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.
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 vegetablesÂ
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Post Author: Chanda Morrison
