Apple season in Maryland does not stick around forever, and the best trees get picked clean fast once the weekend crowds arrive. If you have been meaning to grab a bag, fill it with crisp apples, and maybe leave with a pie or a jug of cider, now is the time to plan the trip.
These seven orchards stretch from the rolling farmland near Westminster to the quiet corners of Elkton and White Hall, and each one has its own personality. Some come with hayrides, petting zoos, and pumpkin patches, while others keep things simple with rows of ripe fruit and a friendly farm store.
Whether you are bringing toddlers who need low branches or friends ready to split a big bushel bag, there is a stop here for you. Save this list, pick a Saturday, and go before the season closes out.
1. Larriland Farm, Woodbine, MD
Running strong since 1973, this Howard County farm is still family owned and operated by the Moore family, with children and grandchildren handling the daily work.
The apple orchards cover about 25 acres, and the setup is refreshingly straightforward. You drive out to the orchard, pay for the size bag you want, and pick, with no extra fee just to reach the trees.
Parents traveling with little ones will appreciate that plenty of fruit hangs at picking height for toddlers, so small hands can join in too.
Apples are only part of the story here. Depending on the season, the farm also grows strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, plums, peaches, grapes, pears, tomatoes, broccoli, and pumpkins.
You will find it at 2415 Woodbine Rd. The farm is closed Mondays, open Tuesday through Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM, with free parking available.
2. Butler’s Orchard, Germantown, MD
Families looking for more than just apples tend to gravitate toward this Germantown farm, which pairs pick-your-own patches with a kids play area, hayrides, a market, and a cafe.
The variety of fruit keeps people coming back across the calendar. Berry season brings black raspberries and tart cherries, and by late summer and early fall the apples take over.
Autumn Crisp apples are a standout here, known for snapping crispness and strong flavor when they are ready to pick.
Because the farm leans so heavily into family fun, it doubles as a full outing rather than a quick errand. Between apple picking, pumpkin picking, and the play areas, kids stay busy while you fill your bag.
The address is 22222 Davis Mill Rd. It is closed Mondays and open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM, with free on-site parking.
3. Catoctin Mountain Orchard, Thurmont, MD
Set against the colorful backdrop of the Catoctin Mountain area, this Thurmont orchard turns apple picking into a scenic fall day out among crisp air and turning leaves.
The farm store is half the reason to visit. Inside you will find freshly baked pies, apple cider, homemade jams, honey, cheeses, and a range of local products and fruit varieties.
In fall the place really comes alive, with a pumpkin pyramid assembled and the apple picking tractor ready to roll out to the rows.
Keep in mind that apple picking here tends to happen on weekends, and Saturday afternoons are the busiest stretch. If you prefer quiet, aim for a weekday morning.
You can find it at 15036 N Franklinville Rd, open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. There is free on-site parking, restrooms, and even curbside pickup if you just want to grab store goods.
4. Baugher’s Orchards, Farm & Bakery, Westminster, MD
Carroll County families who want a full farm day often land in Westminster, where pick-your-own produce shares the grounds with a market, hay rides, and a petting zoo.
The experience is built for both adults and kids. You can pick apples, wander sunflowers, visit the animals, and grab fair-style food between rows.
Apple lovers get a large selection to choose from, plus fresh apple cider from the market. If you go big, a half bushel bag, the largest size, ran about $36 and held roughly 60 apples, which makes it easy to split with friends.
The bakery and farm stand round out the visit, so you can leave with baked goods and flowers alongside your haul.
Look for it at 1015 Baugher Rd. The farm is closed Mondays and open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM, with free parking on-site and along the street.
5. Milburn Orchards, Elkton, MD
Over in Cecil County, this Elkton orchard has been part of local family traditions for three generations, offering apples, apple products, and a good dose of education along the way.
Plan to stay a while. Between the apple picking and the big back yard, some visits stretch to several hours, and kids love roaming the rows to pick their own favorites.
The fall activities give the weekend a relaxed, unhurried feel, which is exactly what you want when you are letting the little ones set the pace.
One practical tip worth knowing: it helps to reserve a time slot to pick apples in advance, which runs roughly a few dollars per person plus fees, so check before you drive out.
The farm sits at 1495 Appleton Rd. It is closed Mondays, open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM, with parking on-site.
6. Shaw Orchards, White Hall, MD
With roots stretching back to 1909, this White Hall farm has spent more than a century growing and selling a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to the surrounding community.
The invitation is generous. Depending on the season you can pick your own strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, apples, or pumpkins, or simply shop the retail market.
Apples here come in a good assortment at reasonable prices, and the apple cider gets plenty of attention from returning shoppers.
Because the farm keeps a crop for nearly every season, it is a dependable stop whether you swing by in summer for berries and peaches or in fall for apples and home-grown vegetables.
You will find it at 5594 Norrisville Rd. Hours run Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM, with the farm closed on Sundays. Parking is free.
7. Lohr’s Orchard, Churchville, MD
A tractor ride out to the pumpkin patch and pick-your-own apples gives this Churchville orchard a classic Harford County harvest feel.
The staff keep the day easygoing, and the pumpkin field and apple rows make it a natural double-header for a fall Saturday.
Pricing is another draw. The selection is solid and the prices stay reasonable, especially compared with places that charge an entrance fee on top of the apples.
A recent Saturday visit filled a bag with a little over 6 pounds of apples for around $33.
One thing to know before you go: the apple rows are not always clearly marked, so it helps to ask on arrival about which varieties are ready for picking that day.
The orchard is located at 3212 Snake Ln, open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Parking is paid, so bring a little cash.
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