How to have a perfect summer: Peach picking at Carter Mountain

If fall is for apples and spring is for berries, then summer is for peaches. In cobblers and pies — or just eating them straight — they’re pretty much the perfect summer fruit.

And what’s better than a regular peach? One you’ve picked yourself.

If you’re in Virginia, chances are you’ve heard of Carter Mountain Orchard. Out in the Charlottesville area, they’re famous for different fruits and activities in all seasons. But in the summer, they’re best known for their peach orchards.

The peach picking experience

The view from Carter Mountain Orchard

Peach tree closeup at Carter Mountain Orchard

Meagan photographing peach trees at Carter Mountain Orchard

Wind your way up Carter Mountain, past woods and vineyards, and park in their gravel lot.

Once you get up to the main barn, there’s a shop full of all kinds of jams, jellies, seasonings, and other tchotchkes, as well as bins of pre-picked apples and peaches. Past that, you’ll find the Bold Rock cider tasting room and a walk-up restaurant with treats like hotdogs, hamburgers, and other finger food appropriate for the picnic tables with a view out back.

Boyfriend Perspective: Before you leave you MUST have a fresh apple cider cake doughnut. If you don’t believe me, ask anyone you walk past about them. You’ll regret leaving without having eaten a hot one.

If you’re not hungry yet, head over the information stand and grab a plastic bag and instructions on how to get to the peach grove. Then — you guessed it — it’s time to hoof it.

It’s worth mentioning that Carter Mountain is almost always busy, as it’s a perfect thing to do with families. But even with that, it’s still a blast, even for a couple of grownups :)

Pick yourself some blushing peaches — not the greenish-yellow ones, you’ll get judged! — and head back down to the barn for weighing and to be cashed out.

And now… now’s the time to head home and get your bake on!

Obviously… we had fun :)

Things to know

Peach trees at Carter Mountain

Luke taking pictures at Carter Mountain

Beautiful ripe peach at Carter Mountain Orchard

• Get there early. This place fills up fast, particularly as the summer is coming to a close, as people want to get up there with their kids before school starts back up.
• Don’t pick it if you don’t want it. Since the orchard makes money from selling their fruit, anything you pick but don’t buy is wasting money — and their ability to maintain and improve the orchard.
• Make sure you try a cake donut!! Aside from the fruit, they’re one of the best things about this place.

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Originally published at Two Restless Homebodies.