North Georgia Apple Country (Ellijay) · fall harvest
North Georgia Apple Country (Ellijay)
Most of Georgia's apples grow in the North Georgia mountains, and the orchards clustered around Ellijay make a tight, scenic RV circuit. According to Explore Georgia, area orchards run U-pick on weekends through September and October - with one orchard open late August to the end of October - offering Honey Crisp, Gala, Granny Smith and Red Delicious. Beyond picking, the farms layer in wagon and tractor rides, mazes, petting farms, and bakeries famous for fried pies and cider doughnuts. It is an easy mountain weekend with several orchards within a short drive of one another.
Harvest window
Late August through the end of October (most U-pick on weekends in September & October)
Crops & activities
U-pick apples & pumpkins · Honey Crisp, Gala, Granny Smith, Red Delicious · Wagon/tractor rides, corn mazes · Fried pies & cider doughnuts
Where
Ellijay and Gilmer County, Blue Ridge mountains of North Georgia
Nearest RV base
Fort Mountain State Park, between Ellijay and Chatsworth (about 17 miles from downtown Ellijay, in Murray County), with about 70 tent/trailer/RV sites - back-in and pull-through, RVs up to roughly 40 ft, electric and water hookups, dump station, open year-round.
Plan it honestly
Peak ripeness shifts with the season's weather and is never guaranteed, so verify what's ready before driving up. Each orchard is a private business with its own hours, weekend-only U-pick windows, and admission fees - confirm before you go.
Plan the route with the official agritourism source: Explore Georgia (Georgia Dept. of Economic Development) .