Hours, Directions & Prices

Changes to Public Access

Please note: The Arboretum's Education Center remains closed at this time.

Hours

Please note: The Arboretum will continue to operate under its modified Fall/Winter property schedule through the conclusion of Winter Lights on January 10, 2021.

Modified Fall/Winter Property Hours:
- Daytime Visitation: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.*
- Winter Lights: 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Separately ticketed event; incoming gate closes at 10:00 p.m.)
Baker Exhibit Center and Bonsai Exhibition Garden Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Connections Gallery Gift Shop Hours: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Bent Creek Bistro Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

*Holiday Hours 2020 - 2021

• Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 26: Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Parking fees apply, Baker Visitor Center Open (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), Connections Gallery status TBD; will re-open at 5:30 p.m. for Winter Lights

• Black Friday – Friday, November 27: Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Parking fees apply, Baker Visitor Center Open (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), Connections Gallery status TBD; will re-open at 5:30 p.m. for Winter Lights

• Saturday November 28: Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Parking fees apply, Baker Visitor Center Open (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), Connections Gallery status TBD; will re-open at 5:30 p.m. for Winter Lights

• Sunday, November 29: Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Parking fees apply, Baker Visitor Center Open (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), Connections Gallery status TBD; will re-open at 5:30 p.m. for Winter Lights
• Christmas Eve – Thursday, December 24: Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Parking fees apply, Baker Visitor Center Open (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), Connections Gallery status TBD; will re-open at 5:30 p.m. for Winter Lights

• Christmas Day – Friday, December 25: Buildings and Property *CLOSED* during the day; will re-open at 5:30 p.m. for Winter Lights

• Saturday, December 26: Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Parking fees apply, Baker Visitor Center Open (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), Connections Gallery status TBD; will re-open at 5:30 p.m. for Winter Lights

• Sunday, December 27: Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Parking fees apply, Baker Visitor Center Open (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), Connections Gallery status TBD; will re-open at 5:30 p.m. for Winter Lights

• Monday, December 28: Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Parking fees apply, Baker Visitor Center Open (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), Connections Gallery status TBD; will re-open at 5:30 p.m. for Winter Lights
• New Year’s Day – Friday, January 1: Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Parking fees apply, Baker Visitor Center Open (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), Connections Gallery status TBD; will re-open at 5:30 p.m. for Winter Lights

Parking Fees

Members: Free
Personal Vehicles: $16
Motorhomes / Vehicles (21’ or larger): $50
Buses: $100

Apart from the parking fee, there is no other admission charge to enter the Arboretum or our facilities, except in the case of advertised ticketed events.

Guests can apply their personal vehicle parking ticket towards an Arboretum Society Membership by signing up on-site or contacting Membership Services after their visit (must keep parking ticket with you to redeem).

Discounts

- AAA Members receive $1 off personal vehicle parking fees (valid cards must be presented at the gate).
- AHS Reciprocal Garden Members receive free parking for personal vehicles (valid cards must be presented at the gate).
- Check out a Buncombe County Library ZOOM Pass or Henderson County Library ZOOM Pass to receive free parking to the Arboretum (reservations required).
- Active/retired veterans receive free parking on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day.
- First Tuesday of every month, the Arboretum offers a 50% discount on personal vehicle parking.

Become a member today!

Discover, connect, belong. The benefits of membership with The North Carolina Arboretum Society extend far beyond free parking.

Learn more Here

Directions

Best Address for GPS:
20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way
Asheville, NC 28806

Please note: Many GPS units do not correctly identify the Arboretum’s location within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest, therefore we DO NOT recommend the use of a GPS device for navigation to the Arboretum. If your navigation system directs you to the Arboretum service entrance off Wesley Branch Road, please turn back and follow the road to the traffic light. Turn right (south) onto Brevard Road/Hwy. 191 and continue in the right lane, which will become a turn only lane. Turn right at light and the entrance to The North Carolina Arboretum is ahead on the right.