The 5+ Best Places To Pick Apples In Maryland (updated for 2023!)

apple orchard

Apple picking is a favorite fall activity for families. These are the 5+ best places to pick apples in Maryland!

Is there anything that says “Fall” like heading out to the apple orchard and picking a bag or two of your own fresh apples? Maryland is home to several outstanding apple orchards that combine apple picking with family-friendly activities, making for a fun outing. Apple orchards have grown to become key components of Maryland’s agri-tourism and a must do for fall family fun!

And honestly, who can resist the taste of apple cider, apple cider donuts, apple cider slushies, caramel apples… I could go on. 

Here are some of the best places to pick apples in Maryland.

Related: Check out the Kid Friendly Maryland comprehensive resource for parents: Things To Do In Maryland With Kids!

Weber’s Cider Mill Farm – Parkville

Address: 2526 Proctor Ln, Parkville, MD 21234

A short drive north of Baltimore, Weber’s Cider Mill Farm in Parkville offers visitors an opportunity to pick their own apples from the orchard or buy them at the farm’s market. Make a day trip of your visit to Weber’s Cider Mill Farm, where your kids can enjoy the farm’s attractions, such as the giant hillside slide or the tire mountain.

Try to not get lost taking the little ones around the straw maze. The entire family can enjoy a hayride around the farm, taking in the sights and sounds of rural life in the autumn. 

Since 1908, the Weber family has been involved in agriculture, raising crops and transporting them to Baltimore to sell. Today, the family enjoys running the apple orchard, among the other fruits and vegetables they raise, including tomatoes, peaches and pumpkins. Apple picking runs from late September through early November.

While visiting the farm, take advantage of the homecooked treats and try some fresh pies like the Jewish apple and berry, or other baked goods such as pumpkin crème roll or apple doughnuts. Don’t forget to take home a pie or two, along with your apples.

Related: The 20+ Best Places to Pick Pumpkins in Maryland and the Region

Baugher’s Orchard – Westminster

Address: 1015 Baugher Rd, Westminster, MD 21158

baughers orchard

Baugher’s Orchard near Westminster, about 45 minutes north of Baltimore, started as a small farm operation in in the early 1900s with about 60 acres. Today, the farm is responsible for about 600 acres of goodness. This is one of our favorite places to pick apples in Maryland for sure!

Several acres are set aside for the fruits and vegetables the family grows for the fall harvest.

Offering a variety of items during late summer into the fall, including peaches, plums and nectarines, the farm may be most popular early September- late October, when apples, and then pumpkins, are ready for picking. 

The farm raises about 20 varieties of apples, with about 10 of them available for public harvesting each year. The farm is available for you pick’em on weekends, beginning in early September.

As you visit the farm, check out the petting zoo, featuring lambs, goats, donkeys, rabbits, and more. Take a tractor-pulled wagon ride around the farm during your visit.

The farm is also home to a bakery with several types of pies on hand. You can also enjoy a family meal at Baugher’s Restaurant, with a country menu and pie for dessert.

You can read my in-depth review of apple picking at Baugher’s Orchard here.

Larriland Farm- Woodbine

Address: 2415 Woodbine Rd, Woodbine, MD 21797

There is hardly a better place in Maryland to pick fruit and veggies. Larriland Farm offers so many options for PYO goodness, and apple picking is no exception!

They offer 22 varieties of apples to pick from mid-August to early-November. Like with all their PYO opportunities, you drive right to the picking fields and pay after you pick.

The main barn also had plenty of just picked produce, baked goods, and other yummy treats. Behind the barn there are some farm animals for kids to visit… which is always a big treat.

Larriland Farm specializes in authentic hayrides, pumpkin picking, a ‘not-so-spooky’ boo barn, and hay bale maze.

Related: Let lost and have a blast at one of these Maryland corn mazes!

Butler’s Orchard – Germantown

Address: 22222 Davis Mill Rd, Germantown, MD 20876

butlers orchard caramel apples

George and Shirley Butler bought a farm with 25 acres and a log cabin. They raised their family on the land. Today, the Butler family manages about 300 acres, growing a variety of fruits and vegetables.

They encourage people to visit and pick their own produce. Some days, visitors can drive their own vehicles to the fields. On other days, guests ride a trolley. Regardless, it’s a fun adventure to visit the Butler Orchard, a few minutes outside of Gaithersburg. 

Open Tuesday-Sunday, visitors can enjoy picking apples during the day (farm closes at 5:30 p.m.) beginning in early September and lasting through late October.

With a five-acre park as park of the farm, children can participate in activities like a giant slide, pedal tractors and climbing structures. Everyone is welcome to get to know some of the friendly farm animals. Guests can bring a picnic basket and enjoy lunch at one of the nearby picnic tables.

Related: The Best Places To Pick Your Own In Central Maryland

Milburn Orchards – Elkton

Address: 1495 Appleton Rd, Elkton, MD 21921

apple orchard

Named to the state’s Agricultural Hall of Fame, this family farm has been raising fruits and vegetables in northeastern Maryland for nearly 120 years.

Today, managed by a third generation, Milburn Orchards attracts visitors from Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. With apple picking season running from early September through late October, the farm continues to remain popular. 

During your visit to Milburn Orchards, grab a light lunch at the Orchard View Deck; then, let the kids run wild in the Big Backyard. With playground equipment and a large sandbox, there’s plenty to keep children active and busy when they’re not out in the orchard picking apples.  

Open daily, Milburn Orchards also has a bakery, where you can pick up baked goods and other treats.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Ice Cream in Maryland

Rock Hill Orchard and Woodbourne Creamery – Mount Airy

Address: 28600 Ridge Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771

From ‘city slicker” to farmers, John and Mary Fendrick initially raised guernsey cattle on a farm near Germantown.

Then, an opportunity arose to take over Rock Hill Orchard, where they had plenty of room to allow their cattle to graze and grow crops in their orchard, as well as manage an on-farm market. Today, they host several pick ‘em harvests during summer and fall months.

Apple picking season runs from mid-September through late October. 

Plan a weekend outing to Rock Hill Orchard and Woodbourne Creamery to pick the best apples. While there, you may notice a white layer on the fruit. This is part of the farm’s sustainability program. The Fendricks take several steps to ensure they follow a safe process to raise the crops and protect the environment.

The farm market features locally-sourced products, including fruit, vegetables and milk. You can buy prepacked ice cream, made with milk from the farm’s cattle. 

Beginning in late September, the orchard will offer two corn mazes, pumpkin cannons and hayrides.

As summer comes to a close and we move to cooler weather, visiting an apple orchard seems to be a natural decision.

Nothing tastes better than a fresh handpicked apple, and nothing is more fun than picking that apple yourself along with your family or friends. A visit to an apple orchard is an autumn rite of passage in Maryland.  

Related: The Best Playgrounds in Frederick County, MD

Catoctin Mountain Orchard- Thurmont

Address: 15036 N Franklinville Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788

Catoctin Mountain Orchard is a fantastic PYO farm/orchard in Thurmont, MD is every bit as gorgeous as you imagine it would be!

They offer pick your own apples every Saturday and Sunday in September and October from 10am-4pm. It costs $3/person for the wagon ride to the picking area and you pre-purchase bags (cash only) at the check-in building. 

Throughout the season you can pick from a wide variety of apples like Gala, Blondee, Crisp, and Cortland.

Gaver Farm- Mount Airy

Address: 5501 Detrick Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771

gaver farm donuts

Gaver Farm in Mount Airy is probably one of the absolute best fall festival experiences in Maryland. They offer so many activities for families of all ages. And throughout the fall you can pick your own apples in their orchard, in addition to the other fall festivities.

Apple varieties grown include Blondee, Buckeye, Ultra Gold, Crimson Crisp, Empire, Cameo and Fuji. Pick your own hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10am-6pm throughout the season.

Two very delicious reasons to pick your apples at Gaver Farm are their apple cider donuts and apple cider slushies. The apple cider donuts are made fresh and many Marylanders consider these the best cider donuts in the region!

Shaw Orchards (Harford County– Very Close To PA Border

Address: 5594 Norrisville Rd, White Hall, MD 21161

Shaw Orchards offers pick-your-own apples on Saturdays each week from Sept. through about the end of October. Throughout the season they will have varieties to pick like Gala, and Golden Delicious, Cameo, Nittany, Pink Lady, Mutsu, and York Imperial.

This is a very family friendly apple orchard and in the fall they also offer hayrides!

Related: Kid Friendly Guide to Rocks State Park

FAQ

When can you pick apples in Maryland?

That depends on the type of apple you want to pick. Honeycrisp apples tend to ripen early in the season (late August to early September). Otherwise, there are many varieties of apple that ripen from September through October.

What is the best month to go apple picking?

September is the best month to find the largest variety of apples ripe for picking. Picking depends on the climate and apple variety. However, early fall seems to be the sweet spot for apple picking.

What do I need to know before picking apples?

Here are some quick tips:
1. Call the orchard you want to visit before heading out to confirm picking times and the apple variety that is ripe.
2. Don’t choose apples that are already on the ground.
3. Don’t eat the apples straight from the tree. You need to wash them first to remove contaminants.
4. Pick apples that are already ripe on the branch. Apples will not continue to ripen once picked.
5. Don’t pull or shake the apples to pick it. Gently twist and pull the apple.

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