When Peach Season Runs
Peach season in Loudoun and Fauquier runs late June through mid-August, with peak ripeness mid-July. A hard freeze in late April 2026 cut some blocks, so farms asked visitors to call ahead this year. If you go Saturday, go early — bins are often picked clean by noon on hot weekends.
7 Farms Within an Hour of Fairfax
Seven farms are within 60 miles of Fairfax and easy to do as a morning loop. In Loudoun: Great Country Farms in Bluemont (34345 Snickersville Turnpike, 9am-6pm daily through Oct 30, Peach Fuzztival Aug 1-2) and Crooked Run Orchard in Purcellville (37883 E Main, daily 8am-dark). In Fauquier: Hollin Farms in Delaplane (1524 Snowden Rd, Wed-Sun 9am-4pm, Garnet Beauty and white peaches), Hartland Orchard in Markham (3064 Hartland Ln, daily 8am-6pm, cash only), Stribling Orchard in Markham (11587 Poverty Hollow Ln, Tue-Sun 9am-5pm), and Valley View Farm in Delaplane (1550 Leeds Manor Rd, Fri-Sat noon-6pm, Sun noon-5pm). At the Clarke border: Mackintosh Fruit Farm in Berryville (1608 Russell Rd, 20+ varieties July through early September).
What to Expect on a Pick Day
What to expect: You pay admission where required and then per pound or per bag. Great Country charges farm admission then per-pound at the orchard; most Fauquier farms charge only for what you pick. Hartland is cash only — bring cash. Bring a cooler for the drive back down Route 7 or I-66, closed shoes, and more containers than you think. Peaches are best used within 2-3 days — eat, bake, or freeze. Many visitors pair a pick with Bluemont Vineyard or Dirt Farm Brewing on the same ridge.
This is why western Loudoun keeps its pull. You can live in a suburban DMV neighborhood with sidewalks and still be 20 minutes from a working orchard, with grocery and Route 7 retail on the way home. That Saturday loop — orchard, farm market pies, vineyard — is the reason many buyers trade a little density for a little distance.
If you live out west, test the Tuesday evening grocery run too. If you can be home in 10 minutes from farm market and retail, you bought the daily life right.
SOURCES & DATA: Northern Virginia Magazine July 6 2026 peach season report; PickYourOwn.org Virginia listings updated May 6 2025; farm websites and on-site hours for Great Country Farms, Hollin Farms, Hartland Orchard, Stribling Orchard, Valley View Farm, Mackintosh Fruit Farm, Crooked Run Orchard. Always verify day-of availability by phone.
Want neighborhoods where a Saturday orchard run is actually easy? Text (571) 441-1031 — we'll send 3 Loudoun and western Fairfax pockets with real sidewalk-to-farm-market and Route 7 timing.
FAQ
When is peach season in Northern Virginia?
Peach season in Loudoun and Fauquier runs late June through mid-August, with peak ripeness mid-July. A hard freeze in late April 2026 cut some blocks, so farms asked visitors to call ahead this year. If you go Saturday, go early; bins are often picked clean by noon on hot weekends.
Which orchards are within an easy drive?
Seven farms are within 60 miles of Fairfax: in Loudoun, Great Country Farms in Bluemont (34345 Snickersville Turnpike, 9am–6pm daily through Oct 30, Peach Fuzztival Aug 1–2) and Crooked Run Orchard in Purcellville (37883 E Main, daily 8am–dark); in Fauquier, Hollin Farms in Delaplane (1524 Snowden Rd, Wed–Sun 9am–4pm, Garnet Beauty and white peaches), Hartland Orchard in Markham (3064 Hartland Ln, daily 8am–6pm, cash only), Stribling Orchard in Markham (11587 Poverty Hollow Ln, Tue–Sun 9am–5pm), and Valley View Farm in Delaplane (1550 Leeds Manor Rd, Fri–Sat noon–6pm, Sun noon–5pm); at the Clarke border, Mackintosh Fruit Farm in Berryville (1608 Russell Rd, 20+ varieties July through early September).
What should I expect to pay and bring?
You pay admission where required and then per pound or per bag. Great Country charges farm admission then per-pound at the orchard; most Fauquier farms charge only for what you pick. Hartland is cash only: bring cash. Bring a cooler for the drive back down Route 7 or I-66, closed shoes, and more containers than you think. Peaches are best used within 2–3 days: eat, bake, or freeze.
What does this say about living out west?
Western Loudoun keeps its pull because you can live in a suburban DMV neighborhood with sidewalks and still be 20 minutes from a working orchard, with grocery and Route 7 retail on the way home. The article's daily-life test: if you live out west, test the Tuesday evening grocery run: if you can be home in 10 minutes from farm market and retail, you bought the daily life right.