Fall in Virginia tastes better when you pick the apples yourself.
As cool mornings arrive, orchards across the state turn into fall escapes filled with ripe apples, fresh cider, warm doughnuts, and baskets begging to be filled.
A simple afternoon can become the kind of outing everyone talks about on the drive home.
Some orchards invite you into the trees to choose your own fruit, while others bring the harvest straight to their farm markets.
Many add pumpkins, baked treats, family activities, mountain views, or cozy places to pause with cider.
Grab a sweater, bring a sturdy bag, and leave room for a few extra apples.
These 10 Virginia orchards could turn one fall visit into a tradition you look forward to every year, long after the autumn leaves fall.
Carter Mountain Orchard in Charlottesville
Picture yourself on a mountaintop, a bag of fresh apples in one hand and a warm cider donut in the other. Below you, Charlottesville spreads out while the Blue Ridge Mountains roll across the horizon.
That view alone makes Carter Mountain a favorite fall stop for many Virginia families.
Pick-your-own apples are the main event, but there is plenty more to enjoy. The farm market sells local goods, and the bakery turns out sweet treats all season long.
You can also grab cider, choose a pumpkin, and snack on seasonal food while you soak in the scenery.
Here is a helpful tip for 2026. Fall weekends include ticketed-entry dates, so showing up on a busy Saturday without a plan might not work.
Check the orchard website ahead of time and buy tickets early if needed.
Weekday visits are often calmer, too. Bring a jacket, since mountaintop breezes can get chilly, and save room for one more donut before heading home.
Showalter’s Orchard in Timberville
More than 30 kinds of apples grow at Showalter’s Orchard. That number is a big deal, because it means the trees are never quite the same from one visit to the next.
Early fall might bring one flavor, while late October offers something totally new.
Located in the Shenandoah Valley, the orchard lets visitors pick their own apples among peaceful rows of trees. Mountains rise in the background, making every walk feel like a little adventure.
Families who enjoy returning again and again will love trying new varieties each time.
Grown-ups can visit the on-site cidery, where apples become crisp hard ciders. Kids can stick to fresh fruit and enjoy the open space around the orchard.
Want to make it a real tradition? Try visiting a few times each season and keep a simple list of your favorite apples.
You might discover that you love a tart variety you have never heard of. Comparing notes with family members makes the trip even more fun.
Great Country Farms in Bluemont
Apple picking is just the start of the fun at Great Country Farms. Spread across 400 acres, this Bluemont farm feels like a giant fall festival.
If your family likes staying busy, you could easily spend an entire day here.
After filling a bag with apples, head over to the pumpkin patch to find the perfect jack-o-lantern. Corn mazes twist and turn for anyone who enjoys a good puzzle.
Wagon rides offer a relaxing way to see the fields, and the farm animals are always a hit with younger visitors.
Play areas give kids a chance to run, climb, and burn off energy. When everyone gets hungry, seasonal food is ready to keep the day going.
Planning ahead helps a lot. Wear comfy shoes, pack sunscreen, and bring a refillable water bottle.
Arriving early can mean shorter lines for popular activities. Snap a family photo in the same spot every year, and you will have a fun way to watch the kids grow.
Paugh’s Orchard in Quicksburg
Some people think apple season starts in October, but Paugh’s Orchard proves them wrong. Here, apples begin showing up in late August.
That early start gives you extra weeks to enjoy fresh, crunchy fruit.
Tucked into the Shenandoah Valley, this orchard focuses on apples while also offering plenty of other farm goodies. You can find seasonal produce, pumpkins, and gourds in all kinds of funny shapes.
Shelves hold jars of jam and golden honey, which make great gifts or tasty breakfast treats.
In the fall, a corn maze adds a playful twist to the visit. Kids love racing through the paths, and adults secretly enjoy it too.
It turns a simple shopping stop into a full outing.
Thinking of baking an apple pie? Ask which apples are best for pies versus snacking.
Farm staff usually know their fruit well and are happy to share advice. Grab a jar of local honey to drizzle over warm apple slices back home.
Gross Orchard in Bedford
Mountains do something special to a trip. At Gross Orchard, the Peaks of Otter tower over the trees, giving every visit a quiet, almost magical feel.
It is the kind of place where you slow down without even trying.
This family-run orchard has deep roots in the Bedford area. In the fall, visitors can shop for fresh apples at the retail outlet.
Other farm products are available too, so it is easy to fill your car with seasonal goodies.
What makes this stop stand out is the setting. Instead of feeling like a quick grocery run, the drive becomes part of the adventure.
Bright red and orange leaves line the roads, and the mountain views are hard to beat.
Why not turn the day into a mini road trip? Pair your orchard visit with a scenic drive along the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway.
Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy your apples with a view. Just remember to bring a camera for those mountain sunsets.
Chiles Peach Orchard in Crozet
Did you know a place called Chiles Peach Orchard is also a top spot for apple picking? Don’t let the name fool you.
Peaches may be famous here in summer, but apples take over as the weather cools.
Apples are usually ready from mid-August all the way into November. That long season gives families lots of chances to visit, even if their calendars are packed.
You can pick fruit straight from the trees and enjoy the fresh country air.
When you are done picking, the farm market and bakery are waiting. Stock up on sweet treats, fresh produce, and other goodies to take home.
A warm pastry after a morning in the orchard feels like a well-earned reward.
The Blue Ridge setting adds even more charm. Rolling hills and colorful trees make Crozet a lovely fall road trip destination.
Try visiting both early and late in the season to taste how the apple choices change. You might find a new family favorite.
Mackintosh Fruit Farm in Berryville
Imagine a farm where you can shop for fruit, eat a picnic lunch, and let the kids swing on a playground, all in one afternoon. Mackintosh Fruit Farm offers exactly that kind of easygoing day.
It is a family-operated spot with a welcoming, homey feel.
Apples grow here alongside a wide range of other fruits and vegetables. That variety makes it a handy place to gather ingredients for fall recipes.
Think apple crisp, roasted veggies, or a big pot of soup.
Families will appreciate the picnic area and playground. Little ones can play while grown-ups relax or plan the next stop.
Other family-friendly features help make the trip feel complete.
One thing to keep in mind for 2026: spring freeze damage affected the Northern Virginia apple crop. Before heading out, check the farm website or social media pages for current apple availability.
Even if apples are limited, the other produce and outdoor fun can still make the visit worthwhile.
Stribling Orchard in Markham
Sometimes the best fall days are the slow ones. Stribling Orchard in Markham feels made for a lazy afternoon, with rolling countryside and calm orchard views.
You can almost hear yourself relax the moment you arrive.
This year looks a little different, though. In 2026, severe freeze damage wiped out the crop on the trees.
That means you won’t be picking apples yourself this season.
The good news? Pre-picked Virginia apples are still available, so you can take home bags of crunchy fruit.
Pumpkins, baked goods, and other local products help round out the visit.
Think of this year as a chance to enjoy the farm in a new way. Walk around, take photos, and treat yourself to something sweet from the bakery case.
Buying from local farms during tough seasons also helps them recover for next year. That is a pretty nice feeling to carry home along with your apples.
Marker-Miller Orchards in Winchester
Winchester is known as an apple town, and Marker-Miller Orchards has been part of that story for a long time. Generations of visitors have made it a regular fall stop.
For many locals, autumn just isn’t complete without a trip here.
The farm offers apples, seasonal produce, and baked goods that smell amazing the second you walk in. Family activities give kids something fun to do, while adults browse for pies and fresh fruit.
Like several other Northern Virginia orchards, Marker-Miller faced serious crop damage in 2026. Because of that, pick-your-own apple outings may not happen the way they usually do.
Checking current conditions online or calling ahead is a smart move before you go.
Fun fact: Winchester hosts the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival every spring, celebrating the area’s long apple-growing history. Even in a tough year, a visit to a local orchard shows support for that tradition.
Grab a pie, enjoy the farm, and look forward to next season’s harvest.
Hollin Farms in Delaplane
Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, and Wolf River all grow at Hollin Farms, and each one brings something different to the table. Honeycrisp is famous for its juicy crunch.
Golden Delicious is sweet and mellow, while Wolf River apples are huge and great for baking.
Set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this farm offers pick-your-own apples in a beautiful setting. Other seasonal fruits and vegetables are available too, so you can gather a little of everything.
It is a wonderful place to spend a sunny fall morning.
Hollin Farms fits the idea of a yearly tradition really well. Apple picking blends into a bigger farm experience, giving families a full day outdoors together.
Here is a fun idea. Pick one of each variety and hold a family taste test at home.
Decide which apples are best for snacking and which belong in a pie. Wolf River apples can grow as big as a softball, so one might be enough for a whole dessert.
