As summer draws to an end, it's apple orchard time here in Central Virginia. Apples are a treat parents can feel good about sharing with their kids. Apples are packed with vitamins and fiber, but low in calories. Now's the time to start planning for fall family fun at one of these orchards.
Hours may vary throughout the season due to weather, limited supply, staffing, or other concerns. For most recent updates, check each website before you visit or find updates on each orchard's Facebook page.
Lynchburg Area: Amherst, Bedford, and Campbell County Orchards
Morris Orchard is located at 226 Tobacco Row Lane in Monroe. Morris Orchard is open from mid-June through late fall. Morris Orchard offers many varieties of apples from late July through late October including several varieties of pick-your-own apples in season. During apple season, Morris also has apples and fresh pressed cider available at the farm store. They offer pick your own apples on select weekends during the season please call ahead to check availability. Check the apple schedule for pick-your-own apple availability. Morris Orchard is open in season Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Johnson's Orchards is located at 1218 Elmos Road in Bedford. Johnson's offers nearly 200 varieties of apples at their family owned and operated farm in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and they're in season now. Apples are available from August through October. Choose from U-pick or U-select apples with picking hours daily from 10 AM - 5 PM. Johnson's Orchards is open daily from noon to 5 PM from April to December and weekends from noon to 5 PM from January through March.
Gross' Orchard is located at 6817 Wheats Valley Road in Bedford. Gross' Orchard offers pick-your-own or pre-picked apples from mid-June to mid-September. Check the apple schedule for varieties and average ripening dates. The farm store also sells jams and jellies, country ham, bacon, cider, and a variety of other items. Special fall events at Gross' are: Apple Harvest Festival on the third Saturday in October and Apple Valley 5K on the first Saturday in November. Gross' Orchard is open year-round Monday through Saturday from 8-6.
Nelson County and Charlottesville Area Orchards
Saunders Brothers Orchard and Farm Market is located at 2717 Tye Brook Highway in Piney River. It's apple season at Saunders Brothers from August to October. During apple season, you can find a schedule of which apples are ripe on the website. Saunders Brothers is open in season on Monday through Saturday from 9 AM - 5 PM.
Silver Creek and Seamans' Orchard has two locations: Silver Creek Orchard, located at 5529 Crabtree Falls Highway in Tyro and Seamans' Orchards, located at 1040 Dark Hollow Road in Roseland. Seaman's Orchard offers strawberries, cherries, and blueberries in spring and early summer, as well as pick-your-own apple dates in the fall. Silver Creek and Seamans' offers a variety of apples in September and October, including pick-your-own days. You'll find the pick-your-own apple schedule for both Silver Creek and Seamans' on the website. In addition, you can pick-your-own pumpkins during October and enjoy the annual Apple Butter Making Festival, with festivals scheduled on Oct. 7 and Oct. 21 in 2023. Silver Creek & Seamans' Orchard is open in season on Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Drumheller’s Orchard, located at 1130 Drumheller Orchard Lane in Lovingston, offers a variety of apples from early July to early November and peaches, plums, and pluots from late June to mid-September. During apple season at Drumheller's, you'll find an apple ripening schedule on the website. Apple Festivals are scheduled for Sept. 30 - Oct. 1 and Oct. 21-22 from 9 AM - 5 PM. Drumheller's is open in season on Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM - 5 PM and Sundays from 12 PM - 5 PM.
Dickie Brothers Orchard is located at 2685 Dickie Road in Roseland. Dickie Brothers is open from early July through early November. Dickie Brothers offers a variety of apples, which are available from July to early November. According to the website, there's no pick-your-own at this time due to hail damage. Check the website as the fall season progresses for any updates. You'll find the average apple ripening schedule on the website. Dickie Brothers has been in operation as a family farm since the 1750s. Dickie Brothers offers peaches, nectarines, plums, blackberries, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, as well as a variety of apples, including many varieties of pick-your-own, which are available from July to early November. Dickie Brothers is open in season from Thursday through Saturday from 10 AM - 5 PM and Sundays from 12 PM - 4 PM.
The Chiles Family Orchards include Carter Mountain Orchard, located at 1435 Carters Mountain Trail in Charlottesville; Chiles Peach Orchard, located at 1351 Greenwood Road in Crozet; and Spring Valley Orchard, located at 3526 Spring Valley Road in Afton. Each orchard specializes in specific fruits. Spring Valley offers cherries. Chiles Peach Orchard offers strawberries, peaches, apples, and pumpkins. Carter Mountain Orchard offers peaches and apples. The pick-your-own schedule for Carter Mountain Orchard and pick-your-own schedule for Chiles Peach Orchard on the website. During peak apple season, advance reservations are required for ages 12 and older on specific weekends. You'll find more information about ticketed fall entry dates on the website. Carter Mountain Orchard is open weekends only from January through late March and daily from late March through December. Chiles Peach Orchard is open daily from late March to late December. Spring Valley Orchard is open seasonally from late May through June. Daily hours vary, so check the hours at each venue before you head out.
Visit your favorite apple orchard, try somewhere new, or visit them all. Apples are delicious in recipes or to eat as a healthy snack!
You'll find more information about fall festivals, pumpkin patches and corn mazes, and other fun family activities and events in these articles:
Lynchburg VA Area Farmers Markets and Orchards: 2023 Edition - Find the best fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets and orchards in the Lynchburg area!
Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes for 2023 in Central Virginia - Lynchburg Macaroni Kid helps you Find Your Family Fun® this fall!
12 Lynchburg and Virginia Fall Festivals You Don't Want to Miss - Let Lynchburg Macaroni Kid help you Find Your Family Fun® in Lynchburg and beyond this fall!
Lynchburg and Central Virginia Fall Festivals and Fun: September 2023 - Let Lynchburg Macaroni Kid help you Find Your Family Fun® during September!
Lynchburg and Central Virginia Fall Festivals and Fun: October 2023 - Let Lynchburg Macaroni Kid help you Find Your Family Fun® during October!
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