Living where we do, we’re super lucky to have so many apple picking farms nearby to choose from.
There’s nothing like going to an actual apple orchard and picking your own ripe, fresh apples to bring home.
In this post, we’re going to give you a list of the 9 best apple picking farms right here in the Frederick, Md area.
Apple Picking Farms
For years, ever since our boys were toddlers, we’ve visited several area apple picking farms to pick our own apples.
Taking a drive on a gorgeous autumn day and pulling into a farm with acres of countryside is like a breath of fresh air!
We’re usually biting into our bounty of apples while driving back home, as we daydream about what we’re going to make with all those apples.
Word-of-Mouth Recommendations for Apple Picking Farms
Terri and I already knew about most of the apple picking farms on our list, but we wanted to make sure we weren’t missing any.
So we asked our Housewives of Frederick County Facebook followers for some recommendations on their favorite apple picking farms located within about an hour of Frederick.
And, they answered the call, as always, and gave us their favorites.
Apple Picking Farms Are An Experience
These apple picking farms aren’t just for apples.
While you’re there, you can enjoy other activities as well.
Most of these farms also have:
- Farmers Markets
- Kids Activities
- Pumpkin Patch
- Baked Goods
- Hayrides
- Corn Maze
- Apple Cider
- Pre-Picked Apples
- Petting Zoo
It’s an entire Autumn-time-of-year event!
Things to Know Before You Go to Apple Picking Farms
Before loading up the car with the family and heading out to the orchard, there are a few things you need to know before you go:
- It’s very important that you call the day you decide to take a ride out to your orchard of choice.
- Most of these farms have a recorded message that is updated on a daily basis stating what apples are in season and any other important things to know before you go.
- Lots of these places also update their websites and their Facebook pages with important up-to-date information.
- Apple picking days, hours, and conditions are approximate; they vary by the season & the weather.
- Different varieties of apples ripen at different times in the season; For example, last fall, the apples became ripe much earlier than anticipated and many of the apples were done early on.
- Pets (with the exception of service dogs) are not allowed at any of the apple picking farms listed in our post.
With these tips in mind, we give you our list of recommended apple picking farms.
What We’ve Included in Our List
We’ve included each farm’s website link, address, phone number, and apple picking season.
In addition, we’ve specified the days/hours they’re open for picking apples, the cost per pound, and the apple varieties they have to offer.
The prize for the most apple varieties goes to Distillery Lane Ciderworks. Wow!
Keep in mind that the apple varieties listed for each farm get ripe at different times throughout the season, so they’re not all available at the same time.
I didn’t even know there were that many varieties of apples!
Also, we’d like to mention that Catoctin Mountain Orchard, right here in Frederick County, is the most popular with our readers.
Apple Picking Farms in Frederick County
As always, call before you go.
1. Baugher’s Orchards & Farms
Baugher’s Orchards & Farms
1015 Baugher Rd
Westminster, MD 21158
(410) 848-5541
Apple picking season: August – October
Picking Days/Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
Apple Picking Varieties:
- Empire
- Fuji
- Staymen Winesap
- Golden Delicious
- Gala
- Granny Smith
- Idared
- Jonagold
- Red Delicious
2. Gardenhour Orchards
Gardenhour Orchards
22511 Gardenhour Rd
Smithsburg, MD 21783
(301) 824-7466
Apple picking season: Mid September to Mid October
Picking Days/Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8 am to 5 pm
Apple Picking Varieties:
- Cameo
- Empire
- Fuji
- Gala
- Golden Delicious
- Granny Smith
- Honey Crisp
- Jonagold
- Jonathan
- Pink Lady
- Red Delicious
- Stayman
3. Larriland Farm
Larriland Farm
2415 Woodbine Rd
Woodbine, MD 21797
(410) 442-2605
Apple picking season: Mid August to First Sunday in November
Picking Days/Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday & Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm
Apple Picking Varieties:
- Braeburn
- Fuji
- Enterprise
- Gold Rush
- Granny Smith
- Mutsu
- Pink Lady
- Stayman
- Sun Crisp
- Wine Crisp
4. Boyer Nurseries & Orchards
Boyer Nurseries & Orchards
405 Boyer Nursery Road
Biglerville, PA 17307
(717) 677-8558
Apple picking season: Early September through End of October
Picking Days/Hours: Monday through Saturday, 7 am to 4:30 pm, Sunday 12 pm to 4:30 pm
Apple Picking Varieties: See infographic below
5. Rock Hill Orchard
Rock Hill Orchard
28600 Ridge Rd
Mt Airy, MD 21771
(301) 831-7427
Apple picking season: Late August to Mid October
Picking Days/Hours: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Apple Picking Varieties:
- Blondee
- Gala
- Honey Crisp
- Crimson Crisp
- Rising Sun Fuji
- Jonagold
- Macoun
- Jonathon
- Golden Delicious
- Red Delicious
- Empire
- Melrose
- Keepsake
- Smokehouse
- Ida Red
- Rome
- Cameo
- Mutsu
- Winecrisp
- Suncrisp
- Stayman/Winesap
- Granny Smith
- CandyCrisp
- Pink Lady (Maslin, Barnsby)
- Heirloom
- York
- Goldrush
- EverCrisp
6. Gaver Farm
Gaver Farm
5501 Detrick Rd
Mt Airy, MD 21771
(301) 865-3515
Apple picking season: September through 3rd week of October
Picking Days/Hours: Weekends 10 am to 6 pm
Apple Picking Varieties:
- Blondee
- Buckeye
- Empire
- Fuji
- Cameo
7. Catoctin Mountain Orchard
Catoctin Mountain Orchard
15036 N Franklinville Rd
Thurmont, MD 21788
(301) 271-2737
Apple picking season: September & October
Picking Days/Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 10 am to 3 pm
Apple Picking Varieties:
- Autumn Gala
- September Wonder
- Crimson Crisp
- Cortland
- Jonagold
- Mountain Honey
- Cameo
8. Distillery Lane Ciderworks
Distillery Lane Ciderworks
5533 Gapland Rd
Jefferson, MD 21755
(301) 834-8920
Apple picking season: September to early November
Picking Days/Hours: Most weekends – go to website for each weekend’s details
Apple Picking Varieties:
- Goldrush
- Sundance
- Summer Rambo
- St. Edmund’s Russet
- Shizuka
- Pixie Crunch
- Pittmaston Pineapple
- Malus Sieversii
- Gravenstein
- Jefferis
- Gala
- Vilberie
- Harry Masters Jersey
- Sweet Coppin
- Wickson
- Kingston Black
- Tremlett’s Bitter
- Stoke Red
- Stembridge Cluster
- Redfield
- Porter’s Perfection
- Hewe’s Crab
- Fameuse
- Dabinett
- Bulmer’s Norman
- Blue Permain
- Zestar
- Winesap
- Splendor
- Snowsweet
- Roxbury Russet
- Rhode Island Greening
- Red Gravenstein
- Pitmaston Pineapple
- Newtown Pippin
- Miller Red
- Maiden Blush
- Liberty
- Lady
- Grimes Golden
- Goldrush
- Golden Russet
- Freedom
- Fortune
- Egremont Russet
- Crabapples
- Calville Blanc
- Brown’s Apple
- Bramley’s Seedling
- Baldwin
- Ashmead’s Kernel
- Arkansas Black
9. Homestead Farm
Homestead Farm
15604 Sugarland Rd
Poolesville, MD 20837
(301) 977-3761
Apple picking season: Late August through Late October
Picking Days/Hours: Monday through Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm
Apple Picking Varieties:
- Pink Lady
- Aztec Fuji
- Cameo
Which apple picking farm is your favorite?
If you’re looking for more fun things to do to take advantage of everything fall has to offer, go to our posts on:
Summer’s Farm: The Most Important Reasons You Should Visit
Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch: Your Inexpensive, Family Fun is Here!
Big Cork Winery: 5 Reasons You Must Visit
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What an informative Post ! I was forget what kind of apples I like the chart is very helpful, especially
Thank you Darla! Yes, that chart really does help. There are so many varieties 🙂
The information is so helpful. I didn’t know half of the things you described/explained!!
Thank you so much!!!! I can’t wait to take the grandkids!!
Yay! They’ll have a blast. And you can make a recipe with the apples.
Appreciate the list. Especially price information. Helps knowing the many varieties available.
You’re welcome!