Blueberry U-Pick Orchards in Far Western North Carolina in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for blueberries that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have blueberries orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

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Buncombe County

• Cloud Nine - blueberries, beef, chicken, wedding venue, honey
  137 Bob Barnwell Road, Fletcher, NC 28732. Phone: 828-628-1758. Email: cloud9relaxation@gmail.com. Click here for a map and directions. . Berries: U-Pick Blueberries in late June/July/August. Beef: Naturally raised Black Angus beef. Seasonally. Honey Bees: Needed for pollination on the farm, "Products from the Hive" are sold seasonally. Honey, wax, candles, skin care products. And don't forget the Chickens! When you stay on the farm you are always supplied with fresh eggs! We like chickens because they keeps the bugs away. We also sell Cornish Cross chickens for good eating. Outdoor Weddings So, you are looking to save money? Have your wedding just 20 minutes outside of Asheville in the Fairview countryside and pretend you are on your own, private "Biltmore Estate." Several beautiful venues here on Cloud 9 Farm for the DIY wedding. Not only weddings but Peterson Pond is available for a wide variety of business picnics, family reunions or birthday parties in the summer. We provide the setting, you provide everything else. Cool and shady "Cathedral in the Woods" for your back-to-Nature wedding. (ADDED: September 11, 2017, JBS)
• Hickory Nut Gap Farm - CERTIFIED ORGANIC blackberries, blueberries, pumpkins, raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (Spring, black), Turkeys, Fresh eggs, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, trike track, pony rides, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, group reservations
  57 Sugar Hollow Rd, Fairview, NC 28730. Phone: 828-628-1027. Email: office@hickorynutgapfarm.com. Open: Summer to Fall during store hours - please call for availability. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Blueberries: Mid June-Late July Black Raspberries: Late June-July Blackberries: July-Mid September Red Raspberries: August-Mid September. We are certified organic for some crops. Notes: Activities vary by season. Please call for current offerings & U-pick availability. Admission fee for activities during September and October.
• Long Branch Environmental Education Center - apples, blackberries, blueberries, chestnuts, other berries, pears, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), walnuts, Other fruit or veg, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, school tours
  278 Boyd Cove Road, Leicester, NC 28738. Phone: (828)-683-3662. Email: paul@longbrancheec.org. Open: Monday to Sunday, from 8 am to 7 pm; Please call or email to make appointments for picking. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Also wineberries.

Clay County

• Timberlane Farm - blueberries,
  528 Old highway 64 West, Hayesville, NC 28904. Phone: 828-389-3097. Email: keller91@verizon.net. Open: Seven Days a week, daylight till dark. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . . From traffic light at intersection of NC 69 and US 64 in Hayesville, travel west toward Murphy 7/10 mile. Turn left at "Warne" sign onto Old US 64. Travel 4/10 mile. Turn right at "U-Pick Blueberries" (Timberlane) sign on right. Mid-July through August; Call for specific dates before coming.

Graham County

• Stoney Hollow Farm - Uses natural growing practices, apples, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, corn (sweet), flowers, grapes, melons, other berries, pears, peaches, peppers, persimmons, plums, pumpkins, raspberries, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, prepicked produce, farm market, gift shop, restrooms
  941 Ollies Creek Road, Robbinsville, NC 28771. Phone: 828-735-2983. Email: stoneyhollowfarm@outlook.com. Open: 5 days a week, 8 am to 6 pm; Closed Wednesdays and Saturdays. Directions: From the center of Robbinsville \(Hwy. 129Hwy. 143\) go North on highway 129 3 miles. Just before the Ted Jordan Bridge, turn right on E. Buffalo Circle. Go 1 mile and turn right on E. Buffalo Road Go .3 mile and turn left on Ollies Creek Road Go .9 mile and you will see the farm on the left. Parking, farm map, and picking buckets are available in the barn at the top of the hill. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . . From the center of Robbinsville (Hwy. 129/Hwy. 143) go North on highway 129 3 miles. Just before the Ted Jordan Bridge, turn right on E. Buffalo Circle. Go 1 mile and turn right on E. Buffalo Road Go .3 mile and turn left on Ollies Creek Road Go .9 mile and you will see the farm on the left. Parking, farm map, and picking buckets are available in the barn at the top of the hill. Crops are usually available in April through November. Jams and baked goods featuring products from the farm are available. Be sure to visit our website and sign up to receive a free e-letter with updates during the peak season. We use natural practices, but are not certified Organic. (UPDATED: July 25, 2023, JBS)

Haywood County

• Graveyard Fields Trail - free blueberries and blackberries
  Blue Ridge Parkway, near Canton, NC . Phone: . Directions: . Click here for a map and directions.
• Wright Way Nursery - blueberries, Red, Yellow, Black Raspberries.
  275 mtn. Haven Rd. Waynesville, Waynesville, NC 28786. Phone: 828-507-5176. Open: by appointment only. Click here for a map and directions. . call. 8 varieties of blueberries from July to August. we also have Red, Yellow, Black Raspberries. We also have a Nursery on site With thousands of Shrubs and perennials to choose from year Round. Specializing in Rhododendron, Azaleas, mtn. laurel, Daylilies, and Hosta. We also sell Blueberry an Raspberry Plants.

Henderson County

• Blueberry Hill Farm - ORGANIC, blueberries
  RR1 304N, Green River Road, Zirconia, NC 28790. Phone: 828 696-8357. Click here for a map and directions. . U-pick, we pick, July, August, September. Organic Hours are all day, every day, Jul, Aug, and September.
• McKinney Small Fruit - Blueberries, Grapes
  McKinney Fruit Drive, Fletcher, NC 28732. Phone: 828-891-8947. Open: Call for picking days; July 1 thru mid September. Directions: Located one mile past Mt. Click here for a map and directions. . Click here for a map to the farm. Open Typical harvest dates: Blueberries - July - mid September Grapes - August - mid September. Take Asheville Airport exit 9 off I-26. Drive in front of Airport at end of property. Take Old Fanning Bridge Road to the right approximately 2 miles on left you will see sign. . Horticultural and Research Station.
• Obermiller's - strawberries, blueberries and blackberries
  621 Allstar Lane, Hendersonville, NC 28739. Phone: 828-891-8841. Open: see their Facebook page. Directions: We are located .5 mile towards Hendersonville on Hwy 64 West on Allstar Lane. We have 1.5 acres of Chandler strawberries on raised beds. strawberry, The farm usually . Click here for a map and directions. 86456"> opens seasonally for berry picking from the first week of May for strawberries until the season ends, usually around the first week of June. Blueberries and blackberries usually start around the 4th of July and pick to about Labor Day.
• The Farm - beans, blueberries, broccoli, corn (sweet), eggplants, onions, peppers, pumpkins, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, Other fruit or veg,
  2731 Chimney Rock Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Phone: 828-696-5375. Email: sharon_searcy@yahoo.com. Open: Monday through Saturday 9 am Until 6 pm May through October. Directions: Take interstate 26 to exit 49 A \(Hwy 64 east, Bat Cave\), go 1 12 miles and The Farm is on the left \(about a mile past Walmart in Hendersonville\). . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. . Take interstate 26 to exit 49 A (Hwy 64 east, Bat Cave), go 1 1/2 miles and is on the left (about a mile past Walmart in Hendersonville).

Jackson County

• Thomas Berry Farm - blueberries,
  78 Medalion Lane, Cullowhee, NC 28723. Phone: (828) 508-5803. Open: 7am to 9pm, 7 days a week, July and August, while crop lasts. Directions: From Sylva take SR 107 south for 3.5 mi. Turn left on Old Cullowhee Road \(SR1002\) and travel 3.5 mi. then turn left on Wayehutta Road and travel 34 mi. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . From Sylva take SR 107 south for 3.5 mi. Turn left on Old Cullowhee Road (SR1002) and travel 3.5 mi. then turn left on Wayehutta Road and travel 3/4 mi. Established blueberry farm with over 400 large bushes. Easy access along the river. $2 per lb.($12 per gal). Buckets and produce bags provided.

Macon County

• Carruthers, aka, River Road Farm - blackberries, blueberries,
  3738 River Road, Franklin, NC 28734. Phone: (770) 330-3280. Email: carringerfarms@yahoo.com. Open: Monday to Sunday, from 6 am to 9 pm. Directions: In Franklin, NC, take 64 east and go 5 miles. Turn right on Peaceful Cove Road past the Exxon station on the right. You will quickly come to a stop sign. Take a left on River Road. Go about a mile and you will see a red barn on the left, which says River Road Farms. You are there. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . (UPDATED: July 09, 2020) (ADDED: August 02, 2015)
• Sharp's Berry Farm - blackberries, blueberries,
  83 Berry Farm Road, Franklin, NC 28734. Phone: (828) 342-4250. Email: Mackbranch1952@yahoo.com. Open: Monday through Sunday, 9 am ; - 8 pm. Directions: From Franklin travel three miles south on highway 441, turn right at a traffic light onto Addington Bridge Road, continue south one mile to Berry Farm Road which will be on the right. You will be easily be able to see the berry bushes from Addington Bridge Road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Alternate Phone: (828) 371-0190. . We are always open to pick blueberries by July 4th but some years we open in late June; Blackberries are generally ripe by the middle of July;. We have over 200 blue berry bushes with several different cultivars in order to extend the season, and over 1000 feet of thornless blackberries. (UPDATED: July 08, 2021) (ADDED: July 16, 2015)

Madison County

• Sunswept Farms - blueberries, honey
  444 Beasley Cove Rd, Hot Springs, NC . Phone: 828-622-7145. Open: We will have blueberries to sell, gallons of them late June through end of July. Click here for a map and directions. . We have two beehives with more on the way this Spring. We became certified beekeepers in 2011. (ADDED: July 7, 2015, JBS)

Mitchell County

• Blueberry Heaven - blueberries,
  1845 Blevins Branch Road, Bakersville, NC 28705. Phone: 828-765-7114. Email: anitaodomburleson@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 7 pm, July to August when berries are ripe; Best to call or email before coming to verify ripe berries are available that day. Directions: Travel from Tennessee or North Carolina on Highway 226 to Blevins Branch Road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Alternate Phone: 828-688-4689. .

Polk County

• Trickle Creek Farm - blackberries, blueberries,
  3620 highway #9 North, Mill Spring, NC 28756. Phone: 828-329-0989. Email: tylertricklecreekfarm@gmail.com. Open: Saturday 9 am to 1:00 during month of June. Directions: I-26 towards NCSC line, exit highway 74 towards Charlotte, take 2nd exit highway 108, turn left towards Rutherfordton, go about 5 miles to highway 9, turn left towards Lake Lure. Go about 3 miles, cross bridge at dam, farm is first drive on right about 18 mile. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Alternate Phone: 828-606-5928. . I-26 towards NC/SC line, exit highway 74 towards Charlotte, take 2nd exit highway 108, turn left towards Rutherfordton, go about 5 miles to highway 9, turn left towards Lake Lure. Go about 3 miles, cross bridge at dam, farm is first drive on right about 1/8 mile. June.

Rutherford County

• Mary Ann's Berry Patch - blueberries,
  202 Rock Springs Church Road, Rutherfordton, NC 28139. Phone: 828-755-5255. Email: maryaferrin@yahoo.com. Open: 8:00 to 11 am and 7 pm to 8:30 pm; Monday to Friday, We are closed Saturday and Sunday. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . . The berry patch is 5 miles east of Lake Lure; 1/10 mile off of Route 74A/64. Picking Blueberries from June 12 to July 30, 2017. This year, 2016, will be the last season for the blueberry patch due to a two year drought and other factors. For one picked gallon of blueberries it is $18 and $5 per quart. We have a July Special: You pick blueberries are now $12 a gallon and $3 a quart. Picked vegetables will be available as they come into season. Jams, marinades, rustic handmade frames, plants, crochet handicrafts, and fiber art available throughout the summer, please call for information. (UPDATED: June 14, 2016)
• U-Pik Berry Farm - blueberries,
  382 C H Hamrick Road, Forest City, NC 28043. Phone: 828-429-0919. Email: adair1964@hotmail.com. Open: Seven days per week; 8 am until 8 pm; typically late June thru early August. Directions: From US 74W, exit Old Caroleen Road left, two miles down Old Caroleen Road, left on Baxter Cemetery Road, right on C H Hamrick, last house on right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . none. none.

Swain County

• A Blueberry Farm - blueberries
  25 Water Tower Lane, Whittier, NC 28789. Phone: 828-497-7253. Email: info@shadetreecabins.com. Open: July through September, dawn to dusk. Directions: Located at 25 Water Tower Lane. Click here for a map and directions. . Fax: 828-497-6213. . Take US 74 to the Whittier exit #72. Turn left, pass the Post Office, and cross the river. Turn left and then right onto Tarhelia Heights. Drive 1/2 mile to Water Tower Lane. is . Pick your own . We operate on an honor system: pick your berries, weigh them, use the chart, and deposit your money in the jar. Bag them for transport. (ADDED: July 7, 2015, JBS)

 

Blueberry

Blueberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Blueberries are one of the easiest fruit to prepare and serve. There's no peeling, pitting, coring or cutting. They have few natural pests, (other than birds), so pesticides are generally unnecessary! This year's crop is fantastic (see related news story), thanks both to the weather and to more farms planting more blueberry bushes due to increased consumer demand over the past few years as more studies proclaim the anti-oxidant and other health properties of blueberries.

Click here to find a local Blueberry Festival (usually held between April and July).

If you are looking for information about a similar berry, the saskatoon (also called the June berry or Serviceberry) see this page about saskatoons.

Picking tips:

Select plump, full blueberries with a light gray-blue color. A berry with any hint of red isn't fully ripened.

Ripening AFTER picking?

First, it is key to know that once picked, blueberries will NOT become any sweeter, nor will the flavor improve. The only change that occurs is the color. They will APPEAR to ripen, but it is only a color change, from white to green to rose to red to pale blue to fully blue. So, white and green colored blueberries will not "ripen" after they are picked; while blueberries that have already turned purple, red or blue-ish usually DO change color after they are picked (if they are kept at room temperature to "ripen").

As the blueberries ripen ON THE BUSH, the flavor goes from tastless to bitter to tasteless tart to tart blueberry flavor to sweet blueberry flavor.

Grocery stores sell blueberries that are tart, not sweet because they had them picked unripe by machine so they are very firm and can handled being bumped around in shipping. They may look good, but are not as tasty as those picked when actually ripe.

So, the key is, PICK ONLY RIPE BERRIES!

How to pick blueberries

Since blueberries hang on the bushes in bunches a but like grapes do, the easiest and fastest way to pick them is hold your bucket under them in one hand and with your other hand, cup a ripe bunch and gently rub them with your fingers. The ripe berries will drop into your bucket, while the unripe ones will remain attached to the bush.

When the bushes are at peak, I can easily pick 2 gallons per hour (if I'm not being distracted by the kids and the sun isn't too hot!). A newbie might do 1 gallon per hour.and at the beginning or end of the season it takes more time as the berries are not as plentiful nor concentrated in clusters.

Tips for storing blueberries after harvesting:

• Once picked, don't place the berries, still warm from the sun, in a closed bag or container. Leave the container open so moisture doesn't form in the container.
• Don't wash berries until just before using, to prevent berries from becoming mushy.
• Chill berries soon after picking to increase shelf life. Store your fresh blueberries in the refrigerator as soon as you get them home, without washing them, in a covered bowl or storage container. If refrigerated, fresh-picked blueberries will keep 10 to 14 days.
• Freeze berries in freezer containers without washing to keep the skins from toughening. Place berries one layer deep. Freeze, then pour the frozen berries into freezer containers. Because unwashed blueberries freeze individually, they can be easily poured from containers in desired amounts. Remember both frozen and fresh berries should be rinsed and drained just before serving. Just before using, wash the berries in cold water.

Blueberry Measurements and Conversions

Keep in mind that blueberries vary considerably in density and moisture content, so these ranges are approximates.

• 1 gallon of blueberries weighs about 7.5 lbs or (4 liters of blueberries is about 3.5 kg)

• 1 pint of fresh blueberries weights about 3/4 of a pound. (1 liter of blueberries is about 700 grams)

• 1 pound of fresh blueberries is usually between about 2 and 3 cups of berries.

• It takes about 4 cups (about of blueberries to make a blueberry pie (see this fantastic and easy blueberry pie recipe)

• A normal batch of blueberry preserves, jam or jelly requires 5 pints of berries.

• Blueberries do come in a variety of sizes from small (190-250 berries per cup) to extra large (<90 berries per cup).

Blueberry Recipes, Canning and Freezing Blueberries

Recipes

• The world's best Blueberry pie, recipe and directions and illustrated!
• Blueberry buckle coffee cake: illustrated directions for this great crumb-topping blueberry coffee cake
• Other easy directions to make blueberry desserts: cobblers, etc.

Canning, freezing and other blueberry recipes:

• How to Freeze Blueberries
• How to Can Blueberries
• How to Make Homemade Blueberry Jam
• How to make blueberry jelly
• How to make and can blueberry syrup (it works for strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, too)
• blueberry pie filling to use later,
• blueberry butter

Baking tips

If you have trouble with blueberries settling to the bottom of muffins and blueberry breads, try one or more of these tips:

• Coat them with flour before adding to the batter. Just gently shake the blueberries in a bag (plastic or paper) with 1/2 cup of flour, then dump them mix in a sieve to remove excess flour.
• It may just be that your batter is too thin. try making the batter a little thicker!
• Fill the muffin cups or baking pan up to 1/4 full with batter (which hasn't had blueberries added to it yet); then stir the blueberries into the remaining batter, and continue to fill the muffin cups or bread pan. The blueberries will start off higher in the mix!

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers