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.
Join the Friends of the WNC Nature Center to become a member today! Becoming a member is one of the best ways to support the Nature Center’s mission.
Your membership provides funding and resources to support educational programs, animal care, conservation efforts, and facility enhancements.
Memberships are not refundable.
COVID-19 closures and attendance restrictions may temporarily affect reciprocity at participating Zoos, Aquariums and Science Centers. Please call prior to visiting to ensure they are accepting reciprocal memberships.
Your membership with the Friends of the WNC Nature Center gives you exclusive benefits all year round, including free admission to the park for a year, free or discounted admission to events and programs, and other special monthly perks!
Free daily admission to the WNC Nature Center and its seasonal Halloween event.
Friends members now can enter the park daily at 9:30 am!
Members receive discounts at the Nature Center Gift Shop, select special events, and summer camp!
Free or half-priced admission to more than 450 zoos, aquariums, and science centers nationwide.*
*Reciprocity may change. Please call before visiting reciprocal facilities. Refunds are not offered if reciprocity changes.
**Science centers within 90 miles “as the crow flies” of your home address or the Nature Center may not honor reciprocity.
Subscribe to learn about member giveaways, upcoming events, animal updates, and conservation efforts in your inbox each month!
Includes all membership benefits for one adult and one guest
or two named adults
or one named adult and one child in the same household
Includes all membership benefits for two adults and four children/ grandchildren under 18 years old
Includes all membership benefits for two adults and four children/ grandchildren under 18 years old
PLUS two additional people, adults or children
FamilyPlus Membership + 10 one-day guest passes + donor recognition for one year
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new eMembership Card! With this green initiative, your updated membership cards will be available on your smartphone within a week of your membership purchase!
2. Search for and select the Friends of the WNC Nature Center tile and touch “Find My Membership Cards”
3. Enter one of the following:
a) Your membership ID number and your last name, or
b) Your phone number and your last name (if you have multiple phone numbers on file with Friends, only one will work)
Please contact Kristen at membership@wildwnc.org with any questions!
Want to give the gift of Nature? We offer personalized gift memberships, as well as gift certificates for yet-to-be-named recipients.
Gift memberships are valid for one year from the date of purchase. A membership purchased with a gift certificate is valid for one year from the date it is redeemed.
To purchase a gift membership, click the link below and choose the plan for your recipient; the form includes a section for gift recipient information and a personalized message.
Contact the Membership Office at 828-259-8092 if you have questions about which gift membership option is best for you!
You can purchase your membership at any time on our website.
Memberships may also be purchased daily in person at the Nature Center from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm or over the phone by calling (828)259-8092.
If you choose to purchase a membership on the day of your visit and have already purchased admission tickets, we will give you a guest pass for each adult included on the new membership. Just visit the Membership Office to start the process!
If you opted in to receive paper membership cards, your membership cards will be mailed within 10 business days.
If you purchase in person or online, your receipt will serve as your pass until your permanent cards are received.
In an effort to go green, we now have a digital membership card. To download your eMembership Card, go to the App Store or Play Store and download the eMembership Card app. Under Institutions, select Friends of the WNC Nature Center. Click “Find my Membership Card,” then enter your Membership ID# or
phone number and your last name. Start using your card right away!
(Please allow up to 48 hours after purchase for our system to process your membership).
WNC Nature Center
75 Gashes Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28805
Getting Here
General Inquiries
828-259-8080
admin@wildwnc.org
Friends of the
WNC Nature Center
PO Box 19151
Asheville, NC 28815
828-259-8092
See what’s new at the zoo
with monthly updates!
©2019 Friends of the WNC Nature Center | All rights reserved
Website design by BECK Digital