5 Ellijay Apple Orchards You Need to Visit

When the weather gets cooler and the fall season approaches, it’s time to start harvesting apples in Ellijay, Georgia.

Nestled in the scenic North Georgia mountains, Ellijay is known as the “Apple Capital of Georgia” for good reason. Each fall, this area at the Georgia/Tennessee border and its rolling hills come alive with vibrant orchards offering crisp, juicy apples and unforgettable farm experiences. From family-owned farms with generations of tradition to bustling orchards with hayrides, cider tastings, and fresh-baked apple pies, Ellijay is a true autumn paradise.

Here are five apple orchards you need to visit for the perfect mix of fresh fruit, mountain views, and small-town charm.
 

1. B.J. Reece Orchards

Photo Credit: Swolf1425

Address: 9131 GA-52

Kicking things off is this quaint family farm on Ellijay’s eastern edge. B.J. Reece Orchards has many apple orchards, and you can find quite a variety of apples here. So, when you and your family explore the orchard, be sure to sample as many apples as possible. Some of the options include:

• Gala
• Honey Crisp
• Red Delicious
• Golden Delicious
• Candy Crisp
• Granny Smith
• Fuji

During U-Pick season, simply pick the bag you want to fill, and you’re off to pick your own apples. Admission varies depending on whether you visit during the week or the weekend. The smallest bag holds about 10 to 12 apples, while the largest holds 40 to 50. Once you have your apples, we highly recommend you put them to use with one of these delicious apple recipes.

While fresh apples are a treat by themselves, Reece Orchards also has a country bakery. There, you can sample some world-famous fried pies or apple cider donuts. They also offer fresh produce and vegetables at their market. Be sure to buy extra goodies to take home, as you’ll want some later.

In addition to apple-picking, B.J. Reece Orchards also has pig races, a petting farm, exotic animals, a giant slide, wagon rides, a jumping pillow, and even cow milking. When you visit, plan on spending the whole day. It's the perfect family-friendly outing in Ellijay.
 

2. Hillcrest Orchards

Photo Credit: Tatiana Kochkina

Address: 9696 GA-52

Hillcrest Orchards is a bit further out from Reece Orchards along Highway 52. There are several orchards along this stretch, and Hillcrest is the last of the bunch. This spot is one of the most popular orchards in Ellijay, and it offers many of the same activities and amenities you can find at B.J. Reece and elsewhere.

The apple-picking season runs from late August to the end of November, and the farm even runs school and senior tours during the week. You can also find many apple related products at the farm market, including candied apples, jams and jellies, honey, syrups, and apple butter.

Hillcrest Orchards is a lot of fun, thanks to the abundance of activities and games. You and your kids can participate in:

• Apple Tree Maze - Like a corn maze, but with apples!
• Vortex Tunnel - Feel like you’re walking into another dimension!
• Museums - The farm has an apple, moonshine, and farmhouse museum.
• Mini Golf - Try your luck at some farm-fresh putt-putt!
• Swimming Pig Races - You can watch pigs, ducks, and chickens race against each other in!
• Music and Dancing - On the weekends, the farm hosts local bands, and you can participate in clog dancing.
   

3. Panorama Orchards

Photo Credit: cabuscaa

Address: 63 Talona Mountain Rd.

Panorama Orchards is a family fruit farm established in the 1920s in Ellijay. While the orchard doesn’t offer a U-pick apple option to pick your own apples, they sell over 20 varieties of apples along with other fresh fruits from their family fruit farm. This shop is south of Ellijay along Highway 5.

The retail store sells whatever is fresh and in season. During the Spring, check it out for some juicy strawberries. During the Summer, you have to try some succulent Georgia peaches. Then, during the fall, it’s apple harvest time.

In each case, Panorama makes various baked goods and treats from the fruit. You can get jams, jellies, preserves, and pastries. When it’s apple season, you should try their fritters, apple brandy cake, or fried apple pies. Panorama has quite a fried pie collection, including cherry, blackberry, peach, and blueberry.

Finally, you can get some ice cream to go along with your pastries. There are 12 flavors available, which rotate throughout the year based on what’s in season.
 

4. Red Apple Barn

Photo Credit: encierro

Address: 3379 Tails Creek Rd.

If you’re coming to the North Georgia mountains to pick apples and nothing else, you might want to make your first stop at Red Apple Barn. This fan-favorite orchard is to the west of Ellijay on Highway 76.

Since it’s not part of the “orchard row,” Red Apple has more space to grow tons of apple varieties. When you visit, you can pick from 21 different flavors. The orchard also has a farm market where you can buy preserves, jams, jellies, and your traditional sweet favorites.

Red Apple Barn also has a pumpkin patch, open late September through October, with a hayride for kids to enjoy. Get ready for Halloween and pick your own pumpkins while you sample some freshly picked apples.

Another highlight of Red Apple Barn is that it’s a wedding venue. Couples can get the ceremony of their dreams with picturesque views of the orchards and rolling hills in the background.
 

5. Mercier Orchards

Photo Credit: Tatevosian Yana

Address: 8660 Blue Ridge Dr, Blue Ridge

About 20 minutes up Highway 76 from Ellijay is Blue Ridge – another idyllic small town in the North Georgia mountains. Just outside the city is Mercier Orchards, one of the largest and most-visited apple orchards in the region.

Mercier doesn’t have as many family-friendly activities as Hillcrest or B.J. Reece, but it has some excellent apples and even a winery. In addition to handcrafted wines, you can sample some Mercier hard cider to go with your fresh-baked goods. Sweets are also a big part of the farm market, as you can buy handmade peanut brittle, candied nuts, peanut butter cups, and more.

The activities you can do on-site include:

• Wine and Cider Tasting - Flavors rotate throughout the seasons, so check back regularly to see what’s in stock.
• Fishing - There are several ponds on the property, and the owners allow families to catch and release the fish living in them.
• Apple Blossom Tours - As the apple trees come into bloom, you can take a tour of the orchard to marvel at their splendor. These tours happen in the spring, usually in April. The rest of the year, you can take self-guided tours of the orchards.
   

Attend the Georgia Apple Festival

Every October, Ellijay celebrates its apple-growing heritage with the beloved Georgia Apple Festival, a two-weekend event that draws visitors from near and far. Stroll through rows of vendor booths featuring handmade crafts, local art, and, of course, plenty of apple-themed treats—from hot cider and fritters to caramel apples and pies.

Live music, family-friendly activities, and a welcoming community spirit make it more than just a festival—it’s a celebration of all things fall in the North Georgia mountains. Whether you’re here for the apples, the atmosphere, or both, the Georgia Apple Festival is a must on your Ellijay itinerary.
 

Stay Near the Best Apple Picking in Ellijay, Georgia

Make the most of your apple-picking getaway by staying just minutes from Ellijay’s top orchards with Blue Sky Cabin Rentals. From cozy cabins tucked in the woods to luxury mountain homes with sweeping views, you’ll find the perfect place to relax after a day of orchard hopping. Wake up to crisp mountain air, enjoy your morning coffee on the porch, and head out for another round of apple-filled adventures on your fall getaway.

Book your stay with Blue Sky Cabin Rentals today and turn your Ellijay apple-picking trip into an unforgettable mountain escape.