7 Outstanding Orchards: Picking Apples in Hendersonville, NC

Apple picking is a delight at Coston Farm with the mountains as a backdrop to the orchard. Like other orchards, they also offer delicious baked goods and apples already picked for sale.

Opening Date: Friday, August 15th, 2025

No pets allowed.

Offers:
U-pick apple orchard from late August – October
(See their apple ripening calendar for different varieties)
Farm Store with pre-picked apples, pumpkins, and fall decor
No pets  are allowed

A KAG reader favorite, Sky Top Orchard offers mountain views, ponds with ducks and geese, farm animals, play structures, and apple and fruit trees. Don’t miss the amazing apple cider donuts. Last year there were some concerns about Sky Top getting too crowded so maybe try to go during the week if you prefer smaller crowds.

2025 Official season-opening date: Now Open

• Open weekends in July for donuts, peaches, wagon rides, and farm store apples, follow their Facebook page for updates. 
• Apple Upick began at the end of July for Early Macs and Ginger Gold apples

Offers:
U-pick apples
Farm Store with Cider donuts
Farm animals
Wagon Rides
Playground
Gold Rush Gem Mine 

Dogs on leash allowed but not in the fruit stand.

Don't miss our Kidding Around Review of Sky Top Orchard

Open 50 years, Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard are experts on organizing their orchard for u-pick. They begin their family fun and farm activities in mid-August and invite you to bring a lunch and spend the day at the orchard.

Summer/Fall OPENING DATE: August 8th, 2025
Check their Facebook page for up-to-date info on what’s available for picking.
Pet friendly, on leash only. Not allowed in Apple House or wagon ride.

Offers:

U-pick tulips in Spring
U-pick Apples in Fall
Grapes
Sunflowers
Farm Store
Picnic Space
Corn Maze ($)
Jump Pads (on weekends) ($)
Apple Cannon (on weekends) ($)

Don’t miss our Kidding Around® Review of Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard!

Located in a picturesque part of Hendersonville with views of the mountains, Justus Orchard is the perfect place to go apple picking. Their apple cider donuts are also a treat not to be missed. This apple orchard in Hendersonville, NC was one of the first in the state to invite customers to not only buy apples already picked but allow visitors to go into the orchard and pick their own apples.

OPEN for 2025 season
Check the Justus Orchard Facebook page for current u-pick status, before heading up.

Multiple varieties are available for we-pick. U-pick begins in August. 

OFFERS:
Blackberries – July thru August
Apples – Mid August thru Early November
Pumpkins
Taproom
Bakery
Apple cannon ($)
Jumping pillow ($)
Cow Train ($)
Playground

Well-behaved dogs on leash allowed and owners must pick up after them.

Don’t miss our Kidding Around Review of Justus Orchard for all the details!

With more than 20 varieties of apples, it’s easy to find a favorite at Grandad’s Apples N’ Such. Enjoy fresh cider, warm donuts, caramel apples, and pies from the on-site bakery, plus plenty of family-friendly farm fun.

Fall Season (September & October)

• U-Pick & Pre-Picked Apples
• Pumpkin Patch (late September–October)
• Farm Store & Bakery
• Corn Maze (additional cost)
• Cow Train (additional cost)
• Apple Cannons (additional cost)
• Play Area

Christmas on the Farm
2025 Opening Day TBD (usually late November)

• NC-grown Fraser Fir Christmas Trees for sale
• Christmas gift shop
• Light displays
• Seasonal baked goods
• Fresh apples for sale (grown right in their orchard)
• Kids’ activities on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, including:
  • MOO-dolf’s Cow Train
  • Apple Cannon
  • Fireside s’mores

Pet Policy: Leashed pets are welcome outdoors — just be sure to clean up after them.

Check out our fun fall day at Grandad’s in our Kidding Around® Review!

Jeter Mountain Farm has more than 150 years of Hunsader family farming history and sits on 411 acres near Hendersonville and Brevard, NC. The farm offers a year-round mix of pick-your-own fruits, seasonal produce, and festive activities. Tractor rides provide access to orchards, making it fun for all ages.

2025 U-Pick & Seasonal Offerings

Summer & Fall:

• U-pick Berries & Peaches: Weekends in July
• Apple U-Pick: Begins mid-August
• Pumpkins: Available early October
• Fruits & Vegetables: Over 20 apple varieties, grapes, and seasonal produce
• Tractor Rides: Access orchards via tractor
• Market Items: Pre-picked fruits, apple cider, apple cider donuts, wreaths, and garland

Christmas at the Farm (Holiday Season):
Opening Day: November 22nd, 2025

• Saturday & Sunday, November 22–23
• Friday–Sunday, November 28–30
• Saturday & Sunday, December 6–7
• 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Christmas Tree Offerings:

• Trees sourced from local Boone Christmas Tree Farms
• Heights: 6–9 ft, $85–$185 depending on size

Holiday Activities & Amenities:

• Hot chocolate & holiday hard cider, Live Christmas jazz music, Rocking chairs around the fir, plus the usual Jeter Mountain fun.

Pet Policy: Pets are not allowed in u-pick orchards, the market, tap room, coffee shop, or wagon

Don’t miss our Kidding Around® Review of Jeter Mountain Farm!

Located in beautiful Hendersonville with views of the mountains, Pilot Mountain Pears is the only dedicated Asian pear orchard in the area. They have more than 5,000 Asian pear trees and will open in 2025 for their fifth u-pick season. Check the Pilot Mountain Pears Facebook page for current u-pick status, before heading up.

2025 Season: Opens August 15th, 2025 for Upick Pears
Opens August 9th, 2025 for Upick flowers

Offers:
Asian pears – Mid August – Early October
Bakery
Picnic area

No pets allowed.

This smaller orchard has a lot to offer with much smaller crowds than its neighbors. Start with the farm store which has a wide variety of apples, pumpkins, produce, and decor items. Then, head inside with your purchases to check out. Of course, you’ll pass by the bakery full of apple turnovers, apple cider donuts, pies, tarts, and lots more.

The only way to head out into these orchards is to purchase a ticket to ride on the trackless train. The Apple Express is about a 10-minute ride through the beautiful apple orchards. There is no U-pick at this farm! Purchase tickets for the train at the register in the farm store, or purchase them online and show your receipt.

There’s also a small deck that overlooks the orchards where you can enjoy your baked goods or apple cider slushies while you enjoy the view.