Where to Go Apple-Picking Near Charlotte: 2022
These farms are within a two-hour drive
Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill
Distance from Charlotte: 49 miles
Opening for the fall 2022 season on August 18th.
Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill is less than an hour trip and grows Stayman Winesap apples. Everyone 2 years of age and older must have their own pre-purchased bag to enter the orchard. Bags can be purchased at the farm stand. Prices range from $5-$25. Also be sure to check out their hard-cider tastings and live music, and try an apple-cider doughnut or fried apple pie. 1860 Black Highway, York, S.C.
Carrigan Farms
Distance from Charlotte: 32 miles
Apple picking at Carrigan Farms begins September 6.
Apple picking at Carrigan Farms begins September 6 and is daily through September 25th, 2022. Each trip to the apple orchard includes a half-peck bag of apples and a hayride to the petting zoo and orchard. Cost is $14 per person. (Advanced reservations are required.) 1261 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy., Mooresville
Apple Hill Orchard
Distance from Charlotte: 80 miles
Open for the fall 2022 season on August 13th.
Apple Hill Orchard is located just a few miles off of I-40 in Morganton near Hickory. In addition to picking apples, explore the cider mill, Farm Market, and bakery. The orchard has 18 varieties available for u-pick and an additional four varieties are available in their Market. Picking passes required for pick-your-own.
Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. through Dec. 24. Closed Sundays. 2075 Pleasant Hill Ave., Morganton
Sky Top Orchard
Distance from Charlotte: 103 miles
Open for the fall 2022 season.
Great to partner with a trip to Asheville, Sky Top Orchard in Flat Rock, North Carolina, is two hours away and has 22 varieties of apples good for picking. You’ll also find great mountain views at this orchard where you can enjoy apple-cider slushes, apple-cider doughnuts and hot caramel apples. There are barnyard animals to visit, a playground for kids and picnic areas. You can also watch a cider press at work.
Open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. August-November. Note GPS directions aren’t always accurate, so use this address if using a GPS: 3403 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock
Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard
Distance from Charlotte: 108 miles
Open for the fall 2022 beginning mid-August.
Just two hours away, Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard will open soon for picking Ginger Gold and Honey Crisp and possibly Gala. Check their website for up-to-date information or reference their ripening schedule to plan your trip. Stepp’s also features pick-your-own sunflowers and zinnias, apple cider and pumpkin donuts for sale, a corn maze adventure, an apple cannon, jump pad, wagon rides through the orchard and more. Dogs are welcome!
170 Stepp Orchard Drive, HendersonvilleBlueberry Thrill Farm
Distance from Charlotte: 104 miles
Open for late summer 2022 produce, apples anticipated beginning August 20
An hour and 45 minute drive from Charlotte, Blueberry Thrill Farm offers fall pick-your-own apples, pumpkins, pasture raised eggs, and muscadines. Check their Facebook page for updates on availability.
Open Wednesday and Saturday, 7am – noon. 6938 Eaglesfield Rd, Gibsonville
Millstone Creek Orchards
Distance from Charlotte: 98 miles
2022 Apple Picking Every Saturday in September
Less than two hours from Charlotte, Millstone Creek offers pick-your-own Saturdays with advance reservations. Tickets are $19.95 per person (kids 2 and under are free) and include a quarter peck bag of u-pick apples, orchard hayride, apple cider pressing demo and sample, and an apple cider slushie.
506 Parks Crossroads Church Rd., Ramseur
The Historic Orchard at Altapass
Distance from Charlotte: 113 miles
Open for the Fall 2022 season
The Orchard at Altapass is a nonprofit land preservation located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. U-pick is available Wednesday – Sunday from 10am – 4pm with guided picking on the hour. While you’re there, enjoy hiking trails, hayrides, bird watching, a pollinator garden, general store, and live music on the weekends.
1025 Orchard Road, Spruce Pine
Justus Orchard
Distance from Charlotte: 106 miles
Open for the Fall 2022 season
The fifth generation orchard offers u-pick apples and pumpkins, bakery, adventure playground, cow train, giant jumping pillow, and apple cannon. Check out their varieties and ripening schedule, or check their Facebook page for weekly Sunday updates.
Open daily, 8:30 – 5:00 weekdays, 8:30 – 6:00 weekends, 187 Garren Rd., Hendersonville
Creasman Farms
Distance from Charlotte: 105 miles
U-pick opening date is Sunday, September 11, 2022.
Open for u-pick on Sundays from 1 – 5pm through October, Creasman Farms has 16 different varieties of heirloom and new apples. Follow their Facebook page for updates on their offerings.
280 Bent Arrow Ln, Hendersonville
Perry Lowe Orchard
Distance from Charlotte: 72 miles
2022 u-pick begins September 3.
Perry Lowe Orchard in Moravian Falls offers u-pick apples on Saturdays and Sundays starting in September. Cost is $2 per person, plus the cost of the cost of apples you pick. Advance reservations are required. While you’re there, shop their store for in-season produce, apple cider, and variety blends of dried apples.
8741 North Carolina 16, Moravian Falls