When Fall arrives, people plan out routes to go and see Mother Nature’s spectacular shows of color.  And for our family, one of those routes includes stops in the Smoky Mountains to bring back a taste of the season, freshly harvested apples.   

According to the University of Illinois Extension Service, there are more than 100 commercially produced varieties of apples in the U.S.  And while you won’t find that many varieties at the two Tennessee orchards we regularly visit, you will find great tasting apples and much more.

Baxter’s Orchard

Bushel baskets of red and golden delicious apples sit on pallets in front of a simple cinderblock building along U.S. 321 at the Sevier County/Cocke County line.   If you look closely enough a faded wooden sign with a big red apple spells out where you have arrived, Baxter’s Orchards is a long-standing no-frills family apple stand we’ve visited now for more than ten years and we always bring home plenty of their apples. 

While you’ll find a limited selection of apples here, you can sometimes catch a glimpse of how they are sorted as well as pick up big bags of discounted apples perfect for cooking and/or canning. Baxter’s is a Cash Only stand, so be sure and come prepared.

Carver’s Orchard

Sitting in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains near Cosby, rows and rows of apple trees line the hillside between Cosby and Newport.  At the top of the hill sits a brightly colored barn looking structure that is the centerpiece of Carver’s Orchard.  Over the years, this apple centric attraction has continued to grow into much more than just a place to get apples.

A wide open doorway below a giant red apple leads you into not only a smorgasbord of apples, but also a wide variety of produce, canned goods and in a small room off to the side, one of the most sought after products at Carver’s, the fried apple pies (be sure and get those first as they often sell out).

If you have questions about apples, the folks at Carver’s have you covered.  First off, one entire wall lists the varieties of apples you’ll find and what season they start coming in.  Some of the signage with the apples tells you how they are best used.  And one of the best things at Carver’s, if you really want to try a particular variety of apple, just ask and you’ll get a chance to taste before you buy.

Carver’s is also home to a country cooking restaurant (which I still have yet to try, but I know many people who are repeat customers), a candy shop and a crafts store.  It’s definitely a place you can spend a couple of hours and the views of the Smoky Mountains from the property are stellar.

Beyond the Orchards

After you’ve spent time shopping for apples at Baxter’s and Carver’s take some time to explore your Great Smoky Mountain surroundings.   

Foothills Parkway

Panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains are just minutes away from each orchard via the Foothills Parkway.  It’s even a great way to get to the Cosby area where you’ll find the orchards if you’re traveling along I-40.  This portion is only six miles long and you have to go over to Wear’s Valley to pick up the rest of the scenic highway including a section that’s only been open now for a couple of years.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

There are lot of places to enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and two just happen to be in the area around the apple orchards.  One is Greenbrier, a section of the park in the town of Pittman Center.  This is a place to picnic, enjoy the roar of the Little Pigeon River or take off on a hike to one of the tallest waterfalls in the Smokies.

Another place to check out is the Cosby section.  This is also a great spot for a picnic, enjoying clear mountain streams and hiking to an old octagon shaped fire tower way up on one of the Smokies high peaks, Mt. Cammerer (a journey for serious hikers only.)

Scenic Drives

Jones Cove Road and Pittman Center Road are also great ways to get a sense of the beauty of the area.  Both take you between U.S. 321 over to U.S. 411. 

Along the way you pass beautiful farms, Smoky Mountain streams and navigate plenty of twists and turns in the road.  You might also want to visit the Harrisburg Covered Bridge just off 411.