Get your fill of scrumptious fall flavors at these orchards with apple picking near Johnson City TN.
In addition to apples, these fantastic farms offer a variety of delicious apple-flavored baked goods, hayrides, kids’ activities, and much more.
Orchards For Apple Picking
1. Buffalo Trail Orchard
(423) 639-2297
1890 Dodd Branch Rd, Greeneville, TN
Throughout the summer and fall, Buffalo Trail Orchard offers a wide selection of pick-your-own apple varieties. They also have pumpkins and winter squash. Visitors can also enjoy a scenic hayride out to the orchards.
Apple Varieties
July – William’s Pride, Zestar
August – Gala, Honey Cris
September – Fuji, Sweet 16, Wolf River, Jonagold, Yellow Delicious, Cameo, Mutsu, Red Staymen, Northern Spy, Winter Banana, Enterprise,
and Braeburn
October – Fuji, Pink Lady, and Gold Rush
2. Apple Hill Orchard
(423) 733-2017
Eskola Ln, Treadway, TN
Apple Hill is a small mom-and-pop orchard offering a wide variety of apples, all available for pick-your-own. The orchard is open Tuesday through Saturday, as long as there are ripe apples.
Apple Varieties
Golden Delicious, Mutzu, McIntoch, Courtlands, and many more!
3. A Different Chick Farm and Orchard
(423) 534-0353
1112 Antioch Rd, Johnson City, TN
I am waiting for an update from this farm for 2023.
A Different Chick is still growing. While the farm does currently sell apples, there won’t be enough to start offering pick-your-own apples until at least 2024. So, that gives you something to look forward to!
They have planted over 300 varieties of apples, so you’ll have plenty to choose from when the time comes!
4. The Orchard at Altapass
(828) 765-9531
1025 Orchard Rd, Spruce Pine, NC
The Orchard at Altapass is a family fun wonderland surrounded by scenic mountain views. In addition to pick-your-own apples, this orchard offers hayrides, birdwatching, hiking trails, live music, and a variety of seasonal events.
This farm also has several educational farm experiences including a butterfly garden, and a transparent beehive. They also hatch and release monarch butterflies as part of a large-scale conservation effort.
There is also a large farm store with fresh baked goods, jams, jellies, canned goods, crafts, and more!
Apple Varieties
- July: June, Lodi, Early Blaze, William’s Favorite
- August: Aunt Rachel, Ginger Gold, McIntosh, Summer Rambo,
- September/October: Florina, Gala, Golden Delicious, Grimes Golden, Jonagold, Mother, Razor Russet, Roxbury Russet, Sheep Nose, Stayman Winesap, Virginia Beauty, Wolf River, York
- October: Limbertwig, King Lucious,
5. Apple Hill Orchard and Cider Mill
(828) 437-1224
2075 Pleasant Hill Ave, Morganton, NC
Not only does Apple Hill Orchard and Cider Mill offer a wide variety of u-pick apples, but they also boast delicious and award-winning fresh-pressed cider.
Their farm store is stocked with a large variety of homemade apple-flavored baked goods including donuts, fried pies, apple bread, apple cakes, and much more. Yum! You’ll also find a variety of canned goods and gift items.
On Saturdays, guests can enjoy wagon ride farm tours.
Apple Varieties
July: Ginger Gold, Premier Honeycrisp,
August: Gala, Arlet, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Early Fuji, Golden Delicious, Empire, Mutsu, Red Delicious,
September: Cameo, Stayman Winesap, Red Rome
October: Fuji, Granny Smith, Gold Rush, Pink Lady
6. Grandad’s Apples
(828) 685-1685
2951 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville, NC
This fantastic orchard offers a wide variety of fun including a large farm store, a seasonal pumpkin patch and corn maze, and a popular bakery with scrumptious hot cider donuts.
On select weekends throughout the summer and fall, Grandad’s offers pick-your-own apples. Of course, pre-picked apples are available at any time. Check their website for availability.
Apple Varieties
July: Ginger Gold,
August: Zestar, Gala, Swiss Gourmet, Honeycrisp, Tsuguru, Golden Supreme, Ruben
September: Fuji, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Red Delicious Shizuka, Ambrosia, Courtland, Jonaprince, Ludacrisp, McIntosh, Mutsu, Cameo, Granny Smith, Red Rome, Stayman, Winesap
October: Pink Lady, Winesmith, Arkansas Black, Braeburn, Evercrisp, Goldrush, Nitanny,
Pre-picked Apple Orchards Near Johnson City TN
None of the farms below offer apple picking, but they do have delicious pre-picked apples.
7. Hump Mountain Apple House
(828) 733-0262
46 Buck Mountain Rd, Elk Park, NC
This popular farm store boasts over 30 different apple varieties, many of which are grown in their own orchard. They also sell a variety of jams, jellies, and farm-fresh canned goods. They do not have a website or Facebook page.
8. Big Horse Creek Farm
(336) 384-1134
1610 Old Apple Rd, Lansing, NC
Located just 1 hour from Mountain City, Big Horse Creek Farm boasts a huge selection of heirloom and antique apple varieties. They also sell the seedlings if you’d like to start growing your own apple trees.
Apple Varieties
Some of their more unique varieties include Granniwinkle, Gragg, Tedofsky, Rusty Coat, Coffey Seedling, Pumpkin Sweet, Red Rebel, and many, many more! In fact, the list is way too long to include here, so check their website for all the details.
9. Moretz Mountain Orchard
(828) 264-3424
2820 Big Hill Road Boone, NC
This 3rd generation family farm boasts over 90 different apple varieties to choose from, as well as a variety of other farm-fresh produce. This farm doesn’t have a website or a Facebook page.
10. Red Dog Ridge Farms
1267 Burem Rd, Rogersville, TN
Rogersville, TN
Red Dog Ridge is a chemical and pesticide-free farm offers such a wide variety of apples and fruit, that you won’t be able to resist a visit! The farm is not offering u-pick apples for the 2023 season, but they do hope to resume next year.
11. The Big Red Apple Shed
(423) 963-8019
594 TN-126, Bristol, TN
While this is not actually an apple orchard, The Big Red Apple Shed does make the list because it just may be the most popular apple store in all of the tri-cities area. This huge farm store offers a huge variety of fresh produce and canned goods, as well as 15 different apple varieties, grown at neighboring North Carolina Farms.
Did we miss your favorite orchard for apple picking near Johnson City TN or Tri-Cities? Drop the details in the comments below.
More East TN Family Fun
Erica has lived in East TN for over 10 years. She enjoys exploring this gorgeous region with her husband and 3 lively children. As a former teacher turned homeschool mom, she loves finding fun and affordable activities the entire family will love, especially if they cultivate a love for learning!