Accessibility
ADA paths, wheelchair loans at front desk
Pets
Leashed dogs welcome on trails, not in buildings
Parking Fee
$25/vehicle
Directions
20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way Asheville, NC 28806-9315
I-26 W to Exit 33, NC 191 S to Blue Ridge Parkway
Hours
8 AM – 7 PM (Apr–Oct)
8 AM – 5 PM (Nov–Mar)
A Living Museum of Nature & Discovery
For 40 years, connecting people, plants, and places
GARDENS
TRAILS
EDUCATION & PROGRAMS
SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING
Featured Trail:
The Carolina Mountain Trail
Experience three different kinds of forest – pine, mixed hardwood, and ericaceous on the Carolina Mountain Trail. This 1.2-mile moderate hike begins behind the Education Center and winds downhill toward the rippling waters of Bent Creek and the Wolf Branch cascades.
Explore the NC Arboretum
Weddings & Private Events
Join us for a paid guided walking tour of the gardens! Advanced scheduling is required.
ecoExplore
Developed by The North Carolina Arboretum, this innovative program encourages kids to explore the outdoors and participate in citizen science.
Certificate Programs
The North Carolina Arboretum offers two Certificates of Merit: Blue Ridge Naturalist & Blue Ridge EcoGardener
Adult Education Classes
Hands-on courses in horticulture, nature arts, conservation science, and wellness taught by expert instructors
Explore More
Browse exhibitions, classes, and special events for all ages.
Upcoming Education Classes
Summer Tree ID
Summer Tree ID
Learn how to use many different characteristics of our common trees to identify them and learn some other helpful information along the way.
Building Living Soil
Building Living Soil
From the flood plain of the French Broad River to the summit of Mount Mitchel, we will explore the diverse ecological communities that make up the Blue Ridge Bioregion.
Gardening with an Ecological Mindset (2-sessions)
Gardening with an Ecological Mindset (2-sessions)
This two-session class introduces concepts from ecology that a gardener can use to create resilient, and beautiful landscapes.
Geology of the Blue Ridge I
Geology of the Blue Ridge I
This is the first class of a two-part Geology course that explores the geologic history of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
Book Talk: I Have This Thing for Flowers
Book Talk: I Have This Thing for Flowers
Cataloguing many of the great romances and loves of her life like an herbarium of flowers preserved from the garden, Sawchyn examines the kinds of love that can't be explained.
Support the Arboretum
Your support is vital to the Arboretum, where the power of trees makes a positive impact on people’s lives.
Upcoming Events
Winter Lights
Experience Asheville’s Brightest Holiday Tradition! Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show illuminating the gardens with over one million lights!
Arbor Evenings
June 10 – September 17, 2026
Baker Event Lawn
Sip and stroll through the gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! Arbor Evenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays June 10 through September 17, 2026 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
