Deposit Photos

It may be too early for colored leaves, but there’s another reason to head to the north Georgia mountains — it’s apple picking time!

The town of Ellijay in Gilmer County is the center of Georgia’s apple-growing region – it produces 600,000 bushels of apples each year, according to the local Chamber of Commerce. But Habersham County and other neighboring counties are not far behind. 

During October, many orchards open their gates so you can have a real farm experience — complete with petting zoos, hayrides, and activities for the kids.

If you don’t want to pick your own, you’ll find farm markets at the orchards, along with small roadside stands and farmers selling apples or fresh cider from the backs of pick-up trucks.

You may also be interested in:

• The best corn mazes and pumpkin patches to visit this fall
• Fall Apple Festivals and pick-your-own orchards
• Complete guide to FREE outdoor concerts this fall
• Discounts for Stone Mountain's Pumpkin Festival "Glow by Night" attraction
• Enjoy an outdoor movie under the stars
• 30+ Trick-or-Treat and Trunk-or-Treat events
• Things to do for Halloween: Our huge list of spooky fun!
• Unwind with these free yoga classes in metro Atlanta parks
• The North Georgia State Fair: daily deals & discounts
• The Atlanta Greek Festival is back!
• Atlanta Fair returns to Turner Field this fall
• The Georgia State Fair returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway

Apple Festivals in 2026

(See below for you-pick orchards!)

Big Red Apple Festival – Cornelia

This event takes place in downtown Cornelia Georgia on Saturday, September 26, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
It is FREE to attend.

You’ll find an art market, music, food, classic car show, hay rides, a kids zone, and more. 
More info:
Facebook page
Website

Georgia Apple Festival – Ellijay

The Georgia Apple Festival is an annual event that takes place over two weekends in Ellijay.
This 2026 festival dates are:

• October 10 and 11 
• October 17 and 18

Festival hours:

• Saturdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sundays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults.
Kids age 12 and under are FREE.

The festival includes hundreds of vendor booths that feature fresh apples and all kinds of apple products: fried apple pies, fritters, cider, jelly, etc. You’ll also find vendors with handmade, hand-crafted items, as well as many on-site demonstrations of how things are made.

Apple Arts on the Square is an extension of the festival this year.
It takes place in downtown Ellijay on festival weekends, and the free shuttle runs between the Square and the fairgrounds. You’ll find vendor booths selling arts, crafts, and food.

There is usually a parade and antique car show each year.

In past years, there has been a play area for children and live music.

More info:
Apple Festival Facebook page
Apple Festival website

The Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds is located at:
1729 South Main Street
Ellijay, Georgia 30540

Parking is very limited at the Lions Club Fairgrounds, so please use the shuttle parking lots. 
The shuttle will take you to the festival and back to your car. Shuttles begin operation a half hour before the festival opens and run at least a half hour after the festival closes.

Apple Pickin’ Jubilee – Ellijay

The Apple Pickin’ Jubilee takes place at Hillcrest Orchards in Ellijay.
It occurs every Saturday and Sunday from September 5 to November 1, 2026.

The hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission is $22 per person, including kids (walking age and up).
The list of activities and entertainment included with admission is seemingly endless:

• apple picking (purchase picking bags and fill them)
• wagon rides
• giant bubbles
• corn hole
• mini golf
• apple tree maze
• pig races
• cow milking
• Korny Kids Maze
• Fairy Tale Trail
• Farm market & bkery
• bluegrass bands
• clogging performances
• apple bobbing
• … and more!

There is also a wide variety of food available at the cafe: hot dogs, burgers, barbecue sandwiches, carnival foods, and sweet treats. The farm market sells a wide variety of apple-based food products, crafts, toys, t-shirts, and more.

Hillcrest Orchards is located at:
9696 Highway 52
Ellijay, GA  30536
more info here

Check out our complete list of fall festivals and fairs!

U-pick apple orchards

Please remember that the availability of fresh produce isn’t guaranteed. We recommend checking with the orchard before you go — please call or visit the website or Facebook page for updates on hours and apple varieties currently available. 

♦ Hillcrest Orchards

9696 Highway 52
Ellijay, GA  30536
(706) 273-3838

Hillcrest Orchards is open daily in the fall for u-pick and activities. Daily hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the orchard is open through October or until the apples are gone.

On Saturdays and Sundays, admission is $22 per person. Weekday admission is $14 for limited activities that include a petting farm, wagon rides, jumping pillow, kiddie corn maze, ball zone, pig race, and playground. There is also a bakery and farm market.

Go to the website OR visit the Facebook page

♦ Red Apple Barn

3379 Tails Creek Rd
Ellijay, Georgia
(706) 635-5898

Red Apple Barn is a pick-your-own orchard that is open every weekend from September through November — or until the apples have all been picked.

• Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Sundays 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
• Mondays and Fridays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

There is a $12.95 admission fee per person.
Kids two and under are FREE.
The entry includes a tractor ride to and from the orchard, plus water, cider, and a doughnut when you’ve finished picking.
Also included in the fee: picnic areas, and playground for the kids.

There is also a farm market, a u-pick pumpkin patch, and u-pick flower fields.
Visit the website for more info and the current you-pick prices.

♦ Mercier Orchards

8660 Blue Ridge Dr 
Blue Ridge, Georgia

Before you go, check the Mercier u-pick page for hours and availability. 

The season is generally September and October, and the orchards are open 7 days a week, weather permitting. 

Admission is $12 per person, plus the cost of the apples you pick. This price includes a tractor ride into the orchard, and a bag to pick into. Children age 2 and under are FREE.

You can also buy pre-picked apples at the market store, and hard cider that is pressed on-site (tastings are available). There is a bakery and winery on site as well.

♦ B.J. Reece Orchards

9131 Highway 52 E
East Ellijay, Georgia
(706) 276-3048

Reece Orchards is open everyday through October 31st, as long as the apples are available. 

A handy picking calendar online tells you which apple varieties you can expect to be ready on which dates.

You’ll pay a small admission fee that starts at $8 (weekdays) and $13 (weekends) and includes some farm fun activities, and then purchase bags that you’ll pick into.

There are also Weekend Farm Fun Packages that bundle up several activities — click through the link for details.

Many varieties of apples are available at the farm market, and and there is no admission fee to shop there.
There is a gift shop and concession stand, as well as a picnic area.

♦ Hillside Orchard Farms

18 Sorghum Mill Drive
Lakemont, GA 30552
(800) 262-9429

Hillside Orchard Farms is open daily.  
Hours are 9 to 6, except on Sunday when hours are 1 to 6 p.m.
The farm market is open for purchasing apples and other goods, but you should call ahead if you want to pick your own.

There are also Farm Adventures, including a corn maze, most of which have a separate fee.

♦ Jaemor Farms

5340 Cornelia Hwy
Alto, GA 30510
(770) 869-3999

Harvest Celebration festivities are available on weekends in September, and daily in October. 

You’re invited on Harvest Celebration dates to visit the corn maze and pumpkin patch — tickets range from $17 (weekdays) to $20 (weekends) when you buy online in advance.  Your ticket includes a hayride and farm games.

September Hours
Dates: September 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
Saturdays: 10 AM – 6 PM
Sundays: 12 PM – 6 PM

October Hours
Open daily beginning October 1
Monday–Thursday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Friday: 10 AM – 7 PM
Saturday: 9 AM – 7 PM
Sunday: 10 AM – 7 PM
See complete hours and pricing info

♦ R&A Orchards

5505 Highway 52 East
Ellijay, GA 30536
(706) 273-3821

The season for apple picking and the u-pick flower fields starts Labor Day weekend and continues every weekend through October.
Check the Picking Calendar before you go.
U-Pick is generally on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

The market, bakery, and cafe are open daily from 9:3o a.m. to 6 p.m.
Visit the website for more info

More fall fun: