16 Best Places for Apple Picking in Maryland (Updated for 2023)
16 Best Places To Pick Apples In Maryland!
Fall is such a fun time as the weather gets cooler and the leaves start to fall. One of our favorite fall activities is to go apple picking in Maryland. Apples are the perfect fruit to eat and can be used in so many ways.
There are several apple varieties such as Granny smith, pink lady, honey crisp and they can be eaten as is, made into apple pies, apple cider doughnuts, baked into desserts and more.
Here is your guide so you can find the best places for apple orchards in Maryland! Also, if you are interested in strawberry picking and pumpkin picking, check out the posts below:
23 Amazing Pumpkin Patches in Maryland
The Complete Guide to Strawberry Picking in Maryland
Here is a list of the 14 must visit best apple orchards in Maryland.
14 Best Places for Apple Picking in Maryland
Here are some of the best places for apple picking in Maryland! Each of these farms allows you to pick your own apples.
Because apple picking is cheaper than buying from a grocery store, make sure to stock up while you can! Any of these farms will give you the tastiest apples you’ll find.
1. Larriland Farm, Woodbine, Maryland
Larriland Farm is a pick your own farm located in Woodbine, Maryland. You need to buy a container once you arrive; you cannot bring your own. You will pay by the container, not by the pound, as other farms typically do.
This farm even allows you to pay with credit cards, cash, or check. Larriland Farm has 27 different apples you can pick from August to November.
Be sure to call before driving up there as sometimes all of the ripe fruit gets picked and they need to close to wait for the others to ripen.
Larriland offers hayrides during the day on Saturdays and Sundays in late September and October, they also offer a pumpkin hayride on weekdays in October.
Apple fritters and Food trucks on Saturdays and Sundays in October. They also have a Boo Barn which is a designated area of animated ghost like things created for children ages 4 – 6years old.
2. Rock Hill Orchard, Mount Airy, MD
At Rock Hill Orchard, you will find thousands of apples to pick! Apple picking season for this farm begins in September. This farm is super-efficient where you simply pay for the bag and then fill it up!
No more waiting in lines to have your apples weighed. Here you will find a variety of apples to choose from.
In addition to picking apples, you can pick peaches and berries. They have about 30 acres of apple and peach orchard! They also have an on farm market where you can get Ice Cream Scoops and Ice cream in pre-packed pints of various flavors. You can also get grass fed beef, Golden Guernsey milk and much more.
They are known as Montgomery County’s only “Cow to Cone” ice cream shop and dairy because the cows are fed grass on the farm and the ice cream is made right there without anything added into the milk from their cows.
3. Weber’s Cider Mill Farm, Parkville, MD
Another great place to pick apples in Maryland is at Weber’s Cider Mill Farm located a short drive from Baltimore. This farm has a pick-your-own apple season from September to early November.
Be sure to check their website and Facebook page to stay up to date on exactly when their apples are fresh and ready to be picked.
You can buy some Weber’s Fresh Pressed Apple Cider to enjoy at home with your family. There is a Weber’s Bakery where you can drop in for fresh baked breads and pies or ice cream or some special holiday treats.
The farm market is full of lots of goodies like farm fresh turkey, local cheese, honey, fruit preserves, jellies, and butters; relishes, pickles, salad dressings; maple syrup and fresh-pressed apple cider. They also carry gift items you can buy.
4. Baugher’s Orchard & Farm, Westminister, MD
Baugher’s Orchard & Farm about 40 minutes from Baltimore, one of the best apple orchards in Maryland has apples from August to October. This farm is open on the weekends all day long, so you can pick together as a family. There are field helpers to teach you how to find the more delicious apples, so be sure to listen!
They have over 600 acres of fruits, vegetables, and activities. You can pick various fruits like strawberries, sweet cherries, sour cherries, pumpkins etc.
While at Baugher’s, be sure to try the Wagon rides to the fields and also stop by at the petting zoo where you can feed some of the animals. If your kids get tired of the animals, they can play at the 2 available playground sets.
You have to pay for a container to pick in when buying your ticket to go to the field.
They have a variety of homemade baked goods and treats available at the bakery, so when you are done apple picking, buy some baked goods to take home.
In the fall, there is the annual Fall Harvest Festival, every weekend in October, which is an awesome experience full of family farm fun. Hands down one of my favorite spots for Apple picking in MD.
5. Waters Orchard
An apple orchard in Maryland, Waters Orchard has 17 different types of apples that you can pick yourself. Usually, apples will ripen and be ready to pick in September, but so many factors contribute to that, so be sure to check before heading over to the farm to make sure you get the best apples.
All the apples you pick must fit inside your purchased apple bag. They make their own cider and also have a food truck schedule.
They make amazing apple cider fresh using apples grown on the farm. Initially they made it for personal use but then made it public in 2018.
6. Butler’s Orchard
You can pick some fresh apples at Butler’s Orchard during September and October. They will update their website to inform you of the picking conditions daily. Butler’s Orchard is located in Germantown, Maryland, and has a farm market if you become too busy to pick your own.
It’s one of our favorite places to go apple picking or even pumpkin picking. They also have strawberry picking, small animals and large play slides.
When we went we made sure to grab some donuts at the Farmer’s porch and they were amazing. The lines were super long, we had to split ourselves. They have a ton of fresh food to enjoy with your family.
Butler’s orchard is also known as one of the best corn mazes in Maryland.
Butler’s orchard is home to the famous Bunnyland festival which includes a variety of activities for kids such as Giant Slides, Egg Hunt, playground, pedal tractors and much more.
If you are looking for somewhere to go strawberry picking, Butler’s orchard is also perfect for that and pumpkin picking. They even have opportunities to walk with the sunflowers in the farm.
Butler’s Orchard is another family favorite of ours when it comes to Apple picking, Maryland
Don’t miss: Amazing Easter Egg Hunt and Events for Kids in Maryland
7. Catoctin Mountain Orchard, Thurmont
You will find over 10 varieties of apples at Catoctin Mountain Orchard. You can pick your own apples every Saturday and Sunday in September and October. This farm only accepts cash, but there is an ATM on-site if you need it!
Their apple season usually starts in July and from then, you can pick a variety of apples depending on their seasons. You can also pick peaches, plums, grapes and much more. Their bakery has a ton of baked goods like pound cakes, cookies, frozen and baked pies, apple cider donuts, crumb cake etc.
You must purchase your Pick Your Own bags.
8. Milburn Orchards, Elkton
Milburn Orchards has a great selection of apples to pick as well. You must register online before coming to the farm. Don’t bring your own containers; they will have ones to buy there! No need to weigh your container when you are finished; you pre-pay!
This makes it nice and easy, especially if you pick apples with your kids. They even have a kiddie container!
Milburn opens temporarily during Easter for events. They have an outdoor easter egg hunt for kids and provide pails that your kids can borrow to collect their eggs if they do not bring theirs. There is also a Breakfast with the Easter Bunny event and hayrides.
They do require online reservations for ages 10+.
9. Gardenhour Orchards
Pick your own apples at Gardenhour Orchards! This apple picking farm has over 5 different kinds of apples to choose from. Picking begins mid-September and usually finishes up in October. You can always buy their produce instead and still have fresh, delicious apples if you don’t have time!
You can also pick strawberries while there although its season starts end of May.
10. M&C Vessey Farm
While you can find apples to pick during the summer, the best time to go apple picking at M&C Vessey Farm is during the fall. When you finish picking here, be sure to go grab a drink of their freshly made apple cider!
They offer “Pick Your Own” or “Freshly Picked” produce and are located on the beautiful Pocomoke River in Westover, Maryland.
The best part? They also press their apple cider right on site and sell the cider in the 1/2 gallon and gallon sizes.
11. Shaw Orchards
Shaw Orchards lets you pick your own apples every Saturday during September and October. Check out their website to see when each variety of apples will be ripe and ready for picking to ensure you get the apples you love!
They have been producing fresh fruits and vegetables for 111 years and open for pick-your-own strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins, cherries, blueberries, and apples.
They do offer hayrides through the orchards to the pumpkin patch.
12. Kingsbury Orchard
At Kingsbury Orchard, you can find fresh red apples from August all the way to the end of October. This farm is located in Dickerson, Maryland. They have tons of fun recipes for apples, so none go bad after you buy them!
Feel free to also send them your own recipes as they gladly collect those. You can start picking apples from august depending on the type and if its in season.
13. Homestead Farm
Another great pick your own farm is the Homestead Farm. Apple season here is from mid-August to the end of October. This all depends on the weather and how many people pick apples this year.
Stay up to date on when to head over to their farm by calling or checking their website!
Pick your own crops is available for tart cherries, blueberries, peaches, blackberries, apples and pumpkins all at different seasons.
There is an admission fee to enter and then the produce are sold separately by pound. Your admission gives you access to farm animals, picnic tables, grassy area by pond, hay stack by pond, refreshment stand (open Saturday & Sunday only).
14. Lohr’s Orchard
Lohr’s Orchard is a farm in Harford County, Maryland, where you can find fresh apples to pick yourself. This farm is open daily and has a pick your own section so you can come with your family to find fresh produce, including apples. They also have a retail store as well where you can grab some goodies!
Lohr’s Orchard fresh pressed apple cider has been family pressed at the orchard for over 50 years! The cider is offered in three different sizes (pint, 1/2-gallon, gallon).
Picking apples is a fun family tradition your kids will love. If you haven’t tried it yet, start this year! Any of these farms will have the best-tasting apples to enjoy. Make some fun memories with your family by picking apples and creating your own delicious apple treats!
15. Lewis Orchards
Located near Smithsburg and Cavetown, Maryland, Lewis Orchard is another apple orchard to visit . They also grow other fruits in season such as strawberries, peaches and more.
The orchard has lots of fresh fruit, picked from trees right outside the farm market doors and they are high quality and taste nice too.
16. Heyser Farms
Heyser farm is family owned farm located in Silver Spring, MD and are open Tuesday through Saturday: 9am to 6pm and closed on Sundays & Mondays.
The farm is open year-round and also has a market with seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, sweet cider, baked goods, flowers, local milk, eggs, ice cream, honey, jams, & more.
They are more expensive than your regular grocery store but it’s always great to not have to worry about their quality.
FAQs on Apple picking in Maryland
When Can You go Apple picking in Maryland?
Usually, apple picking season is usually anywhere from August to October. In Maryland, you will find September to October the best time to pick apples!
What month is best for apple picking?
The month for apple picking season in Maryland is usually from September to October and this is the best time to pick apples!
Does Maryland have apple orchards?
Yes, there are several apple orchards in Maryland to check out with your family. Some great options are Shaw orchards, Butler’s Orchard, Baugher’s Orchard and farm, Larriland’s farm and more.
Is Maryland known for apples?
No, Maryland is not typically known for its apple production. While the state does grow apples to some extent, it is not a major apple-producing state like Washington or New York.
Maryland’s climate and agricultural focus are better suited for other crops such as seafood, poultry, and vegetables. While you can find locally grown apples in Maryland, it is not a defining or well-known aspect of the state’s agriculture.
Tips for Maryland Apple picking
- Make sure you check what payment options are available at each farm before heading over.
- Some farms require you to use their containers, while you must bring your own to others. Double-check to make sure!
- Call the day you plan to go to ensure the weather conditions are good and there are still ripe apples to be picked.
- Wear sunscreen and bring a hat if it is super hot outside!
Final thoughts on the best Places for Apple Orchards in Maryland
Apple picking in Md is definitely a fall season highlight. There are also so many options when it comes to where to go apple picking in Maryland, from small apple orchards and farms to larger and more popular ones, you are sure to find a great option for your family!
