Hours of Operation

  • Spring/Summer Property Hours:
    • April – October
      • 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. (entrance gate closes at 8 p.m.)
  • Fall/Winter Property Hours:
    • November – March
      • 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. (entrance gate closes at 6 p.m.)
  • Bonsai Exhibition Garden (April – November), Baker Exhibit Center and Education Center Hours:
    • Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
    • Note: The outdoor bonsai collection is currently not on display due to the winter weather. Please visit our indoor tropical bonsai display inside the Baker Exhibit Center Greenhouse.

Fees

The North Carolina Arboretum does not charge a per person admission, only a parking fee. Cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express credit/debit cards are accepted at the front gatehouse. The first Tuesday of every month, the Arboretum also offers a 50% discount on personal vehicle parking ($7). Current parking fees are:

  • Members: Free
  • Personal Vehicles: $14
  • Motorhomes / Vehicles (21’ or larger): $50
  • Buses: $100

*There are no other admission charges required for visitors to access the Arboretum’s grounds and facilities during the day beyond the standard parking fees.

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 to receive free parking to the Arboretum (reservations required).
    • Active/retired veterans receive free parking on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day.

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.

Driving directions from:

  • Blue Ridge Parkway – Exit at mile marker 393 for The N.C. 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).
  • Downtown Asheville – Take Interstate 240 West (soon to be I-26 East, both signs may be present) and merge onto Interstate 26 East. Take Exit 33 (marked Blue Ridge Parkway/Brevard Road/Hwy. 191) off of I-26 East. Turn left (south) onto Hwy. 191. Travel south on Hwy. 191 for approximately 2.1 miles (pass Asheville Outlets). Look for brown signs for the Blue Ridge Parkway and The N.C. Arboretum. Turn right at the light and the entrance to The North Carolina Arboretum is on the right. Note: You may also take Exit 1 from I-240 West (signs are marked for the Arboretum). 
  • Asheville Regional Airport – Take Interstate 26 West (travel North toward Asheville), approximately seven miles. Take Exit 33 (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 Asheville Outlets). Look for brown signs for the Blue Ridge Parkway and The N.C. Arboretum. Turn right at light and the entrance to The North Carolina Arboretum is ahead on the right.
  • Hendersonville – Traveling via Brevard Road/Hwy. 191 N, pass under the the Blue Ridge Parkway bridge and turn left at traffic light. The Blue Ridge Parkway ramp continues to the left and the Arboretum entrance is immediately on the right.
  • Eastbound I-40 – Merge right 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 Asheville Outlets). Look for brown signs for the Blue Ridge Parkway and The N.C. Arboretum. Turn right at light and entrance to The North Carolina Arboretum is ahead on right.
  • Westbound 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 Asheville Outlets). Look for brown signs for the Blue Ridge Parkway and The N.C. Arboretum. Turn right at light and the entrance to The North Carolina Arboretum is ahead on the right.

Need more help with directions? Please call 828-665-2492.