Ellijay Apple Orchards from Atlanta: Your Guide to Visiting BJ Reece Orchards

If you live in Atlanta and start craving fall weather, mountain views, and fresh apples, BJ Reece Orchards in Ellijay is one of the closest and most popular day-trip escapes. It combines a classic North Georgia apple orchard experience with family-friendly activities, all within easy driving distance of the city.

This guide walks you through how to get there from Atlanta, the best times to go, what to expect when you arrive, and how to plan your visit so it fits your schedule, budget, and comfort level.

Where BJ Reece Orchards Is and How to Get There from Atlanta

BJ Reece Orchards is located in Ellijay, Georgia, in the North Georgia mountains, northwest of Atlanta.

Approximate address:

• BJ Reece Orchards
  9131 Highway 52 East
  Ellijay, GA 30536
  Phone: (706) 276-3048

Driving Time from Atlanta

From most in-town Atlanta neighborhoods (Midtown, Downtown, Westside, East Atlanta):

• Typical drive time: About 1.5–2 hours each way
• Distance: Roughly 75–90 miles, depending on your exact starting point

Traffic can change that quite a bit. Weekend mornings in fall can be busier as many Atlanta families head to Ellijay and Blue Ridge.

Common Driving Routes from Atlanta

Most Atlanta visitors use one of two main routes:

1. Via I-75 N and GA-5 / GA-515 (often the fastest from in-town and Westside):

   • Take I-75 North out of Atlanta.
   • Continue toward I-575 North, which becomes GA-5 / GA-515.
   • Stay on GA-515 past Canton and Jasper toward Ellijay.
   • Near Ellijay, follow signs for GA-52 East and BJ Reece Orchards.

2. Via GA-400 N and GA-136 / local roads (often preferred from Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody):

   • Take GA-400 North.
   • Connect to local roads heading toward Ellijay (such as GA-136 or GA-53, depending on navigation).
   • Then follow signs for Ellijay and GA-52 East.

If you’re leaving from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, expect closer to 2 hours with normal traffic.

🧭 Tip for Atlantans: Leaving before 8:30 a.m. on fall weekends usually means less congestion on I-75 / I-575 and shorter lines once you arrive at the orchard.

What BJ Reece Orchards Is Known For

BJ Reece is best known for:

• U-pick apples during the main apple season
• A wide range of family-friendly farm activities
• A farm market and bakery with apple cider, baked goods, and local products
• A scenic North Georgia mountain setting that feels far from Atlanta but is still doable in a day

It’s one of several popular Ellijay apple orchards, but it’s especially known for being activity-heavy and very kid-friendly, which is why so many Atlanta families make it a fall tradition.

Best Time of Year to Visit from Atlanta

Apple Season Timing

Apple season in Ellijay generally runs from late August through October, sometimes into early November depending on the year and weather.

For most Atlanta visitors:

• Prime “fall-feeling” season:Mid-September through mid-October
• Best chance of varieties + cooler weather:Late September & early October
• Heaviest crowds from Atlanta:Saturdays and Sundays in late September and October

Outside of peak apple season, BJ Reece may still offer a farm market and some activities, but U-pick availability and hours can be more limited. Always confirm current hours and what’s open before you drive up.

Time of Day

From Atlanta, consider:

• Early morning arrival (10–11 a.m.):

  • Easier parking
  • Cooler weather
  • Shorter lines for activities and bakery

• Afternoon arrival (1–3 p.m.):

  • Good if you want a relaxed morning in Atlanta
  • Expect more crowds, especially on fall weekends and school breaks

Typical Activities at BJ Reece Orchards

Availability can change by season, day of the week, and weather, but visitors from Atlanta usually go for some combination of:

U-Pick Apple Experience

This is the main draw in fall.

You can typically:

• Ride or walk into designated orchard areas.
• Pick apples by the bag or basket (usually a set price per bag).
• Explore rows of trees and take photos with mountain backdrops.

Apple varieties shift through the season. Early in the season you might see more early-ripening types; later in the season you’ll see other varieties. Staff on-site usually note which apples are ripe and where to go.

Farm Activities (Especially for Families)

Depending on the day and time of year, BJ Reece may offer:

• Petting farm or barn area
• Pony or wagon rides
• Corn maze (often seasonal)
• Slides, jump pillows, or play areas
• Pig races or small shows on some days
• Photo spots with mountain and orchard backdrops

Many Atlantans treat the visit as both a fall festival and apple trip, especially if they have kids in elementary school or younger.

Farm Market and Bakery

Inside the farm market, you’ll typically find:

• Fresh apples and apple cider
• Baked goods (like apple fritters, breads, pies)
• Jams, jellies, local honey, and similar items
• Seasonal decor (pumpkins, gourds, etc., in the fall)

Even if you skip the U-pick section, some Atlanta day-trippers come just for the market and a scenic drive.

What It’s Like for an Atlanta Day Trip: Time, Cost, and Effort

If you’re coming from Atlanta just for the day, it helps to think in terms of your total time window and what you want out of the experience.

Sample Timeline for an Atlanta Visit

For most Atlantans, this turns into a 6–8 hour outing, door to door, which fits comfortably into a Saturday or Sunday.

What to Budget For

BJ Reece typically charges for:

• Parking or admission on busier fall weekends or special event days
• Activity passes or tickets for specific attractions
• U-pick apples by bag or weight
• Food and baked goods in the market

Actual prices change by season, so the best approach from Atlanta is:

• Check current admission / activity pass info before driving up.
• Decide if you’re going mainly for apples, photos, kid activities, or all of the above so you can prioritize.

Planning Your Visit from Atlanta: Practical Tips

What to Wear and Bring

North Georgia weather can be quite different from in-town Atlanta, especially in fall.

Consider:

• Comfortable closed-toe shoes for walking in fields and on uneven ground
• Layers (Atlanta may feel warm, while Ellijay can be cooler and breezier)
• Hat, sunscreen, and water, even in cooler months—the sun can still be strong
• Small backpack or tote for snacks, wipes, and hand sanitizer
• If you have kids, consider a stroller with decent wheels or a carrier for younger ones

👟 Atlanta tip: If you’re coming straight from brunch or a city event, it’s worth changing into more rugged shoes and casual clothes before you leave town.

Weather Considerations

Because apple orchards are mostly outdoors:

• Check the forecast for Ellijay, not just Atlanta.
• Some activities may pause in heavy rain, storms, or muddy conditions.
• Cooler mountain weather can be a welcome break from Atlanta’s heat in early fall, but it can be chilly in late October and beyond.

Traffic and Timing from Different Atlanta Areas

• Intown (Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Westside, East Atlanta):
  Factor in surface-street traffic to I-75 or GA-400, especially if you leave after 9 a.m.

• Northside (Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Brookhaven):
  GA-400 access can make the drive smoother; still plan for 1.5+ hours each way in fall.

• East Metro (Decatur, Stone Mountain, Tucker):
  Expect a bit more cross-town driving before you even reach I-75 or GA-400.

• South Metro (College Park, East Point, Clayton County):
  Add extra buffer time through downtown connectors if you leave mid-morning.

Ellijay Apple Orchards vs. Other North Georgia Options

If you’re starting in Atlanta, BJ Reece is often compared to other Ellijay and North Georgia orchards. Each has its own feel; BJ Reece tends to appeal strongly to:

• Families with children who want lots of activities
• Groups interested in a “full day” farm experience rather than just picking
• People looking for easy photo ops, clear signage, and a larger, busier environment

If you prefer a very quiet, low-key orchard visit with fewer crowds, you might choose a less activity-heavy farm in the region or visit earlier in the season or on a weekday.

Combining BJ Reece with Other Atlanta-to-North-Georgia Stops

If you’re making the drive from Atlanta, you may want to make the most of being in the mountains.

Some common pairings:

• Downtown Ellijay:
  Small-town square with shops and restaurants, a quick stop for lunch or coffee after the orchard.

• Blue Ridge:
  About 30–40 minutes north of Ellijay; some Atlantans turn the day trip into a longer scenic drive.

• Wineries in the North Georgia Mountains:
  The broader area around Ellijay and Dahlonega has multiple wineries and vineyards, which some adults-only groups from Atlanta add to their day.

For families with young kids, most stick with BJ Reece + downtown Ellijay and then head back to Atlanta before evening traffic.

Accessibility and Comfort Considerations

If you’re coming from Atlanta with older relatives, small children, or anyone who prefers shorter walks:

• Expect some uneven ground and hills in orchard areas.
• Ask staff about:
  • Closest parking areas
  • Shuttle or wagon rides to the orchards (if available)
  • Less crowded times or quieter spots on the property

Bringing a folding camp chair or taking frequent breaks in shaded seating areas can make the trip more comfortable for multigenerational groups.

How to Decide If BJ Reece Orchards Is Right for Your Atlanta Trip

BJ Reece Orchards is a strong fit if you:

• Live in Atlanta or nearby suburbs and want a classic fall day trip that feels different from the city
• Have kids or visitors who would enjoy hands-on activities, animals, and wide-open spaces
• Want to make apple picking part of a broader North Georgia mountains experience

It may be less ideal if you:

• Strongly dislike crowds and lines, especially on fall weekends
• Want a quick stop rather than a half- or full-day outing
• Prefer a minimalist, quiet farm with very few extras

If your goal is to show out-of-town guests a different side of Georgia beyond the Atlanta skyline, BJ Reece and Ellijay give you mountain scenery, local agriculture, and a distinctly seasonal experience, all within a reasonable drive from the city.