Fall in Virginia brings crisp mornings, colorful leaves, and rows of apple trees ready for picking. Grabbing a basket and heading into an orchard is one of the easiest ways to spend a weekend with family or friends.
Across the state, you will find farms that let you walk the rows, fill your own bag, and take home fruit you picked yourself. Here are nine Virginia orchards worth a trip when apple season rolls around.
1. Carter Mountain Orchard, Charlottesville, Virginia
Views might be the first thing people mention here, since the orchard sits on a mountain above Charlottesville with wide looks at the surrounding countryside.
Carter Mountain has been a fall favorite for generations, offering pick-your-own apples along with peaches earlier in the season. The farm store is known for apple cider donuts and fresh cider, which makes it easy to snack while you shop.
Weekends draw big crowds, so arriving early helps you find parking and beat the busiest hours. Sunset visits are popular too, thanks to the elevated setting.
Beyond picking, you will find live music on certain evenings and plenty of family activities. It is a well-rounded stop that mixes fruit, food, and scenery in one place.
2. Chiles Peach Orchard, Crozet, Virginia
Peaches share the name, but come autumn this Crozet farm turns its attention to apples and family fun.
Chiles offers pick-your-own fruit throughout the growing season, moving from berries and peaches in summer to apples in the fall. The farm market sells baked goods, cider, and their well-liked homemade ice cream.
Kids get plenty to do here, with a play area and seasonal activities that keep the visit going beyond the trees. It is an easy choice if you are traveling with younger children.
Located in the Crozet area near Charlottesville, it pairs well with other stops in the region. The relaxed setting makes it a comfortable spot to spend part of a Saturday.
3. Hollin Farms, Delaplane, Virginia
More than just apples grow at this Delaplane farm, which offers a wide range of pick-your-own produce across the seasons.
Hollin Farms sits in the rolling countryside of Fauquier County, giving visitors open views along with rows to explore. Depending on the time of year, you can pick apples, pumpkins, and various vegetables.
The variety is what sets it apart, since you can fill more than one kind of basket in a single visit. That makes it a solid choice for anyone who likes to bring home a mix.
The setting is quiet and rural, a nice change from more crowded orchards closer to cities. Bring cash and comfortable shoes for walking the fields.
4. Vintage Virginia Apples, North Garden, Virginia
Apple lovers who care about variety will find something unusual here, since this North Garden orchard specializes in heritage and rare apples.
Vintage Virginia Apples grows dozens of old-fashioned apple types that you rarely see in grocery stores. For anyone curious about flavors beyond the common favorites, it is a rewarding place to explore.
The farm focuses on preserving heirloom varieties, which gives the visit an educational angle alongside the picking. You may discover a new favorite apple you never knew existed.
It is a smaller, more specialized operation than some of the big tourist orchards. That focus on unusual fruit is exactly what makes it worth seeking out.
5. Dickie Brothers Orchard, Roseland, Virginia
Few farms in the state can claim the long history that this Roseland orchard holds, having been run by the same family for many generations.
Dickie Brothers Orchard sits in Nelson County near the Blue Ridge, offering pick-your-own apples across a wide range of varieties. The long-standing roots give the place an authentic, working-farm feel.
Because it is a bit farther off the beaten path, it tends to feel less rushed than orchards near larger towns. That calmer pace is part of the appeal.
The mountain scenery adds to the experience as you move through the rows. It is a great pick for anyone who wants tradition along with their apples.
6. Marker-Miller Orchards, Winchester, Virginia
Winchester has deep roots in apple country, and this farm carries that tradition with a large orchard and a busy market.
Marker-Miller Orchards offers pick-your-own apples and a farm market packed with baked goods, produce, and seasonal treats. The bakery is a highlight, with fruit pies and apple cider donuts drawing regular visitors.
Fall weekends bring extra activities that make it a good outing for families. You can combine picking with a stroll through the market for an easy half-day trip.
The Winchester area is famous for its apple heritage, so a visit here connects you to that history. It is a full-service stop for anyone wanting fruit and fall fun together.
7. Showalter’s Orchard, Timberville, Virginia
Set in the Shenandoah Valley, this Timberville orchard pairs apple picking with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.
Showalter’s Orchard grows a good selection of apples and is known for producing its own cider. The valley setting gives the farm a scenic backdrop that adds to the visit.
It draws people who want a quieter, more rural experience away from the busier tourist crowds. The pace here feels relaxed and unhurried.
The farm’s focus on cider gives it a bit of character beyond the usual picking routine. If you enjoy a scenic drive with your apples, the valley location delivers.
8. Great Country Farms, Bluemont, Virginia
Entertainment comes standard at this Bluemont farm, where apple picking is just one part of a much bigger day out.
Great Country Farms offers seasonal pick-your-own produce, including apples in the fall, alongside a wide range of family activities. There are play areas, a barnyard, and seasonal festivals that keep kids busy for hours.
Located in the Blue Ridge foothills of Loudoun County, it works well as a full family destination rather than a quick stop. The mix of picking and play sets it apart.
Weekends can get lively with events, so plan ahead if you prefer a calmer visit. It is a strong choice when you want more than just filling a basket.
9. Stribling Orchard, Markham, Virginia
Tradition runs deep at this Markham orchard, which has welcomed pick-your-own visitors for many decades.
Stribling Orchard sits on a hillside in Fauquier County, offering apples and a peaceful rural setting. The long history of pick-your-own here gives it a genuine, old-fashioned charm.
The quiet location makes it a favorite for anyone who wants to skip the bigger crowds and simply enjoy the trees. You get room to wander and pick at your own pace.
The hillside views add a nice touch to the outing during peak fall color. It rounds out this list as a classic, no-frills orchard experience.
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