A bag of freshly picked apples, a little mountain scenery, and an apple pie that mysteriously disappears before you reach home. That sounds like a pretty good fall day.
For a seasonal outing from Kennesaw, make the Ellijay area your starting point. Pick one orchard, leave time for lunch, and resist the temptation to turn a relaxed day into a competition to visit every farm on the map.
Below are three options with published picking information, plus a practical plan for getting the most out of the trip. The detail to remember: an open farm market does not necessarily mean the orchard is open for picking.
Start With the Picking Calendar
B.J. Reece Orchards lists its 2026 season opening as August 29, with picking seven days a week in September and October. R & A advertises weekend picking through October. Those schedules give you a starting point, but the fruit available can change during the season. Check the B.J. Reece picking information and R & A seasonal calendar for your chosen date.
If you have your heart set on a particular apple, confirm it is available to pick before setting off. Apples for sale inside a market may differ from the varieties visitors can harvest outside.
B.J. Reece Orchards: Flexible Picking Days
B.J. Reece is worth considering when a weekday suits your schedule. Its published picking hours are Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., and Sunday, 1–6 p.m., with the last picking tickets sold at 5 p.m. You need both admission and a picking bag. Check current hours and picking conditions.
The 2026 pricing page lists basic Farm Fun admission at $8 per person on weekdays and $13 on weekends. Children two and under enter free. The separate bag-price list shows $12 for a half peck, $24 for a peck, and $48 for a half bushel; more extensive activity packages cost extra.
For a simple weekend budget, four paying visitors on the basic package plus one half-peck bag would come to $64 before any applicable taxes or fees. The site also lists a 3% credit-card surcharge. Its older worked example uses a different bag price, so confirm the total when buying tickets.
My suggestion: choose the activities your group actually wants before buying a package. More options are useful only if you leave time to enjoy them.
Red Apple Barn: Picking With Cider and a Doughnut
Red Apple Barn lists picking on Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday, 1–4 p.m.; and Monday and Friday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Its market stays open longer, so use the picking schedule when planning your arrival. The farm is at 3379 Tails Creek Road in Ellijay. Check the farm’s current schedule.
The published admission information lists $12.75 per person plus taxes and fees, with children two and under free. Admission includes a tractor ride, a cup of cider, an apple cider doughnut, and other listed farm activities. Additional apples cost extra: $7 for a quarter peck, $12 for a half peck, $22 for a peck, or $36 for a half bushel.
That makes this an appealing option for a group that wants a few treats alongside the picking. Confirm prices and your visit date directly before traveling; parts of the farm’s picking page also retain older event dates.
R & A Orchards: A Weekend Farm Stop
R & A publishes weekend picking hours of 9 a.m.–5 p.m., with the last admission sold at 4 p.m. Its market and bakery have a separate schedule. Check the orchard’s current hours before choosing an arrival time.
Its 2026 U-Pick page and linked pricing sheet list $6 admission per person, including a tractor ride, with children two and under free. Apple bags are additional: $14 for a half peck or $28 for a peck. The cow train and flower picking carry separate charges.
For two paying adults sharing one half-peck bag, the listed admission and apple costs total $26 before any applicable taxes, fees, or extras. Compare the whole outing when choosing a farm: a lower entry price does not necessarily include the same activities or food as another orchard’s package.
A Simple Day-Trip Plan From Kennesaw
- Before leaving: check the orchard’s latest picking update, weather, and driving directions to that specific farm. Save the address rather than navigating only to “Ellijay.”
- First stop: visit your chosen orchard during its picking hours. Ask staff which rows are open and which apples are ready.
- Lunch break: choose an available farm café or another stop that fits your route. Leave room in both your schedule and your appetite.
- After lunch: browse the market, pick up treats, or add a short look around Ellijay if you still have time.
- Heading home: allow a comfortable travel buffer instead of planning around the last possible entry time.
On Sunday, pay particular attention to opening times: B.J. Reece and Red Apple Barn both list afternoon starts. An early departure is not useful if it leaves everyone waiting at the gate.
Pack for a Farm Visit
Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes, bring water, and check the forecast before choosing your layers. B.J. Reece notes that some orchard terrain can be difficult for strollers, while Red Apple Barn describes walking on mountainsides. Contact your chosen farm about any mobility needs before visiting. B.J. Reece visitor FAQ · Red Apple Barn visitor FAQ
Ask before bringing a dog, using your own picking container, or sampling fruit. Each farm sets its own rules. Keep a little extra room in the car for whatever the bakery persuades you to take home.
Make the Apples Part of the Fun
Before buying the biggest bag, decide what you will do with the apples. A smaller bag for snacks may suit one household; a family planning pies, baked apples, and a weekend kitchen project may want more.
Ask staff which available varieties they recommend for your plans. Then let everyone choose one treat for the ride home. This is a much more enjoyable decision than debating another stop when the children are already tired.
If you decide to stay closer to home another weekend, our Kennesaw activity guide has more local ideas.
One orchard, a good lunch, and something made with apples: that is enough for a memorable day. The hardest part may be getting the doughnuts all the way back to Kennesaw.
Information checked September 21, 2026. Prices, picking availability, and hours can change; confirm directly with the orchard before traveling. All images are AI-generated editorial illustrations and do not depict the actual farms.
