North Carolina Arboretum: tickets, hours, and visitor tips

The North Carolina Arboretum brings gardens, trails and educational spaces together just south of downtown Asheville. It was established as an affiliate of the University of North Carolina System by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1986.

The idea predates the Arboretum itself: Frederick Law Olmsted envisioned a research arboretum as part of his plan for George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate nearly a century earlier. Today, the site sits among the forested landscapes of Bent Creek and Pisgah National Forest.

There is no general admission charge to enter the Arboretum or its facilities, but you pay to park a personal vehicle. Advertised ticketed events may have separate admission charges.

Standard parking for a personal vehicle up to 20 feet long is $25. Vehicles 21–29 feet long cost $60, and buses or oversize vehicles 30 feet long or more cost $125. Members park free.

You may qualify for a parking discount or free parking through one of these options:

• On the first Tuesday of every month, personal-vehicle parking is $10 less.
• AAA members receive $1 off personal-vehicle parking when they show a valid card at the gate.
• American Horticultural Society reciprocal garden members receive free personal-vehicle parking with a valid card.
• A free ZOOM Pass can be borrowed from participating local libraries; reservations are required.

The grounds are open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. from April through October, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from November through March. The incoming gate closes one hour before the grounds close, so plan your arrival accordingly.

The Arboretum is closed on Christmas Day. It keeps regular hours on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The Baker Exhibit Center and Bonsai Exhibition Garden are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the Connections Gallery Gift Shop is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hours and fees can change, so check the official site before you go.

The Arboretum has more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, including 12 routes rated easy, moderate or difficult. The Carolina Mountain Trail links the Production Greenhouse with the Education Center, main garden areas and Bent Creek Road.

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden, established in 2005, can display up to 50 bonsai specimens at a time. The Education Center, Baker Exhibit Center and main garden areas are wheelchair-accessible. In the Plants of Promise Garden, paved pathways extend for more than 700 linear feet.

You can borrow a wheelchair at no charge from the Baker Exhibit Center, though availability may vary. Service animals are allowed throughout the grounds. Leashed dogs are welcome on trails but not inside buildings; pets are also not allowed in the Bonsai Exhibition Garden and may be prohibited at specific events.

The Arboretum recommends driving via I-26 West to Exit 33, then taking NC 191 South toward the Blue Ridge Parkway. Many GPS units may direct drivers to the wrong service entrance, so follow the Arboretum’s route guidance rather than relying only on a navigation device.

If you’re flying into Asheville, Asheville Regional Airport is about 21 minutes by car from Asheville Inn, a two-star hotel.

The Arboretum’s address is 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806.

The Arboretum’s recommended approach follows NC 191 South toward the Blue Ridge Parkway; the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville guide covers routes and stops along the road.