Where To Pick Apples Within 45 Minutes Of Lexington, Kentucky

Central Kentucky bursts into apple-picking glory each September with orchards offering not just fruit, but an experience steeped in history and family tradition.

Within a short drive from Lexington, explore five distinct orchards where you can gather delicious apples while enjoying the charms of rural Kentucky life.

1. Reed Valley Orchard at Stepping Stone Farm — Paris

Stepping Stone Farm traces its roots to 1790 as an eighth-generation family operation that has evolved into an agritourism destination. The farm now operates Reed Valley Orchard following the retirement of its original owners Dana and Trudie Reed, offering educational tours and u-pick fields at two separate Paris locations.

Reed Valley Orchard opens 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 239 Lail Lane, while Stepping Stone Farm at 1674 Cynthiana Road operates noon to 6 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Calling ahead (859-658-6060) to verify picking availability is recommended.

2. Evans Orchard and Cider Mill — Georgetown

What began as tobacco and cattle farmland transformed in the 1990s when the fifth-generation family planted their first apple trees. Today Evans Orchard spans 20 acres producing apples, pears, and peaches sold alongside other farm vegetables in the converted tobacco barn that now houses the Farm Market and Gift Store.

Fresh apple cider pressed on-site joins local honey and homemade jams, while the adjacent Sweet Apple Café serves apple cider doughnuts, fresh apple pie, and homemade fudge. Regular wagon service transports picked apples back to checkout, eliminating the need to haul bushels across orchards.

Located at 1783 Newtown Pike in Georgetown, hours run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

3. Eckert’s Orchard — Versailles

The Eckert family has cultivated apples for over a century in rural Illinois near St. Louis, operating three Illinois locations plus their Kentucky orchard in Versailles.

Pick-your-own operations include tractor rides back to checkout, while weekend AppleFest running through September features live entertainment and traditional fall farm activities. The orchard at 1396 Pinckard Pike opens 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday according to posted website hours.