Mercier Orchards
U-pick apples, fried pies and hard cider in Blue Ridge, about 80 minutes from Helen
The short answer
A real orchard day, if you'll drive for it
Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge has been in the Mercier family since 1943, when Bill and Adele Mercier started with a roadside stand. It's now fourth-generation, family- and veteran-owned, with U-pick apples, a bakery known for its fried pies and apple cider donuts, a market, a winery and a hard cider tasting room. It's a long haul from Helen, about 80 minutes (62 miles), so most people make it a full-day trip with Blue Ridge or Blairsville.
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 8660 Blue Ridge Drive, Blue Ridge, GA 30513 |
| Phone | (706) 632-3411 |
| Farm hours | Mon-Thu 9 AM-5 PM; Fri-Sun 9 AM-6 PM |
| Closed | Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day and Easter |
| Apple U-pick hours | Mon-Thu 10 AM-4 PM; Fri-Sun 9 AM-5 PM, subject to fruit and weather |
| U-pick cost | $8 per person to enter; bags run from about $15 to $30 (the largest holds about 45 apples) |
| U-pick season | August, September and October; admission is sold on-site only while fruit remains |
| Drive from Helen | About 80 minutes |
Picking apples
Mercier grows over 40 varieties, from sweet Fuji to tart Granny Smith, and posts a variety guide online so you know what you're after. The orchard's page currently lists Crimson Crisp as the variety in the field. Entry is $8 per person, plus whichever bag you pick; the largest bag costs $30 and holds around 45 apples. A tractor wagon ride takes you to the orchard. U-pick and tractor tours don't run in bad weather, so check the forecast and call ahead. Wear closed-toe shoes, because orchard rows are muddy after rain.
The bakery and market
Stop for the apple cider donuts and what the farm calls "world-famous" fried pies, plus apple fritters. The market stocks seasonal produce, jams, jellies, preserves and apple butter. Weekends sell out of popular bakery items earlier in the day, so go early or call ahead.
Mercier's hard cider and wine tasting room is a fourth stop. The farm says it's the only orchard in Georgia making every stage of its cider in-house. Hours and tasting prices aren't posted online, so call (706) 632-3411 before you go. Tractor tours run in spring, summer and fall, mostly when no fruit is ripe in the fields; call for price and schedule.
Make it a Blue Ridge day
Add a town stop
Downtown Blue Ridge has shops and restaurants, and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway departs from there.
Other apple country
Closer to Helen, see Ellijay's apple orchards for more U-pick options.
Plan the timing
Go on a weekday for smaller crowds. Weekends in October are the busiest.
Fly fish or hike
The area has trout streams and trails; see our North Georgia fly fishing guide.
Common questions
How much is apple picking at Mercier Orchards?
Entry is $8 per person, plus a bag at about $15 to $30 depending on size. The largest bag holds about 45 apples.
When is apple season at Mercier?
U-pick runs August through October, depending on weather and the harvest. Crimson Crisp was in the field in early October.
How far is Mercier Orchards from Helen?
About 80 minutes and 62 miles, in Blue Ridge, GA.
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