It’s time to break out the plaid and get your oven prepped for baking because apple-picking season is here! Grab the family and make it a fun-filled and picture-worthy day at one of these top apple picking spots near D.C.
1. Milburn Orchards
Enjoy a wagon ride out into the orchards for some apple picking fun! The apple trees at Milburn Orchards are grown so that the fruit is reachable from the ground, making the picking process super easy and convenient. Before you arrive, check out the “Harvest Hotline” at 410-398-1349 to get harvest updates and to find out what types of apples are currently available.
1495 Appleton Rd., Elkton, MD; milburnorchards.com. Open Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
2. Mackintosh Fruit Farm
Mackintosh Fruit Farm grows a variety of apples for visitors to pick. The current fan-favorite is the Honey Crisp apple. Other apple varieties — particularly the ones with a late September and early to mid-October harvest — include the Golden Delicious, York and Fuji apples. (Here’s a quick tidbit: The York apple is the best apple for baking pies!)
1608 Russell Rd., Berryville, VA; mackintoshfruitfarm.com. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
3. Great Country Farms
At Great Country Farms, the Honeycrisp, Gala, Golden Delicious and Honeygold apples are ripe and ready for picking! On your wagon ride out to the orchards, you’ll find that the wagon drivers are highly knowledgeable about the farm and can give you some insider scoop about the best spots to pick apples. The price of admission not only includes apple picking, but also a variety of other family fun activities as well, including hay rides, cow pie putt putt, a farm play area, fishing pond, mazes and a farm ninja course.
18780 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont, VA; greatcountryfarms.com. Open Daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
4. Rock Hill Orchard
Rock Hill Orchard has over 30+ varieties of apples across several thousand trees to choose from. And the trees are pruned so you can pick without ladders! If you have a specific type of apple in mind, be sure to check out their website before you go to find out if it’s ready for picking.
28600 Ridge Rd., Mount Airy, MD; rockhillorchard.com. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
5. Baugher’s Orchards
Head out to Baugher’s Orchards for some apple picking on a beautiful Carroll County hillside! Take a wagon ride out to the orchard and let their field guides help you learn how to pick the best apples and what qualities to look for. Once you’re done, you can head back to the main market for some cool drinks, ice cream and other treats. Then, let your kids burn off their sugar-induced energy on the playground.
1015 Baugher Rd., Westminster, MD 21158; baughers.com. Open Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
6. Marker-Miller Orchards
Marker-Miller Orchards has 325 acres of apples! Go out on an apple picking adventure, and once you’re done, head back to the main area for some homemade fudge, hand dipped ice cream or cider slushees from the “Sweets Shop.” There are also a multitude of picnic tables available, so feel free to pack a lunch or purchase some food on-site to make it a full-day outing. Other activities your kids can enjoy are wagon rides, a playground area and the beloved cow train.
3035 Cedar Creek Grade, Winchester, VA; markermillerorchards.com. Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, Noon-5 p.m.
