Apples and Apple Things
Apple Season in Brevard & the Surrounding Mountains
If there's one tradition that defines fall in Western North Carolina, it's apple season. Just up the road from Ecusta RV Park, Henderson County (centered around Hendersonville) is one of the largest apple-growing regions on the East Coast — North Carolina ranks 7th in the nation for commercial apple production, and most of that comes from the orchards a short drive from our door. Here's what you need to know to plan your visit.
When Is Apple Season?
Apple season in this area begins in early August with pick-your-own dwarf apple trees and continues through mid-October, weather permitting. If you're chasing a specific variety, Honeycrisp — the most-requested U-pick variety — ripens in mid-September and is usually picked out by mid-to-late October, so the sweet spot for the widest selection is generally mid-September through early October. Most orchards plant 8 to 20 varieties and stagger ripening across the whole September–October window, so there's almost always something ready to pick no matter when you visit.
Where to Go U-Pick
The heaviest concentration of orchards is about 30–40 minutes northeast of Brevard, in and around Hendersonville. A few standouts:
Justus Orchard (Hendersonville) – A family legacy spanning over 100 years and five generations, growing around 19–21 apple varieties. Open 7 days a week from August 4th through early November for the 2026 season. Known for fried apple pies, a jumping pillow, a cow train for the kids, and a taproom serving hard cider, craft beer, and wine.
Sky Top Orchard (Zirconia, near Flat Rock) – Perched high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, family-owned and operated since 1967, still hand-picking apples and pressing cider fresh on-site. Known for sweeping mountain views, farm animals, and a bamboo forest. Requires a reservation for U-pick in 2026 — no walk-ins.
Grandad's Apples N' Such (Hendersonville) – 120 acres of apple trees with more than 30 varieties, plus a corn maze, playground, apple cannon, and a cow train. One of the most recommended orchards in the area for families.
Jeter Mountain Farm (Hendersonville) – A first-generation apple farm on more than 400 acres, located just minutes from both downtown Hendersonville and Brevard — likely your closest option from Ecusta RV Park. Apple U-pick opens September 4th, 2026, and also requires a reservation. Beyond apples, U-pick includes peaches, berries, sunflowers, and grapes, with live bluegrass on weekends and a BBQ food truck on-site.
Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard (Hendersonville) – Over 21 varieties across 70 acres, with a tractor ride through the orchard for anyone who'd rather ride than walk.
Mountain Fresh Orchards (Hendersonville) – 17 varieties, fresh-made pies, and an Apple Express train — sits on the same road as Grandad's, so it's easy to combine both into one trip.
A quick planning tip: Sky Top, Jeter Mountain, and Windy Hill all require an appointment or reservation for U-pick this year rather than allowing walk-ins, so it's worth booking ahead through their websites or Facebook pages before you head up the mountain.
What Else Is There to Do
Apple orchards in this area are rarely just about the apples. Expect corn mazes, hay rides, farm animals, playgrounds, and — almost universally — a bakery. If you're picking for fresh eating, look for Honeycrisp, Gala, or Empire; for pies and baking, Granny Smith, Cortland, Mutsu, or Northern Spy; for applesauce, McIntosh or Cortland; and for cider, a blend of Jonathan, McIntosh, and a sweet variety.
Nearly every orchard on this list sells fresh cider and apple cider donuts on-site, and several — Justus, Sky Top, and Grandad's among them — have full bakeries turning out fried apple pies, apple butter, and more.
The NC Apple Festival
If you want the full celebration, plan your trip around Labor Day weekend. The 2026 NC Apple Festival runs September 4th through 7th in downtown Hendersonville, with a street fair, live music, arts and crafts vendors, a food court, and the festival's famous parade closing out the weekend. It's one of the largest apple festivals in the Southeast and a great way to kick off apple season if your visit lines up with the holiday.
What to Expect to Pay
U-pick apple pricing typically runs $20–$40 per peck (roughly 10–13 lbs) or $30–$60 per half-bushel (roughly 20–25 lbs), with premium varieties like Honeycrisp running 20–30% above the standard rate. Some orchards also charge a separate admission or hayride fee on weekends, typically $5–$15 — worth budgeting for if you're visiting on a Saturday.
Closer to Home
While the biggest orchards are clustered around Hendersonville, several of these same farms sell at farmers' markets in Asheville, Brevard, and Black Mountain, so if a full orchard trip doesn't fit your schedule, keep an eye on the Brevard farmers' market for fresh, local apples without the drive.
Whichever orchard you choose, it makes for an easy half-day trip from Ecusta RV Park — pick a bag of apples in the morning, and you'll be back in time to watch the sunset over Pisgah Forest with a warm apple cider donut in hand.
