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As temperatures start to cool and the leaves begin to change, North Carolinians are on the hunt for the perfect apple.
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Apple picking season is well underway, and North Carolina’s apple industry, specifically in the western part of the state, contributes at least $30 million to the economy, said Mike Parker, an Extension Horticulture Specialist and associate professor at North Carolina State University.
Henderson County is the state’s largest apple-producing county in North Carolina with about 70% of the state’s production in the area.
“That’s where apples have grown for decades and the climate is more conducive,” Parker said. “They don’t have the blistering heat that we had this summer. We go to the western part of the state and they’re going to be about 10 degrees cooler.”
One of the main challenges of growing apples is losing produce to frost and freeze damage in the spring, with many orchards sitting at higher elevations while the cool air settles in valleys, he said.
U-pick apple orchards in North Carolina
There are a number of apple orchards worth visiting in the western part of North Carolina. Time your visit for when leaves change color to full immerse yourself in the autumnal season.
Many of these larger farms have bakeries, gift shops, tap rooms and other amenities. Always call and confirm the hours, produce and offerings before planning your visit.
- Perry Lowe Orchards in Moravian Falls
- Sky Top Orchard in Flat Rock
- Grandad’s Apples in Hendersonville
- Coston Farm & Apple House in Hendersonville
- Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville
- Justus Orchard in Hendersonville
- Moretz Mountain Orchard in Boone
Apple picking near the Triangle
Most of the apple picking orchards and farms are in western North Carolina, there are a handful of places to visit under two hours from the Triangle.
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One of the most popular spots is Millstone Creek Orchards, in Ramseur, requiring reservations to pick apples yourself. The reservations are filled so far this season, but its famed Cider House is open for purchasing pre-picked apples, apple cider, hard apple cider and apple cider slushies.
Blueberry Thrill Farm is located in Gibsonville, and people can pick their own apples, pumpkins, muscadines and sunflowers at this family farm.
Sweet Haven Farm, in Hillsborough, is one to keep your eye on for future years but doesn’t have applies to pick this season. The Orchard on Little River, formerly Many Rivers Farm, in the Bahama area is closed for the season.
Apple picking near Charlotte
Apple picking is available between Oct. 8-16 at Carrigan Farms in Mooresville. The fifth-generation farm has tractor-drawn hay rides to get to and from the apple trees.
Knob Creek Orchards, in Lawndale, not only has apples you can pick yourself but homemade ice cream available for sale.
Just over state lines is Windy Hill Orchard & Cidery in Rock Hill, SC, with a cider bar and apple cider donuts.
This story was originally published September 28, 2026 at 1:09 PM with the headline “13 of the best places to pick apples this fall in North Carolina.”
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