Top Apple Picking Orchards in the DC Area

1

One of my family’s favorite fall traditions is apple picking season. There are a plethora of beautiful apple orchards to choose from not far from the city. Do you have a favorite apple picking orchard in the DC area?

We highly encourage you to check each farms website to make sure each farm is open and offering the apples you want! The Orchards are listed in alphabetical order. Scroll to the bottom for a map of all orchard locations!

apple picking in the Washington, DC areaApple Picking Locations in the DC Area

1. Baugher’s Orchard

1015 Baugher Road, Westminster, MD 21158  (410) 857-0111

Have a fun country day at Baugher’s. They have it all, not only with their pick your own fruit options, but Baugher’s Bakery, Baugher’s Restaurant, and Baugher’s Fruit Market. Be sure to call ahead to make sure it’s a great day to go picking. Oh, and there’s a petting zoo and hayrides!

2. Butler’s Orchard

22222 Davis Mill Road, Germantown, MD 20876 (301) 428-0444

Although early apple picking variety is finished, you can now book for late September/early October. And there is lots more to pick with raspberries, flowers, herbs, potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes.  Admission is $3/person and children under two are free. You must purchase a bag that ranges from $7.50-$25 depending on the amount and weight of apples, as outside containers are not permitted. Picking is by reservation; however, walk-ins are welcome when there is availability. No pets allowed.

3. Catoctin Mountain Orchard

15036 N Franklinville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788  (301) 271-2737

Catoctin is a gorgeous orchard with Autumn Gala, Blondee, September Wonder, Jonagold, Crimson Crisp, and Cortland apples. The orchard is open from 10 am to 3 pm on weekends and the last wagon leaves at 4 pm. Admission is $3 per person (under age 2 is free) and buying a Pick Your Own bag is mandatory. They only accept cash. No pets and leave all bags and personal items in your vehicle.

4. Crooked Run Orchard

37883 E Main St, Purcellville, VA 20132  (540) 338-6642

This long-running (250 years) “pick your own” apple farm has free admission. They are cash-preferred and accept checks. Although strollers and wagons are permitted, they will be difficult to navigate. Apples are $1 per pound and buckets are provided, or you may bring your own. Picnic blankets and pets are permitted.

5. F.T. Valley Farm

513 F.T. Valley Road, Sperryville, VA 22740  [email protected]

Enjoy no lines, no crowds, no entry fee, and no picking fee at FT Valley Farm just outside of Sperryville, VA near the Shenandoah National Park. There are 12,000 beautiful trees and 22 different varieties of apples and peaches. Families, kids, and friendly pups are welcome. Relax and enjoy a leisurely lunch at the picnic tables with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background. This is good old fashioned fun in the country! Follow on insta: @ftvalleyfarm

6. Gaver Farm

5501 Detrick Road, Mt. Airy, MD 21771  (301) 865-3515

Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm. Enjoy picking your own apples using their bags. Purchase a peck bag ($25) or half-bushel bag ($35) and fill it with as much as you want. 4 people are allowed per bag (minus children under age 2). No other bags, strollers, wagons, or backpacks are allowed. Enjoy free hayrides. during the weekends.

7. Great Country Farms 

34345 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont, VA 20135  (540) 554-2073

Pick apples galore at Great Country Farms from 9-5 weekdays and 9-6 on weekends! Admission is $10 for kids, $12 for adults on weekdays and $14 for kids, and $16 for adults on the weekends. The kids will enjoy a variety of farm animals to see, a giant jumping pillow, games, cow train, rock hunt. You can’t leave without eating an Apple Cider Donut which they are known for.  Also, just for fun, pop by the gorgeous Bluemont Vineyard Winery across the street with breathtaking views.

8. Hartland Orchard

3064 Hartland Ln, Markham, VA 22643  (540) 364-2316

Open 9 am to 5 pm, apples are $10 per peck or $20 per half bushel in the bags provided. Apples are plentiful but call ahead to confirm for the day. The view of the Blue Ridge Mountains is beautiful!

9. Heyser Farms 

14526 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20904  (301) 384-7859

Ok, Heyser isn’t technically apple picking, but they do have a lot of cute apple items for sale in their shop. Plus, it supports a local business!

10. Hollin Farms

1584 Snowden Rd, Delaplane, VA 20144  (540) 623-8854

Looking for gorgeous country views with apple picking? Visit Hollin Farms. With early Fuji, Empire, Wolf River, Golden Delicious, and Jonagold at $2 per pound, you’ll be glad you went. They provide containers, so please do not bring your own. You can also gather Sunflowers and a variety of other vegetables

apple picking in dc area11. Homestead Farm

15604 Sugarland Rd, Poolesville, MD 20837  (301) 977-3761

The apple season at this farm began in late August and will last through late October. Homestead Farms is open every day in September and October, including holidays and rain or shine from 9 AM-5 PM. The pricing for admission to the farm is $2 per person per visit (free for children under 1-year-old). Produce is sold separately by the pound. No pets allowed.

12. Larriland Farm

2415 Woodbine Road, Woodbine, MD 21797  (410) 442-2605

This farm is well known for its twenty-three varieties of apples and is located in Howard County halfway between Baltimore and Frederick. The containers are located at the field and are available for purchase at any combination of the various sizes. Pick your own is charged by the size of the container and not by the pound. Open fields are staffed with a clerk, check-out stand, and price signs. It is highly recommended you visit the website under “Today’s Harvest” or call to listen to the recording the day you plan to go to find out what’s available that day.

13. Mackintosh Fruit Farm

1608 Russell Rd, Berryville, VA 22611  (540) 955-6225

Open Thursday through Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm which is great for early risers! Picking fee is $2 per person. Did you know Macintosh Fruit Farm is the very first stop in the Apple Cider Donut Trail?

14. Marker-Miller Orchards

3035 Cedar Creek Grade, Winchester, VA 22602  (540) 662-1391

Open 9-6 M-F, Saturdays from 9-5, and Sundays from 12 to 5. Purchase a container to pick your own apples in the orchard. Please do not bring extra bags while apple picking and always check the status of the crops before heading over!

15. Milburn Orchards

1495 Appleton Rd, Elkton, MD 21921  (410) 398-1349

Tickets must be purchased in advance online. There is kiddie ($5), small ($17), medium ($28), and large ($46) containers to gather apples in the orchard. Admission to apple pick is $2.50. A free wagon ride transports you to the apple orchard!

16. Rock Hill Orchard  

28600 Ridge Road, Mt Airy, MD 21771  (301) 831-7427

Pick your own apples (and flowers!) at Rock Hill Orchard & Creamery. 1/4 Peck Bag ($7), 1/2 Peck Bag ($12), 1 Peck Bag ($21), 1/2 Bushel Bag ($34). This is a smoke-free farm and pets are not welcome.

17. Water’s Orchard

22711 Wildcat Rd, Germantown, MD 20876  (301) 972-1814

Reserve tickets online for Water’s Orchard. 1/2 Peck ($17), Peck ($27), Half Bushel ($45).  There is a huge variety of apples to pick from! Be sure to grab their cider while you are there!

18. Weber’s Cider Mill Farm 

2526 Proctor Ln, Parkville, MD 21234  (410) 668-4488

Weber’s offers fun apple picking, but be sure to check their Facebook Page for daily updates on the apple harvest. They also offer barnyard fun, plus a bakery, ice cream, and fudge!

Do you have a favorite memory from apple picking? Or a favorite location? Share in the comments!

apple picking in virginia and maryland

1 COMMENT

  1. Thank you for sharing this list!!! love that you are a speech language pathologist, thank you for your services!

Comments are closed.