11 Places to Go Strawberry Picking in North Carolina

It is not the most well-known NC fact, but the state is the third-largest producer of strawberries in the United States!

Strawberry picking, also known as “U-pick” or “pick-your-own,” is a popular activity in North Carolina, especially in the springtime as Carolinians emerge from their winter hibernation.

Strawberry picking is often available at farms that grow strawberries for commercial sale, as well as at smaller farms and orchards that offer this activity as a recreational or educational opportunity.

Strawberry picking in North Carolina is a great way to get outside, enjoy nature, and learn about where your food comes from. Many of these North Carolina farms offer strawberry picking and other activities, such as tours, hayrides, or opportunities to pick other types of produce.

It is difficult to determine the best place to pick strawberries across the state as the quality and availability of strawberries can vary yearly and from farm to farm. There are plenty of places to pick strawberries in North Carolina, here are a few of our favorites!

Places to Pick Strawberries in North Carolina

1. The Berry Patch

Address: 351 Cargo Rd, Ellerbe (GPS)
Hours: Monday- Sunday: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm

If your kids need a little incentive to get them out in the fields helping with the strawberry picking, The Berry Patch on Cargo Road in Ellerbe has just the thing to get them going!

A promise of a scoop of delicious homemade ice cream is usually enough to get kids to do any kind of chore but is picking strawberries really a chore? What kid doesn’t want to spend a day outdoors in a giant field filled with big, red strawberries? No doubt they’ll sample some of those berries too!

2. Berrier Farm

Address: 6422 N. NC Hwy 150 Lexington (GPS)

Situated in Lexington, Berrier Farm is a great place to stop if you enjoy picking your own strawberries.

However, if you wish to skip the work and have fresh, delicious strawberries pre-picked for you, this is an option as well, but why skip the opportunity to enjoy some quality time outdoors?

Besides, the prize, which is the red, juicy goodness in your baskets at the end of the day, is so much more rewarding when you know you picked them yourself!

3. Ingram’s Family Farm

Address: 6121 Riverdale Dr, High Point, NC (GPS)
Hours: Saturday: 11:00 am – 4:00pm

When it comes to picking strawberries at Ingram’s Family Farm, people of all ages, including young children, are encouraged to join in on the fun! Situated on Riverdale Drive in High Point, this lovely farm sells gallon and half-gallon buckets so you don’t have to worry about taking your own.

Various events take place throughout the season so you never know what you’ll see while you’re there. Greeting the Goat and group tours are just some of the events that happen, and you can also visit the dessert barn while you’re there.

4. Patterson Farm

Address: 10390 Caldwell Rd, Mt Ulla, NC (GPS)
Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, Tuesday – Sunday: Closed
Cost of Admission – For ticket prices, click here.

Do you know what goes really well with strawberries? Ice Cream, that’s what! At Patterson Farm on Caldwell Road in Mount Ulla, you can spend the morning or afternoon picking fresh strawberries and kick back with some delicious sweet treats from the on-site Ice Cream Shoppe. There’s also a small market selling poinsettias and other freshly made treats.

5. Hunt’s Strawberry Farm

Address: 4505 Watkins Rd, Raleigh, NC (GPS)

Located on Watkins Road in Raleigh, Hunt’s Strawberry Farm is a u-pick farm where you can pick strawberries by the quart or gallon. Well really, I’m sure you can pick as little or as much as you want but personally, I’d be picking enough delicious berries to fill my freezer for the entire winter!

While at the farm, why not also try some of the homemade honey and fresh sweets that are also for sale? If you are looking for something fun to do in Raleigh on a nice spring day heading here with the family is a must!

6. Carrigan Farms

Address: 1261 Oakridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville, NC (GPS)
Hours: Will re-open for strawberry picking in late April 2023.

Carrigan Farms in Moorseville has been in the family for five generations so they know what goes into growing quality strawberries. Many people rave about the freshness and full flavor of the fruit grown here, particularly the strawberries.

Get yourself out to this big open space and find a nice spot with your baskets and get picking! Strawberry season in this part of North Carolina is usually around the end of April but it’s best to check for updates before you arrive.

7. Waller Family Farm

Address: 5030 Kerley Rd, Durham, NC (GPS)

Whether you only want a half-gallon, a full gallon or somewhere in between, you can pick as many red, juicy strawberries as you can fit in your buckets or you’re just too tired to pick any more.

At Waller Family Farm on Kerley Road in Durham, this fully working farm is situated close to an urban center but the family works hard to maintain a rural charm so families can come out and enjoy a day outdoors away from the hustle and bustle.

After you pick some berries, visit the farm animals that live on site and check to see if any freshly picked flowers are available. Hand-washing stations and portable toilets are situated around the grounds for your convenience.

8. Gillis Hill Road Produce

Address: 2899 Gillis Hill Rd, Fayetteville, NC (GPS)
Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday: Closed

If you’re looking for a nice place to pick some strawberries the next time you’re in Fayetteville, the best place to head to is Gillis Hill Road Produce. Besides strawberries, you can also purchase other fresh produce that’s in season.

Planning to enjoy those delicious strawberries around a fire that evening? Don’t leave the site without purchasing some firewood first!

9. New Castle Farm

Address: 2812 Clingman Rd, Ronda, NC (GPS)
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 2:30 pm -5:30 pm, Saturday: 10:00 am –
5:00pm, Closed: Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday

Located on Clingman Road in Ronda, New Castle Farm is a working U-Pick farm growing various fruits and vegetables throughout the year including strawberries.

Although this region of the Yadkin Valley is mostly known for its grapes used to make local wines, it’s also known for its strawberries which are said to be the sweetest around!

Head to the farm from late April to early June and enjoy more than 70 acres of fields that make for the perfect outdoor outing, Children are welcome and are even given their own little basket to help out with the strawberry picking although they’ll probably more time sampling! On site, you’ll also find some picnic tables and outdoor games to enjoy afterward.

10. Strawberries on 903

Address: 4084 NC-903, Winterville, NC (GPS)
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 8:00 am -5:00 pm, Sunday: Closed

At Strawberries 903 in the small NC town of Winterville, you’ll have access to three acres of strawberry fields full of large, delicious berries. You can pick as much as you want for as long as you want as long as the fields are open!

When you’re done, be sure to check out the other items that are available on site including fresh eggs, flowers and whatever other produce happens to be in season at the time.

11. Obermiller’s Strawberry Farm

Address: 621 Allstar Ln, Hendersonville, NC (GPS)
Hours: Monday, Tuesday: 4:00- 6:60 pm, Thursday and Saturday: 8:30 am -12:00 pm, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday: Closed

Only recently opened for the first time in May of 2022, Obermiller’s in Hendersonville is one of North Carolina’s newest strawberry u-pick farms. Containers are provided on site if you don’t have your own and if you’re just not feeling up to picking some berries yourself, you can purchase some pre-picked ones.

Be sure to watch for when the blackberries and blueberries are ready to be picked too as they follow soon after the strawberries!

When is the Best Time To Go Strawberry Picking in North Carolina?

In general, strawberry season in North Carolina typically runs from late April to early June, with peak season occurring in May. However, it is important to check with local farms or agricultural organizations to get the most accurate and up-to-date information on the availability of strawberries in a particular area.

Tips for Picking Strawberries in North Carolina

When strawberry picking in NC, there are a few things to look for to ensure you are selecting the best strawberries:

Color: Look for deep red strawberries, as these will be the ripest and flavorful. Avoid white or green strawberries, as they are not yet fully ripe.
Size: Larger strawberries tend to be sweeter and juicier than smaller ones, so look for the biggest berries you can find.
Shape: Look for plump and firm strawberries, with a smooth, even shape. Avoid strawberries that are soft or have blemishes, as these may be overripe or damaged.
Aroma: Ripe strawberries should have a sweet, fragrant aroma. If a strawberry does not have a strong aroma, it may not be fully ripe.
Location: When picking strawberries, look for berries near the base of the plant, as these are typically the easiest to reach and the least likely to be damaged.

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