As the chill of winter fades and spring hues begin to paint the landscape, Carter’s Mountain in Charlottesville becomes a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Located near Monticello off of Route 53, Carter’s Mountain is often considered an ideal spot for picnics, photography, and simply soaking in nature.
“The thing I enjoy most about visiting Carter’s Mountain is seeing the mountains and scenery as I drive up. I love being able to look out the window and see how small Charlottesville looks from such a high viewpoint,” said FCHS junior Cecily McMillian.
Junior Kaiya Wrigley agrees. “The view and fresh air are absolutely stunning,” she said.
Whether picking fresh apples or enjoying the springtime blooms, visitors of all ages have something to engage in on the mountain. “Carter’s Mountain is a great way to go out with friends and family and is one of the main apple-picking orchards in the area, so it is a good way to see people from your community,” said McMillian.
Wrigley noted that the benefits of Carter’s Mountain extend beyond its beauty. “It offers organic foods to the community and helps with the health of the land,” she said, adding, “The apple cider donuts are delicious.”
McMillian said the true magic of Carter’s Mountain is that it offers what some argue is one of the best places in the area to appreciate the Blue Ridge Mountains. “I love being able to look at God’s creation,” she said.
One things locals may not realize is that Carter’s Mountain’s policy regarding tickets has changed. “We used to go there all the time just to look at the view. But during COVID they started charging $8 just to be there and not even buy anything. So we stopped going. I understand that they did it to limit the numbers during the pandemic, and I assumed that it was still that way, which is why we haven’t been up there in about five years,” said teacher Elizabeth Pellicane.
These days, admission to the mountain is free again, except for on weekends in the fall and during select events, like their fall Sunset Series evenings which feature live music.
On the two Saturdays before Easter, Carter’s Mountain is hosting its annual Easter Eggstravaganza. This year’s event will take place April 12 and 19 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and includes crafts, treats, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. You can find more information on their website.
For more information about Carter’s Mountain and the Chiles Family Orchards, including hours and their online store, click here.
