When people think of Georgia, peaches usually steal the spotlight. But if you head to the North Georgia Mountains in the fall, you’ll quickly realize there’s another star of the season: apples! The crisp mountain air, rolling hills, and cooler temps make this the perfect place for orchards to thrive. If you’re planning a fall getaway, you’ll want to put apple picking in North Georgia at the top of your list. Here’s why this area has become the place for all things apples in the Southeast.

Apple Orchards

The moment you start driving through the North Georgia mountains, you’ll notice apple orchards everywhere, especially in Ellijay, Georgia’s “Apple Capital”.

Some of the best orchards in Ellijay are B.J. Reece Orchards, Hillcrest Orchards, and R&A Orchards. You can go apple picking, wander farm markets, snack on fresh-baked apple treats, hop on a hay ride, and even stop by the petting zoo!

And just a quick 20-minute drive away is the famous Mercier Orchards — Georgia’s largest (and award-winning) apple orchard. With over 300 acres and more than 50 varieties of apples, it’s no wonder it ranks as one of the nation’s top 10 biggest orchards.

Here’s the fun part: to get to the apple trees, you don’t just stroll in. You hop on a tractor ride that winds through rolling hills.

And if picking isn’t really your thing? No worries. Mercier has a massive market filled with everything apple-themed you can imagine — from hard cider and donuts to local jams, cheeses, and souvenirs!

The Georgia Apple Festival

If you want to experience North Georgia in its full fall glory, the Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay is the place to be. Every October, for two weekends, this little mountain town comes alive with one of the most beloved festivals in the Southeast.

To see this year’s festival schedule, you can visit: https://www.georgiaapplefestival.org/ 

To kick the festival season off, downtown Ellijay hosts their annual fall parade, winding right through the heart of downtown Ellijay. There are floats decked out for the season, marching bands, and tons of candy for the kids!

As soon as you set foot on the fairgrounds, the smell of apple fritters fills the air. There’s live music and rows of booths filled with over 300 local vendors selling everything from handmade jewelry, pottery, woodwork, and local art! You might even see some of them crafting right there!

Of course, food is a huge part of the fun. Beyond the endless apple pies, candied apples, and fresh-pressed cider, you’ll also find plenty of Southern classics like BBQ, fried blooming onions,  kettle corn, and funnel cakes. Bring your appetite!

Best Times to Go Apple Picking in Georgia

Apple picking in North Georgia stretches from mid-August through late-October, but each part of the season has its own charm (and apple varieties!).

• Late August – Early September: The season kicks off with Gala and Honeycrisp apples — sweet, crisp, and perfect for snacking. These early weeks are a little warmer, but you’ll beat the big crowds and still get that first taste of fall in the mountains.
• Mid-to-late September: This is what we like to call prime apple-picking time. The weather has cooled down just enough, and the orchards are bursting with favorites like Fuji, McIntosh, and Golden Delicious.
• October: By the time October rolls around, the mountain air is crisp, the leaves start changing, and you’ll find tart Granny Smiths (hello caramel apples!) and sweet Pink Lady apples are just right this time of the year. Festivals are in full swing this time of the year, so you can easily pair apple picking with a full day of fall activities.

Apple picking might be the highlight of fall in North Georgia, but it’s only part of what makes this season so special, like scenic trails, local breweries, and experiencing the food and shopping scene of downtown Blue Ridge. When you’re ready to unwind and savor the peaceful nature while sipping on apple cider from the local orchards, we’d love to host your getaway in one of our cozy cabins — the perfect home base for apple picking adventures and everything else Blue Ridge has to offer.