Open 361 Days a Year: Admissions 10:00am – 3:30pm; park closes at 4:30pm

Welcome to the Western North Carolina Nature Center!

Summer Camp

To make the best use of our staff and resources, the WNC Nature Center will not offer summer camp in 2026. This was a difficult decision, as our camp program has been a beloved part of the Center for many years. However, it requires significant staffing and reaches a relatively small number of children, and we are prioritizing our ability to provide an exceptional experience for the 150,000+ guests who visit us each year.

We will truly miss our campers this summer, and we want to emphasize that this change may not be permanent and that camp programs could return in future years.

If you’re looking for a Nature Center–related experience this summer, our Outreach Education team partners with many area camps, and several groups visit the Nature Center as part of their summer programming. The City of Asheville Parks and Recreation Department also provides nature-focused camps, along with other regional organizations that offer outdoor and wildlife-based experiences for youth.

For teens ages 13 to 17, we will still be offering a summer volunteer program at the Nature Center. You can learn more about that opportunity here.

Thank you for your understanding as we adapt to changing needs and resources.