Apple season is one of Western North Carolina’s sweetest traditions, and the 2026 season begins Friday, July 31!
Located approximately 30 minutes from Asheville, Hendersonville makes an easy family-friendly day trip filled with mountain scenery, local farms, fresh food, outdoor activities and a charming downtown area. Whether you pick a full basket of apples or simply stop for cider donuts and homemade ice cream, there is plenty to enjoy throughout the day.
Our Top Pick: Jeter Mountain Farm
Jeter Mountain Farm is much more than an apple orchard. It is a complete family-friendly farm experience with U-pick produce, children’s activities, live music, food, drinks and beautiful mountain scenery.
Check out Yonder’s collection of vacation rentals with in 30 minutes of Jeter Mountain Farm!
Families can easily spend several hours exploring the farm, making it an excellent activity for children, parents and grandparents traveling together.
Jeter Mountain Farm 2026 Dates and Hours
Summer Season: July 11–August 30
- Saturdays and Sundays: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Summer picking may include blueberries, blackberries, peaches and flowers, depending on what is ripe.
Fall Season: September 3–November 1
- Thursdays and Fridays: 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
- Saturdays and Sundays: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Labor Day, Monday, September 7: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The final U-pick wagon generally leaves for the fields at 3:30 p.m. on weekends. U-pick reservations may be required, so check availability and current picking conditions before visiting.
We recommend arriving when the farm first opens. Early arrivals can enjoy cooler temperatures, shorter lines and more time to explore the farm before the busiest part of the day.
Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy, closed-toe shoes that can handle grass, dirt and uneven orchard terrain. Sunscreen, hats and refillable water bottles are also helpful during warm summer and early fall visits.
What Families Will Love
- A large covered indoor playground where children can climb, slide and burn off energy
- Tractor-pulled wagon rides through the orchards and fields
- Homemade, small-batch ice cream from The Orchard Scoop
- Fresh apple cider donuts, pies, cookies and seasonal baked goods at Orchard Baking Co
- Barbecue from the 1813 Smokehouse
- Coffee, cider slushies and other seasonal drinks at Orchard Coffee House
- Small-batch hard cider and locally produced wine for adults at The Cider Co
- Live music during select open weekends
- A spacious covered porch with Blue Ridge Mountain views
- A farm market filled with produce, local foods, gifts and seasonal products
Even family members who are not interested in picking fruit can enjoy the food, playground, scenery, music and relaxed farm atmosphere.
A Farm for Every Season
Jeter Mountain Farm is not limited to apple season.
During the summer, visitors may be able to pick blueberries, blackberries, peaches and flowers. In the fall, the farm offers apples, pumpkins, cooler mountain weather and classic harvest-season scenery.
The flower fields, orchards, pumpkins, mountain views and rustic farm buildings also create beautiful backdrops for family photos. Consider coordinating comfortable outfits and taking a few pictures before everyone starts picking, eating and playing.
Jeter Mountain Farm is also a wonderful place to visit during the holidays. The farm hosts a festive Christmas experience with seasonal food and drinks, music, fireside rocking chairs and fresh North Carolina Fraser fir Christmas trees.
The farm is growing Christmas trees on the property for a future choose-and-cut experience. Until those trees are mature, it works with other North Carolina growers to offer fresh-cut trees during the holiday season.
More Hendersonville Apple Orchards to Explore
Jeter Mountain Farm may be our top recommendation for a full family experience, but Henderson County is home to several excellent orchards.
Sky Top Orchard
Located in nearby Flat Rock, Sky Top Orchard is known for its mountaintop scenery, U-pick apples and warm cider donuts.
Depending on availability, families may also find:
- Hayrides
- Apple cannons
- Farm animals
- Children’s play areas
- Fresh cider
- Seasonal treats
- Pre-picked and U-pick apples
Grandad’s Apples
Grandad’s Apples is a family-owned farm with apples, pumpkins, baked goods and seasonal activities.
Visitors can enjoy:
- Pre-picked apples
- Select U-pick opportunities
- A farm market
- Cider donuts
- Apple pies and baked goods
- Pumpkins
- Family-friendly fall attractions
Justus Orchard
Justus Orchard offers a combination of fruit picking, baked goods and beverages.
Depending on the season, visitors may find:
- U-pick apples, peaches and blackberries
- Fresh cider donuts
- Fried apple pies
- Apple cider
- A bakery and farm market
- Hard cider, local beer and regional wine for adults
- Kids play area
Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard
Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard is a family-run farm with expansive Blue Ridge Mountain views and traditional fall activities.
Offerings may include:
- U-pick apples
- Pumpkins
- Farm activities
- Seasonal baked goods
- Mountain views
- Family-friendly outdoor spaces
Apple varieties and picking conditions change throughout the season, so check each orchard’s current harvest report before leaving your vacation rental.
Save the Date: The North Carolina Apple Festival
Apple season reaches its peak during the North Carolina Apple Festival, held over Labor Day weekend in downtown Hendersonville.
The multi-day celebration includes:
- Local apple growers
- Apple-inspired food and drinks
- Arts and crafts vendors
- Live entertainment
- Family-friendly activities
- Shopping and dining along historic Main Street
- A festive parade and community events
The Apple Festival can be very busy, so plan for additional traffic and limited parking if visiting during the holiday weekend.
What Can You Do With All Those Apples?
It is easy to pick more apples than you originally planned, but fresh apples are one of the best vacation souvenirs.
Use your apples to make:
- Homemade apple pie
- Warm apple crisp
- Apple cobbler
- Baked cinnamon apples
- Apple muffins or quick bread
- Apple pancakes
- Homemade applesauce
- Apple butter
- Caramel apple slices
- Apple and cheddar snack boards
- Pork chops or roasted chicken with apples
Many vacation rentals have well-equipped kitchens, making an apple crisp or pie a fun family activity after a day at the orchard.
Apples are also excellent for travelers because they are sturdy, portable and generally hold up well during the drive home. Keep them cool, avoid leaving them in a hot vehicle and pack them where they will not be crushed by luggage.
Not interested in traveling with a large bag of fresh fruit? Orchard markets often sell:
- Apple butter
- Jams and preserves
- Fresh or bottled cider
- Apple sauces
- Local honey
- Pies and baked goods
- Shelf-stable apple products
- Apple cider donuts
A box of cider donuts also makes the perfect treat to enjoy back at your vacation rental—although they may not last until checkout.
Make a Full Day of Hendersonville
After visiting the orchards, spend some time exploring downtown Hendersonville.
Historic Main Street offers:
- Independent boutiques
- Local restaurants
- Coffee shops
- Breweries and cideries
- Art galleries
- Antique stores
- Ice cream shops
- Seasonal events and live entertainment
Downtown Hendersonville is walkable and family-friendly, making it easy to browse the shops or stop for lunch after a morning at the orchard.
Walk or Bike the Ecusta Trail
The Ecusta Trail is another excellent addition to your Hendersonville day trip.
The paved rail trail begins near downtown and gives visitors a scenic place to walk, run or bike. It is an easy way to enjoy the outdoors without committing to a strenuous mountain hike.
Bring your own bikes or plan a relaxed walk before dinner.
End the Day at Trailside Brewing Company
Finish the evening at Trailside Brewing Company, conveniently located beside the Ecusta Trail.
Trailside offers a relaxed atmosphere with:
- Indoor and outdoor seating
- Firepits
- A children’s playground
- Craft beer and other beverages
- Live music and community events
- Several nearby dining options
- Easy access from the trail
It is a convenient place for adults to relax while children continue playing after a full day of apple picking, downtown shopping and outdoor exploring.
From fresh apples and homemade ice cream to flower fields, family photos, downtown shopping and an evening beside the Ecusta Trail, Hendersonville offers an easy local adventure the entire family can enjoy.
Pack comfortable shoes, bring your appetite and get ready to celebrate apple season in the Blue Ridge Mountains!
Add this section just before the final closing paragraph:
Make a Yonder Vacation Rental Your Home Base
Apple picking is even better when you have a comfortable mountain home to return to at the end of the day. A Yonder Luxury Vacation Rental gives your family a private home base for relaxing, cooking and spending time together while exploring Hendersonville, Asheville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.
After a morning at Jeter Mountain Farm or one of Henderson County’s other orchards, return to your rental to:
- Bake an apple pie or warm apple crisp in a fully equipped kitchen
- Spread out your orchard finds and decide which treats to enjoy now or take home
- Relax by the fireplace, on the deck or around the firepit
- Let the kids unwind after a busy day of picking and playing
- Enjoy cider donuts, fresh apple cider or homemade ice cream without rushing to the next activity
- Gather around the table for a family meal made with locally picked apples
- Store fresh produce and orchard products until it is time to travel home
With vacation homes throughout Asheville, Hendersonville and Western North Carolina, Yonder makes it easy to turn an orchard visit into part of a complete mountain getaway. Spend the day picking apples, exploring downtown Hendersonville, walking the Ecusta Trail and relaxing at Trailside Brewing Company—then come home to the space, privacy and amenities your family needs to recharge.
From fresh apples and homemade ice cream to flower fields, family photos, downtown shopping and evenings around the firepit, Hendersonville offers an easy local adventure for the entire family.
Choose a Yonder Luxury Vacation Rental as your home base, pack comfortable shoes and get ready to celebrate apple season in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
