15 Best Apple Picking Farms in the Frederick, MD Area

Last updated on September 9th, 2026

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.

From orchards right here in Frederick County to some of our favorite farms worth the drive, I’ve rounded up 15 of the best places to go apple picking near Frederick, Maryland.

🍎 2026 Apple Picking Update

Apple picking is a little different around Frederick this year. A record-breaking freeze in April damaged apple blossoms throughout our region, leaving some orchards with limited crops and others with no pick-your-own apples at all for 2026.

The good news? There are still places to pick! I’ve updated this guide with the latest 2026 information I could confirm so you can see where apple picking is available before you make the drive.

Please check the farm’s website or call before you leave home. Apple availability can change quickly based on weather, crowds and what’s ripe that day.

Where Can You Pick Apples Near Frederick in 2026?

Farm	Location	2026 Status
Catoctin Mountain Orchard	Thurmont, MD	Limited Pick-Your-Own
Gaver Farm	Mt. Airy, MD	No Pick-Your-Own
Summers Farm	Middletown, MD	Check Current Availability
Pryors Orchard	Thurmont, MD	Check Before Going
Baugher’s Orchards	Westminster, MD	Pick-Your-Own
Gardenhour Orchards	Smithsburg, MD	Check Before Going
Larriland Farm	Woodbine, MD	Pick-Your-Own
Boyer Nurseries	Biglerville, PA	Pick-Your-Own
Homestead Farm	Poolesville, MD	No Pick-Your-Own Expected
Butler’s Orchard	Germantown, MD	Check Current Availability
Doc Waters Cidery	Germantown, MD	No Pick-Your-Own
Orr’s Farm Market	Martinsburg, WV	Check Current Availability
Mackintosh Fruit Farm	Berryville, VA	Pick-Your-Own
Hollabaugh Bros.	Biglerville, PA	Pick-Your-Own
Mt. Airy Orchards	Dillsburg, PA	Check Current Availability

Terri and I have visited several of these orchards ourselves over the years, and I’ve also included favorites recommended by Housewives of Frederick County readers.

15 Best Apple Picking Farms Near Frederick, MD

As always, call before you go.

Catoctin Mountain Orchard (in Frederick County)

15036 N Franklinville Rd
Thurmont, MD 21788
(301) 271-2737

Catoctin Mountain Orchard is one of our readers’ favorite places for apples, and it’s right here in Frederick County. With its beautiful location near the Catoctin Mountains, this is one of the first places I’d check when you’re looking for apple picking close to Frederick.

Apple varieties typically grown here include:
Autumn Gala • Blondee • Crimson Crisp • Cortland • Jonagold • Mountain Honey • Cameo • SummerSet • Evercrisp • Stayman • Pink Lady • Fuji • Crunch-a-Bunch • Granny Smith • GoldRush

🍎 2026 Apple Picking Update: Limited PYO Available

Catoctin Mountain Orchard was hit hard by the April freeze, but thankfully apples survived in part of the orchard at a higher elevation. Because the crop is smaller this year, pick-your-own apples are being offered on limited dates rather than throughout the entire season.

The 2026 picking area is on a steeper hillside with uneven terrain, so keep that in mind if you’re visiting with young children or anyone with mobility concerns. It is not stroller or handicap accessible.

2026 PYO admission: $3 per person ages 4 and older, including a wagon ride to the orchard.

Different varieties ripen throughout the season and, because of the limited crop, not all of the varieties listed above will be available for PYO in 2026. Check Catoctin’s current picking dates and available varieties before you go.

Check Catoctin Mountain Orchard’s current PYO update→

Gaver Farm (in Frederick County)

5501 Detrick Rd
Mt. Airy, MD 21771
(301) 865-3515

Gaver Farm is normally one of our go-to Frederick County spots for apple picking and an easy choice if you want to combine apples with a full day of fall fun.

Apple varieties typically grown here include:
Blondee • Crimson Crisp • Ludacrisp • Buckeye • Empire • Fuji • Ultra Gold • Evercrisp • Cameo

❌ 2026 Apple Picking Update: No Pick-Your-Own Apples

Unfortunately, Gaver Farm lost more than 90% of its apple crop during the record-breaking April freeze and will not offer PYO apples in 2026.

That doesn’t mean you have to skip Gaver altogether this fall. Apples are still available in the Farm Market, and Fall Fun Fest is back with pumpkins, sunflowers, hayrides and plenty of the fall activities Gaver is known for.

The good news is that the apple trees themselves weren’t damaged, and Gaver expects pick-your-own apple picking to return in 2027.

Read Gaver Farm’s 2026 apple update→

Pryor’s Orchard (in Frederick County)

13841B Pryor Rd
Thurmont, MD 21788
(301) 271-2693

Pryor’s Orchard is another Frederick County option, located in Thurmont near Catoctin Mountain. It’s especially worth knowing about if you’re looking for a traditional orchard experience without driving far from Frederick.

Apple varieties typically grown here include:
Lodi • Early Gold • Sansa • Ginger Gold • Summer Rambo • Gala • Honeycrisp • Jonathan • Red Delicious • Golden Delicious • Cortland • Empire • Idared • Stayman • Nittany • Fuji • Cameo

🍎 2026 Apple Picking Update: Because this year’s spring freeze affected apple crops throughout our area, call Pryor’s directly before heading to the orchard to confirm current pick-your-own availability, hours and varieties.

This is one of those years when I’d definitely make that phone call before getting in the car.

Read Pryor’s Orchard 2026 apple update→

Summers Farm (in Frederick County)

Middletown, MD

You probably know Summers Farm for its huge Fall Festival, corn maze and pumpkin patch, but they’ve also offered pick-your-own apples in recent seasons.

And since Summers is right here in Middletown, it’s one of the closest apple-picking options for those of us in Frederick County.

Apple varieties: Gala and Honeycrisp have been offered for PYO in previous seasons. Check Summers Farm for what’s available in 2026.

🍎 2026 Apple Picking Update: Check directly with Summers Farm for current apple-picking dates and availability before visiting. With this year’s unusual growing conditions, I wouldn’t assume previous years’ dates apply.

If apple picking is available when you go, you can easily turn it into a full Frederick County fall day with all of the other seasonal activities at the farm.

Check Summers Farm for current information→

Larriland Farm (22 miles from Frederick, MD)

2415 Woodbine Rd
Woodbine, MD 21797
(410) 442-2605

About 22 miles from Frederick, Larriland Farm is a longtime pick-your-own destination where you can find apples, pumpkins and other seasonal produce.

Apple varieties typically offered for PYO include:
Braeburn • Fuji • Enterprise • GoldRush • Granny Smith • Mutsu • Pink Lady • Stayman • SunCrisp • WineCrisp

🍎 2026 Apple Picking Update: Apple picking is available during the fall season, but what’s ripe can change from day to day. Larriland recommends checking its current harvest information before visiting.

New for 2026: Everyone age 3 and older entering the pick-your-own fields needs a PYO field ticket or season pass, in addition to purchasing the appropriate picking container. You don’t need a field ticket if you’re only visiting the Farm Market.

Different apple varieties ripen at different times, so check the day’s harvest before making the drive from Frederick.

Check Larriland Farm’s current PYO information→

Baugher’s Orchards & Farms (30 miles from Frederick, MD)

1015 Baugher Rd
Westminster, MD 21158
(410) 848-5541

About 30 miles from Frederick, Baugher’s is a longtime Carroll County favorite for apple picking and an easy fall day trip.

Apple varieties typically grown here include:
Empire • Golden Delicious • Idared • Fuji • Gala • Jonagold • Stayman Winesap • Granny Smith • Red Delicious

Baugher’s apple season typically stretches from late summer into fall, but different varieties become ready for picking throughout the season.

There’s also a farm market and plenty of opportunities to come home with considerably more food than you planned. Funny how that happens.

🍎 2026 Apple Picking Update: Check Baugher’s current PYO information before visiting for current picking dates, hours and apple varieties.

Check Baugher’s current information→

Gardenhour Orchards (27 miles from Frederick, MD)

22511 Gardenhour Rd
Smithsburg, MD 21783
(301) 824-7466

Gardenhour Orchards is about 27 miles from Frederick in Smithsburg and has traditionally offered an impressive selection of apples during its fall season.

Apple varieties typically grown here include:
Cameo • Golden Delicious • Jonathan • Empire • Granny Smith • Pink Lady • Fuji • Honeycrisp • Red Delicious • Gala • Jonagold • Stayman

🍎 2026 Apple Picking Update: Because apple crops throughout our region were affected by the unusual spring weather, call Gardenhour Orchards before making the drive to confirm current pick-your-own availability, hours and varieties.

Not every variety is available at the same time, so even during a normal season it’s always smart to check what’s ripe before you go.

Check Gardenhour Orchards current information→

Homestead Farm (22 miles from Frederick, MD)

15604 Sugarland Rd
Poolesville, MD 20837
(301) 977-3761

Located about 22 miles from Frederick, Homestead Farm in Poolesville normally offers pick-your-own apples as part of its fall season.

Apple varieties typically grown here include:
Pink Lady • Aztec Fuji • Cameo

❌ 2026 Apple Picking Update: No PYO Apples Expected

Homestead Farm was affected by the spring freeze, and pick-your-own apples are not expected to be available for the 2026 season.

Because crop conditions can change, I’d still check directly with Homestead before visiting if apples are your main reason for going. The farm offers other seasonal produce throughout the year, so don’t necessarily cross it off your day-trip list altogether.

Check Homestead Farm’s latest information→

Butler’s Orchard (22 miles from Frederick, MD)

22222 Davis Mill Rd
Germantown, MD 20876
(301) 428-0444

Butler’s Orchard in Germantown is only about 22 miles from Frederick and has been a popular destination for pick-your-own produce and seasonal activities for generations.

Apple varieties: Availability varies throughout the season, so check Butler’s current crop calendar to see what’s available for picking.

🍎 2026 Apple Picking Update: The April freeze affected crops throughout the region, making this an especially important year to check before visiting. Butler’s updates its PYO crop calendar as different fruits and vegetables become ready for picking.

If apples are the main reason for your trip, check the crop report before leaving Frederick rather than relying on previous years’ picking dates.

Check Butler’s Orchard’s current PYO crop calendar→

Doc Waters Cidery (22 miles from Frederick, MD)

22529 Wildcat Rd
Germantown, MD 20876
(301) 972-1814

Doc Waters Cidery has normally been a fun option for combining apple picking with a visit to a local cidery, just about 22 miles from Frederick.

Apple varieties typically grown here include:
Rising Sun Fuji • Crimson Crisp • Hudson Golden Gem • Joy • Jonagold • Shizuka • Cameo • Florina Querina • SunCrisp • Jonaprince • WineCrisp • Aztec Fuji • Enterprise • Pink Lady • GoldRush • Galarina • Granny Smith

❌ 2026 Apple Picking Update: No Pick-Your-Own Apples

Unfortunately, the spring frost killed the orchard’s apple blossoms, so there are no apples to pick from the trees during the 2026 season.

I’m keeping Doc Waters in this guide because this is an unusual weather-related situation rather than a permanent change. The varieties above are what you may find during a typical apple season. Hopefully we’ll be picking apples here again next fall!

Check Doc Waters Cidery’s latest information→

Boyer Nurseries & Orchards (45 miles from Frederick, MD)

405 Boyer Nursery Rd
Biglerville, PA 17307
(717) 677-8558

If you don’t mind a slightly longer drive, Boyer Nurseries & Orchards is about 45 miles from Frederick in Pennsylvania’s beautiful Adams County apple country.

Apple varieties: Boyer grows numerous varieties throughout its long apple season. See the apple chart below for the approximate ripening schedule for different varieties.

🍎 2026 Apple Picking: OPEN

Boyer’s 2026 pick-your-own apple season began September 4.

2026 PYO hours:

Monday through Saturday: 8 am to 4:30 pm
Sunday: Noon to 4:30 pm

No appointment or entrance fee is required.

Available varieties change as different parts of the orchard ripen, so check Boyer’s latest PYO information before making the drive to Biglerville.

Check Boyer’s current PYO apple information→

Hollabaugh Bros. Inc. (45 miles from Frederick, MD)

545 Carlisle Rd
Biglerville, PA 17307
(717) 677-8412

Also located in Biglerville, Hollabaugh Bros. is another good excuse to head north into Pennsylvania apple country for the day.

Apple varieties typically available for PYO include:
McIntosh • Fuji • Granny Smith • Jonagold • Red Delicious • GoldRush

🍎 2026 Apple Picking Available

Hollabaugh offers pick-your-own apples during the fall harvest season, along with a farm market filled with locally grown produce and other goodies.

Different varieties become available throughout the season, so check Hollabaugh’s current PYO information before you go.

And if you’re driving about 45 miles for apples, you might as well make a day of it and explore a little bit of Adams County while you’re there.

Check Hollabaugh Bros. for current PYO information→

Orr’s Farm Market (41 miles from Frederick, MD)

682 Orr Dr
Martinsburg, WV 25403
(304) 263-1168

Orr’s Farm Market is about 41 miles from Frederick in Martinsburg, West Virginia, and in a normal year offers a huge assortment of apples throughout the season.

Apple varieties typically grown here include:
Premier Honeycrisp • Crimson Crisp • Autumn Gala • Snapp Stayman • Royal Red Honeycrisp • Daybreak Fuji • Red Cameo • Evercrisp • Golden Delicious • Red Jonaprince • GoldRush • Granny Smith • Firestorm Honeycrisp • Shizuka • Aztec Fuji • Cripps Pink Lady

🍎 2026 Apple Picking Update: Orr’s is another orchard that was affected by the 2026 freeze, resulting in significant crop loss. Availability is more limited and unpredictable than during a typical apple season, so check Orr’s current PYO information before making the drive from Frederick.

Even when PYO availability is limited, the farm market makes Orr’s worth keeping on your radar for a fall outing.

Check Orr’s Farm Market for current availability→

Mackintosh Fruit Farm (40 miles from Frederick, MD)

1608 Russell Rd
Berryville, VA 22611
(540) 955-6225

Mackintosh Fruit Farm is about 40 miles from Frederick in Berryville, Virginia, making it another pretty fall drive from Frederick County.

Apple varieties typically grown here include:
Gala • Fuji • Pink Lady • Evercrisp • Honeycrisp • Crimson Crisp • Blondee

🍎 2026 Pick-Your-Own Apples Available

Mackintosh’s September crop calendar includes varieties such as Fuji, Pink Lady and Evercrisp, although what’s actually available can change as each variety ripens.

Picking hours:

Thursday through Saturday: 8 am to 5 pm
Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm
Closed Monday through Wednesday

The farm recommends checking before visiting because individual crops can have short picking windows.

Check Mackintosh Fruit Farm’s 2026 crop information→

Mt. Airy Orchards (58 miles from Frederick, MD)

522 E Mt Airy Rd
Dillsburg, PA 17019
(717) 432-2544

At about 58 miles from Frederick, Mt. Airy Orchards is the farthest option on this list, but it can make for a fun fall day trip into Pennsylvania.

Apple varieties typically grown here include:
Gala • Jonathan • Mutsu • Stayman • Honeycrisp • Jonagold • Empire • Fuji • Daybreak Fuji • Golden Delicious • Red Delicious • Pink Lady • Cortland • Crimson Crisp • Cameo • Granny Smith

🍎 2026 Apple Picking Update: Check directly with Mt. Airy Orchards for current picking dates, hours and available varieties before making the drive from Frederick.

With this many varieties ripening at different times, I’d especially check the orchard’s current report the morning you’re planning to go. Nobody wants to drive almost an hour for an apple that isn’t there. 😂

Check Mt. Airy Orchards for current information→

Things to Know Before You Go to Apple Picking Farms

If there’s one year you really need to check before heading to an orchard, it’s 2026.

Here’s what to know:

• Check the farm’s website or social media, or call the morning you plan to go. Picking availability can change quickly.
• Because of the April freeze, some farms have limited apple crops or no PYO apples in 2026.
• Apple varieties ripen at different times, so what’s available in early September may be completely different a few weeks later.
• Picking days and hours can change because of weather, crop availability and crowds.
• Some orchards require admission, reservations or the purchase of a specific picking bag/container.
• Check each farm’s pet policy before bringing your dog.

With these tips in mind, we give you our list of recommended apple picking farms.

Final Thoughts on Apple Picking in Frederick

Apple picking has always been one of my favorite ways to kick off fall around Frederick, and this year’s tough growing season makes supporting our local and regional orchards feel even more important.

If you know of another great place to pick apples near Frederick that I should check out, let me know! And if you’ve visited one of these farms this season, I’d love to hear how the picking was.

🍎 Save this guide before you head out, and send it to the friend who’s always ready for a fall day trip.

More Fall Fun Around Frederick:

Best Pumpkin Patches Near Frederick
Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch
Best Ghost Tours Near Frederick
Haunted Houses Near Frederick

Whether your perfect fall day involves apple cider and pumpkins or you’d rather have somebody scare the living daylights out of you, I’ve got you covered. 🍎👻