Best Apple Orchards in North Georgia

The North Georgia mountains, especially around Ellijay and Blue Ridge, are the heart of the state's apple country, and fall weekends draw families from across the region for U-pick trips. Here are the orchards we recommend most, each with its own personality beyond just the apples.

Best time to go: Apple season generally runs from late August through October, with the widest selection of varieties available in September and early October. Weekday visits mean shorter lines at the register and less crowded orchard rows.

Georgia Apple Festival 2026: Ellijay’s Georgia Apple Festival runs October 10 and 11 and October 17 and 18, 2026, at the Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, 1729 South Main Street. Orchard traffic around Ellijay is heaviest on those weekends, so plan U-pick trips around them if you want quieter rows. See georgiaapplefestival.org.

1. Mercier Orchards

What makes it different: Family-owned orchard with bakery, deli, and market

Mercier Orchards, nestled in the North Georgia mountains near Blue Ridge, is a family-owned and operated apple orchard growing varieties including Mutzu, Fuji, and Pink Lady, along with peaches, blueberries, blackberries, and nectarines. Beyond the orchard itself, the market sells cider, jams, preserves, bakery items, and deli food, making it a full stop rather than just a fruit stand. It is a natural add-on to a Blue Ridge weekend trip. See our Atlanta to Blue Ridge weekend itinerary or Mercier Orchards page for more.

2. Hillcrest Orchards

What makes it different: U-pick apples and a full fall farm experience near Ellijay

Hillcrest Orchards, near Ellijay, is one of the most popular fall day-trip destinations in North Georgia, about an hour and a half from both Atlanta and Chattanooga. Beyond U-pick apples, the farm has a bakery, cider, fudge, ice cream, pig races, and cow milking demonstrations, which makes it a good pick specifically for families with young kids who want more than just fruit picking. See our Hillcrest Orchards page for seasonal hours.

3. B.J. Reece Orchards

What makes it different: Family-owned U-pick orchard and country bakery, open year round

B.J. Reece Orchards is a family-owned North Georgia mountain orchard with U-pick trees and a country bakery, open year round rather than just during fall apple season. It has a more low-key, working-farm feel compared to some of the larger orchard operations nearby, which appeals to visitors who want a quieter U-pick experience. See our B.J. Reece Orchards page for details.

4. Panorama Orchards

What makes it different: Family fruit farm with an antique soda fountain

Panorama Orchards is a family fruit farm selling apples, peaches, cider, fried pies, ice cream, and baked goods, along with a genuine antique soda fountain that gives the market a distinct, old-fashioned feel compared to other orchards on this list. It is a good stop if you want a quick, characterful visit rather than a full afternoon of U-pick activities. See our Panorama Orchards page for hours and directions.

Bring cash and comfortable shoes: Some farm markets and smaller stands still run more smoothly with cash, and U-pick rows involve real walking on uneven ground.

Call ahead in peak season: The most popular orchards can have long waits on fall weekends. A weekday morning visit is usually the easiest way to avoid it.

Combine an orchard trip with a scenic drive. See our Best Fall Foliage Drives in North Georgia guide for routes near Ellijay and Blue Ridge.