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.

Holiday giving questions? Email development@wildwnc.org or call (828) 259-8092.

Gift Memberships

Give a gift of membership, and let your friends and family enjoy a whole year of adventure at the WNC Nature Center! Perfect for families on your list, membership includes admission, discounts at our Gift Shop, and discounted or free admission to more than 450 zoos, aquariums, and science centers nationwide!

Orders placed by Thursday, December 14, will be mailed USPS by Saturday, December 16.

Online Gift Shop

With plush animals, shirts, jewelry, and drinkware, you can find a gift for everyone this holiday season!

Orders placed by Saturday, December 16, will be shipped USPS Priority by Monday, December 18.


Adopt An Animal

Animal lovers go wild for this gift!

Your gift recipient will receive an adoption certificate, photo of their animal, fact sheet, and a plush animal and guest passes at higher adoption levels.

Orders placed by Saturday, December 16, will be mailed USPS Priority by Monday, December 18.

Amazon Animal Wishlist

We know a few animals who have been especially good!

If you have room on your shopping list, gifts of enrichment items stimulate our animals and strengthen their natural instincts. Buy a gift for the animals this holiday season on our AmazonSmile wishlist.

Bricks, Benches, & Picnic Tables

Acknowledge the important people in your life and celebrate their contributions in a meaningful way with a lasting gift they can see when they visit.

Email development@wildwnc.org to learn about purchasing a bench or picnic table. Click below to purchase a brick.

Give & Get with Give!Local

Now through December 31, you can support the WNC Nature Center through Mountain Xpress’ Give!Local website. Your donation gets your perks from the Nature Center and Mountain Xpress, and your gift will be matched by Champions for Wildlife up to $2,500!

There are some awesome incentives for giving through Give!Local:

Friends of the WNC Nature Center logo

The Friends of the WNC Nature Center (Tax ID: 23-7412910) has supported the Nature Center since 1974. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit raises funds through donations, memberships, events, and Gift Shop sales. The Friends also provide outreach education, volunteer coordination, and marketing. Your donation directly supports the Nature Center!​