The Botanical Gardens at Asheville is a free, 10-acre garden in Asheville, North Carolina, showcasing plants native to the Southern Appalachian region. You can follow an easy half-mile loop past creekside scenery, garden features, and spots with local history.
- Location: 151 W.T. Weaver Blvd., Asheville, NC 28804
- Garden hours: Open daily
- Admission and parking: free
- Loop trail: half a mile; about 30 minutes
What to see at the gardens
The garden’s main draw is its collection of about 600 species of Appalachian wildflowers, flowering shrubs, and flowering trees across a wooded 10-acre site. Its mission is to showcase the diversity and value of native Southern Appalachian plants, with the grounds serving as an urban destination for nature study and enjoyment.
Along the grounds, look for the 1840s Hayes Cabin and springhouse, which were moved here from Madison County. You can step onto the cabin’s porch and into its central breezeway, but the cabin interior is closed to visitors.
Near Weaver Creek, at the far end of Sycamore Meadow, a plaque marks a moon tree grown from a seed taken on the Apollo 14 lunar mission in January 1971.
The tree was planted at the garden on Arbor Day in 1976. Another marker identifies the site of the Battle of Asheville, fought during the final days of the Civil War in 1865.
Spring wildflowers typically bloom in April and May. If you’re visiting then, take time to notice the seasonal color along the paths while keeping to established routes and lawns; picking or collecting plants or plant parts is prohibited.
Check hours and admission
The garden is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and admission and parking are free. The Visitor Center is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 7:30 AM–5:30 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Inside the Visitor Center, you’ll find a gift shop, a children’s activity booklet, and a touch table with garden and nature items. The garden is supported by memberships, donations, and gift shop proceeds.
Before you go, check the official site. The garden also asks visitors to stay out of garden beds and leave plants and plant parts in place. Pets are not allowed, though service dogs are permitted.
Plan a walk through the grounds
The garden’s half-mile loop takes about 30 minutes to walk and is described as easy, with 30 feet of elevation gain. It crosses bridges and passes a bird-watching platform, Weaver Creek, Sycamore Meadow, and Peyton Rock Outcropping.
For a break, picnics are encouraged, with benches and tables available; you can also bring a blanket. Dispose of trash in containers near the Botany Center. A visitor-center restroom and water fountain are noted in the garden’s trail information, along with paved and gravel parking.
Keep the visit focused on walking and observing: bicycling, sporting games, smoking, fires, drones, and radio-controlled vehicles are not allowed, and overnight camping is prohibited. The Reed Creek Greenway is another nearby option, extending about 1 mile to Weaver Park across Merrimon Avenue and open to walkers and bikers.
How do you get to the gardens?
From downtown Asheville, follow Merrimon Avenue (US 25) north for about 1.5 miles, then turn left onto W.T. Weaver Boulevard. Pass the University of North Carolina Asheville entrance at the traffic circle; the garden is about 0.2 mile ahead on the right, before Broadway. The guide to getting around Asheville from the motel covers local transport options.
From I-26 East, take Exit 25 and turn left onto Broadway at the bottom of the ramp. Turn left onto W.T. Weaver Boulevard at the second traffic light; the garden parking lot is the first driveway on the left.
The gardens are about 4.7 miles from Whispering Pines Motel.
FAQs
Is admission to the Botanical Gardens at Asheville free?
Yes. Admission and parking are free.
How long does the garden loop take?
The half-mile loop takes about 30 minutes and has 30 feet of elevation gain.
Can you visit the Hayes Cabin?
You can go onto the porch and into the central breezeway, but you cannot enter the cabin.
Can the garden fit into a day in Asheville?
It can be one stop in a city itinerary. A one-day Asheville route offers a way to plan the rest of the day.