Apple picking in Maryland and Virginia is one of the season’s best family traditions, and fall here has a flavor: a fresh picked apple straight off the branch. As temperatures drop and orchards open their gates, families across the region are trading weekend routines for hayrides, cider donuts and baskets full of Honeycrisps, Galas and Fujis. It is equal parts outdoor adventure, mini farm lesson and delicious payoff.
Key Takeaways
- The bigger picture: Maryland and Virginia are home to a wealth of family friendly apple orchards. Many are multigenerational, family run farms that offer a perfect fall outing and connect kids with where their food comes from.
- More details: Standouts include Larriland Farm in Maryland with over 25 apple varieties and apple fritters, Carter Mountain Orchard in Charlottesville with sweeping vineyard views and Stribling Orchard in Markham, a sixth generation farm with live music, scenic Blue Ridge views and a charming Harvest House.
- Why this helps: Orchard seasons can shift year to year, and pick your own availability varies by apple variety, so check each farm’s website before visiting. Making reservations in advance, especially at popular spots like Butler’s Orchard, will save families a wasted trip.
As apple picking season approaches, it is worth deciding which orchards to visit. Here are 10 of the sweetest apple orchards in Maryland and Virginia to start your autumn journey.
Apple picking in 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
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
- Contact: info@butlersorchard.com
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
- Contact: contactus@pickyourown.com
Homestead Farm
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
- Contact: HomesteadFarmEmail@gmail.com
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Milburn Orchards
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
- Contact: Caleb@milburnorchards.com or Colby@milburnorchards.com
Weber’s Cider Mill Farm
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
- Contact: (410) 668-4488
Apple picking in Virginia
Fall in Virginia is all about crisp air, colorful leaves and baskets full of freshly picked apples. Apple picking is a popular tradition that many Virginians take part in each year, and these five orchards are among the best places in the state to do it.
Carter Mountain Orchard and Country Store
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
- Contact: Reach the orchard through the online form at Venues | Chiles Family Orchards
Mackintosh Fruit Farm
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 Road, Berryville
- Contact: lori@mackintoshfruitfarm.com
Marker-Miller Orchards
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
- Contact: info@markermillerorchards.com
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
- Contact: crookedrunorchardpyo@gmail.com
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
- Contact: info@striblingorchard.com
Frequently Asked Questions
When is apple picking season in Maryland and Virginia?
Most orchards in Maryland and Virginia open for apple picking in mid August and run through late October or early November. Early season varieties such as Gala and Ginger Gold ripen first, and Honeycrisp and Fuji usually follow in September. Exact dates shift with the weather, so check the farm website or call the morning of your visit.
Do you need a reservation to go apple picking?
Some of the busiest farms, including Butler’s Orchard, recommend or require reservations on fall weekends. Smaller orchards typically welcome walk ins. Booking a weekday morning is the easiest way to avoid crowds if you are bringing young children.
How much does apple picking cost?
Costs vary by farm. Some orchards charge admission per person, others charge only for the fruit you pick, and many sell picking bags or baskets by size. Homestead Farm, for example, charges $4 per person for entry. Confirm current pricing on each farm website before you go.
Which orchards are closest to Washington, DC?
Butler’s Orchard in Germantown and Homestead Farm in Poolesville are the closest picks for families in the District and Montgomery County, both roughly an hour or less from downtown in light traffic. From Northern Virginia, Crooked Run Orchard in Purcellville and Stribling Orchard in Markham are the shortest drives.
What should families bring to an orchard?
Closed toe shoes, sunscreen, water and a wagon or stroller that can handle gravel. Most farms supply picking bags or baskets. Bring cash as a backup, since cell service can be spotty in rural orchards, and pack a change of clothes for younger kids.
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.
