Fall is here and apples are ready for picking! For details on the different orchards in Central Virginia and what they have to offer look below.
Helpful hints: Wear layered clothing; the weather can change drastically from morning to afternoon and into evening. And remember comfortable walking shoes for the hills.
Carter Mountain Orchard
1435 Carters Mountain Trail, Charlottesville, VA Phone: 434.977.1833
Located 1,150 feet above Charlottesville, near Monticello, Carter Mountain Orchard is a wonderful place to enjoy picking apples in the fall. Make sure you visit the website and purchase a ticket for picking this fall. Tickets will be required on peak FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS, mid-September – early November. In addition, Before picking, you’ll pre-pay by container size. Pick all types including Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Winesap, and Fuji. Make sure to call ahead or check the website and find out what’s in season if you are looking to pick a specific variety. And be certain to leave time to visit the country store and bakery – full of all kinds of goodies including apple cider doughnuts, fresh cider, Virginia made jams and jellies, apple butter and local crafts.
Fruit Hill Orchard
2745 Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Palmyra, VA 22963 Phone: 434.589.7215
Fruit Hill Orchard is open Monday through Saturday 10am-6pm. It is an easy orchard to tackle with small kids, as the property is flat and the parking lot is close to the orchard. Fruit Hill Orchard does not require tickets or reservations. Confirm availability before arriving if you are looking for something specific. Strollers, wagons, and friendly, leashed dogs are allowed in the orchards.
Chiles Peach Orchard
1351 Greenwood Road, Crozet, VA 22932 Phone: 434.823.1583
Located in Crozet, Virginia Chiles Peach Orchard and Farm Market is the perfect way to enjoy the Virginia countryside. While tasty tree-ripened peaches may be the main summer attraction, you don’t want to miss the strawberries, apples, and pumpkins—all grown on the farm! Chiles Peach Orchard requires tickets for apple and pumpkin picking on Saturdays & Sundays in October. Chiles grows many popular varieties including Ginger Gold, Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Jonathan, Rome, Stayman, Winesap, York, Granny Smith, Fuji and Pink Lady. Call ahead or check the website and find out what’s in season if you are looking to pick a specific variety.
Dickie Brothers Orchard
2552 Dickie Road, Roseland, Virginia 22967 Phone: 434.277.5516
Located in Nelson County, the Dickie Brothers Orchard has been in the same family since 1752. They grow over 100 acres of apples and have over 15 different varieties, including McIntosh, Paula Red, Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Stayman, Rome, Winesap, Fuji, Empire, Granny Smith, Honeycrsip, Pink Lady, Golden Supreme and Jonagold. Harvest begins early August and ends late October. You can check the website or call to see what’s ripe now.
If you have a chance, visit Crabtree Falls, about 10 miles from the orchard. Hike the 2 mile trail and see the cascades that fall over 1,200 feet. If your feeling like less of a challenge, there is an overlook, along a paved path, about 500 feet from the parking lot.
Drumheller’s Orchard
1130 Drumheller Orchard Lane, Lovingston, VA, 22949. Phone: 434.263.5036
Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Drumheller’s Orchard grows many types of apples for picking – Pink Lady, Red Delicious, Albemarle Pippin, Lodi, Gala, Johnathan, Fuji, Stayman, Winesap, Golden Delicious and more! Call to be sure pick you own is available.
Henley’s Orchard
2192 Holly Hill Farm, Crozet, VA 22932 Phone: 434.823.2560
Henley’s Orchard offers Virginia apples, including Red and Golden Delicious, Winesap, and the antique Albemarle Pippin that Thomas Jefferson shared with the Queen of England. They have the recently popular Honey Crisp and Cameo apples and some of Henley’s Orchard select apples such as Henley Gold and Golden Fuji. They are known for the best fresh, low-spray fruit in Central Virginia. Call the business office @ 434.823.2560 to inquire about times and dates fruit will be available for picking.
Morris Orchard
226 Tobacco Row Ln Monroe, VA Phone: 434.929.2401
Apples ’n cider donuts on weekends in October. Hay creations in fall with Halloween decorations. Apple butter making. Call ahead to see what is available for picking.