Fall in the North Georgia mountains means one thing for a lot of families: heading to an orchard, filling a bag with fresh apples, and walking away with a warm fried pie in hand. The Ellijay and Blue Ridge areas are packed with working farms where you can pick your own fruit, ride a tractor into the trees, and stock up on cider, jams, and baked goodies.
Some spots lean big and busy with petting zoos and games, while others stay small and quiet with pies made to order. Whether you want an all-day family outing or just a quick stop for produce and a snack, this list has a farm to match.
Here are eight Georgia orchards worth the drive up the mountain this season.
1. Mercier Orchards, Blue Ridge, GA
Started back in 1943, this 300-acre spot near Blue Ridge is one of the biggest and best-known orchards in the state. Rows of apple trees stretch across rolling land, and there is a pick-your-own area for those who want to grab their own fruit straight from the branch.
The farm market is where a lot of the magic happens. You can load up on fried pies by the dozen, apple fritters, breads, regular pies, and jugs of old-fashioned cider.
Apple cider donuts are a favorite here too, and sampling the assortment of fried pies makes it an easy stop for kids and grown-ups alike. Parking is free and on-site, which helps on the busy fall weekends.
Hours run Monday through Thursday 9 AM to 5 PM, and Friday through Sunday 9 AM to 6 PM. If you only have time for one big orchard visit, this is a solid pick to build a whole afternoon around.
2. B.J. Reece Orchards, Ellijay, GA
Families who want more than just picking will find plenty to do here. Along with apple-picking across beautiful rolling hills, there is a petting zoo and farm tours, so the little ones stay busy while everyone else fills their bags.
The variety is a big draw. Different apple types ripen at different times, so it pays to check dates before you go if you have a favorite in mind.
Once the picking is done, the shop pulls the whole trip together with fresh fruit, ciders, and those famous fried pies. A cider slushy is a popular way to cool off on a warm fall day.
Dogs are allowed, there is a gender-neutral restroom, and the parking lot is free. Hours are Monday through Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday 1 to 6 PM.
It is the kind of place a lot of families come back to year after year for apples, fall produce, and good old-fashioned family time.
3. R & A Orchards, Ellijay, GA
Set in the heart of the North Georgia mountains, this family-run farm spreads across 200 acres and offers a little of everything. Fresh fruits and vegetables come straight off the farm, and the market stocks canned goods and other treats to take home.
The cafe and bakery are a highlight. You can grab a bite along with freshly baked items, and the fried pies come in several flavors, including apple, peach, lemon, and sweet potato, with fried apple as the specialty.
The apple fritters are known for being generously sized. In fall, the farm adds tractor tours out to the orchard, plus U-pick apples and even U-pick flowers, so you can head home with Rome Beauty apples or a fresh bouquet.
It is also a great spot for kids to run around and burn some energy. Open daily 8:30 AM to 6 PM, with free lot and street parking plus a paid lot when things get crowded.
4. Hillcrest Orchards, Ellijay, GA
Bring the whole crew for this one, because it leans hard into family fun. Along with apple picking, the seasonal farm features a petting zoo, a playground, and kid-friendly games that keep children entertained for hours.
Worth knowing before you go: entry works differently here than at some of the smaller farms. There is a per-person admission fee, and the apples you pick are priced separately, so plan your budget with that in mind.
Recent visitors have noted apples run around $12 for a half peck and $20 for a full peck.
The bakery is where the sweet stuff shines. Fried apple fritters, donuts, and pies from the bakery counter are the way to go if you want the good version of those treats.
Open daily 9 AM to 6 PM with free parking. It works best as an all-day outing for families who want the games and animals as much as the apples.
5. Aaron Family Orchards, Ellijay, GA
History runs deep at this orchard, which was founded in 1938 by Otis Shafter Aaron. It began as a packing house for apples and grew into a retail store over the years, and now the third and fourth generations run the place every fall.
What sets it apart is the calmer pace. It tends to draw smaller crowds than some of the bigger farms, which makes it a nice choice if you would rather not fight for elbow room.
The fried apple pies get made to order, which is a treat you do not find everywhere. Beyond the pies, the store carries sorghum, honey, fruit butters, jams, jellies, relishes, and other baked and fried goods.
It stays true to its family-owned roots and southern hospitality even without a long list of attractions. Dogs are welcome, parking is free and on-site, and hours run daily 9 AM to 6 PM.
Come for apple picking and stay for a pie hot off the line.
6. Hillside Orchard Farms, Lakemont, GA
Over in Lakemont, this country store makes around 700 different products at its own wholesale plant just up the road. That means the shelves are stocked with items you will not find at every other orchard.
The bakery is a big reason to stop. Fried pies, fritters, apple cider donuts, and even peach donuts fill the counter, and the peach or apple fried pie is a strong pick for a sweet tooth.
Outdoor activities change with the season. Summer brings U-pick blackberries and blueberries, while fall opens up U-pick apples and muscadines, a corn maze, and train or hayrides by appointment.
There is also a gem mine and farm animals for the kids.
U-pick apples are often available during the week, and the mountain views are part of the appeal. Note the schedule though: open Monday 9 AM to 5 PM, closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Thursday through Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday 1 to 5 PM.
7. Red Apple Barn, Ellijay, GA
Apple lovers who like variety will feel right at home here. The farm grows several kinds of apples, from the classics you know from the grocery store to types you can only find at a local orchard.
Beyond the apples, the fall season brings tractor rides and a pumpkin patch, making it a well-rounded autumn stop. The farm also sells cider and chutneys, so you can round out your haul with a few pantry items.
The snack lineup covers all the bases. Apple juice, apple fritters, and fried apple pies sit alongside apples sold by the peck, the bushel, or individually, and local peaches show up when they are in season.
Friendly, hands-on service is part of the experience here, and dogs are welcome. Parking is free, with a paid lot available too.
Hours are Monday through Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday 1 to 5:30 PM. It is an easy one to make an annual fall tradition.
8. Mack Aaron’s Apple House, Ellijay, GA
Right along GA-52 in Ellijay’s apple corridor, this apple house has been a favorite for decades. Folks who visited more than 20 years ago still talk about the apple pies, which says something about the staying power.
Pies are the headliner. It carries one of the largest selections of pies around at good prices, and the homemade, handmade fried pies come in flavors like fried apple, with dried apples on the shelves too.
The extras are worth a look as well. Sourwood honey has kept regulars coming back for years, and you will find apples, apple cider, and peaches when they are in season.
U-pick apples are available in season for those who want to head out to the trees.
The friendly, genuine feel is a big part of why people return. Open daily 9 AM to 6 PM, with restrooms on-site.
Saturday afternoons are the busiest, so aim for a quieter morning if you want room to browse.
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