Where to Pick Apples Near Roanoke
The Ultimate Apple Picking Guide for Southwest and Central Virginia
There's nothing quite like biting into a freshly picked apple in the Blue Ridge Mountains with juice running down your chin. Apple picking in Virginia is one of those simple seasonal traditions worth adding to your calendar, and it's easy to see why it's a regular stop for so many Roanoke Valley families every fall.
We've rounded up where to pick apples within about a two-hour drive of Roanoke City Market, so when that first cool, crisp weekend rolls around, you'll have plenty of options for a day out with the family.
Some of these orchards across Southwest and Central Virginia are just a short drive from home, while others are worth packing the family into the car for a full afternoon of picking and exploring together.
Tips for Apple Picking Near Roanoke
A little planning goes a long way before heading out to an orchard. Call ahead or check the website before you go, since ripening times and availability shift throughout the season. Bring cash as not every orchard takes credit cards or other electronic payments, especially the smaller, family-run spots. Wear shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty. The orchard grounds tend to be uneven or muddy, and pack water and snacks for the trip, especially with kids along for a longer pick-your-own visit. If you're planning to pick a lot, bring a sturdy bag or basket for the ride home as the paper bags some orchards hand out can tear under the weight of a full haul.
AT A GLANCE
- Roanoke Valley families have real apple-picking options within roughly two hours from downtown Roanoke, from Johnson's Orchard 40 minutes away to Dickie Brothers Orchard and Seamans' Orchard closer to two hours out.
- Apple varieties ripen at different times throughout the season, so it's worth checking each orchard's schedule or calling ahead before you make the drive.
- A few orchards pair apple picking with something extra like wine tasting at Johnson's Orchard or the Apple Butter Makin' Festival at Seamans' Orchard.
Pick-Your-Own Apple Orchards Near the Roanoke Valley
Johnson's Orchard, Bedford
1218 Elmos Road, Bedford, VA 24523 | Drive time from Roanoke: Roughly 40 minutes
Set at the base of Peaks of Otter, Johnson's Orchard pairs apple picking with beautiful mountain views. The orchard sells apples in its store and offers a limited u-pick selection, plus a chance for kids to meet the farm animals. Stop by for fresh apple cider donuts, and since the orchard sits next to Peaks of Otter Winery, it's an easy add-on for a grown-up wine tasting too.
Learn More: (540) 586-3707, peaksofotterwinery.com/johnsons-orchard
Gross’ Orchard, Bedford
6817 Wheats Valley Road, Bedford, VA 24523 | Drive time from Roanoke: Roughly 45 minutes
Gross' Orchard is a family-run spot with peaches ready for picking in early summer and apples beginning in September. Different varieties ripen throughout the season, so it's worth checking the orchard's apple schedule before you go if you're after a specific kind. Grab a basket from the sales clerk, pre-pay, and head out into the fields, which are open daily except Sundays. Stop by Mrs. B's Restaurant and Bar in Buchanan near the swinging bridge on your way home for lunch or dinner. Try their freshly sliced pastrami Reuben, their housemade pub chips, or a scoop of ice cream. There's a patio with gorgeous mountain views, plus a table stocked with kid toys and a shelf full of markers and coloring books for little ones who find it hard to wait.
Learn more: 540-586-2436, grossorchard.com
Doe Creek Farm, Pembroke
412 Doe Creek Farm Road, Pembroke, VA 24136 | Drive time from Roanoke: Roughly 1 hour
Doe Creek Farm is a working orchard in the Blue Ridge Mountains that's been around for more than a century. They started as a commercial orchard before converting to pick-your-own farm and event space. Today, the farm grows more than 15 apple varieties on dwarf trees, making picking easy for kids and adults alike. The farm store rounds out the visit with fresh-pressed cider, jams, jellies, and honey. While in town, consider checking out the two nearby historic covered bridges—Clover Hollow and Historic Link Farm. Or if you’re looking for more adventure, drive just a few minutes down the road to hike the Cascades Falls.
Learn More: (540) 922-2705, doecreekfarm.com
Morris Orchard, Monroe
226 Tobacco Row Lane, Monroe, VA 24574 | Drive time from Roanoke: Roughly 1 hour and 25 minutes
Sitting at the base of High Peak Mountain in Monroe, Morris Orchard is a family-owned farm growing apples, peaches, blueberries, blackberries, and pumpkins, plus fresh-pressed apple cider made on site. Ginger Gold, an apple variety actually discovered nearby in Nelson County and prized for its crisp, sweet bite and flesh that resists browning after slicing, is worth watching for early on. Produce availability shifts throughout the season, so it's worth calling ahead to see what's currently ripe. If you’re looking to add a bit of history to your day, the Monacan Ancestral Museum is just a 15-minute drive away.
Learn more: 434-929-2401, morrisorchard.com
Dickie Brothers Orchard, Afton
8063 Rockfish Valley Highway, Afton, VA 22920 | Drive time from Roanoke: Roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes
A land grant from King George set this Nelson County orchard in motion more than 274 years ago, and the same family has run it ever since. Dickie Brothers Orchard sits near the George Washington National Forest and Wintergreen Resort, growing a wide range of apple varieties across its property. Pair this pick-your-own apple experience with a hike out to Crabtree Falls nearby.
Learn more: 434-277-5516, dickiebrothers.com
Seamans’ Orchard, Roseland
1040 Dark Hollow Road, Roseland, VA 22967 | Drive time from Roanoke: Roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes
Seamans' Orchard, a family farm for four generations, has apples ready for picking throughout the season. Twice each October, on the first and third Saturdays, the orchard turns into something bigger for its Apple Butter Makin' Festival. You can pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, try fresh cider and apple butter made on the farm, plus enjoy crafters, live music, and food vendors. If you’re looking to turn the day into an adventure, Seamans’ is just south of numerous hiking trails and waterfalls, including the Three Ridges Wilderness, White Rock Falls, and Crabtree Falls.
Learn more: 434-277-5824, silvercreekseamansorchards.com
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Picking Near Roanoke
Apple season generally runs from late summer through fall, though exact timing varies by orchard and variety. Several orchards, like Morris Orchard and Gross' Orchard, recommend calling or checking their website before visiting to see what's currently ripe.
Johnson's Orchard in Bedford is the closest option in this guide, about 40 minutes from Roanoke City Market, with a limited pick-your-own selection alongside its farm store.
Most orchards on this list don't require a reservation, but a quick call or check of the website is still worth it. Availability shifts with the season, and a few spots, like Johnson's Orchard, offer a more limited pick-your-own selection than others.
Yes. A few pair naturally with a bigger day out, Johnson's Orchard sits next to Peaks of Otter Winery, Dickie Brothers Orchard is close to Crabtree Falls, and Seamans' Orchard hosts its Apple Butter Makin' Festival on select October weekends.
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