Roanoke, Virginia, and its surrounding Blue Ridge region are a hidden gem for anyone seeking the charm of apple orchards and the fresh bounty of local farm stores. As autumn arrives, families can look forward to crisp mountain air, picturesque orchard landscapes, and the unforgettable experience of apple picking together. From classic u-pick farms just outside the city to bustling markets brimming with local apples, cider, and homemade treats, this area offers a wealth of opportunities for making family memories and stocking up on the best flavors of the season. Whether searching for the perfect weekend outing with kids or simply craving honest, farm-fresh food, this guide will help you discover the very best apple orchards and farm stores near Roanoke.
2026 NOTE: Apple availability can change quickly depending on weather, variety, and the individual orchard's crop. This is especially important this year, with some local orchards reporting significant crop losses. If apple picking is the main reason for your trip, check the orchard's current update or give them a call before heading out.
🍎 Johnson's Orchards in Bedford, VA, I've been visiting since before I had kids. They are a family owned farm in Bedford, VA with plenty of photo opportunities, including a LOVE sign. Kids love apple picking and the farm animals. Moms and Dads love the photo opportunities, including a growth chart and, let's face it, the wine! Johnson's produces dozens of fruit wines and provides an enjoyable tasting during your visit. Learn more here.
2026 UPDATE: Unfortunately, Mother Nature was not kind to Johnson's this year. The orchard reports that a late-April freeze wiped out nearly its entire fruit crop. Limited U-pick apples were available earlier in the season, but as of September 2026, those apples are gone and there is currently NO U-pick apple picking available.
There is still plenty of reason to stop by. The Country Store is making fresh apple cider donuts, families can visit and feed the farm animals, and wine tastings are available. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are also welcome, and you can bring your own picnic. Current hours are Monday-Friday from noon-5 pm, Saturday from 10 am-5 pm, and Sunday from 11 am-5 pm.
🍏 Gross' Orchard, Also in Bedford, 6817 Wheat's Valley Rd, Bedford, VA. Offers a full farm market and fruit picking, along with a few seasonal events.
Apple season begins around September 1, with different varieties ripening throughout the fall. Pick-your-own apples are available from 9 am-5 pm ; visitors purchase a picking bag at the store before heading into the orchard. The Country Store is open Monday-Saturday from 8 am-6 pm and the orchard is closed on Sundays.
Gross Orchard also hosts its annual Apple Harvest Festival on the third Saturday in October, and wagon rides are available Monday-Friday by appointment. Check their apple schedule before your visit if you are looking for a particular variety.
Check out their Apple Schedule.
🍎 Drumheller's Orchard, 1130 Drumheller Orchard Lane in Lovingston, is a fifth-generation family-owned farm offering a wide variety of apples along with fresh fruit, baked goods, cider, and other seasonal favorites.
2026 hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 9 am-5 pm and Sunday from noon-5 pm; the orchard is closed Mondays.
If you love a good fall festival, Drumheller's has two Harvest Festival weekends planned for 2026: September 26-27 and October 17-18. Expect live music, local vendors, food, fresh hot donuts, cider, apples, and plenty of fall atmosphere.
🍏 Morris Orchard, 226 Tobacco Row Lane in Monroe, grows a variety of apples along with peaches, blueberries, blackberries, pumpkins, and other seasonal produce.
As of September 15, 2026, Gala and Ginger Gold apples are available at the orchard, but pick-your-own apples are NOT currently available. Morris Orchard says it will announce U-pick dates once additional apples are ready. U-pick is offered only on select weekends and not every apple variety is available for picking.
Fresh apple cider generally begins in mid-September and continues through Christmas, pumpkins and gourds arrive in late September, and cider doughnuts are offered on weekends in October. Current hours are Monday-Saturday from 8 am-4 pm.
🍎 Carter Mountain Orchard, 1435 Carters Mountain Trail in Charlottesville offers a beautiful day trip close to Monticello and Michie Tavern with beautiful views. From picking your own apples to test testing the famous apple cider donuts and bakery items to a wine tasting for lunch at the Mountain Grille there is fun to be had for the whole family. Seasonal hours change so be sure to check their site for all the details before planning your trip.
For fall 2026, Carter Mountain is open daily from 9 am-6 pm through October 31. One important change to know before you go: weekend admission tickets are required for guests ages 12 and older from September 12 through November 15. Pick-your-own apple availability changes throughout the season, so check the orchard's current picking information before making the drive.
🍏 Windy Hill Orchard, 176 Windy Hill Lane, Ararat.
Windy Hill has been in the Noonkester family for more than 100 years. The small working orchard offers seasonal pick-your-own apples along with other fruits and uses a low-spray, integrated pest-management approach. During apple season, visitors can also find cider, apple butter, jams, dried apples, and other goodies.
Current published hours are Thursday from 10 am-5 pm, Friday from 1-5 pm, and Saturday from 10 am-5 pm. During September through November, visitors can stop by on Thursdays to watch apples being pressed into fresh cider. Because this is a small working orchard, I would definitely call ahead before making the drive to confirm what is ripe and available for picking.
Farm Markets and More Apple Adventures
If you'd like to support farm fresh goodness, without the pickin', Roanoke is home to several great farm stores.
🧑🌾Roanoke Historic City Market - Our lifelong favorite! You'll find locally grown fruits and vegetables along with baked goods, meats, cheeses, plants, flowers, and handmade items right in the heart of Downtown Roanoke.
The Historic Roanoke City Market is open year-round, seven days a week from 8 am-5 pm. If you want the best selection of farmers and vendors, Friday and Saturday mornings are usually your best bet, with many growing-season vendors set up from around 7 am-3 pm. Seasonal baked goods and fall treats vary by vendor.
🧑🌾 Jamison's Orchards- located in South County at 5635 Grandin Road Extenstion, Jamison's offers seasonal produce, canned items such as jams and vegetables, homebaked sourdough bread, plants, and a deli.
Current 2026 hours are Tuesday-Thursday from 9 am-5 pm, Friday from 9 am-5:30 pm, and Saturday from 9 am-4 pm. Jamison's is closed Sunday and Monday.
They also have Branches & Blooms Flower Farm nearby, which continues to offer pick-your-own flowers and ready-made bouquets during its growing season.
🧑🌾 Ikenberry Orchard and Country Store, 2557 Roanoke Road, Daleville, VA. Ikenberry's is a 5th Generation Farm and Farm Store. The longtime orchard and country store is a great place to shop for fresh apples and seasonal produce along with jams, jellies, apple butter, baked goods, candy, gifts, and other local favorites. You will find multiple varieties of Virginia apples in season. In addition, they sell locally-sourced Angus beef and all-natural pork as well as other products like wine, apple butter, and coffee.
🧑🌾 Basil Farm Market, 4520 Brambleton Avenue, Suite A, Roanoke. The locally focused market carries seasonal produce, pasture-raised meats and eggs, fresh breads and baked goods, and a rotating assortment of products from local farmers and artisans. Current hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from noon-5 p.m.; closed Monday.
One last reminder before you grab the kids and head out: apples are an agricultural crop, so varieties, picking conditions, and availability can change quickly. Check directly with the orchard before making a special trip — especially if your kids have their hearts set on actually picking apples from the trees.
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