About Hillside Orchard Farms
Hillside Orchard Farms is a family farm market in Lakemont, in Rabun County, run by three generations of the Mitcham family, who also run a cannery and a wholesale business from their base in Tiger. Founder Robert Mitcham Sr. was an agriculture teacher who helped run the county canning plant, and the market still sells preserves made in small batches from fresh fruit and vegetables. The farm's own advice is not to leave without a fried apple pie or two.
Picking runs from early summer into fall when crops allow: blueberries in June and July, blackberries in July, and muscadines, zinnias, sunflowers and a very limited apple crop in September and October. The corn maze opens in September and runs to the first of November, and the 2026 maze is a throwback to the old Tallulah Falls railroad.
On fall weekends a trackless train ($4) and a hayride to the barnyard ($3, about 40 minutes with 20 minutes among the animals) run all day, and the corn maze ($8) includes a small ice cream or slushy. Grandpa's Barnyard has goats, pigs, peacocks, a cow named Lady and a donkey named June Bug, and kids 10 and under get a playground, sandbox and indoor gem mine. Scout Day is the second Saturday of October. The market's 2026 fall hours are Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 6 p.m.
Lavender Lamb Farm near Cleveland is about 45 minutes southwest; check its website for picking days.
What to do
- Pick blueberries in June and July and blackberries in July
- Pick muscadines, zinnias and sunflowers in September and October
- Walk the corn maze, September to November 1
- Ride the trackless train or the hayride to the barnyard on fall weekends
- Feed the goats and meet June Bug the donkey
- Take home a fried apple pie and small-batch preserves
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- U-pick berries June–July; muscadines and flowers September–October; corn maze September to November 1; train and hayride on fall weekends
- Hours
- 2026 fall store hours: Monday–Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday 1–6 p.m.
- Admission
- Corn maze $8 per person; trackless train $4; hayride $3; under 2 free on train and hayride (2026 listings)
Tips for your visit
- Crops vary, so call 706-782-2776 or check their social pages before driving up to pick.
- The train and hayride run on fall weekends; groups of 10 or more can book them out of season.
- Goat feed is sold at the store or from quarter machines at the barn, so bring quarters.
- Fall Farm Day falls on the last Saturday of October or the first Saturday of November.
Pair it with a lavender farm
Lavender Lamb Farm · about 45 minutes away
Lavender Lamb Farm near Cleveland is about 45 minutes southwest; check its website for open and picking days.
Getting there
Questions
Can you pick apples at Hillside Orchard Farms?
Only in a very limited way in September and October; blueberries, blackberries and muscadines are the main u-pick crops.
When is the corn maze open?
From September to the first of November; it costs $8 with a small ice cream or slushy.
What are the store hours?
Fall 2026 hours are Monday to Saturday 9 to 6 and Sunday 1 to 6.
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
