Apple picking is the perfect seasonal activity to do with family. As the season approaches, it’s best to decide which orchards to visit. Here are some of the sweetest apple orchards in Maryland and Virginia to start your autumn journey.
Maryland
Maryland is home to various apple orchards, from family-run farms to bustling orchards that offer hayrides, cider and baked goods. These top three apple picking destinations in Maryland are sure to provide a bright, memorable time.
Butler’s Orchard
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Tucked away in Germantown, Maryland, Butler’s Orchard serves as Montgomery County’s ultimate pick-your-own farm. Although apple picking is often limited to just weekends, the orchard offers various other fruit picking opportunities including strawberries, blueberries and pumpkins. A reservation is highly recommended for the best fruit-picking experience.
Location: 22222 Davis Mill Road, Germantown
Larriland Farm
Open to visitors from early spring to late November, Larriland’s fall season is filled with apple-picking, pumpkin patches and festive activities. Larriland Farm has over 25 varieties of apples to choose from, as well as delicious festive snacks like apple fritters and popcorn. The farm is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Monday.
Location: 2415 Woodbine Road, Woodbine
Homestead Farm
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Homestead Farm has been celebrated for its fresh produce and sweet treats. They carry the most popular apple varieties, including Fuji, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious and Gala. Perfect for kids, the farm also features hayrides, a petting zoo and a play area. Entry is priced at $3-$4 per person. Children under 2 years old are admitted for free.
Location: 15604 Sugarland Road, Poolesville
Milburn Orchards
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Milburn Orchards is a historic, family-run farm in Elkton, Maryland—established in 1902 and now flourishing under its fourth generation of Milburn stewardship. Spanning over 400 acres, the orchard has evolved into an agritourism destination featuring u-pick adventures, a vibrant farm market, seasonal festivals and casual dining on the Orchard View Lunch & Ice Cream Deck.
Location: 1495 Appleton Road, Elkton
Weber’s Cider Mill Farm
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Located in Parkville, Weber’s Cider Mill Farm is celebrated as the oldest continuously operating cider mill in the state, run by the Weber family since 1971. This family-owned gem offers freshly pressed apple cider, pies, doughnuts, pick-your-own fruit, hayrides, and barnyard fun. Visitors can also explore their PeachBerry Farm, where many of the farm’s produce is grown and pick-your-own options await.
Location: 2526 Proctor Lane, Parkville
Virginia
Fall in Virginia is all about crisp air, colorful leaves and baskets full of freshly picked apples. Since apple picking is a popular tradition that many Virginians love to take part in each year, it’s no doubt that Virginia is home to some amazing orchards.
Carter Mountain Orchard and Country Store
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Visit the Carter Mountain Orchard for a combination of juicy apple picking and sweeping views of surrounding vineyards. The orchard’s apples are available for picking from mid-August through the end of November. The orchard’s country store features delicious apple desserts like apple pies and apple cider donuts.
Location: 1435 Carters Mountain Trail, Charlottesville
Mackintosh Fruit Farm
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Mackintosh Fruit Farm is a family-owned farm that has been satisfying visitors since 1988. The rustic farm is home to abundant orchards of apples, peaches, berries and vegetables. Beyond fruit-picking, the farm features a market showcasing seasonal produce, homemade jams, baked cider donuts and honey. It’s open in October Thursday through Saturday, 8 AM–6 PM, and Sunday, 10 AM–6 PM, with pick-your-own orchards closing at 5 PM.
Location: 1608 Russell Rd, Berryville, VA 22611
Marker-Miller Orchards
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Marker-Miller Orchards offers an amazing apple-picking experience that’s enjoyable for all ages. Some apple varieties are available in early August, while others are only available starting in September through October. It’s recommended to check the Pick-Your-Own page for the latest availability. In addition to apples, the orchard is recognized for their peaches and homemade treats. The orchard is open year-round with specific seasonal hours that vary. For the most current hours and updates, check their official website.
Location: 3035 Cedar Creek Grade, Winchester
Crooked Run Orchard
Crooked Run Orchard is a historic, family-owned u-pick farm in Purcellville maintained by the Brown family for over 250 years as the last remaining active farm in town. The 94-acre orchard offers a wide range of seasonal produce — from apples, pears and plums to pumpkins, vegetables and herbs — alongside farm-stand goods like jams, eggs and honey.
Location: 37883 E Main St., Purcellville
Stribling Orchard
Stribling Orchard is a sixth-generation, family-run u-pick farm in Markham with roots tracing back to the early 1800s. Visitors can enjoy fresh apples (from mid-August to early November), peaches in summer, cider, pumpkins and a variety of baked goods and preserves in the charming Harvest House. The orchard also features live music, vendors offering treats like ice cream and cider, scenic views of the Blue Ridge and even on-site beef sales.
Location: 11587 Poverty Hollow Lane, Markham
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Allison Chan is a Washington Parent intern and a rising senior at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, Maryland. She is passionate about writing and community engagement.
Allison Chan is a Washington Parent intern and a rising senior at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, Maryland. She is passionate about writing and community engagement.
