Where to go apple picking in the DC area

By Rachel Nania
September 3, 2019 | 1:01 AM

(AP Photo/Steven Senne) — <a href="http://greatcountryfarms.com/festivals-events/apple-gala-cider-fest/"><b>Great Country Farms</b></a> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">18780 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont, Virginia</span></em> Every weekend in September, Great Country Farms <span style="font-weight: 400;">— a 400-acre family-run operation — hosts its Apple Gala and Fresh Cider Festival, complete with live music, marshmallow roasting, cider-pressing demos and, of course, apple picking. Weekend and weekday admission to the farm includes a wagon ride to the field and access to the kid-friendly play area. </span>

(AP Photo/Heather Ainsworth) — <a href="https://www.mackintoshfruitfarm.com/"><b>Mackintosh Fruit Farm</b></a> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">1608 Russell Rd., Berryville, Virginia</span></em> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Nestled in Clarke County, Virginia, is Mackintosh Fruit Farm — a family-owned orchard. There is no admission charge; visitors only pay for what they pick. </span> <a href="http://www.hollinfarms.com/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hollin Farms</strong></a> <em>1584 Snowden Rd., Delaplane, Virginia</em> This Fauquier County farm specializes in pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, plus Angus cattle and pasture-raised natural beef. In addition to picking apples, visitors can also dig their own potatoes and harvest a variety of vegetables.

(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — <a href="https://www.butlersorchard.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Butler's Orchard </strong></a> <em>22222 Davis Mill Rd., Germantown, Maryland</em> Apple picking is in full swing at Butler's Orchard in Germantown, Maryland. If you are not in the mood to pick your own, head to the farm's market for already picked fruits and vegetables, plus apple cider doughnuts, fresh baked breads, pies and more. <a href="http://www.homestead-farm.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Homestead Farm</strong></a> <em>15604 Sugarland Rd., Poolesville, Maryland</em> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Just past Potomac, Maryland, is Homestead Farm, which is home to apple orchards, a petting zoo and a fresh fruit and vegetable stand. Admission to the farm is $2 per person and pick-your-own produce is sold by the pound. </span>

(AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) — <a href="http://www.milburnorchards.com/"><b>Milburn Orchards</b></a> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">1495 Appleton Rd., Elkton, Maryland</span></em> <span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re taking toddlers on an apple-picking adventure, Milburn Orchards makes the experience a little easier on your arms (and nerves). The Elkton, Maryland, farm has dwarf trees, meaning there’s no need for ladders since the fruit is reachable from the ground. The farm's fall festival weekends run Sept. 14 through Oct. 27. </span>

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig) — <a href="http://www.catoctinmountainorchard.com/"><b>Catoctin Mountain Orchard</b></a> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">15036 N Franklinville Rd., Thurmont, Maryland</span></em> Pick your own apples, cut your own flowers and pick out your own homemade pies and preserves at Catoctin Mountain Orchard, just north of Frederick, Maryland.

(AP Photo/Eric Risberg) — <a href="http://www.rockhillorchard.com/"><b>Rock Hill Orchard</b></a> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">28600 Ridge Rd., Mt. Airy, Maryland</span></em> At Rock Hill Orchard, visitors can load up on fresh fruits and veggies in the farm's pick-your-own fields, followed by a scoop (or two) of fresh made ice cream from the orchard's on-site Woodbourne Creamery.

(AP Photo/Mike Groll) — <a href="http://www.pickyourown.com/"><b>Larriland Farm</b></a> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">2415 Woodbine Rd., Woodbine, Maryland</span></em> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Larriland Farm grows a number of different types of pick-your-own apples. Plus, there’s a barn store that sells everything you need to can and preserve your haul. </span>

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Get those apple pie recipes ready: September is the biggest month for fall’s signature fruit.

Interested in picking your own — and throwing back a few apple cider doughnuts in the process? There are plenty of places in the D.C. area where you can do just that.

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