don’t offer apple picking, you can find the many varieties of apples available for purchase in their store. Apple season runs from July to October, with varieties like Lodi and many more.
3. Oren Wooden’s Apple House
Pikeville, Tennessee
Just 57 miles north of Chattanooga, Oren Wooden’s Apple House in Pikeville, Tennessee is much more than just an apple orchard. Here you will find everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to homemade goods in the bakery, and Southern comfort food dished up in the farm cafe.
The family patriarch began with a citrus grove in Florida before relocating to Tennessee. These days, Oren Wooden’s Apple House has become one of the best apple orchards in Tennessee.
There are plenty of events happening throughout the year, including an autumn harvest festival. This is the perfect time to get your hands on fresh apples, pumpkins, and other fall goodies.
4. Breeden’s Orchard
Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
Breeden’s Orchard is located in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, about 30 minutes from Nashville. The orchard has been in operation for nearly 50 years, but recently changed hands and is now under new ownership.
There is a lot of restructuring going on at Breeden’s, including the installation of new more eco-friendly infrastructure like solar panels. However, they are still offering fresh fruit throughout the year for U-pick!
There are some new varieties expected in the coming seasons, such as the Ludacrisp. However, you can find plenty of more traditional apple varieties, too. Breeden’s also grows peaches, berries, and garlic, also available for U-pick
5. Apple Valley Orchard
Cleveland, Tennessee
Apple Valley Orchard, in Cleveland, Tennessee, began as a simple hobby farm that soon grew into a much bigger venture. Since its start in the 1960s, the orchard has grown to 15,000 apple trees, as well as other crops, and features a cider mill and bakery.
There was even a new Gala cultivar discovered there in 1996: the Caitlin Gala, which is available in the late summer. Other varieties include Pristine, Dandee Red, Zestar, Lura Red, Senshu, Rome Beauty, Charlie Gold, Winesap, Arkansas Black, Cameo, and many more.
This orchard is a popular spot for events and school trips, making it one of the best apple orchards in Tennessee!
6. Buffalo Trail Orchard
Greeneville, Tennessee
Located in Greeneville, Tennessee, Buffalo Trail Orchard is one of the most popular of the Tennessee apple orchards! The orchard has been in operation since 1890, making it not only one of the best apple orchards in Tennessee but also one of the oldest. There are plenty of events at Buffalo Trail Orchard throughout the year. You’ll find school groups visiting regularly and hayrides in the fall.
Of course, there are many apple varieties available from June to November. Visitors can help themselves to Red Staymen, Enterprise, William’s Pride, Wolf River, Sweet Sixteen, Pink Lady, Goldrush, and more. In addition to apples, they also offer pick-your-own blackberries, blueberries, plums, peaches, squash, and pumpkins.
7. Jones Orchard
Millington, Tennessee
As one of the best apple orchards in Tennessee, Jones Orchard isn’t your average apple farm — it’s a place where you can enjoy tons of fun family activities. The orchard’s three locations offer pick-your-own fruit as well as pre-pricked produce for purchase.
In the autumn, they have a huge harvest festival. This includes fruit picking, hayrides, a corn maze, and even a haunted house. Apple season runs from September to October, with varieties such as Lodi and Arkansas Black. Jones Orchard is also part of the local CSA chapter.
In addition to apples, you’ll find pumpkins, peaches, plums, blueberries, pears, nectarines, and strawberries.
8. Scott’s Orchard
Hazen Green, Alabama
Started in 1901, Scott’s Orchard has earned the title of Tennessee Century Farm even though it borders the Tennessee/Alabama state line. In its 120 years of operation, it has grown to more than 1,000 acres. Here, visitors will find the freshest, most delicious apples and peaches among Tennessee apple orchards.
Apple picking season offers many varieties. You will find both popular and lesser-known apple cultivars at Scott’s, such as Fuji, Pink Lady, Ozark Gold, Dixie Red, Arkansas Black, Cameo, and Lodi.
Scott’s also features a general store and bakery, where you can buy local honey, homemade baked goods, apple cider, fruit preserves, and even fruit trees to bring home to your garden.
Don’t let the address fool you, most of the 1,000 acre farmland is located in the Volunteer state, earning it a spot on this list.
9. Roan Highlands Farm
Roan Highlands, Tennessee
Though Roan Highlands Farm has only been in operation since 2013, it has quickly become known as one of the best apple orchards in Tennessee.
Nestled in the hills near Cherokee National Forest, this beautiful farm is surrounded by the mountains, setting a picturesque backdrop for the many crops available. In addition to apples, you will find berries and firewood.
The apples grown at Roan Highlands are heirloom apples, which means you may not have ever tasted them before! These old varieties are no longer widely grown but have been enjoyed for centuries. You can find Kinnaird’s Choice, Grimes Golden, Roxbury Russet, Father Abraham, Virginia Beauty, Yates, and many more.
10. Shade Tree Farm And Orchard
Adams, Tennessee
Shade Tree Farm began as a passion project. It has grown many different crops over the years, including corn, soybeans, and tobacco. These days, it is devoted to apples, peaches, blueberries, and pears!
Shade Tree Farm is a popular place for school groups, offering educational tours, hayrides, pumpkin picking, and even has a play area, making it one of the most fun apple orchards in Tennessee for families!
You can also find delicious jams, preserves, and sauces for sale at the farm store. Though they don’t advertise their fruit varieties on their website, Shade Tree Farm is active on social media.
11. Fairmount Orchard
Fairmount Pike Walden, Tennessee
Fairmount Orchard is located on Signal Mountain in Tennessee. They open for only part of the year — the harvest season that runs from August to January. During this time, visitors can find fresh apples as well as apple cider, jams, jellies, and apple butter.
Throughout the season, you will find varieties like Mutsu, Fuji, Jonagold, Red Delicious, Ginger Gold, Golden Delicious, Red Rome, and Granny Smith, with cider pressing extending into January. That makes Fairmount one of the best apple orchards in Tennessee and a great spot for getting fresh apples even throughout the winter. Though they don’t have a website, they are active on Facebook.
12. Mountain Meadows Farm
Anderson County, Tennessee
Mountain Meadows Farm in Anderson County has been in operation since the 1970s. This super-productive fruit orchard also grows blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, cherries, strawberries, grapes, pears, plums, and nectarines!
Some of the crops vary by year, but apples are a constant. The offerings at Mountain Meadows Farm draw visitors year after year. In addition to selling on their own property, the farm distributes fruit at five farmers’ markets throughout the state.
The fruit is grown with sustainable practices like Integrated Pest Management and drip irrigation. This helps protect the earth while producing the richest, most flavorful fruit available.
13. The Apple Barn Cider Mill
Sevierville, Tennessee
Just minutes from Gatlinburg, The Apple Barn and Cider Mill in Sevierville, Tennessee, is one of the best places in Tennessee to get your hands on fresh, local apples. They offer many varieties, including Mutsu, Winesap, Rome Beauty, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Jonagold, Fuji, Granny Smith, Jonathan, and Gala.
But these are far from the only attractions at the Apple Barn Cider Mill. The general store offers more treats than you can find at any of the best Tennessee apple orchards.
These include everything from jams and jellies to apple butter, syrup, honey, salsa, and barbecue sauce. You’ll also find homemade taffy, peanut brittle, and many other things.
Visit the Best Apple Orchards in Tennessee!
If you are in Tennessee for apple season this year, you can’t miss visiting these apple orchards around the state. Tennessee’s temperate weather means the harvest can last a long time, starting in June and sometimes extending as long as January!
Keep reading about apples to learn about new orchards, varieties, recipes, and more!