Blue Mountain Oasis (www.BlueMountainOasis.com) and BryceCondo (www.BryceCondo.com) offer the best stay in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. Along with the beautiful foliage fall has to offer apple picking is one of the best activities. Walk out into acres and acres of land, spot the apple tree, and start picking. Prices are great, the apples are some of the best I've ever had, and the locals that run the orchards are great people.
Here is the apple picking schedule:
|
Variety
|
Color
|
Description
|
Date
|
| Lodi | Green | Tart | August |
| Rambo | Green | Tart | August |
| Greening | Green | Tart | August |
| Ginger Gold | Yellow | Sweet, related to Golden Delicious | August |
| Tydeman Red | Red/some Green | Slightly tart, related to McIntosh | August |
| Smokehouse | Green | Tart | August |
| Gala | Red/Yellow | Sweet, popular for eating fresh | Late August/Early September |
| McIntosh | Red/Green | Slightly tart, great all-round | Late August/Early September |
| Empire | Red/Green | Slightly sweet, cross between McIntosh and Red Delicious | Late August/Early September |
| Cortland | Red/Green | Slightly tart, related to McIntosh, big | Late August/Early September |
| Honey Crisp | Red/Yellow | Like the name says | Early September |
| Red Delicious | Red | Sweet, tender, classic eating apple | September |
| Golden Delicious | Yellow | Sweet | September |
| Jonathan | Red | Semi-tart, great older apple variety | September |
| Grimes Golden | Yellow | Grimes Golden | September |
| Idared | Red/some Green | Slightly tart, big | Late September/Early October |
| Fuji | Red/Green | Sweet, crisp, popular for eating fresh | October |
| Crispen/Mutsu | Green | Slightly tart, very crisp | October |
| Nittany | Red/Yellow | Sweet, cross between Golden Delicious and York, keeps well | October |
| Stayman Winesap | Red/Green | Slightly tart, firm, big | October |
| Rome | Red | Slightly tart, great for everything, known as "Rome Beauty" | October |
| Granny Smith | Green | The famous tart apple, great for eating fresh and for baking | October |
| York | Red | Tart, great for baking, unique lopsided shape, keeps the longest | October |
The valley has tons of apple picking farms to choose from. Personally, I can recommend Hartland Orchards and Stribling Orchard,just minutes fro Blue Mountain Oasis in Linden, VA.
P.O. Box 116
Markham, VA 22643
Fauquier County
Phone: (540) 364-3040
Open: August - October; Daily, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Directions: From Northern Virginia area, take I-66 west to Markham exit 18 (approximately 45 miles from Route 495 Beltway). Take left on Route 688; follow signs 1/2 mile to orchard.
Description: Historic buildings, scenic views, 12 miles from Skyline Drive. Picnicking permitted. Organized groups welcome. Fresh cider, jellies, baked goods.
Apples: McIntosh, Tydeman, Jonathan, Empire, Red and Golden Delicious, Grimes, Stayman-Winesap, York Imperial, Granny Smith, Rome Beauty
Other fruit: Pick-your-own and fresh-picked. Peaches: Red Haven, New Haven, Bellaire, Glohaven, Loring, Redkist, Cresthaven, Redskin, Biscoe. Redgold Nectarines. Pumpkins.
Website: www.striblingorchard.com
Hartland Orchard
P.O. Box 135
Markham, VA 22643
Fauquier County
Phone: (540) 364-2316
Open: 7 a.m.-7 p.m., daily during seasons
Directions: I-66 to Markham (no. 18) exit. North on Route 688. Then left immediately onto Belle Meade Road. Follow signs 1 mile to Hartland Orchard.
Description: Scenic area on old family farm and near Skyline Drive. Excellent opportunity to relax with family, appreciate nature, and obtain top quality fruit at affordable prices.
Apples: Pick-your-own and fresh-picked apples - August 1-October 31.
Other fruit: Pick-your-own cherries (sweet and sour) - about June 15 (call ahead for ripening date); pick-your-own peaches - August 1-31 (call ahead); honey from farm, sweet corn, pumpkins - August 1-October 31.
Website: www.hartlandorchard.com
If you are looking for apple picking close to Bryce Resort you can consider:
Turkey Knob Apples
17581 Mechanicsville Road
Timberville, VA 22853
Rockingham / Shenandoah County
Phone: (540) 896 3079
Open: Mid-September to end of February. Call for availability.
Directions: Mt Jackson Location: I-81 Exit 273. Go East 1 mile to stop light. Turn left at light onto Rt 11 North. Market Tent is 0.2 miles on left at the corner of Rt. 11 and W. Avondale. Burkholder Fruit Stand: I-81 to Harrisonburg Exit 247 West. Go West on Market Street (Rt. 33) for 4 miles. Turn right onto Weavers Road (Rt. 726) Market is 1.5 miles on right.
Description: We sell fresh apples at our Fruit Markets in Mt. Jackson and in Harrisonburg. We also ship 10 lb and 20 lb Apple Gift Boxes from our Timberville location to anywhere in the USA. Call us to order or order online (see link below).
Apples: Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Virginia Gold, York, Stayman, Rome, Fuji, Pink Lady
Website: www.turkeyknobapples.com
Driving the country roads will lead to many more wonderful orchards with the "PICK UR OWN" signs on the side of the road.
Enjoy the country and make a weekend out of it! Contact us for details!