A flat $3 walk-in fee gets you a wagon ride to the u-pick rows, cash only, but the farm can close on short notice for weather — call before driving out.
$3 per person entrance fee to the u-pick apple field (includes a wagon ride to/from the rows); apple bags are purchased separately at check-in, cash only
Catoctin Mountain Orchard runs a straightforward pricing model that’s worth knowing before you go: a flat $3 walk-in fee per person gets you into the u-pick apple field, and that fee includes a wagon ride out to and from the rows. Apple bags themselves are purchased separately once you’re checked in. It’s a simpler structure than the per-bag-size pricing some other orchards in this file use, but there’s a real catch — the farm can close on short notice depending on weather, so this isn’t necessarily a “just show up” destination.
The $3 entrance fee stands out for its simplicity, but the record is specific that it’s cash only — no card option is mentioned for the entrance fee itself. That’s a small but real logistical detail: if you’re used to tapping a card for everything, this is one stop where you’ll want cash on hand before you arrive. The included wagon ride is a nice touch that some other orchards charge for separately or don’t offer at all.
Three restrictions are called out clearly in the record: no strollers, no pets, and no outside containers or coolers are allowed in the picking rows. If your visit plan involves bringing a dog along or hauling a cooler for a picnic in the orchard itself, this isn’t the farm for that — plan to leave those items in the car, or reconsider the stop if a stroller is essential for your group.
This is the most important operational detail in the record: Catoctin Mountain Orchard can close on short notice for weather, and the site itself directs visitors to check back or call before assuming picking is available. That’s a meaningfully different posture from an orchard with fixed, always-open hours — it suggests conditions on the mountain (rain, mud, wind) can shut down the rows even during what would otherwise be peak season. Calling 301-271-2737 the day of your visit, not just once in advance, is the safer approach.
Cider donuts are confirmed on-site. The record also notes that an apple variety guide exists on the orchard’s own site, but individual 2026 varieties weren’t itemized on the specific page reviewed — so while Catoctin Mountain clearly puts some effort into educating visitors about its apples, this record can’t tell you exactly which varieties you’ll find in the rows on a given week.
Hours are listed simply as 9am to 5pm, daily — no day-of-week variation noted, which is more straightforward than several nearby orchards in this file. What isn’t in the record is a specific 2026 season start or end date; the emphasis instead is on calling ahead because availability depends on weather rather than a fixed calendar.
Beyond picking, the record lists a wagon ride (already noted as included in the entrance fee) and a playground as on-site activities. That combination suggests a visit here can occupy kids beyond just walking the rows, even on a day when picking itself might be limited by recent weather.
No pricing is given for the apple bags themselves — only the $3 entrance fee is specified — and no 2026 season dates or apple varieties are confirmed. Given the farm’s own emphasis on weather-dependent closures, the single most useful thing you can do before visiting is call ahead the same day, not just check a calendar.
Catoctin Mountain Orchard is at 15036 North Franklinville Road in Thurmont, Frederick County, Maryland. The listed coordinates are a Thurmont city-center estimate rather than a geocode of the exact address, so navigate by the street address itself.
A simple $3 flat-fee entry with an included wagon ride makes this an easy orchard to budget for, but weather-dependent closures mean a same-day call to 301-271-2737 is the smart move before making the drive up the mountain.
Not stated with specific 2026 dates. The site tells visitors to check back or call for picking availability, which depends on weather.
You're bringing a stroller, pet, or outside cooler — all three are banned in the picking rows, per the record. You also need cash; card isn't accepted for the entrance fee.
Catoctin Mountain Orchard is in the same Catoctin Mountain/Frederick County area as Pryor's Orchard and Scenic View Orchards, also covered in this file, though drive times between them aren't included in this record.
$3 per person to enter the u-pick apple field, which includes a wagon ride to and from the rows. Apple bags are purchased separately at check-in. Payment is cash only.
9am-5pm daily, per the record.
No — the record notes the farm bans strollers, pets, and outside containers/coolers in the picking rows.
Yes. Per the research notes, the farm can close on short notice depending on weather, so calling 301-271-2737 before driving out is worthwhile.
Yes, confirmed in the record.
2026 dates had not been published when we last checked. In past seasons it has run: Daily. Check with the orchard before driving out.
Prices start at $3. $3 per person entrance fee to the u-pick apple field (includes a wagon ride to/from the rows); apple bags are purchased separately at check-in, cash only
Yes — it's a pick-your-own orchard.
15036 North Franklinville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788, in Frederick County. It is one of 3 orchards we track in Catoctin Mountain / Frederick County.
We track 3 orchards in Catoctin Mountain / Frederick County, 1 of which let you pick your own apples. At $3 to start this one sits right on the regional median of $3.
What sets it apart locally: it has a hayride or wagon ride, a playground, pick-your-own apples, which most Catoctin Mountain / Frederick County orchards on our list do not.
One caveat worth repeating: this orchard had not published its 2026 dates when we last checked, while 0 of the 3 orchards we track in Catoctin Mountain / Frederick County had. Treat any date you see elsewhere as last year's until the orchard confirms it.
There are 6 other orchards we track in Frederick County. All Catoctin Mountain / Frederick County orchards →
Map pin is set to the town centre. Navigate to the street address above, not the pin.
catoctinmountainorchard.com
Checked September 2026.