Picking Apples VA - Northern Virginia Apple Orchard Tips

Picking Apples VA Table of Contents:

Virginia Apple Picking Season
10 Best Apple Orchards in Northern Virginia
Virginia Apple Varieties
Tips for Apple Picking
Preserving Your Apples

⚠️ Read This First: 2026 Is Not a Normal Apple Year

Before you plan a trip, you need to know what happened this spring.

Two hard freezes, one in early April, another on April 21, hit Virginia orchards at full bloom. Virginia Cooperative Extension called it one of the worst freeze events the region has ever seen. USDA now estimates Virginia will produce about 77 million pounds of apples in 2026, down from 149 million in 2025. That's a 48% drop. Governor Spanberger requested federal disaster assistance for Virginia farmers in May.

The damage was not spread evenly, and this is the part that matters for planning your day:

Winchester and Frederick County were hit hardest. Virginia Tech's assessments found near-total loss in some blocks — essentially 100% of Honeycrisp and Pink Lady blossoms killed.
Northern Virginia orchards generally have a light crop or none at all.
Central Virginia orchards (Nelson, Albemarle, Fluvanna counties) fared much better, and some came through with a full crop.

What this means for your family:

Call the farm the morning you go. Not the week before, the morning of. Several farms are opening and closing on short notice as blocks get picked out.
Go early in the season and early in the day. With less fruit on the trees, popular farms will be picked clean faster than usual.
Have a backup plan. Some farms are selling apples in the market but not letting you pick from the trees.
This is a good year to buy, not just pick. Extension agents have been urging shoppers to buy Virginia-grown fruit directly from farm markets. A rough year for growers is the year your purchase matters most.

Apple Picking Va Season

In a normal year, late September through October is my favorite window, that's when Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Gala hit their peak.

2026 is different. Because the crop is so much smaller, the picking window at most farms will be shorter, and some varieties simply won't exist this year. Honeycrisp in particular is very scarce in the northern part of the state.

September: Early and mid-season varieties. Gala, McIntosh, Shizuka, Candy Crisp, Golden Delicious. Weather is still warm, so mornings are best.

October: Later varieties where the crop survived: Stayman, York, Rome, Granny Smith, Fuji. Cooler and more comfortable, but expect thinner picking than you're used to.

November: A few late varieties like Pink Lady, where farms still have them.

Check with each orchard directly for availability. Most update their website or social media, and in 2026 those updates are changing week to week.

In Virginia, apple picking is a cherished autumn activity. My preferred time to visit the orchards is from late September through October. This is when the apple varieties, like Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Gala, are at their peak, ensuring that you'll get the freshest and most flavorful fruit.

Note: I have seen some farms open at the end of August but if you want more supply, I would wait until September.

September Apple Picking:

Early varieties begin to ripen.
Ideal for weekend trips, as the weather is still warm.
Varieties: Jonathan, Gala, McIntosh

October Apple Orchards:

The majority of the apple varieties are available.
Cooler weather enhances the apple-picking experience.
Varieties: Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome

I recommend checking with local orchards for apple availability as the season can vary slightly from year to year due to weather. Typically, orchards in Northern VA update their websites or social media (see below) with current information on the varieties they have for picking.

10 Best Apple Orchards in Northern Virginia

1. Hollin Farms

Address: 1408 Snowden Road, Delaplane, Va.

Website: hollinfarms.com

Open Dates: Estimated end of August to October. They update their website twice a week with availability.

Read more about our Pumpkin Patch visit to Hollin Farms here.

2. Crooked Run Orchard Apple Picking Va

Address: 37883 E. Main St., Purcellville, Va.

Website: Facebook Page

Open Dates: TBD will be updated when available.

3. Hartland Orchard

Address: 3205 Hartland Lane, Markham, Va.

Website: hartlandfarmandorchard.com

Open Dates: Opens mid-August.

4. Mackintosh Fruit Farm

Address: 608 Russell Road, Berryville, Va.

Website: mackintoshfruitfarm.com

Open Hours: TBD when Apples are available.

Farm Market & PYO Hours:
Thursday - Saturday 8 AM - 6 PM
Sunday 10 AM - 6 PM
PYO ends at 5PM

Cider Room Hours:
Thursday - Sunday 11 AM - 6 PM

Friday 5 PM - 8 PM
Dinner Specials, & Live Music (Fridays ONLY)

5. Stribling Orchard Apple Picking

Address: 11587 Poverty Hollow Ln, Markham, Va.

Website: striblingorchard.com

Open Dates: Open starting early August. We have three varieties available Lodi, Tydeman Red, and Ginger Gold

Hours: 9 AM – 1 PM (Last pickers in by 12:30)
Price: $25 per peck or $2.50 per pound

Bring your bug spray, your friends, and your summer spirit—we’d love to see you at the orchard!

6. Great Country Farms

Address: Not specified in the provided sources.

Website: greatcountryfarms.com

Open Dates: September 1 - 30, 2025 Corn Maze & Apple Harvest:

Apples & Pumpkins are sold separately and NOT included with admission tickets. Apple Picking will be very limited for the ’25 season. Please double check our Now Picking Page for latest apple picking availability the day of your visit.
Weekday Advance Admission: $12/child & $14/Adult ~ Advance tickets not required at this time for weekdays. Open weekdays from 9am-5 pm.
Tickets at the gate are $14 per guest (same for adult and child). Children 2 and under are no charge. Last wagon to the orchard is at 4pm.

Saturday & Sunday Advance Admission~ Advance Tickets are highly RECOMMENDED! $14/child & $16/adult + ticketing fees ~ Open Weekends 9am-5pm. Tickets at the gate are $16 per guest (Adult or Child). Last Wagon to orchards is at 4 pm so you have time to pick prior to our closing at 5pm. Children 2 and under are no charge.

More details on our visit to Great Country Farms here.

7. Rinker Orchards

Open Dates: Check website.

8. Marker-Miller Orchards Farm Market

Address: 3035 Cedar Creek Grade, Winchester, Va 22602

About: Currently the orchard consists of 325 acres of apples and 15 acres of peaches (yellow, white and donut). We have several different varieties of plums and have recently planted 5 acres of pears.

Website: markermillerorchards.com

Open Dates: Currently in the farm market: Green Beans, Apples (Ginger Gold, Firestorm Gala, Premier Honeycrisp), Yellow Peaches (Contender, Coral Star, Gloria), White Peaches, Tomatoes, Lettuce Mix, Squash, Zucchini, Cucumbers, Peppers, Super Sweet White Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Baking Potatoes, Sweet Onions, Watermelon and Cantaloupe.

Check website for Apple Picking updates.

9. Dickie Brothers Orchard

Address: 2685 Dickie Rd, Roseland, VA 22967

Website: dickiebrothers.com

Open Dates: We are open Thursday - Sunday. See website for availability.

10. Fruit Hill Orchard

Address: 2745 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy, Palmyra, VA 22963

Website: fruithillorchard.com

Open Dates: Great almost daily updates on their Facebook. You can also stay there!

And check out al the Northern Virginia Fall Festivals here!

Virginia Apple Varieties at Pick Your Own Farms

Here's a summary of the Virginia apple varieties and their attributes. My favorites are Pink Lady and Gala!

Honeycrisp: This apple boasts a crisp texture and a balance of sweetness and tartness, making it a favorite for fresh eating.
Gala: With its sweet flavor and soft bite, Galas are ideal for both eating fresh and cooking.
Pink Lady: A crisp apple with a tart taste that finishes sweetly.
Fuji: Offers a sweet and juicy taste with a dense flesh, perfect for snacking.
Granny Smith: Known for its vibrant green color and tart flavor, it's a go-to for baking.
Red Delicious: A classic with a mild flavor that's best enjoyed fresh.
Golden Delicious: Delicate and versatile, these apples are great for eating raw or using in desserts.

Tips for Apple Picking in Va

When I head out for apple picking in Northern Virginia, I have a few tips I like to keep in mind to make the day enjoyable and fruitful. Here's what I recommend:

Wear the Right Clothing: The weather can be unpredictable, so I dress in layers. Comfortable shoes are a must since orchards can be uneven and sometimes muddy.

Choose the Right Time: I prefer picking apples on a weekday morning to avoid crowds. Also, different apple varieties ripen at different times, so I check with the local orchards for peak picking times.

Bring Supplies: A few essentials I always pack are:

Water for hydration
Sunscreen and a hat for sun protection
Containers for apple collecting

Be Gentle: When picking apples, I'm careful to avoid bruising them. I pick with a gentle twist-and-pull motion.

Storage After Picking: I store my picked apples in a cool place, and if I pick more than I can use right away, I share with friends or preserve them.

Lastly, I make sure to enjoy the scenery, take pictures, and have fun during my apple-picking adventure in Northern Virginia. It's not just about the apples; it's about the experience.

Tips for Apple Picking in Va

When I head out for apple picking in Northern Virginia, I have a few tips I like to keep in mind to make the day enjoyable and fruitful (haha) for everyone!

Wear the Right Clothing: The weather can be unpredictable, so I dress in layers. Rain boots for the kids are a must since orchards can be uneven and sometimes muddy and pants for any flies/ticks.

Bring Supplies: A few essentials I always pack are: