Sky Top Orchard has been welcoming the public since 1980 and helping families make core memories for generations. Here’s why we love them and what to expect when you visit this beautiful and fun orchard!

Watch! Things to Do at Sky Top

Experience Sky Top Orchard

The first apple trees were planted at Sky Top in 1967 and the family opened for u-pick apples to the public in 1980 – that’s a lot of time for families to make those core memories together. And that’s what so many families have done for decades.

Sky Top is more than an apple orchard to Greenville natives: it’s a place that they hold near and dear because it’s where they have memories of growing up – and it’s where they want to make those same memories with their own kids.

That’s one of the big reasons why this orchard is so unique. The orchard is truly a family-run business and even those people who aren’t family by blood, they are family by time. Some of the employees we met have worked for the orchard for the past 25 years! And they still come back year after year, which I think says a lot about the culture at Sky Top.

The orchard has more than 100 acres of apple trees, grapes, and peach trees. They offer u-pick apples and peaches starting in mid-August and run through November. They are open daily and all their activities are open, even during the week.

Things to do at Sky Top Orchard

All of these activities are open seven days a week during the season.

Pick Apples

Of course, you’ll want to pick apples while at Sky Top! They offer almost two dozen different kinds of apples, including Gala, Honeycrisp, Candy Crisp, Jonagold, Pink Lady, Cortland, and Mutsu. They have both pre-picked apples and bags that you can buy to go to the orchard and pick your own. If you have a certain variety you are waiting on, visit their website to see which apples are currently available.

New for 2026: u-pick now uses timed-entry tickets. The orchard has introduced Advanced Timed-Ticket Appointments for u-pick, so reserving online is the only way to guarantee a picking spot. Each $30 ticket includes one u-pick bag that can be shared by up to five people, and new tickets are released every Wednesday at noon. Walk-up u-pick is available only if fruit remains, so book ahead if apple picking is the whole point of your trip. You do not need a timed ticket to visit the rest of the orchard – the market, bakery, pizza shop, playground, and attractions are open to everyone.

Apple Cannon

If I could stay in one place in the orchard all day long, it would be at the apple cannon. There’s something about shooting apples at targets that is both relaxing and exhilarating. I don’t even know why it’s so fun but it is and you should definitely do it. My daughters and I absolutely loved trying to hit the targets and smash the apples. At the end of the day, the goats are released to the field where all the shot apples are at for dinner so it’s a win-win. The cost is $7 for 8 apples.

Playground

The big playground has houses to play in, slides, and giant apples to hide in. Most of it all fenced in as well, which is awesome for parents trying to herd their kids. The play area is free to visit.

Bee Train

The bee train is adorable and kids love riding around in it and they all just look so cute and happy. The suggested age to ride is 3+. The ride is $4/person.

Bamboo Forest

I didn’t really expect a bamboo forest at an apple orchard but there it was so I checked it out. It’s fun to run around and hide amongst the super tall bamboo trees (are they called trees?). The forest is free to visit and located next to the barn and gem mine.

Gem Mining

If the kids want to sort through some dirt and sand to find gems, they can certainly do that at Sky Top. And perhaps even cooler is that there’s a history of actual Zircon mining near Sky Top, which you can read about here. The cost of gem mining is based on bucket size.

Hayride

Take a hayride around the orchard and soak up the views of the mountains against the apple trees. It’s gorgeous! The ride lasts about 10-15 minutes and cost $3/person.

Observation Tower

We loved the views from the three-story observation deck at Sky Top. You can see all the gorgeous mountain views plus get a great shot of the orchard from the top. It’s free to climb and near the back parking area.

Animal Barn

Sky Top has an unusual animal at the barn: peacocks. Several of them actually. They are so pretty – keep an eye out for their all-white peacock! The orchard’s animals live on the farm year-round, and you can also pick grass for the bunnies and chickens or feed the sheep and goats. You can purchase animal feed ($3) if you want to feed the ducks, peacocks, bunnies, or turkey. [⚠️ VERIFY: the $3 animal feed price is not listed on the orchard’s Attractions page (checked 2026-09-10) – confirm current pricing]

What to Eat at Sky Top

Sky Top Orchard has added some tasty treats in recent seasons and has plans to add even more to the menu.

Apple Cider Donuts

No surprise here but the orchard churns out some pretty amazing apple cider donuts. They are absolutely delicious and hot and sweet and soft and all the good things that you would imagine a cider donut to be. Get a dozen. Or several.

Apple Pies

Sky Top makes full apple pies and crisps and also individual baked apple hand pies. Everything is made from scratch. They also bake from-scratch apple bread and cookies, including a GF Snickerdoodle Cookie.

Pizza

Added in 2025, the Pie in the Sky Pizza shop is now a fixture at the orchard. The hand-tossed 14-inch pizzas are made to order at the orchard – cheese, pepperoni, or the Sky Top “Special” with mozzarella, prosciutto, and Sky Top apples. Giant salted pretzels served with apple butter or honey mustard are on the menu too, and hot dog combos are available on weekends in September and October. Karolyn has worked at the apple orchard for 18 years and she is the one who stretches out your pizza and makes the magic happen in the kitchen and just loves to serve guests. She’s loving the new pizza parlor! As a pizza snob myself, this pizza was pretty good. It was nice and cheesy and filling. Yum.

Apple Cider Doughnut Float

Introduced in 2025 and still on the Snack Shack menu, the Apple Cider Doughnut Float is a cider slushie with soft serve ice cream. This is absolutely delicious and is topped with a donut. Your eyes will eat this creation first as it’s so pretty. And it does not disappoint – absolutely a must-try at Sky Top.

Sparkling Cider

Yet another 2025 product is the sparkling cider made at Sky Top. I’m not a huge fan of sparkling water or soda but this….this I could drink every day. I don’t know what it was that made me want to have it all the time but it was darn good. The flavor is exactly like the apple cider sold at the orchard and the bubbles aren’t overpowering.

Farmers Market

The small farmers market inside the barn has some awesome items for sale: local honey right from the bees at the orchard, jams, and jellies. They also have pottery from local makers that is gorgeous and comes with apple recipes.

Field Trips & Private Events

Sky Top is the perfect spot for a fun field trip! The orchard also does a great job accommodating large groups with hayride tours, apple picking, and educational programs which teach kiddos everything they could want to know about how apples grow through the seasons. Their field trips are geared for ages 3-10 but they can certainly tailor the educational components to be suitable for middle and high schoolers. They can accommodate groups as large as 300 with advance planning. Tours run $11 per student and $11 per adult, two teachers per group of 20 students are admitted free, and there is a 20-person minimum to book.

And if you’re looking for a unique corporate event or something as delightful as a baby shower, Sky Top can host you and your group. They have a beautiful barn with plenty of seating and a stage for a covered space plus you’ve got the whole orchard to roam. Just contact them directly to arrange your event.

Accessibility & Crowds

Sky Top has massively improved their accessibility and crowd control. They have a brand new paved path that goes from the big barn at the entrance all the way down to the apple cannon. This makes managing a stroller or wheelchair a thousand times easier.

And while crowds can be an issue at any apple orchard during the fall season, Sky Top has spread out their space where you can purchase pre-paid bags at more than just one location. The pizza place and cider slushie spot are further apart and overflow parking are at multiple areas, just follow the signs.

Tips for visiting Sky Top

• Be sure to check out Sky Top’s FAQs for tips before you visit.
• They accept credit cards! While the donut shop still takes cash, as does the orchard, you can pay for everything with your credit card.
• Weekdays are ideal for visiting Sky Top. Fall weekends can get really busy but the orchard is spread out so you may only have to wait a bit for their donuts (which is worth it).
• Wear sneakers or other walking shoes that are okay to get dirty.
• Sky Top has real bathrooms and a space to change a baby’s diaper in the family restroom. Yay!
• Apple varieties are planted in accordance of when they are in season. They plant the earliest apples closest to the entrance and it progresses further away as the season goes on. In other words, the later in the season you visit the orchard, the further you will need to plan on walking to pick apples.
• Pets on leash are allowed at the orchard but not inside the barn.

Visiting Sky Top Orchard

Here is their picking schedule (which lists available varieties). All the activities at the orchard are available seven days a week, not just weekends.

Sky Top Orchard is open daily, 9 am – 6 pm in September and 9 am – 5 pm in August, October, and November, seven days a week. They are open on Labor Day and Columbus Day and closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Sky Top Orchard
1193 Pinnacle Mountain Road, Zirconia, NC
Sky Top Website | Sky Top Facebook
828.692.7930

Sky Top Orchard FAQs

Do I need a reservation to pick apples at Sky Top Orchard?

For 2026, yes – if you want a guaranteed picking spot. Sky Top has introduced timed-entry u-pick tickets. Each $30 ticket includes one u-pick bag that up to five people can share, and new tickets are released every Wednesday at noon. Walk-up u-pick is available only if fruit remains. You don’t need a ticket to visit the market, bakery, pizza shop, playground, or attractions.

What are Sky Top Orchard’s hours?

The orchard is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm, seven days a week, with all attractions open weekdays and weekends. Sky Top is open on Labor Day and Veterans Day and closed on Thanksgiving Day.

How much do the activities at Sky Top cost?

Attractions are a la carte: the hayride is $3 per person (children under 2 are free), the apple cannon is $7 for 8 apples, the bee train is $4 per person, and gem mining is priced by bucket size. The playground, bamboo forest, and observation tower are free.

Where is Sky Top Orchard?

Sky Top Orchard is at 1193 Pinnacle Mountain Road, Zirconia, NC, just above Flat Rock – roughly 45 minutes from Greenville, SC and 40 minutes from Asheville. Look for the orchard’s sign at the intersection of Hwy 225 and Pinnacle Mountain Road.

Can I bring a stroller or bag into the u-pick area?

No. Strollers and personal backpacks, purses, and bags are not allowed in the picking fields, but there is stroller parking at the entrance to the u-pick area.

When is the best time to visit to avoid crowds?

Weekdays. The orchard itself notes that weekends during peak season – September and October – get busy, and recommends a weekday visit for a slower, more relaxed experience.

What happens if it rains?

Sky Top stays open rain or shine. During thunderstorms, u-pick may temporarily close.

Looking for more fall fun? Here are over 30 things to do this fall near Greenville.

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Has your family experienced Sky Top Orchard yet?