Mountain grown fruit

Mountain grown apples, grapes, berries and more

The northwestern corner of South Carolina is a mountainous region well suited to producing fruit.

Long Creek & Mountain Rest are home to several orchards and by mid summer they’re harvesting tree ripened peaches, blueberries, grapes and early varieties of apples. Chattooga Belle Farm also grows “exotic” fruit which includes: arctic kiwis, figs, pawpaws, pears and persimmons that will be ready to harvest in August.

Closer to September you’ll be able to purchase lots of apple varieties, as well as muscadines and grapes.

Plan a day visiting the area where you can play on the Chattooga or Chauga Rivers, or hike to incredible waterfalls. Before you leave, be sure to stop by the fruit stands so you can take home delicious Oconee grown fruit.


image of lots of apples on tree
Orchard in Long Creek

Treat yourself to the sweet taste of summer!

Roadside Stands, Markets and U-Pick Orchards:

  • ABLES ORCHARD
    Hwy. 76 in Long Creek (near Humble Pie)
    864-647-2201
    Apples, peaches, homemade jams, jellies & caramel sauce
    July 15 through early November
  • BLUE HAVEN ORCHARDS
    Hwy. 76 across from Long Creek Volunteer Fire Dept.
    864-647-8070
    Apples, produce, canned products, homemade fried pies and baked goods
    March to mid-December
  • BRYSON’S U-PICK
    1011 Chattooga Ridge Rd., Mountain Rest
    http://www.brysonsappleorchard.com  864-647-9427
    Apples & peaches, cider, jams & jellies, honey from their bees, sorghum syrup and seasonal vegetables 
    U-Pick or They-Picked
    August 15 – November 15
  • CHATTOOGA BELLE FARM
    454 Damascus Church Rd., Long Creek
    www.chattoogabellefarm.com  864-647-9768
    Fruit, jams, wines, farm raised angus beef, specialty items and souvenir gifts
    U-Pick or They-Picked seasonal fruit

    • Chattooga Belle Farm is a 138-acre working farm and event venue with scenic views of rolling countryside, and forest covered mountains in the distance.
      • Farm Store and U-Pick: Seven days a week 9am – 5pm
      • Belle’s Bistro Summer Hours, May-August: Wednesday-Sunday 11am – 2pm
      • Distillery: Monday-Saturday 10am – 6pm (closed Sundays)
      • Hardware Store: Monday-Friday 8am – 6pm, Saturday 8am – 1pm
  • GNAT HILL ORCHARD
    Wall Spring Rd. just off Hwy. 76, Mountain Rest
    864-723-2410
    Several varieties of apples, fresh apple cider and local honey. Wholesale grower.
    August through September
  • HOLLIFIELD’S ORCHARD
    Hwy. 76 across from Long Creek General Store
    864-638-3695
    4th generation apple grower
    Variety of apples, apple cider, peaches, homemade apple butter, apple cider vinegar, chow chow, relish, and honey
    Seasonal hours
  • MOUNTAIN REST APPLE ORCHARD
    475 Hwy. 107 in Mountain Rest, SC
    864-638-2232
    Apples and apple cider
    Seasonal hours

South Carolina Apple Festival

image of Ables Orchard at the SC apple festival
Ables Orchard booth

September 8-9, 2023
Westminster, SC

For six decades the orchard growers in Long Creek and Mountain Rest have participated in the annual SC Apple Festival that takes place up the road in Westminster, SC.

The Apple Festival is a fun outing where you can stroll down Main Street and shop at vendor booths selling apples, handmade arts, crafts, jewelry and more.

You can expect food trucks serving festival fare, along with fun and games for the kids–bouncy houses and rides.


 

photo of girls swimming at the lagoon at Woodall Shoals
Swimming at Woodall lagoon. Photo credit Chanda Morrison.

Play

In Long Creek you can cool off by swimming in the Chattooga River.  Two popular places to access the river are by hiking 1/4 mile from the Bull Sluice or Woodall Shoals parking lots.

If you’re looking for a full day on the water, read our Chattooga River Rafting article.

Like to hike? Long Creek Falls, Opossum Creek Falls, Brasstown Falls and Riley Moore Falls are popular trails in/near Long Creek.

Mountain Rest has even more waterfalls to explore!  Oconee State Park is there and Stumphouse Park has a cool tunnel, Issaqueena Falls and mountain bike trails.

Photo of fresh fruit dessert from Belle's Bistro
Belle’s Bistro features lunch specials and deserts made with produce and fruit from the farm. Photo credit Chattooga Belle Farm.

Eat

Stop by one of the roadside markets for farm fresh fruit and homemade treats. Peaches, nectarines and blueberries should be available for a few more weeks; a wide variety of apples will be ready after mid-August through October.

When your stomach starts rumbling for more than fruit, head to Belle’s Bistro, Humble Pie, Willie’s Tavern or Brasstown Creek Gathering Place BBQ.  

 

photo of one of the new Wildwater cabins
Wildwater offers rental cabins, deluxe vacation homes, group yurts and a treehouse. Photo credit Wildwater.

Stay

The area is rural which means there isn’t an abundance of places to stay. But you can find camping, unique accommodations and vacation rentals in both Long Creek and Mountain Rest.

 

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