Asheville’s wildlife park reopens March 17
The Nature Center is set to open seven days a week beginning March 17. Donated photo
The WNC Nature Center will reopen to the public March 17, five and a half months after closing due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, which caused significant flooding that destroyed roads and the main bridge to the Nature Center.
Before opening to the general public, the Nature Center will open a week earlier for Friends of the WNC Nature Center members from Monday, March 10, to Sunday, March 16. People can buy or renew memberships online at wildwnc.org/membership or at the Membership Office and still be able to take advantage of members-only week. No admission tickets will be sold during this members-only week.
While the Nature Center has been closed, the Friends of the WNC Nature Center have leaned into their mission of connecting people to the wildlife of the Southern Appalachians. From November 2024 to February 2025, their two-person outreach education team traveled one thousand miles across the region, providing affordable, hands-on wildlife experiences to 1,200 individuals in schools, libraries and community centers.
Upon reopening, the WNC Nature Center will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. with last admission at 3:30 p.m.. Friends members can enter the park at 9:30am. Beginning this year, the Ticket Office will also be cashless. Tickets are available for purchase in advance online or in person using credit/debit and prepaid cash cards.
