Rinker Orchards

Definitely less crowded than most pick-​your-​owns in the DC Metro area, even if it was a little smaller. The only area that seemed to be picked clean was the Fujis, but that’s fine because Nittanys and Golden Delicious are the best anyway. =P
One guy said he’d been going there every year for the past 45 years!
I regret not grabbing some cider and dumplings before I left…

Here is a hidden gem for pick your own apples enthusiasts. Family owned and run this orchard is a must stop in September October when visiting Shenandoah Valley. Friendly courteous and helpful staff let us try all varieties first then helped us find trees to pick our own. Great honey and cider too.

We loved picking apples at this small, family-​run orchard (the owner was there making sure everyone could find the variety they were looking for!). Prices are roughly on par with others in the area, but this operation is a little bit smaller and/​or less commercial feeling. We went to a different orchard last year, which felt more like a circus than an orchard (ok, so I exaggerate slightly), but in all seriousness, we really enjoyed picking at Rinker Orchards. My 2-​year-​old son also loves picking apples. They do have cider here (we didn’t try any) and if you don’t want to pick-​your-​own they also have boxes of apples that have already been picked. The Fuji and Golden Delicious were the best two varieties they had, by far, in my opinion. Parking was adequate and crowds not excessive on Saturday we were there (though who knows… a few more reviews, and this place may be over-​run as well!!).

Our friends invited us on their annual ritual of picking apples, buying apple butter and cider at Rinker Orchards in Stephens City. Rinker is a 3^rd generation family run apple orchard. I got to meet Mrs. Rinker who was checking in on the operation. Like many other families, we enjoyed a picnic lunch under a tree overlooking the orchard. The kids loved playing tag in the orchards. This a great family day trip and absolutely the best cider and apple butter I have ever tasted in my life. It’s about an hour drive from Northern Virginia, but the apples were amazing — especially the golden delicious and Fuji. We are so fortunate to have such great produce here in VA like the peaches and apples. Its priceless to show your kids that you can pick fruit from the tree when its at the peak flavor. You cannot get that experience going to your local grocer.