Hours & Directions
The North Carolina Arboretum does not charge admission per person, only a parking fee. Parking is only $8 per personal vehicle, $30 per commercial vehicle, and $50 for buses. Cash and check are accepted at the Gatehouse; Visa and MasterCard are accepted at the Gatehouse but limited to parking fee only. Parking is free the first Tuesday of each month; parking is always free for members.
Property Hours
April 1 to October 31: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. with entrance gates closing at 8 p.m.
November 1 to March 31: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. with entrance gates closing at 6 p.m.
Baker Exhibit Center, Education Center and Bonsai Exhibition Garden
Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Savory Thyme Cafe
Hours of Operation
Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday Noon to 4 p.m.
Closed Mondays
The Cafe is available for catering and special events year round. For information call 828.484.9841 or 828.335.1112 or Email savorythymecafe@gmail.com or cafe@ncarboretum.org.
The Connections Gallery; Baker Exhibit Center, Garden Level
Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Production Greenhouse (Closed on State Holidays)
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Directions from...
(Note: If you are using a GPS device and it is more than one year old, please use 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806 to map directions to our main entrance.)
1. The Blue Ridge Parkway Exit at mile marker 393 there are signs on the Parkway for NC Arboretum, Hwy. 191 and Interstate 26. On the exit ramp, the entrance to the Arboretum is immediately on the left (before Hwy. 191 and traffic light).
2. Hendersonville (traveling Brevard Road / Hwy. 191) Hwy 191 North to Blue Ridge Parkway. After passing under Blue Ridge Parkway bridge turn left at traffic light. Blue Ridge Parkway ramp continues to the left, Arboretum entrance is immediately on the right.
3. Asheville Regional Airport Interstate 26 West (travel North toward Asheville), approximately seven miles. Take Exit 33 (old Exit #2) - marked Blue Ridge Parkway-Brevard Road-Hwy 191). Turn right at the top of the ramp (South) onto Hwy. 191. Travel South on Hwy 191 for approximately 2.1 miles (pass Biltmore Square Mall). Look for brown signs for Blue Ridge Parkway and NC Arboretum. Turn right at light and entrance to The North Carolina Arboretum, main entrance is ahead on right.
4. Downtown Asheville Interstate 240 West (soon to be I-26 East, both signs may be present), which merges into Interstate 26 East. Take Exit 33 (marked Blue Ridge Parkway-Brevard Road-Hwy 191). Turn left (South) onto Hwy. 191. Travel South on Hwy 191 for approximately 2.1 miles (pass Biltmore Square Mall). Look for brown signs for Blue Ridge Parkway and NC Arboretum. Turn right at light and entrance to The North Carolina Arboretum, main entrance is ahead on right.
5. Heading east on I-40 Merge right into Interstate 26 East. Take Exit 33 (marked Blue Ridge Parkway-Brevard Road-Hwy 191). Turn left (South) onto Hwy. 191. Travel South on Hwy 191 for approximately 2.1 miles (pass Biltmore Square Mall). Look for brown signs for Blue Ridge Parkway and NC Arboretum. Turn right at light and entrance to The North Carolina Arboretum, main entrance is ahead on right.
6. Heading west on I-40 Merge left onto Interstate 26 East. Take Exit 33 (marked Blue Ridge Parkway-Brevard Road-Hwy 191). Turn left (South) onto Hwy. 191. Travel South on Hwy 191 for approximately 2.1 miles (pass Biltmore Square Mall). Look for brown signs for Blue Ridge Parkway and NC Arboretum. Turn right at light and entrance to The North Carolina Arboretum, main entrance is ahead on right.
Need more help with directions? Please call our main number at 828.665.2492