Three Apple Orchards To Visit Near Raleigh, NC

Let’s face it. If you live in North Carolina and you want to pick fresh apples in an orchard in the fall… you’re heading to the mountains. Unless.. you’re not. I live in the Triangle area, and I wanted to visit an apple orchard that was an hour or so away, but didn’t require me to travel to the Asheville area, rent an Airbnb and stay the night.

Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE traveling the North Carolina mountains and staying a few nights. But on this particular occasion, I was just really craving that apple orchard experience and didn’t want to make a big production out of it.

Lucky for me, I found three apple orchards about an hour or so away from the Raleigh area that I can visit and just make a fun family day trip of it.

Blueberry Thrill Farm Gibsonville, NC

Blueberry Thrill Farm is about 59 miles from the greater Raleigh area. Blueberry Thrill Farm began in 1982 when Rick and Nan Langhorne planted four acres of blueberries and blackberries. In 2020 Rick & Nan’s youngest son, Wil Langhorne, took over ownership and operations of Blueberry Thrill Farm.

Tip: Check their Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.

Millstone Creek Orchard Ramseur, NC

Millstone Creek is about 51 miles away from the Triangle and near the Asheboro Zoo. This is a small orchard but very busy! Check their schedule as the events they have on the weekend or not the same as the ones on the weekend. Food offerings are different as well. Apple cider donuts on the weekends – aye oh! Apple cider is pressed weekly check their Facebook page for the day. They have one of the longest apple-picking seasons extending into mid-October while many orchards close at the end of October. But they have many fun events, artisans and food trucks to stop by through the end of fall.

Tip: This orchard is small and gets crowded very easily. But it’s a great place to take the kiddos for a fun day out. Bring a picnic and make a day of it. They have plenty of tables, but come early in the season when the apples are plentiful, book the first morning u-pick session

Devil Dog Orchards Reidsville, NC

Devil Dog Orchards is near Greensboro, NC and about 94 miles away from Raleigh and is the farthest drive on the list. Owned by a former Marine, Devil Dog Orchards, this farm is on 57 acres of land. Nice place to take the family and get in touch with nature.

Tip: Do your homework and have questions for the owners. They are very friendly, knowledgeable and love to share what they know.