Visit - WNC Nature Center

Wild Awaits!

Open 7 days a week
Admissions 10am to 3:30pm

Park closes at 4:30pm

(CLOSED Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, & New Year’s Day)

Know Before You Go

The WNC Nature Center is REOPENING to the public on Monday, March 17. Visitors to the Nature Center will need to alter their typical route to accommodate for the loss of Gashes Creek Bridge due to Tropical Storm Helene.

DIRECTIONS:

• Drive to the Nature Center as normal, turning from Swannanoa River Road onto Azalea Road.

• Instead of turning right to cross the bridge as usual, continue straight for half a mile. This road is now TWO-WAY all the way to the roundabout. This two-way traffic pattern is new and can be narrow in places, so please use caution and drive carefully.

• At the roundabout, take the first right. A traffic signal has been installed on either side of the one-way metal bridge.

• After crossing the metal bridge, turn left on Gashes Creek Road and enter the Nature Center’s parking lots.

• Guests will depart from the Nature Center in the same way.

PAYMENT:

The Ticket Office is now cashless. Tickets are available for purchase in advance online or in person using credit/debit and prepaid cash cards.

Tickets

Adults: $13.95 plus tax
(City of Asheville – $9.95*)

Seniors (65+): $12.95 plus tax
(City of Asheville – $8.95*)

Youth (13-15): $13.95 plus tax
(City of Asheville – $9.95*)

Child (3-12): $9.95 plus tax
(City of Asheville – $7.95*)

2 and Younger: Free

All active duty and retired military receive free admission with ID.

There are no refunds or rain checks offered due to animal availability or weather.

The WNC Nature Center does not accept cash at our admissions windows. Tickets are available for purchase in advance online or in person using credit/debit and prepaid cash cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, and Apple Pay.

Guests under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Children must be supervised at all times.

Tickets and membership cards are non-transferable.

Same day reentry is permitted with your receipt.

Shoes, shirts, and bottoms (no swimwear) must be worn at all times.

Guests are welcome to take photos/videos for personal use. Permission is required for commercial photo use and access. By entering the park, you grant permission for the WNC Nature Center to use your image for promotional purposes.

Save time and buy your tickets online in advance! Tickets are good for 90 days from date of purchase.

As a member of the Friends of the WNC Nature Center, you get free admission to the Nature Center for a year, plus free or reduced admission to 450 zoos, aquariums, and science centers!

*Asheville City residents receive discounted admission. The Nature Center is part of the City of Asheville’s Parks & Recreation Department, and Asheville residents’ tax dollars support the Nature Center’s operation.

Plan Your Visit

Nature Center Guidelines

We want all of our guests, volunteers, staff, and animals to enjoy being at the Nature Center. Please review and respect the following guidelines:

Please show common courtesy to fellow guests, staff, and volunteers by not using profanity or engaging in unsafe, illegal, disruptive, or offensive behaviors. Failure to comply may result in removal from the Nature Center without a refund.
Children must be supervised at all times. Guests under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
For your own safety, obey all posted signs and do not cross barriers or enter areas restricted to Staff.
Feeding, touching, harassing, or harming any wildlife, including native squirrels, snakes, and birds, is prohibited.
We are not responsible for loss or damage of belongings or property within the Nature Center or our parking area, consistent with applicable law.

Prohibited Items

Directions and Parking

Directions

The WNC Nature Center is located at 75 Gashes Creek Road in Asheville, North Carolina.

Parking

The WNC Nature Center offers free parking to its visitors. Accessible drop-off and parking spaces are available at the Front Entrance parking lot. Overflow parking is available in the lower lot.

Bus Parking

Please follow signs for bus parking, turning right at the Asheville Recreation Park after crossing the bridge. Please park bus before unloading passengers.