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

Reservations are not required, and tickets do not need to be purchased online in advance.

Member Benefits

Your membership with the Friends of the WNC Nature Center gives you exclusive benefits all year round!

  • Free daily admission to the WNC Nature Center
  • 10% discount at the Nature Center Gift Shop
  • Discounts on programs, summer camp, and special events
  • Free or half-priced admission to 450 zoos, aquariums, and science centers nationwide
  • Access to the members-only Cubs & Kits Club for households with children ages 3 to 12
  • Annual member button, available for pick up from the Membership Office each year starting in March (one per member household)
  • Monthly member benefits (see below for calendar)

2023 Monthly Benefits

Your membership gets you special monthly discounts, offers, and rewards throughout the year! Check out the monthly perks* below!
*All benefits are subject to availability, change, or cancellation without prior notice. Must present valid Friends of the WNC Nature Center Membership Card for benefits. Discounts are non-transferable and not redeemable for cash.

June Member Benefit Highlights

  • Friends of the WNC Nature Center members will enjoy free, daily admission for 1 standard car to the NC Arboretum during the month of June! Plus, in June, receive a $20 discount on an NC Arboretum annual membership when you present your Friends membership card! Get more details below in the June calendar.

  • Asheville City Soccer Club is proud to offer half-priced tickets to three weekday matches in June to all Friends of the WNC Nature Center members. To use this promotion, simply show your digital or physical membership card at the front ticket gate for the games on 6/6, 6/13, and 6/20. All three matches kickoff at 7:30pm at UNC-Asheville’s Greenwood Field.
     
  • $5 off Brews & Bears tickets for members! Walk the WNC Nature Center in the evening with a beer, cider, or wine in hand. Members get $5 off tickets to all four Brews & Bears in this summer event series. Buy tickets at wildwnc.org/brews.

January

Free Hot Cocoa

Brrr, it’s cold! Bring your own travel mug and membership card to the Gift Shop when you visit the WNC Nature Center for a free hot chocolate!

Limit one per member household per day.


February

Free Hot Cocoa

Brrr, it’s cold! Bring your own travel mug and membership card to the Gift Shop when you visit the WNC Nature Center for a free hot chocolate!

Limit one per member household per day.


March

BFF Weekend

Bring a Friend for Free on March 11 or March 12! To get your BFF ticket, simply show your membership card and let us know you brought a friend!

Limit one BFF ticket per member household per month on select dates only.

April

20% off Red Fox Adoptions

We're celebrating our red foxes' birthdays with an adopt discount for all levels!

Email Membership with your ID to get your discount code.

May

Brews & Bears Member Discount

Walk the WNC Nature Center in the evening with a beer or cider in hand! Members get $5 off tickets to all four events this summer.








June

NC Arboretum Membership Swap

WNC Nature Center members will enjoy free, daily admission for 1 standard car to the NC Arboretum during the month of June! Special programs or events may incur a fee. Members can also join the NC Arboretum during June and receive a $20 discount on an annual membership!
Click for Details

July

Brews & Bears Member Discount

Walk the WNC Nature Center in the evening with a beer or cider in hand! Members get $5 off tickets to all four events this summer.








August

Chimney Rock Park Membership Swap

WNC Nature Center members will enjoy free, daily admission to the Chimney Rock State Park during the month of August! Members can also join the Chimney Rock State Park during August to receive a discount on an annual membership!

Click for Details

September

20% off Goat Adoptions

We're celebrating our goats' half-birthdays with a goat adopt discount for all levels!

Email Membership with your ID to get your discount code.


October

BFF Weekend

Bring a Friend for Free on October 14 or 15! To get your BFF ticket, simply show your membership card and let us know you brought a friend!

Limit one BFF ticket per member household per month on select dates only.


November

Critter Check Up Member Discount

Get advance tickets for our kid-favorite event happening in December, Critter Check Up! Members get a ticket discount and early access to buy tickets.

Email Membership with your ID to get your discount code and access pass.

December

Free Nature Center Totebag

Stop by the Membership Office on your next visit to the WNC Nature Center with your membership card to get a toad-ally cool tote bag!

Limit one per member household, while supplies last.