Welcome to The Historic Orchard at Altapass ~ Saving The Good Stuff ~ Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway

We had a great run of apples this season. Starting in early July with the Lodi Transparent, we ended on a high U-PICK note with the Winesaps. Folks had fun walking among the grasses picking low to the ground and stretching high in the sky. They experienced the magic of the O in the rain, sun, heat of the afternoon or chill in the morning. Hope all who chose to share time with friends and family, made the journey and enjoyed a beautiful day in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Orchard is still open through Sunday, November 1.
Apples will return in late July 2021.

Welcome to the Orchard at Altapass, one of the most visited locations on the Blue Ridge Parkway. For the last quarter century, we have diligently worked to "save the good stuff"—the regional traditions, culture, and the land on which all was built. We're accomplishing that by propagating the best heirloom apples possible (with the least amount of chemicals) and hosting activities for all ages that educate and entertain.

We invite you to come for a visit. You don't want to leave without a walk through the apple "forest." Bring your appetites for the hot apple pie alamode with hand-scooped ice cream. Pick your own apples or purchase them in our General Store (in season). Return to a simpler time for an hour or an afternoon at the family- (and pet-) friendly Orchard At Altapass.

APPLES

Varieties

U-PICK

U-Pick gone for 2020

ORCHARD FOUNDATION

Bill and Judy Carson and Kit Carson-Trubey founded the Orchard at Altapass in 1994. Please listen to Bill as he relates how it came to be, why and why it's important. Take a bite into the Orchard—just an appetizer for the whole pie.

SAVING THE GOOD STUFF

In 2011, TED Talks asked Bill Carson to tell his story—how he became involved with apples, traditional music, and the preservation of a culture and heritage of the Altapass region along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Our Mission

The mission of the Altapass Foundation, Inc. is to preserve the history, heritage and culture of the Blue Ridge Mountains; protect the underlying orchard land with its apples, wetlands, butterflies, and other natural features; and educate the public about the Appalachian experience. Altapass Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public non-profit and depends on the generosity of donors to fund programs that support this mission. Click here for information about becoming a member or to make a special donation.

Preserve

Protect

Educate

The 2019 Orchard at Altapass Annual Report is now available online.

Help us support our staff and our farm during these times of indecision and uncertainty. Just click to go to GoFundMe. Please take a look at what one of our board members wrote, then donate. Any amount. It all adds up. Thank you.