The first blueberries of the season are ripening on the bushes right now, and we couldn’t be more excited. Every June, families staying with us at Arrow Creek Campground ask about the best places for blueberry picking Gatlinburg has to offer, and this year’s crop is looking spectacular. There’s something special about spending a morning in the mountain air, filling buckets with berries you picked yourself, then bringing them back to your RV or cabin to enjoy. The farms around here have been growing blueberries for generations, and they know exactly how to help families have a great time while harvesting fruit that tastes nothing like what you’d find in a grocery store.
Why Blueberry Picking Makes a Perfect Campground Activity
We’ve noticed that our guests who go blueberry picking Gatlinburg farms often say it’s one of their favorite memories from their trip. Kids who normally won’t touch fruit suddenly become enthusiastic about berries they picked themselves. The farms are typically open early in the morning when the temperatures are still comfortable, which means you can pick for a few hours and still have the whole afternoon for other adventures in the Smokies.
Most u-pick operations charge by the pound, usually between three and four dollars, and a typical family fills about five to eight pounds in an hour. That might sound like a lot of berries, but trust us when we say they disappear quickly once you start snacking on them back at your campsite. The purple stains on your fingers wash off easily, and the memories last much longer.
From Arrow Creek Campground, you can reach several excellent blueberry farms within a 30-minute drive. Each one has its own character, and we’ve visited them all so we can give you the real story on what to expect.
Top U-Pick Blueberry Farms Near Arrow Creek Campground
Carver’s Orchard in Cosby opens their blueberry fields in late June and typically runs through mid-August, depending on the weather. Located about 25 minutes from our campground, Carver’s has been family-operated since 1985. Their blueberry bushes sit on a hillside with views of Mount Cammerer in the distance. They grow both highbush and rabbiteye varieties, which means you’ll find berries of different sizes and sweetness levels on the same visit. The farm opens at 8 a.m. most days during season, and they recommend arriving before 11 a.m. for the best selection. Bring your own containers or purchase buckets at their farm stand for two dollars. Their phone number is posted on their website, and they update their Facebook page daily with current conditions.
Apple Valley Farms in Sevierville sits just 18 minutes from Arrow Creek Campground and offers blueberry picking Gatlinburg area families have relied on for years. This farm operates a bit differently because they also run a large produce market, so you can pick berries and then browse their selection of local honey, jams, and fresh vegetables. Their blueberry patch is smaller than some others, but the berries are consistently large and sweet. They’re open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. during blueberry season. The farm provides picking containers, and they have a covered pavilion where you can take a break if the sun gets too intense. Kids under five pick free with a paying adult.
Kyker Farms in Maryville requires about a 35-minute drive from our location, putting it just slightly outside our 30-minute radius, but we’re including it because several of our regular guests swear it’s worth the extra few minutes. This certified organic operation grows six different blueberry varieties across 12 acres. The berries here have a more complex flavor than conventional varieties, with notes that range from sweet to slightly tart. Kyker Farms opens at 7 a.m. on picking days, which are usually Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. They ask that you call ahead to confirm the fields are open, as heavy rain can close operations temporarily. Prices run about 50 cents more per pound than conventional farms, but the organic certification matters to many families.
Ogle’s Broom Shop and Blueberry Patch in Pigeon Forge combines two unique experiences in one stop. Located 20 minutes from Arrow Creek Campground, this family business has been making handcrafted brooms since the 1970s, and they added blueberry bushes about 15 years ago. The patch is smaller and more intimate than larger commercial operations, which some families prefer. They’re open daily during season from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and you can watch broom-making demonstrations while you’re there. The kids can run around more freely here since the operation is less crowded than bigger farms.
What to Bring for a Successful Picking Trip
After years of hearing stories from our guests about their blueberry picking Gatlinburg adventures, we’ve compiled a solid list of what actually makes the experience better. Wear closed-toe shoes because you’ll be walking through grass and potentially muddy patches between rows. The ground can be uneven, and sandals or flip-flops will leave your feet tired and dirty.
Bring a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen even if the morning looks overcast. The sun reflects off those berry bushes in ways that can surprise you, and we’ve seen plenty of sunburned shoulders on guests who thought they’d be fine. Long sleeves in a light, breathable fabric protect your arms from both sun and scratches from branches.
Most farms provide containers, but bringing a small cooler in your vehicle helps keep berries fresh during the drive back to Arrow Creek Campground. If you’re picking more than 10 pounds, consider bringing two smaller containers rather than one large bucket. Berries at the bottom of a heavy bucket can get crushed under the weight of the ones on top.
Pack water bottles for everyone in your group. Blueberry picking involves more bending and reaching than you’d expect, and kids especially can get dehydrated without realizing it. A small snack helps too, though you’ll probably be eating plenty of berries as you pick. That’s part of the fun, and the farms expect it.
Cash still works best at several of these farms, though more are starting to accept cards. Call ahead or check their websites to confirm payment options. Having exact change makes checkout faster when there’s a line of other pickers waiting.
Storing Fresh Blueberries in Your RV Refrigerator
RV refrigerators work differently than home units, and knowing how to store your fresh-picked blueberries properly means they’ll last longer and taste better. Don’t wash the berries until you’re ready to use them. The natural bloom on the skin helps protect them from moisture and mold, and washing removes that protective coating.
Spread berries in a single layer on a paper towel-lined container if you have the refrigerator space. This prevents the ones on the bottom from getting crushed and allows air circulation. If space is tight, keep them in the containers the farm provided, but place a paper towel on top to absorb excess moisture. Check the berries daily and remove any that are getting soft or showing signs of mold. One bad berry can affect the others quickly in the confined space of an RV fridge.
RV refrigerators typically run between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, which is perfect for blueberries. Store them in the main compartment rather than the door, where temperature fluctuates more. Fresh-picked berries should last five to seven days when stored properly, though ours rarely make it that long before we eat them all.
If you picked more than you can eat fresh, freezing works beautifully. Spread unwashed berries on a baking sheet and freeze them solid, then transfer to freezer bags. They’ll keep for months this way, and you can take them home to enjoy long after your camping trip ends. Some of our long-term guests freeze berries in the campground’s community freezer and use them throughout their stay.
Campsite Recipes for Fresh Blueberries
We love seeing what our guests create with their blueberry picking Gatlinburg hauls. The simplest breakfast upgrade involves adding fresh berries to pancake batter. Mix your usual pancake recipe, then gently fold in a cup of berries just before cooking. The berries will burst and create little pockets of sweet juice that make even boxed pancake mix taste gourmet.
Campfire blueberry cobbler requires minimal equipment and tastes incredible. Mix four cups of berries with half a cup of sugar and two tablespoons of flour in a cast iron Dutch oven. For the topping, combine one cup of flour, one cup of sugar, one teaspoon of baking powder, and half a cup of milk. Pour this batter over the berries without stirring. Place the covered Dutch oven on hot coals with more coals on the lid. Check after 30 minutes. The topping should be golden and the berries bubbling. Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving. The smell alone will attract visitors to your campsite.
Blueberry breakfast parfaits work great for quick mornings when you want to get on the trail early. Layer yogurt, granola, and fresh berries in a cup. Make several at once and store them in your RV fridge for grab-and-go breakfasts. Kids can assemble these themselves, which keeps them occupied and fed.
For a refreshing afternoon treat, blend two cups of blueberries with one cup of ice, half a cup of milk or juice, and a banana. This makes enough smoothie for two people and uses up berries that are starting to get a bit soft. Add a handful of spinach if you want to sneak in some vegetables without changing the flavor much.
Blueberry sauce transforms regular vanilla ice cream into something special. Simmer two cups of berries with a quarter cup of sugar and a tablespoon of lemon juice for about 10 minutes on your camp stove. The berries will break down into a thick sauce that you can spoon over ice cream, pound cake, or even grilled chicken if you’re feeling adventurous. This sauce keeps in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Making the Most of Your Berry Picking Day
The best strategy we’ve heard from experienced pickers involves arriving right when the farm opens. You’ll have first choice of the ripest berries, and the morning temperatures make picking more comfortable. Most farms see their biggest crowds between 10 a.m. and noon, so earlier really is better.
Look for berries that are completely blue with no red or green areas. They should come off the bush easily with a gentle twist. If you’re pulling hard, the berry isn’t ripe yet. The dusty coating on the skin is natural and desirable. Shiny berries without that coating are either underripe or have been handled too much.
Taste berries from different bushes as you pick. You’ll notice that even within the same variety, individual bushes can produce berries with slightly different flavors. When you find a bush you really like, fill a container from that area before moving on. Some pickers mark their favorite bushes mentally so they can return to them on future visits.
Take breaks in the shade and let kids run around between picking sessions. Most farms have grassy areas where children can play, and forcing them to pick continuously for an hour usually ends in complaints and meltdowns. Fifteen minutes of picking followed by 10 minutes of play works better for families with young children.
After you finish picking, many farms have farm stands where you can buy other local products. This is a great time to grab fresh vegetables for dinner back at Arrow Creek Campground or pick up some local honey to take home as gifts.
Blueberry picking Gatlinburg offers combines perfectly with a stay at our campground. You can head out early for picking, return to your RV or cabin for a midday rest by our pool, and then spend the evening exploring downtown Gatlinburg or cooking with your fresh berries over the campfire. Several of our guests make blueberry picking an annual tradition, returning to the same farms each June and comparing notes on which varieties tasted best each year. We’d love to help you plan your blueberry adventure. Stop by the camp office when you arrive, and we’ll give you current updates on which farms are picking and what the conditions look like. There’s nothing quite like the taste of a sun-warmed blueberry you picked yourself in the shadow of the Smoky Mountains.