The Details
2024 Hours
May 4-31: Saturday-Sunday
June 1-Oct 27: Wednesday-Sunday
All season: 10 am to 5 pm
Location
1025 Orchard Road
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
mile 328.3 Blue Ridge Parkway
Phone
Inquiries: 828-765-9531
Store: 828-467-4282
General Inquiries:
information@altapassorchard.org
School Groups
We welcome school groups—all ages and interests (Thursdays and Fridays)—to the Orchard for a hands-on experience tailored to each group. Package includes Orchard activity sheets, staff-led discussions on the model train layout, Monarch habitat, and bee exhibit. Participants will also get to pick an apple (in season). Includes a choice of “heyride” or hands-on apple peeling (additional $2 to include both experiences)
$12 per student
Call 828-765-9531 or email for more information and scheduling
Heyrides
Heyrides are scheduled at 2:30 every Saturday/Sunday beginning in June.
NO RESERVATIONS, but plan on arriving early to secure your space.
$10 per person
Group heyrides are available during the week (Wednesday-Friday).
Reservations are required in advance.
$150 flat fee.
All heyrides are space availability, weather, and road dependent.
Call 828-765-9531 or email for more information.
Basics
Welcome to the Orchard at Altapass. All exhibits in our Education Center, Pollinator/Butterfly Garden, and live heritage to contemporary music (Saturday/Sundays, including dancing, of course) are free.
Free parking. There is additional parking just past the red barn next to the office.
Accessibility
Our General Store and restrooms, access to the back deck, Pavilion, and Apple Core Grill are all wheelchair accessible. The Apple Shed is located behind the red barn (ground level) and a short walk around the building.
U-Picking is a walking experience through the Orchard trails. Although maintained, the trails are not wheelchair accessible. All apples are available for purchase at the Apple Shed.
Given the changing conditions of the trails, strollers are not encouraged for U-Pick experiences but decisions are up to the individual visitors. (The State road flanking the Orchard offers views of the fields and a smooth graveled walk for strollers.)
If special arrangements are needed, i.e. assistance getting up to the Pollinator Garden, please call 828-765-9531 a few days in advance so that we can accommodate your needs.
Pets
We are a pet-friendly orchard. Good-natured dogs (and cats) are always welcome. Currently, there are no restrictions as to where they are allowed. All pets must be leashed and well-behaved. Water is always available in front of the red barn. Owners are expected to provide disposal bags and clean up after their pets.
Photography
The Orchard at Altapass is private property, but we appreciate the photographers’ desires to capture the beauty of the fields. With registered permission, the property may be photographed between 7 and 10 am and from 5 to 7:30 pm only—unless alternate arrangements are made. Please contact the Orchard to schedule a date and time.
Food for Thought
You won’t go hungry at the Orchard.
The Apple Core Grill is open from 11 to 4 pm in May and June on Saturday-Sunday, July Friday-Sunday, and the remainder of the season Wednesday-Sunday. During the week earlier in the season, try our hot apple pie with a scoop of icy cold Hershey’s ice cream. Or grab a slab of homemade fudge in a dozen flavors.
Although drinking alcoholic beverages on-premises is prohibited, we are thrilled to offer Molley Chomper’s hard cider, including a special blend made from our Orchard apples.
Visitors are always welcome to bring a blanket or use one of our many picnic tables to enjoy a picnic lunch brought from home.
*Tables at the Apple Core Grill are reserved for purchased meals.
Plan Your Visit
Welcome to the Orchard at Altapass and the majesty of Blue Ridge Mountains. There is so much to do and see in this vast region of winding roads, crackling rivers, and pristine vistas in a backdrop of verdant peaks and lush valleys. The Orchard straddles Mitchell and McDowell counties and is only 30 minutes from Yancey County. Come for the apples, stay for the music and a bite. Experience a weekend of fun in the region. Something for everyone. Check out the county chambers then plan your visit.
We invite you to discover Western North Carolina.
Directions
From Spruce Pine or Marion, NC, follow NC Rte 226 to the Blue Ridge Parkway (across from the NC Museum of Minerals) Turn north (left) onto the Parkway; go 3 miles to Orchard Rd.
Turn right (A VERY TIGHT TURN), then right again at the intersection, follow large green arrow into Orchard.
If you are driving an oversized vehicle (motor home or attached trailer), PLEASE continue past Orchard Rd. to the next overlook (1/2 +/- mile–North Cove Valley Overlook), turn around; make a left onto Orchard Rd.
If coming from the North, turn left off Parkway onto Orchard Rd. (see above).
Final Note
The Orchard at Altapass is private property, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. During your visit, please respect the Orchard—its apples, trees, plants, facilities, games, trails, and staff. We have only a few rules but expect all visitors to be courteous. Please don’t pick the apples or other Orchard fruits when they aren’t ripe, or if you haven’t paid for them if they are ripe. Please remember that just because an apple is red or yellow, doesn’t mean it is ready to eat. Our field crew lets us know when, what, and where the ripe apples are. Don’t climb the trees, throw apples., or mishandle the picking poles. Responsible adults, please ensure the children under your supervision are mindful of the land’s fragility and the staff’s hard work to make all Orchard experiences rewarding and memorable for years to come.