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North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville, NC

Photo: Ken Thomas, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sports & Outdoors

North Carolina Arboretum

A botanical garden and arboretum inside the Bent Creek Experimental Forest near the Blue Ridge Parkway, with gardens, hiking trails, and seasonal events.

20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806-9315 · Asheville, NC

About North Carolina Arboretum

The North Carolina Arboretum sits within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest of the Pisgah National Forest, southwest of Asheville. Visitors can wander themed garden exhibits, including a bonsai garden and a national native azalea collection, and explore hiking and biking trails such as the Carolina Mountain Trail, which passes through pine, mixed hardwood, and ericaceous forest. The grounds also host education programs, classes, exhibitions, and the seasonal Winter Lights display. Admission is reported as free, but parking carries a per-vehicle fee. Leashed dogs are allowed on trails, and the site offers accessible paths and wheelchair loans.

  • #arboretum
  • #botanical garden
  • #hiking
  • #trails
  • #native plants

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