Whether it’s a family outing or a casual date, apple picking is a fun and inexpensive fall activity that everyone can enjoy. This is especially true in Western North Carolina, where you’ll find farms and orchards all over the place! Pick apples for your baking needs, try fresh cider, or indulge in baked apple cider donuts. Whatever you choose, we promise a trip to these Hendersonville, NC, apple orchards will leave you with lasting memories! Read on to discover five of our favorite places to stop on the way to Chimney Rock. And, if you are looking for more unique fall activities in the NC mountains, open up a copy of our free Chimney Rock Vacation Guide. You’ll find over 100 handpicked recommendations on restaurants, hiking trails, historic sites, and more.
Top 5 Hendersonville, NC, Apple Orchards
1. Mountain Fresh Orchards
Mountain Fresh Orchards is a 12-acre orchard that grows 16 varieties of homegrown, North Carolina apples. Their apples are available for pickup at their farmstand in Hendersonville. In addition to freshly picked apples, Mountain Fresh Orchards has an amazing bakeshop filled with apple pies, apple turnovers, apple cider, and more! At their farmstand, apples are pre-picked for optimal ripeness. Fuji, Gala, Honey Crisp, Pink Lady, and Red & Delicious are just the beginning! Other NC specialties you’ll find here include sourwood honey, apple butters, and jams.
2. Justus Orchard
The Justus family has grown delicious NC apples for more than four generations. Justus Orchard is an excellent place to bring the kids for apple picking, cow train rides, farm animals visits, and more.If you’d prefer to sit back, enjoy the views, and leave the apple picking to someone else, there’s even an apple house filled with pre-picked apples. Remember to visit the bakery for homemade goodies. We recommend the apple cider donuts. Yum!
3. Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard
There are so many ways to explore Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard. Here, you’ll find 70 acres of land and 22 varieties of apples. Navigate the challenging corn maze, ride a wagon through the orchard, take a walk on the beautiful nature trail, and treat yourself with freshly baked apple cider and pumpkin donuts at the end! Apples, grapes, and pumpkins are all available for your picking pleasure.
4. Grandad’s Apples N’ Such
Grandad’s Apples N’ Such is another one of the area’s most beloved apple orchards. The orchard is located on 100 beautiful acres of peach and apple trees, along with a bakery and country store. More than 20 varieties of apples are available for you to pick. You can also purchase pre-picked apples, and Grandad’s is happy to mix and match apple varieties! Stop by the bakeshop for a fresh caramel candy apple or a delicious apple pie. And, if you are looking to bring home something special from your trip, their bottled apple cider is the perfect gift!
5. Sky Top Orchard
Sky Top Orchard is just a few minutes from Hendersonville in Flat Rock, NC. This orchard boasts panoramic mountain views and hundreds of fragrant fruit trees, including apples, peaches, and Asian pears. Another unique feature of this orchard is that you watch busy bees putting in work at the orchard’s beehive. After exploring to your heart’s content, indulge in some freshly baked goodies at the orchard’s bakeshop.
Pick the Best Cabins in the NC Mountains
After an exciting day of exploring Hendersonville’s apple orchards, there isn’t a better place to unwind than our Chimney Rock cabins. Pour yourself a cup of apple cider and enjoy beautiful mountain views from your private patio. Or, end your evening around the fire with our S’mores Survival Kit, a glass of wine, or some hot cocoa. However you choose to spend your time, you can always look forward to the best amenities, vacation packages, and top-notch service at The Esmeralda Inn & Restaurant. Gourmet breakfast and spa services are a few more ways to make your trip special.
When you’re ready to plan your autumn getaway, remember your free Chimney Rock Vacation Guide. We hope to host you soon!