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 & Save!
Your membership can pay for itself in as few as two visits!
Reciprocity
with AZA & ASTC
With free or reduced admission to more than 450 zoos, aquariums, and science centers, membership with the Nature Center is one of the best deals in the nation!
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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.
Membership can not be used for admission when visiting the WNC Nature Center with a paid Group program.

We’ve switched to digital membership cards.
With this green initiative, your updated membership cards will be available on your smartphone within 48 hours of your purchase!

Choose the perfect plan for you!

Bear

Individual

$39
One Year
$68
Two Year

Includes all membership benefits for one adult

 

 

 

American River Otters Obi and Olive

Dual

$59
One Year
$108
Two Year

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

Family

$89
One Year
$168
Two Year

Includes all membership benefits for two adults and four children/ grandchildren under 18 years old


Barnyard Animals

FamilyPLus

$119
One Year
$228
Two Year

Includes all membership benefits for two adults and four children/ grandchildren under 18 years old
PLUS two additional people, adults or children

Red Wolf

$175

WILDLIFE
GUARDIAN

FamilyPlus Membership + 5 one-day guest passes for one year

$250

WILDLIFE
BENEFACTOR

FamilyPlus Membership + 10 one-day guest passes for one year

Red Panda

$500

Wildlife
Patron

FamilyPlus Membership + 10 one-day guest passes + donor recognition for one year

Member Benefits

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!

September Member Benefit Highlights

For the month of September, members receive 20% off all Goat Adoptions! To get your discount code, email membership@wildwnc.org with your Member ID, then visit wildwnc.org/adopt to symbolically adopt a goat from the WNC Nature Center barnyard!

FREE ADMISSION FOR A YEAR

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!


Nature Center DisCounts

Members receive discounts at the Nature Center Gift Shop, select special events, and summer camp!


Discounted admission to 450+ centers

Free or half-priced admission to more than 450 zoos, aquariums, and science centers nationwide.*

*Reciprocity may change. Please call reciprocal partners before visiting to ensure they are accepting reciprocal memberships. 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. 

Friends
E-Newsletter

Subscribe to learn about member giveaways, upcoming events, animal updates, and conservation efforts in your inbox each month!

Digital Membership Cards

We have switched to digital membership cards. With this green initiative, your updated membership cards will be available on your smartphone within 48 hours of your purchase!

How to Get Your eMembership Card:

  1. Download the eMembership App from the Apple App store or Google Play Store

2. Search for and select the Friends of the WNC Nature Center tile and touch “Find My Membership Cards” 

3. Enter the phone number you used when you joined or renewed and your last name.

4. Download your card.

 Please contact the Membership Office at membership@wildwnc.org with any questions or to verify or update your phone number!

If you prefer not to download the digital app, you can download or print your card by clicking here. 

Gift Memberships

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!

Frequently asked questions

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!

In an effort to go green, our membership cards are digital. To download your Digital Membership 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 the phone number you used when you joined or renewed 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.