Farms

2023 KABOOM Awards Family Favorites Finalist: Best Family-Friendly Farms

Located in a picturesque part of Hendersonville with views of the mountains, Justus Orchard is the perfect place to go apple picking. Their apple cider donuts are also a treat not to be missed. This apple orchard in Hendersonville, NC was one of the first in the state to invite customers to not only buy apples already picked but allow visitors to go into the orchard and pick their own apples.

Open for 2023 season
Check the Justus Orchard Facebook page for current u-pick status, before heading up. 

Gala Apple Upick opening day: August 11th, 2023

Well-behaved dogs on leash allowed and owners must pick up after them.

OFFERS:
Blackberries – July thru August
Apples – Mid August thru Early November
Bakery
Apple cannon ($)
Jumping pillow ($)
Cow Train ($)
Playground

Don’t miss our Kidding Around Review of Justus Orchard for all the details!

2022 Season begins Saturday, November 19th, 2022 

Hours:
Friday-Saturday 9 am – 6:30 pm
Sunday 12 noon – 6 pm
Monday – Thursday 3 pm – 6:30 pm

Offers:
Precut trees from NC (Fraser Firs)
Choose and cut your own (Leyland Cypress, Murray Cypress, Cedar, and Carolina Sapphire trees )

They also have fresh, handmade wreaths and bows for purchase.

Pet, feed, and learn about animals at Goat Daddy’s Farm. We would suggest setting aside at least 1 to 2 hours of your day in order to get the full Goat Daddy’s experience! There is so much to see and learn and even some opportunities for hands-on experiences!

Don’t forget to visit the farm for goat milk soap and lots more farm goodies.

The farm is open to the public every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm.

This farm also offers seasonal events and homeschool days, as well as classes in homesteading.

Just a few miles from the Chattooga River, Bryson’s Apple Orchard is also close to gorgeous waterfalls and many of the hiking places that KAG has recommended (so maybe hiking and apple donuts one day this fall?). The Long Creek area, according to their website, is one of the “largest apple producing areas east of the Mississippi River.”

 2023 season-opening date: July 28, 2023 for apples at the stand; no u-pick apples this year but they will have prepicked apples available.

Offers:
Prepicked apples
Asian pears (Asian pear crop ruined by a late frost in 2021) 
fresh peaches 

2022 Season opens November 25th – TBA (typically mid December)

Offers both Choose and Cut and Precut trees.

Choose and cut varieties include Blue Ice, Carolina Sapphire, Deodar Cedar, Eastern Red Cedar, Leyland Cypress, Murray Cypress, Virginia Pine, White Pine

They additionally have Fraser Fir with their precut selection.

Fresh Wreaths, garlands, and poinsettias are available for purchase.

2022 Season begins November 19th, 2022 through December 17th, 2022

Seasonal Hours:
November 19: 9 am – 5 pm
November 24: 1 pm – 5 pm
November 25: 9 am – 5 pm

General Hours:
November 19 – December 17, 2022
Friday – Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm
Sunday, 1 pm – 5 pm

2022 season will be precut Fraser Firs only (though plans for you cut and choose are cut are expected in the future years)

They have a fire pit, complimentary hot cocoa and “Rudolphs Jungle Juice”, a Christmas House gift shop, and photos with Santa are available.

Santa photos will be December 3rd, 2022 and December 12th, 2022 from 10 am to 12 pm

Doko Farm is a working farm that was established in 1839 that specializes in pasture-raised heritage meats. The farm hosts special events in April, June, and November that the public can attend and tour the farm.

Offers:
Spring Farm Fest (April)
AG and Art Tour (June)
Harvest Market at Doko Farm (November)
Farm tours
School tours
Volunteer opportunities
Purchasable pasture-raised heritage meats

Cottle Strawberry Farm has loads of u-pick strawberries in the spring. They also have pre-picked options.

In the fall, visit Cottel Strawberry Farms for u-pick and pre-picked pumpkins, as well as a large selection of mums.

Located in beautiful Hendersonville with views of the mountains, Pilot Mountain Pears is the only dedicated Asian pear orchard in the area. They have more than 5,000 Asian pear trees and will open in 2023 for their third u-pick season.

Opens for 2023 season August 25, 2023
Check the Pilot Mountain Pears Facebook page for current u-pick status, before heading up. 

Asian Pears Upick opening day: August 25th, 2023

No pets allowed.

Offers:
Asian pears – Late August – Early October
Bakery
Picnic area

Meador Acres opens in the fall for chestnut season. 

Meador Acres was established in 2010 and is a chestnut grove located in Pelion, SC that offers u pick chestnuts during the fall season once they are ready to harvest.

Contact the orchard to schedule a time to U-Pick and to check availability and pricing.

This choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm is located in Pickens County offers a variety of trees to choose from: Leyland Cypress, Murray Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, Blue Ice, White Pines, and Thuja Green Giant. They also offer pre-cut Fraser Firs and handmade wreaths. The farm has a playground area that includes a large playhouse, see-saw, and a fun tunnel with Santa Sleigh & Reindeers.

Hours of operation are Sunday through Friday 1 – 6pm and ​​Saturday 9 am – 6 pm.
In previous years, the farm has opened the weekend before Thanksgiving. 2022 Dates are TBA.
They usually sell out at the beginning of December, so check their website for updates before heading out.

Open 50 years, Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard are experts on organizing their orchard for u-pick. They begin their family fun and farm activities in mid-August and invite you to bring a lunch and spend the day at the orchard.

Open August 18, 2023. Check their Facebook page for up-to-date info on what’s available for picking.

Offers:
U-pick Apples
Grapes
Sunflowers
Farm Store
Picnic Space
Corn Maze ($)
Jump Pads (on weekends) ($)
Apple Cannon (on weekends) ($)

Pick pumpkins off the vine at Nix Pumpkin Patch in Hendersonville, NC. You’ll also find winter squash, cabbage, potatoes and gourds.

Opens September 9, 2023 for the Upick pumpkin season!

Little Creek Farm offers small group interactive tours, birthday parties for kids, a space for adult gatherings, a photography rental location, and more!

Birthday Parties at Little Creek Farm include a bounce house and farm tour with animal interactions and photo opportunities. The cost is $250 for 20 children. There is a covered seating area available for party use. No food is included, but parents may bring in food, cake, beverages, and decorations.

Apple picking is a delight at Coston Farm with the mountains as a backdrop to the orchard. Like other orchards, they also offer delicious baked goods and apples already picked for sale.

 2023 season-opening date: August 18, 2023

No pets allowed.

Offers:
U-pick apple orchard from August – October
(See their apple ripening calendar for different varieties)
Farm Store with pre-picked apples, pumpkins, and fall decor

2022 Season begins November 1st, 2022 for Tagging, Pay when you return to cut

Families are invited to Drafts Tree Farm at the beginning of November to tag the tree they want, then can return closer to Christmas to cut the tree.

Hours: 8 am to sunset, Monday – Sunday

Photographers can also book their session at the farm but must contact them ahead of time.

Opens November 24, 2022 through December 23rd (or until sold out.) 

Hours: 9 am to dark (about 5:45 pm)

Both Choose and Cut and pre-cut trees are available. Varieties include Leyland Cypress, Murray Cypress, Virginia Pine (limited), Carolina Blue Sapphire (limited), Carolina Blue Sapphire (limited), Eastern Red Cedar, and a few White Pines. Wreaths made onsite are also available as well as tree stands and other accessories.

Open 9 am – 5 pm November 19 – November 20 | November 25 – November 27  

You select the tree and they cut, bale, and tie it. You also have the option to cut yourself. Cut Fraser Firs, live Fraser Firs (for planting), and wreaths are available.

Santa visits on all of the above dates! 

Open Thanksgiving Day, November 24 – 27. 

In years past, this farm sold out of trees in early December, so please check with the farm before heading out. At May-Lan, you can cut your own tree or choose a pre-cut tree. Currently, there are not dates for December on their calendar.

General store offers hot chocolate, cider, marshmallow roasting (weather permitting) and other treats. As well as wreaths, garland, bows and more.

Offers:
Christmas Tree Farm
Farm Animals

With over 20 different varieties of apples, you are bound to find a favorite at Grandad’s Apples N’ Such. They also have a bakery on-site that sells pies, donuts, caramel apples, and cider. Activities for kids include a corn maze, cow train, and a huge pumpkin patch where kids are bound to find their ideal pumpkin.

 2023 season-opening date: August 11, 2023

Due to the late frost, the apple crop is limited at Grandad’s. They let us know u-pick is TBD but apples will be available in the farm store.

All pets must be leashed and picked up after while visiting.

Offers:

Offering U-Pick Apples as available**—check Grandad’s Facebook page for updates,  there may or may not be U-Pick in 2023**
Pumpkin Patch (late September – October)
Farm Store and bakery
Corn Maze ($)
Cow Train ($)
Apple Cannons ($)

Check out our fun fall day at Grandad’s in our Kidding Around Review!

2022 Season opens November 19th, 2022

Beck’s Christmas Tree Farm offers a variety of choose-and-cut as well as pre-cut trees including Carolina Sapphire, Blue Ice, Naylor Blue, Eastern Red Cedar, Leyland Cypress, and Murray Cypress. They may have a few Fraser Fir available, but it is not confirmed.

Fresh wreaths and tree stands are also available.

Fall pumpkin season September 30th, 2023 – November 4th, 2023
Spring strawberry season opens in early April
Summer Peach Festival held in July

McLeod Farms is a produce farm founded in 1916 in McBee, SC. Along with their U-pick patches, they offer a market with a variety of goods to purchase. They also offer school field trips.
Their strawberry and pumpkin u pick patches are off the vine.

Offers:
U pick strawberry patch (April – May)
U pick pumpkin patch (October)
Corn maze (October to November)
Wagon rides
Summer Peach Festival (July)

Fall Festivities:
Wagon Ride to U-Pick Pumpkin Patch: $4 for ages 3 and older; Free for ages 2 and under
Corn Maze and Sunflower Field are priced separately
Open Tuesday – Friday and Sunday, 1 pm to 5 pm
Open Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm

The owners of the Windy Hill Orchard and Cider Mill got their start 20 years ago when they wanted to create the perfect apple cider (they apparently succeeded). Their main apple variety is the Stayman Winesapp and u-pick opens up in late August. The orchard asks that everyone 2 years of age and older have their own pre-purchased bag before heading into the orchard. They also have weekend events that include live music.

 2023 season-opening date: August 17, 2023

Offers:
U-pick Apples
Farm Store with baked apple goods
Hard Cider Tastings
Cider donuts
Apple cider slushies

2022 Season begins November 21st, 2022 at 10 am

Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 10 am to 7 pm; Friday 10 am – 8 pm; Saturday 9 am to 8 pm

Small, family-owned farm with high-quality Fraser Firs. The farm provides fresh, precut trees for their retail lot in Columbia.
You can purchase precut trees at the retail lot located across from the Village at Sandhills on Clemson Road in Northeast Columbia, SC (next to the recycling center).

Jeter Mountain Farm is the result of more than 150 years of farming history in the Hunsader family. Located on 411 acres near Hendersonville and Brevard, this farm offers Choose N’ Cut Christmas Trees, plus u-pick includes berries, peaches, pumpkins, grapes, and over 20 varieties of apples. Be sure to check the Jeter Mountain Farm Harvest Calendar to see what’s ready for picking. Important to note for the tractor enthusiasts in your family, orchards are accessed via tractor ride!

2023 season: Get updates for availability on their Facebook page.

• Open weekends 10-5 as of July 2023 for u-pick berries.
• Apple U-pick Begins August 12, 2023.
• Pumpkins will be available in early October, 2023.

Pets are not allowed at the u-pick orchards, inside the market, inside the tap room, coffee shop, and wagons. 

Offers:

U-pick Apples & other fruits according to season
Market with pre-picked apples, apple cider, apple cider donuts, and other goods
Hard Cider Tap Room
1813 Smokehouse
Covered play area

Don’t miss our Kidding Around Review of Jeter Mountain Farm!

2022 Season begins November 23rd, 2022 (by reservation only)

Closed on Thanksgiving.
Hours: Trees are limited in 2022. Make a reservation for a tree in advance. A reservation cost of $50 will be applied to the tree you choose. Open November 23, 25, 26, 27, December 3rd, and 4th.
Hours are from 9 am to 4 pm.

Prices: $79 – $209 depending on the height of the tree

Activities: Santa will be on-site November 23, 25, 26, 27, and December 3rd. 

2022 Season opens on November 19th, 2022

Frasier Firs will be available starting November 20th.
They offer pre-cut Frasier Firs, as well as a variety of choose-and-cut trees.

Hours: Thursday, Friday, and Sunday 12 pm – 6 pm
Saturday, open 9 am to 6 pm

Opens November 27th, 2022 and remains open until December 25. 

Hours: Monday – Friday noon  6 pm, Saturday 9 am – 6 pm, Sunday 1- 6 pm

Choose & Cut Carolina Sapphire, Leyland Cypress. Pre-Cut Fraser Firs also available.

Activities: Shop with unique ornaments and other gifts, and play area for the kids with a zip line.

Fox Farm is a family-run farm that offers family visits by appointment and birthday parties on Saturdays.

Family visits:  Offers Saturday visits, by appointment only. Visits include:
Horse rides for $7.00 per child, $3.00 per adult
Hayrides
Visit the barn to feed and pet the farm animals.

Birthday parties: Parties cost $200 for a 2-hour time slot on Saturdays. Parties include:
Cookouts
Hayrides
Horse rides
BB gun shooting
Visits to the barnyard
Crafts

You can cut your own Christmas tree down at Moss Tree Farm in Cashiers, NC.

2022 Opening Hours:

Hours of operation are subject to change. Only trees that have ribbons on them are being sold. They sell Fraser Firs.

Check their Facebook page for updates on hours and availability of trees and wreaths. You can also preorder your tree or wreaths for choose and cut!

At the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains lies this gorgeous farm and orchard, which is not only a working farm but also a popular wedding venue.
Besides a pick-your-own experience, Chattooga Belle Farm also offers cabin rentals, a bistro for lunch and dinner, disc golf, and an amazing variety of exotic fruits like Asian pears, figs, pawpaws, and persimmons.

2023 season-opening date: Farm store is open year-round – Check the Chattooga Belle Farm Website  for daily updates on available options.

Dogs are allowed, but not in the fruit areas or inside dining. They are allowed for outside dining and the disc golf trail.

Offers:
Restaurant serving lunch and dinner
Cabin rental
Event Venue
Disc Golf
Distillery
Pre-picked apples, table grapes, wine grapes, peaches, and more.
Farm Store

2022 Season begins November 25th, 2022 

Offers: Choose and Cut or Precut trees (premium firs)
They offer Carolina Sapphire, Leyland Cypress, and Fraser Fir
Prices start at $8 per foot

Hours: Friday – Sunday; Open by appointment or to pick up orders during the week

Strongly encouraged to preorder wreaths and garlands

2022 Season begins November 21st, 2022 at 1 pm through December 14th, 2022

Family farm offering cut-your-own (Leyland Cypress, Jingles Cypress, Murray Cypress, Fraser Fir, Blue Ice, Carolina Sapphire, and more) and precut (Concolor and Fraser Fir) Christmas trees.

Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 9 am to 5:30 pm
Sunday: 1 pm to 5:30 pm
Thanksgiving Day: 1 pm to 5 pm

Prices: $52 – $272 depending on type and height
Trees are individually priced with a price tag on the tree. If the tree does not have a price tag, do not cut!

They offer a holiday shop, tree stands, a

Opens the weekend before Thanksgiving and remains open until they sell out of trees. 

Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily

This choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm offers Carolina Sapphire, Eastern Red Cedar, Leyland Cypress, Murray Cypress, Virginia Pine, and White Pine trees.

The farm also has farm animals and a North Pole mailbox.

Twisted Apple is an organic farm and retail outlet. They generally do not offer u-pick, but it is one of very few places to purchase local organic apples. They do offer baked goods and a variety of apples to purchase.
Check their Facebook page for updates.

2023 Opening date: August 19, 2023; no u-pick for 2023

Dogs allowed but not in the bakery.

Offers:
Organically and conventionally grown apples
Baked goods
Apple beverages
Retail farm products.

Fall season begins September 22, 2023 – November 5th, 2023
Corn maze, pumpkin patch, and sunflower fields. Activities are Friday through Sunday.
Friday: 6 pm – 8 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 8 pm
Sunday: 2 pm – 7 pm

Clinton Sease Farm is located in Lexington, SC, and was established in 1940. The farm has expanded since the early 2000s to include several public attractions, including a corn maze, birthday parties, and school tours.

Offers:
Sunflower fields:  September
Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch: September 22, 2023 – November 5th, 2023 for ages 3 and up. Tickets for mazes include all mazes, playground access, an obstacle course, unlimited wagon rides, and a visit to the pumpkin patch (pumpkin purchased separately).
Note: The pumpkin patch has placed pumpkins, not pumpkins on the vine. 

Pricing:
Sunflower fields: $12 online; $14 at the door
Corn Maze: $18.00 for ages 3 and up (other activities included in price)
Ages 2 and under are free

School Tours available:
Pumpkin Patch Tour (October)
Strawberry Patch Tour (April)
Garden Tour (June)

Birthday Parties are available to book from April through November

Pets are not allowed.

2023 KABOOM Family Favorites Finalist: Outdoor Fun
2023 KABOOM Family Favorites Finalist: Farms

A KAG reader favorite, Sky Top Orchard offers mountain views, ponds with ducks and geese, farm animals, play structures, and apple and fruit trees. Don’t miss the amazing apple cider donuts. Last year there were some concerns about Sky Top getting too crowded so maybe try to go during the week if you prefer smaller crowds.

2023 season-opening date: Sky Top WILL HAVE U-Pick in 2023.

• Open weekends as of end of July for donuts, wagon rides, and farm store apples, follow their Facebook page for updates. 
• Apple Upick Begins August 3rd, 2023

Dogs on leash allowed but not in the fruit stand.

Offers:
U-pick apples
Farm Store with Cider donuts
Farm animals
Wagon Rides
Playground
Gold Rush Gem Mine 

Don’t miss our Kidding Around Review of Sky Top Orchard

2022 Season information is currently not available. We will update once it is.

Hours: (based on 2021 information)
Monday – Wednesday 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Thursday – Saturday 10 am to 5:30 pm
Sunday: 1 pm to 5:30 pm

Offers: A variety of you cut and pre-cut varieties of Christmas trees (Leyland Cypress, Clemson Greenspire, Fraser Fir (freshcut), Eastern Red Cedar, Deodar Cedar, Carolina Sapphire, Eastern White Pine, Virginia Pine, and some extra large varieties that are 20 feet +)

There are family friend farm activities such as roasting marshmallows, tractor rides, a crafts canteen, and lots of picturesque places for photos at this 105 acre farm.

2022 season opens on November 19th.

Trees, wreaths, and garlands are available for purchase.

Choose & Cut and Pre-Cut trees available. Varieties include Blue Ice, Virginia Pine, Carolina Sapphire, Eastern Red Cedar, Fraser Fir, White Pine, and Leyland Cypress.

The 2022 Season begins Friday, November 25th, 2022 until sold out

Coleman Family Farms offers cut-your-own and precut Christmas tree

Hours: 11-5 daily

In addition to trees, they also have tree stands, tree preservatives, mistletoe, cinnamon rolls, and more for sale. Hot chocolate and candy canes are always free.

Open April – June for strawberry season Monday through Friday
Open Summer months from dawn until dusk
Open October for pumpkin season on Saturday 

Lever Farms is located in Newberry County and is a working farm that is open seasonally to the public. The pumpkin patch and strawberry patch offer U-pick, and visitors can pick from the vine or select pre-picked for purchase. In October, there is a corn maze, an educational wagon ride, farm animals to view, and more.

Offers:
Spring field trips
Fall field trips
U-Pick Strawberries (April – June; Monday – Saturday 8 am – 6 pm)
U-Pick Pumpkins (October; Monday- Friday by appointment; Saturday 10-5; Closed Sunday)
Corn Maze (fall)

Prices:
Contact Lever Farms for specific pricing