As native New Englanders, Tom and I spent a very deprived eight years in Florida with oranges (and humidity). The gorgeous fall season was just one reason we moved to the NC mountains. You can bet our first fall itinerary stop included the top orchards for apple picking near Asheville, quickly followed by the Hendersonville wineries and stunning Blue Ridge Parkway for fall foliage hikes. We go to these apple orchards every year, multiple times a year (I make far too many apple crisps!).
This post may contain affiliate links that earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. If you love these free guides, support Uncorked Asheville with a small tip.
In true Gilmore Girl-style, know that I need a cider donut, fall-flavored coffee, and freshly picked apples in October like I need air. And, if I don’t get lost in a corn maze, did I even participate in fall? The answer is no. So, if you are like me and are heading to Western North Carolina this autumn, visit the massive apple orchards in Hendersonville.
Hendersonville is known as “Apple Alley,” after all, and I highly recommend Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard, Skytop Orchard, and Jeter Mountain Farm. Get all of my insider tips here, including full reviews and must-know information. All photos are my own. 💙 Christine
As locals since 2019, read more about our Asheville fall traditions. Peruse our fall foliage color guide to catch vibrant leaves while apple picking. See all that you can do while visiting Asheville, and plan a great Hendersonville day trip; it’s one of the most charming cities near Asheville. Let’s pick apples!
3 Best Orchards For Apple Picking Near Asheville
✨ Quick Know Before You Go: Weather-dependent (which is unpredictable in the mountains), apples are ready for harvest from early August through October. I recommend apple picking around Asheville in mid-September to October. October has cooler temperatures and gorgeous fall leaves. 🍎 My favorite early-season apples are Gala, Jonagold, Gala, and Honey Crisp. Granny Smith, Rome, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious come later in the season.
1. Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard – Best Corn Maze & Open 7 Days A Week
Quick Highlights
More About Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard
Stepp’s Hillcrest is a 70-acre working and family-owned farm in business for 50+ years. Find over 21 varieties of apples, including Crimson Crisp, Gala, Fuji, Jona, Red and Golden Delicious, and Ginger Gold.
Why I Love Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard
With 5 acres of corn stalks, Stepp’s has the hardest corn maze in Western North Carolina. Tom and I have gotten completely lost in their maze (and beware, it grows hot on warm days). They have cute apple-picking baskets and the friendliest volunteer staff members. Purchase bagged apples, apple cider donuts, and slushies in their apple house. I’m teeny tiny pumpkin obsessed here. While some of the apple orchards in Hendersonville feel more “contrived” for visitors (trust me, I get it), Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard has always maintained its authenticity.
2. Sky Top Orchard – Best Donuts & Most Family-Friendly Things To Do
Quick Highlights
More About Sky Top Orchard
In business since 1967, Sky Top Orchard is a family-owned and operated farm. For family-friendly things to do around Asheville, Sky Top truly has it all. Play on the kitschy playground, which features wooden pumpkin and gourd houses. Ride on the tractor or bee train. Feed the farm animals, and Tom has a blast with their apple cannon (it’s hard!). Apples include Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Fuji, Rome, and Pink Lady.
✨ Extra Tip
Have cash handy for your Sky Top visit. Spotty Wi-Fi occasionally affects their credit card machines. There is an on-site ATM. Dogs are not allowed in the store.
Why I Love Sky Top Orchard (& More Tips)
Sky Top will get balls-to-the-wall busy (OK, I don’t love that for me). Go during non-peak times. Tom and I love the Flat Rock area for panoramic fall mountain views, and we most enjoy sitting at their picnic tables to devour fall treats and hard cider. Sky Top Orchard makes their apple cider donuts in front of you. Out of all of the apple orchards near Asheville, Sky Top has the most to do. Eat at Boon Choo after you go, and wine taste at Marked Tree.
3. Jeter Mountain Farm – Best Hard Cider, Delicious BBQ, & Luxury Orchard
Quick Highlights
More About Jeter Mountain Farm
Whether you want to get married on-site or have the prettiest apple picking experience near Asheville, Jeter Mountain Farm has it all, including a massive indoor playground and funky warted pumpkins. Open since 2014, this is a family-owned and operated U-Pick orchard. They make improvements every year, and it runs like a well-oiled machine, especially for the weekend crowds.
When in season, choose from 10 different varieties of flowers in their sunflower field. Find Gale Gala, RubyMac, Honey Crisp, McIntosh, Grimes Golden, Red Delicious, Mutsu, Enterprise, Smokehouse, and more.
Why I Love Jeter Mountain Farm
Jeter Mountain Farm is an experience, and Tom and I lovingly call it the “luxury, 4-star hotel” of all the apple orchards in Hendersonville. Take a tractor ride around the gorgeous property while flower, fruit, or apple picking. They also have a delicious coffee shop serving my favorite fall flavors. I’ve bought great fall-scented candles here – think pumpkin spice, maple brown sugar, and caramel. Tom and I appreciate their on-site BBQ, and I always need a cider flight with live music. Tom enjoys building a cider 4-pack in their country store. Jeter Mountain is also an Uncorked Asheville readers’ favorite pick. It will be wildly busy most days – and they have more limited hours.
Get Your Apples & Fall Treats On The Run
🍎 From country stores selling apples to chiller apple orchards near Asheville, these are three more notable mentions. Not mentioned here, know that you can also visit Justus Orchard (taproom!), The Orchard at Altapass, and Apple Hill Orchard and Cider Mill.
Grandad’s Apples ‘N Such – Relaxing Vibes & Corn Maze
Tom and I enjoy the cozy feel of Grandad’s Apples. While they do not usually offer U-Pick (they did our first few years here), their corn maze is worth a visit. I highly recommend pulling up a rocking chair with cider and looking out at those gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains. Grab local jellies, pre-packaged apples, and honey in their country store along with slushies and donuts.
Mountain Fresh Orchards – Country Store With Delicious Treats
Mountain Fresh Orchards is your go-to if you are looking for a country store – no U-Pick – filled with festive fall decor and delicious treats. We head here for seasonal home decorating. Mountain Fresh Orchards sells a variety of ciders and juices, including apple, cherry apple, peach, muscadine, blueberry, scuppernong, and blackberry cider. Or, grab a cup of mulled hot cider or coffee.
Coston Farm And Apple House – Best Kept U-Pick Secret To Avoid Crowds
One of the smaller and most budget-friendly U-Pick apple orchards in Hendersonville (less walking!), Coston Farm is a 4th-generation family-owned farm. They have the sweetest farm store that sells baked goods.
Head outside for the children’s playground or grab an apple picker for those harder-to-reach apples. For apples, find Cameo, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, Granny Smith, Fuji, Stayman, Cortland, and Arkansas Black.
Before You Go, Enjoy All That Hendersonville, NC Has To Offer
1. Wine taste at the Hendersonville wineries (Souther Williams & Stone Ashe)
2. Dine at the delicious & budget-friendly Hendersonville restaurants (Umi, Haus Heidelberg, and The Book & Bee Cafe)
3. Hop around my favorite HVL breweries (Oklawaha)
4. Visit the best waterfalls (DuPont State Forest)
Wow. Asheville and Hendersonville sounds like the most perfect fall vacation. I think I really need to see it in the fall. Maybe that will be a 2021 goal? I have to get lost in a corn maze. That looks so fun!! And what is a cow train? Are we talking real cows?
And you cracked me up about the humping goats. What a sight to see!
Loved this post! I have to spend at least a week to do all the hiking, all the apple picking, and touring the wineries. And chill in some laid back breweries. It would be an awesome trip! And maybe I’ll realize it should be my home.
That would be an awesome fall 2021 goal! Corn mazes are my favorite!
Haha, no real cows — although that would be *something.* Just barrels painted as cows.
You’ve love Asheville! Cannot wait until you visit one day! There is so much to do.