10 pick-your-own apple orchards within 2 hours of Charlotte

Why it matters: Here are 10 orchards within two hours of Charlotte where you can pick your own apples, plus one that's still accepting visitors:

Apple Hill Orchard

This orchard has a cider mill, a country store, educational tours, group tours and a bakery. Stock up on cider and sweets (including apple cider doughnuts) before you leave.

Stop by: 2075 Pleasant Hill Ave., Morganton, N.C.

• The bakery and U-pick are open six days a week. Reserve a pass for picking here for $4 per person.

Blueberry Thrill Farm

Pick your own apples, pumpkins and muscadines at this second-generation family-owned farm that started in 1982.

Stop by: 6938 Eaglesfield Road, Gibsonville, N.C.

• The farm is aiming to open for fall on Saturday, Sept. 12, per its Instagram. Hours will be from 8am-12pm Saturdays.

Carrigan Farms

Their tractor-drawn apple orchard hayrides take you through rows of short apple trees that are easy to pick.

• Apple picking returns Sept. 9. Check tickets here.

Stop by: 1261 Oakridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville, N.C.

Jeter Mountain Farm

Find over 25 varieties of apples at this farm's U-pick orchard located minutes from downtown historic Hendersonville.

Stop by: 1126 Jeter Mountain Road, Hendersonville, N.C.

• Apple picking is open Thursdays—Sundays 10am-5pm. Reserve your time slot here.

Millstone Creek Orchards

On select Saturdays and Sundays in September, a $19.95 ticket gets you access to the orchard, a bag of U-pick apples, apple and cider tastings, a hayride and a four-ounce apple cider slushy.

• Reserve a spot here.

Stop by: 506 Parks Crossroads Church Road, Ramseur, N.C.

Perry Lowe Orchard

Apple picking begins Friday, Sept. 11. Reservations are required and you can make them here. There's a tractor playground, jump pad, apple cannon, megaslide and bee train available for an additional cost.

Stop by: 4085 Price Road, Moravian Falls, N.C.

• U-pick is open Friday-Sunday 10am-5pm.

Justus Orchard

Pick your own apples at this fifth-generation family orchard in Hendersonville, then stick around for apple cider doughnuts, fried apple pies, a taproom and family activities like apple cannons and a cow train.

• No reservations are required. Check the orchard's website for the latest U-pick varieties and availability before you go.

Stop by: 187 Garren Road, Hendersonville, N.C.

Sky Top Orchard 

Sky Top is a mountaintop orchard where you can pick apples, bring a picnic, meet farm animals and relax with your friends and family. They have tons of apple-related goods — like apple butter, jams, fudge, cider and doughnuts.

• A U-pick bag and entry for up to five people is $30. Check out which varieties are available here.

Stop by: 1193 Pinnacle Mountain Road, Zirconia, N.C.

Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard

Make a day of apple picking, hayrides, a corn maze and more — all with beautiful mountain views. You can find a full breakdown of all the apple varieties (and possible uses) here.

Stop by: 170 Stepp Orchard Dr., Hendersonville, N.C.

• U-pick is open Friday-Saturday from 9am–6pm, Sundays from 10am-6pm and Monday-Thursday from 9am-5:30pm. Admission is free.

Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill

After you fill your basket, reward yourself with a well-earned flight of hard cider and apple doughnuts.

• Reservations are open through Sept. 27 — admission is $7.50 and includes a 1/4 peck bag of apples.

Stop by: 1860 Black Highway, York, S.C.

The Orchard at Altapass

Of note: The Orchard at Altapass doesn't expect to offer U-pick apples this season after a March freeze damaged much of its crop. They are still accepting visitors. Check the orchard's website for updates in case larger quantities become available.

Stop by: 1025 Orchard Road, Spruce Pine, N.C.

Editor’s note: This guide was updated as of Sept. 4, 2026, with this season’s dates/times.