Reviews of Western North Carolina Nature Center. (Other) in Asheville (North Carolina).

Western North Carolina Nature Center

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383 Comments

Other

Zoo

75 Gashes Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28805, United States

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Information of Western North Carolina Nature Center, Other in Asheville (North Carolina)

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Reviews of Western North Carolina Nature Center

Candra Burns

We loved this nature center. It was a great outdoor activity early in the day with shade from trees. Amazing wildlife and enclosures were big for the animals. The red pandas 🐼 Were my favorite. The accommodated my Service Dog 🐕‍🦺 and had few restricted areas for prey animals which was very understandable. The education booths were very good. The fact and myth portions were good to teach lessons to anyone about any animal. The walk was leisurely and easy. Love ❤️ will go back.

Neil Kennedy

A good friend recommended this place to us during a recent vacation. It was a great experience. The entry fee is very reasonable. There are a number of animals on exhibit: we saw black bears, red and grey wolves, coyotes, bobcats, cougars, otters and I'm sure a few others. The wolves were particularly memorable as they came very close to the edge of the exhibit. The property is nicely shaded and made for a very pleasant visit on a hot summer's day. There is a spider themed playground that my daughter very much enjoyed. I'd highly recommend a visit.

Abbey Johnson

Amazing. Its a great value even before the discount we received for having an annual membership at another zoo. Animals were active, its was not crowded (we went at opening), space was well maintained, workers were friendly, and lots of little things to do in between visits for kids (slides, playground climbing equipment, drums). I especially liked the reptile house setup. Small but so well done. Highly recommend. We had the best time.

Mar Pepin

The zoo is relatively small in terms of the number of animals you can see, but the area of the zoo is very large. The habitats are very large so there is a lot of walking that is done. The animals are clearly well fed and taken care of, and their enclosures are spacious. One of the coolest parts of the zoo to me was the overlook to the bear exhibit. It was cool to see them in a relatively natural setting. The people that work here are very nice and informative. There are many different activities available for kids, which I think is awesome. The gift shop is small but there are some really good items in it. All in all, I really enjoyed my visit, and I would love to come back.

Ashish Raju

Great place to take the kids (of all ages) to see some animals and walk around. Red Panda was the highlight along with the swimming otters. It was not crowded and an easy walk. They have a couple of play areas for the kids. Good bathroom facilities and well organized. Highly recommend this activity.

Amy B

Absolutely loved this place. Both my kids and I had a wonderful time. We got to watch the black bears eat and speak to the care taker. She was awesome. We even saw her on our way back out and she asked us how our visit was. So many animals to see. Cute little gift shop. So many different areas for kids to play. My kids loved the slide near the sea otters the best!

Katie Alexander

This is a fantastic place to visit with the family! It is a very well kept zoo and nature center. My children absolutely loved visiting here. There is a gift shop with gifts, snacks, and drinks for sale. It’s a good idea to bring a water bottle as it gets hot in the summer and there is a lot of walking. Service dogs are welcome, but are not allowed in all areas as some animals are very sensitive to them and it can cause them stress. There are small play spaces for children throughout the park and benches for rest. There are information plaques throughout as well.

Ian Davis

Honestly one of the most enjoyable zoo/nature center experiences I've had. The nature center is surprisingly spacious and the animals appear to be well taken care of. Lots of information about the animals near their habitats. We were able to get close up to grey wolves and a cougar (with glass/fence between haha). We visited in December 2021. Because we went on a Friday afternoon it wasn't busy at all. I can't recommend this place enough. Family friendly, educational, and it's an organization that is really trying to help our animal neighbors.

Hum

For the price we paid, I thought it was a small place but it's actually a pretty large area. It has many farm animals and also zoo animals to see (maybe it's weird to say like this but you get the idea...) It has a trail that allows a nice walk in the mountain area to see the animals. I love walking in the mountain area so I pretty much enjoyed the experience. Highly recommend!

Bridgette H

With two small kids, we’ve visited a few zoos lately but the WNC center is by far our fave! It is the perfect size for kids 3 & under. We loved watching the otters play, seeing the red pandas, and the wolves. I also loved all the little areas scattered throughout for the kids to play on and get out some energy! We packed our lunch and ate at their picnic tables and had the best time!

Leo T

This nature center attempts to capture much of the feel of this corner of the world and it does so very well. The animals maintained are all animals from this area of the Appalachians. Would love it if they were able to plant more trees and keep it even more secluded. Still this was a wonderful family day for us. Comfortable and easy going walk that almost feels like a leisurely hike on a NC trail.

Ansel Slagle

I visited this place as a child on field trips with school, but recently visited with my children. The facility is much improved and continues to grow and adapt. We arrived as the park opened, which coincided with feeding time so all the animals were out and about. We especially enjoyed the red pandas and wolves.

Timothy Aull

My wife and I decided to stop by and check it out and we're pleasantly surprised. Walked around and saw everything in about an hour and a half and that was a leisurely pace. Even got to see them feed the otters. For the space they have I thought it was laid out very well. Will definitely stop back by next time we are in the area.

Toby Bear

Great place to see and appreciate local wildlife. Helps realign the perspective that we need to cope with and adjust with wildlife in our neighborhoods and not displace or harm these animals. We expand our houses into THEIR homes so it's good to learn ways to coexist with bears, foxes, etc. while staying safe.

Angel Cuevas

It is a place to meet some of the native animals and others of the area. It is very good for children but some of the animals in this winter season were sleeping or apparently they did not have them for the public to see. In relation to discounts, the staff at the entrance only tells some people or not others. Maybe it's because they ask. They have plenty of parking and the area is spacious.

Megan Kvandal

This place is wonderful! I took my one year old son, and we spent the whole morning just exploring and enjoying the animals. The interactive nature play areas were such a nice break for my little one. He loved the “spider” webs. We were able to see all of the animals and the favorite was definitely the otters! I can’t wait to go back the next time I am in Asheville!

Patience

We LOVE the Nature Center!! We went on a field trip this time but we have taken our son since he was a baby... Well we went even before we had a kid too. We love going there just walking around & seeing what all you can see. Every trip is never the same!! Its fun for everybody!

Shyla Taylor

This zoo had so much to see (and do, for the little kids). I went at a weird time in the afternoon when a lot of the animals were asleep, but I still got to see them and learn about them! I love the fact that they're AZA approved (members? I can't engender which it said) and held to high standards of animal care. The animal habitats are as close to what they would be in the wild as I've ever seen. I recommend coming here as a family, as a date, or even by yourself!

Kaitlyn Bertic

This is a must do while in NC! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed walking around the nature center. It’s peaceful, clean, and very animal friendly. The animals all have amazing habitats and it feels like you’re walking though the woods. We were very impressed by this Zoo and all the animals were so neat! We recommend doing around 1pm or 2pm because the animals were more sleepy in the morning.

Nina James

My favorite place to take my family. Never to crowded. Very shaded which makes it perfect for the warmer months. Great place for kids!!! Our favorite animal is the Red Panda. There are various kid activities though out the center. A must if you love animals!

Tu Gray

The center was easy to find. Small parking area. The staff was very nice. Clean area. Large walkways. There are not many animals like the zoo. But the animals they do have are awesome and worth seeing like the red pandas, wolves and bears. There’s plenty of seating areas around to take a break and some kids play areas. We had a good time. And we spent about two hours there.

Daniel Huskey

Western NC Nature center is great. Has a lot of animals for such a small center. My boys enjoyed seeing the otters and their feeding time was at 11-1130. The boys also enjoyed watching the bears. We live about an hour south of Raleigh and have a NC Zoo membership so we were able to get free admission.

LaLainya Johnson

My big thing was to come see the red wolves. I only saw 1 but I was happy. The male black bear was active. We were here at feeding time. The red foxes, Phoenix and Karma are beautiful and it's heartbreaking to know they were both victims of leg traps. It's not the biggest or the best I have been to but I enjoyed every second of my time here. Even the other visitors were friendly and chatty. Definitely worth going in my opinion.

Randy Howell

Good, but not great! Good place for families. The few animals were not terribly active when we went so I'd recommend getting there early in the morning if you want to see some action. Expect screaming unruly children everywhere. The mountain lion and bears were well worth it though. A bit on the expensive side for such a small park.

Erynn Newman

Everything was very well-maintained and clean, and the animals seemed very happy. I loved the shaded walkways and that there were nice restrooms spaced well throughout. It didn't take long to walk through, but there was plenty to do and see.

James Smith

Went with family and had a lot of fun. My nephew loved seeing all the animals and especially the foxes that come right up to the net to see us. Walkways can be slightly bumpy but that makes it more of a wilderness feel.

L Reece

Best educational nature center ever! Very family friendly. Paths are paved so it's even wheelchair accessible. Great knowledgeable staff. My favorite place!

Halee Fernandis

They have big beautiful homes for each animal. The otter show is the cutest thing ever. 10 out 10 would recommend fun for all ages.

Jeff Giroux

Visited this place on a Saturday in April and it wasn't crowded, we have a similar place like this in Va. That is free and we were alittle surprised that our family of 5 spent 70+ for tickets, But overall we enjoyed the animals and we had fun.

Jackie Cameron

Love this nature center. Walking tour under the shade of the forrest does not dissapoint. All North Carolina wildlife and farm animals too. We stopped by after lunch and saw so many animals. Beverages and gift shop on site.

Tami Stewart

A well shaded nature center (zoo) with natural exhibits worked into the park-like atmosphere. Farm area, black bears, cougars, red pandas, otters, birds of prey and more. Took us 2-2 1/2 hours to roam the whole nature center. No food but drink vending machine. Gift shop not open on Wednesday's.

Caitlyn Allison

Staff was exceptional (very friendly ticket men!), grounds were clean, we caught a little, very informative show on toads in the reptile/amphibian area. We really enjoyed our visit! Take some quarters if you want to feed a chicken or get a souvenir penny and they have a gift shop on the way out as well! Several play areas for the kids and lots of learning for a fun day!!

Kyle Lopez

Very fun little spot to check out some neat animals! They have otters and red pandas which are reason alone to go there, but the staff is knowledgeable and its a clean place!

Lukas Lane

No complaints here. I'd listen to the other reviews, do not go around noon. I'd go open to noon. By 1p most of the animals were hiding or sleeping due to warm weather. Still was nice to see them so close to you. This isn't really a zoo, more of a nature walk. We spent about 1.5 hours and we're very satisfied.

Kris Relyea

We had a great time. Adults, kids, and teens all enjoyed our trip. Was a cooler day and most of the animals were active. The Red Pandas and Otters were our favorites.

Macky Kyle

Wonderful zoo. It is kid friendly and stroller friendly. They also reciprocate with the NC Zoo so you can get free admission if you have a zoo family membership. It is a great way to spend some time with the kiddos!

Michaelee Jones

We had so much fun! We loved all of the different exhibits and we hope to come back soon. 💜

Steve Bair

We had so much fun! Plenty of animals to see and the enclosures and grounds are well kept. The staff are all very friendly and helpful. There are feedings with public viewings that are a lot of fun to see, so check the times when you arrive.

Steve Overfelt

Our visit would have gone best if better weather. The Otters we're very lazy, but the Bears and Mountain Lion did not disappoint.

Robin Pendley

Very nice nature center. Had been by this area since I was little bit had never visited. They have several species that are native to the area as well as red pandas.

Aly

A little confusing to walk around for first time visitors but we did neglect the map. Overall, very fun! I'd love to go back when the animals aren't all napping, but I cannot blame them.

Hearthstone Construction

WNC Nature Center is a lot of fun for everyone yet especially fun for children. They have several different playground areas each with a different theme. Arachnid park is full of creepy yet sturdy cobwebs that kids can climb. Each such playground has picnic tables and bathroom facilities that make a day trip much more convenient. We would recommend this for anyone interested in a pleasant trip to see the indigenous fauna of the North Carolina section of the Appalachian mountains.

Casey Whitfield

Had a blast at the nature center. We really enjoyed going during the earlier hours. The animals were really active when we went. We were so excited to catch some of the cats awake this time!

Staci Laney

First but not last time visiting WNC nature center. Price for entry wasn't that bad. Not many animals were out but it was hot outside. Didn't take many pictures but still worth the visit.

Derek J

The Western North Carolina Nature Center was a great place to visit during our stay in Asheville. They rescue animals that can no longer survive in the wild and provide the public with a way to view them in an educational way. The staff is passionate and knowledgeable too. It’s a reasonable price to get in and quite a bit to see in their many exhibits.

Sherman Norton

Overview: Visitors walk through a loop trail and pass the animal exhibits along the way. This place has a good variety of animals to see. I managed to get some great pictures of them. My favorite is the mountain lion and the red wolves. It was exciting to see a mountain lion in real life and to hear the red wolves howl a tune. That is a true privilege! Price: It's a great value. Only $11 for adults (even cheaper if you're local). Children age two and younger get in for free. They have memberships and senior discounts too. Things to Know: Most of the animals like to take an afternoon nap. Try to avoid going during the hottest part of the day. The reptile exhibit is also closed for now. They are going to expand in the next few years. Bring plenty of water.

Rana S

Very nice place. Probably better to go early cos I went when it was hot and the animals were sleeping bc of the heat. They are very gorgeousand appear to be well taken care of.

Buckeye Mike

I was pleasantly surprised with the animals that were on display at the Nature Center. The gift shop was nice too and staff was friendly. I'm from out of town and decided to stop by with some friends, it was really fun!

Sean Budgin

Great for the kids! Activity centers dotted through the zoo help to keep focused and not bored. Animals very active early in the day. Gets busy quick so go early. We became members and WILL be headed back.

Doktor Nix

Excellent way to spend an afternoon. Avoid going during the hottest part of the day or all the animals will be sleeping.

Krista Johnson

Great visit! Would definitely go again and recommend for those with kids. Paths are paved, so fine for wheelchairs too.

Brenda Dolinski

Super cute - went without the kids even. The most clean nature center we have been to and the volunteers were so great to chat with.

C Will

It's not a huge place but was a really cool visit. The time we went, most of the animals were asleep or kind of hiding. But that's nothing new for any zoo.

brad c

I think it's nice that we have a place to showcase the local animals that live in our mountains and that used to live in our mountains but were hunted to near extinction (all the top predators and prey). The best way to see the wildlife is to go into the woods and do some hiking. If nothing else, you will see and hear a wide variety of birds. I recommend Smokey Mtn. Ntl. Park for wildlife viewing, but if you are a family with young children traveling through AVL, the kids might enjoy the nature center. They can pan for gems, see a variety of goats in the farm area, see two overfed black bears, and a couple wolves and otters. There are other creatures in small habitat areas, but they almost all sleep in their human made houses all day. It's hard to see many of the animals. Children over 10 will likely be bored.

bridges050603

Great place for kids! My grands love this park more than any others we visited ❤️

Shelbie Hoover

Loved the bears! Only 4 stars because all the animals were sleeping. Don't go in the afternoon.

illuziun

Great place to take the kids. Never crowded, extremely laid back and thoroughly shaded. They allow re-entry if you'd like to leave for lunch and come back or you can bring a picnic and eat at one of the many picnic tables throughout. Fun way to learn about local wildlife while supporting a worthy cause.

John Loder

Had a great experience with my little one. It's definitely worth going and visiting! It is also great that visiting here doesn't break the bank. The animals are well cared for, and their habitats are clean and well maintained. The park itself is very clean and there is a lot to do for the little ones.

Matthew Schaefer

Me and my family visited and enjoyed about two hours at this nature center. We got some great views of bears and cougars, but didn't see wolves, unfortunately. There are lots of interactive elements around the park (fort building, "water painting," etc. And it was great for my younger kids. Would consider visiting again!

Stefanie Griffin

It was a very cool little spot. Kids enjoyed it. If you are afraid of heights then you are not going to want to go see the bear and deer. There is other ways to walk around to see the exhibits though. There are birds and reptiles in the building at the top. There are otters and some farm animals as well. There is also a place to mine for gems that you buy in the gift shop. The gift shop is small but filled with wonderful things!! Really a great place to go!!

Sarolta Fazio

We went for the Bears and Brews event, which was great. Nice trails, easy to stroll, the animals were quite well taken care of. With this event. There was also a food truck called Gypsy Queen and that was also fantastic. All in all we had a fantastic time. I will totally do it again next year

Teddy

This is an amazing and wonderful place to go and visit. When I went we walked around the entire zoo! It is a great place to go and bring the kids to see so many new and fascinating creatures. Honestly we had a blast! The kids can't wait to go back again!

Sairi Ayasegawa

Area is very well maintained, clean and easy to walk through. Mostly ramps so people with mobility problems can easily traverse the whole area. There are plenty of benches for breaks or to stop and watch the animals in the exhibits as well as picnic tables. Animal enclosures are well maintained, all animals look and act very healthy.

David Taylor

Wonderful gem of a zoo/nature center. We come regularly and my kids never get tired of it. Perfect length for a walk with little kids with a great playground halfway for a break. Wonderful variety of animals well displayed and cared for. Cannot recommend more highly!

Mario Moquete

Nice zoo. Very natural ambience that unfortunately makes difficult to see the exhibits. Anyhow, the animals seems to be happy in their almost natural environment

RhinePlayz

This place is great the animals are awesome and the staff is great. When we were out on the wolf howl event our host Candice was wonderful she deserves a promotion so dose the other hostess.

Bobbers G

We took our two-and-a-half year old grandson here. He absolutely loved it. The high point for him was sitting on the antique Farmall tractor in the barn area. There were other kid-centeted activities he loved: painting with a big paint brush using water, building a long chute with Grandpa and rolling a ball down it, climbing on a rope feature, and playing with hand puppets in a small outdoor puppet theater. Of course, the animals were fantastic. Unlike large zoos, the animals are easily seen. This is a very enjoyable family fun venue.

S.Q Wiggens

I will say it was a little pricey for the amount of animals they have available for viewing however I do think it was worth checking out and I would recommend. My partner and I came across it and it was 15 each which seemed a little expensive. They are still a work in progress and we surely did come during the slow season. We didn’t see any bears due to the cold and the bobcats were away for veterinary care. However all the animals were super fun to see. We got to see the cougar tear open a box with a rat hidden inside which was pretty cool and the otters were super engaging and would come up to the glass and play. Overall I think it’s a pretty cool place with some very cute play spots for children.

Matt Thompson

I have to say very cool spot and I highly recommend. Took my little one here today for the first time not knowing what to expect and I was thoroughly satisfied. I loved all of the native animals that they had on site and all in all the animals looked healthy and happy. Pretty much the entire place was shaded so I could see this as a go to during the hotter months. In expensive to get in but made sure to pick up some things from the gift shop. We will be back, my little one loved ita

Matt Wrz3

Beautiful local zoo with a variety of different wildlife. Animals are well housed and the space is inviting. Educational, fun and inspiring. We ended up buying a membership! Discounted tickets if you live locally.

Robin Kriner

Wonderful place to visit. We went early morning and the animals were out and active. Located in the beautiful mountains and very well maintained. It was very nice 👍 …

Simonese Whyte

Some of the animals weren't out for you to see, as it was a cold day. I enjoyed the info boards and what animals I was able to see.

LivingLife

Great zoo for a nice stroll. Not huge in terms of exhibits but not small either. Very fair price. The otters were the best exhibit! Bring the kids to the pool right down the hill from the zoo. Great deal.

Cody Eagle

The staff are great and friendly plus it make not look like much from what you see but it’s a big place behind where you buy your tickets. The place is well maintained and kept up plus we were able to see most of the animals

Tyler Hill

Great place to see Great wildlife and for kids to unwind. Highly recommended.

Elizabeth Leigh

Such a cute little zoo! The animals were adorable 🥰

Barbee Abroad

Nice little nature center close to the city. Great kid area!

Laura L L

This is a small zoo. Great walking path. Friendly staff. Some animals off exhibit. Many animals nocturnal but visible aka they were asleep. Interesting fact boards especially the Bristol panda archeological info.

Allison Ruggles

We always enjoy our time here. The otters and open ended play areas are a huge hit.

Junell Shue

What a gem! We visited mid-week and it was such a fun afternoon, we easily spent two hours here and were quite surprised by the extensive paths and all the animals. The layout is very nice, and it is all very shaded and stayed cooler on a warm day. The animals were surprisingly easy to view even for the littles and we fell in love with this spot! It feels like a nature preserve/animal rescue crossed with a zoo.... Overall such a fun time!

Richard Crum

Really great little zoo, lots for small children to keep them interested. We bought a season pass after our first visit.

Lindsey Warden

It's almost fully shaded, rarely crowded, and very walkable, not a huge zoo where you might miss something because of how far apart everything is. Perfect and informative, we enjoyed our visit immensely.

gail pace

Amazing place. And beautiful healthy animals. been there at least 30 times and always a fun experience. Clean,nice and knowledgeable staff and lots to do.

Tina Leigh

A great place to see animals and learn about them.

Erinn Szarek

Great collection of healthy looking, relaxed animals. The grey wolves looked like they could use more space. Clean zoo, plenty of room for keeping away from other people. They closed the reptiles for COVID, which is smart.

Matthew Decker

We hold yearly passes. Money well spent. Adults, children, and those of us in-between LOVE this place. Local animals well cared for and easy to see. I keep coming back here.

Bonnie Robinson

This is a great space with a lot of outdoor walking. Some of the animal enclosures are fairly small, which is good for viewers but questionable for animals. I really enjoyed the multiple play areas for children, with a variety of creative play spaces and natural materials. We happened to visit on the day they were celebrating twin goats' birthday. The staff was so friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate.

Jodie Wright

Great experience. We visited on a Saturday in the fall. Arrived at opening (10 a.m.) and was able to see and experience everything with minimal crowds. Staff was friendly and area was well kept. Recommend for locals and tourist.

Zane Doty

Awesome little zoo we stumbled upon a few years ago and now we try to visit as much as we can! They have recently upgraded and expanded a bit so it is even nicer! Some of the exhibits need better viewing areas but overall it is great! Lots of animals and even when it has been cold and rainy during our visits most of the residents have been out and active. Well worth the visit!

Jordan Morrell

Loved this cheap fun option. We are on vacation and saw this place. It only took us an hour to walk around and while the center is small it is very fun! The exhibits are fun and personal while also being safe.

Joey Gibson

Small, but very fun!!! We visited the Nature Center today with our small child and other family members. Our little boy loved everything. The new Red Panda exhibit was perfect. You could see the two Pandas perfectly. The otters were very active and super fun to watch. So of the park could use a little updating but it does take away from your visit. It is somewhat difficult to navigate with a stroller and would also be hard in a wheelchair. All in all we loved our visit. It is also very affordable.

Gary R. Zemer Zemer

This is a nature center, all native animals except the red panda. Bears, red panda, otters & goats were highlights. The walk-thru was exceptionally good. Staff was particularly nice. By in large the animals were displayed well. The fee to get in is about 14 per adult.

Hilary Fry

Wonderful shaded paths to see a great variety of animals. My 4 kids especially enjoyed the "Nature Play" areas sprinkled throughout the park. Well thought and planned out for maximum enjoyment of wildlife & play! We are out of state visitors otherwise I would definitely have plans to return! Fantastic wildlife park experience!

Angela Ateyeh

A nice place to have a relaxing stroll through nature and see wildlife. It's sometimes disappointing when the animals aren't visible in their habitats, but there is still usually plenty to see!

N W

Great nature center for kids and families! We came here two days in a row, so we decided to purchase a membership, which was cheaper than paying for admission for 2 days! Most of the center was shaded, which was really nice. There are little play areas for kids spread throughout the park! The otter feeding program was neat and informative! Definitely glad we stopped here!

Viv Siva

A nice stroller friendly place and good visit during fall time , not a lot of crowd on a Sunday and even the animals were sleeping . Couple of activities for kids like a slide and build tool set ..

NayNay trantham

Took my 18 month old for the first time and she absolutely loved it! They have so much to learn and do there, plenty to keep the youngsters happy and entertained. All the animals are out and moving around in their habitats (around this time of year), got a lot of awesome photos. They have little jungle gyms, a hiking trail and a petting zoo. It is well maintained, animals are happy and healthy. Definitely a place I’ll be taking her again.

drew lupton

This is a fun little zoo to visit (Free if you're a NC Zoo member)

Dustin Klein

This is a really outstanding animal center. Not only do they have beautiful animals, but they are housed in wonderful enclosures that are spacious for the animals and easy to view for guests. Between most of the exhibits, there are play areas for kids such as puppet shows, playgrounds, and opportunities to build. The center is very spacious and the selection of animals is terrific. The admission is very affordable for families. Well worth your time and money.

Vanessa Wiles

Such beautiful scenery and animals! I have actually been here twice and it's the best thing to do with kids. The staff is always so nice and explain things thoroughly to the kids. The walks through the woods to the animals are absolutely gorgeous and you are so close to them!!

Chris Bestall

All outdoors. You can get really close to all of the animals. Very cool place with a couple play areas for the kids. It's small so you can see it all in under 2 hrs. We were able to use our discovery place membership for a discount.

Jesseca Johnson

A must for any red panda lover!! I had a phenomenal couple of hours of animal sightings here. I was able to get lengthy, close-up videos of the bears, otters, gray fox, and most notably, the adorable red panda, which I watched for 20-30 minutes. My favorite day in Asheville.

Lordocasl

Such a fun little zoo! A good selection of animals. We truly enjoyed our day. Thank you.

Amanda L

BIRTHDAY PARTY: We celebrated my 8 year olds birthday at the WNC Nature Center and had a fantastic experience. Maxx, the event coordinator we worked with, did everything possible to make our girl's day so special! The theme, activities and gift bags were personalized just for her (current obsession is turtles!) I would highly recommend planning your next event with this amazing establishment!

Wes H

One of my favorite things to do in Asheville. The nature center is great for children and adults. The updated entrance looks so nice and inviting. It is fun to walk amongst animals that are native to Western NC. Some of the animals have been rescued, giving them a comfortable place to live. The walkways are nice and paved and the enclosures come with interesting information on all the animals. My favorites include the otters, red pandas, black bears, and sassy the raccoon. They have fun events like pints with bears that happen after the park is closed and are super cool. Don't miss the otter feeding and owl experience, both are informative and fun. Always a top pick for a sunny day in Asheville!

Brian Carrington

We spent about one and a half hours walking around. Many young parents with little ones. A friendly and informative zoo. We saw all the animals, even the black bear. Loved the cougars, otters, and bobcat. A relaxing walk while enjoying seeing animals you rarely see. A great place for children.

Nicholas Splawn

The animals seem well cared for and comfortable. The park is lovely and easy to navigate. Red pandas are a great addition and I'm really looking forward to the butterfly exhibit slated to arrive in 2020.

Emily Armstrong

We had a great time today at the WNC. The park is very reasonably priced, with me and three kids totaling $35. The staff were all very knowledgeable and engaged. All the animals had access to water and shade. The otter show was really enjoyable, as was the deer feeding. A few things to note for your trip: 1. Arrive as soon as the park opens, at 10 AM. Go directly to the large animal exhibits. You are much more likely to see them out and active earlier in the day; as the sun rises they are more likely to go into the shade and nap, which will make them harder to see. You can go back and do the indoor (air-conditioned!), exhibits when the sun is highest in the sky. 2. Pack a lunch. There is no concession stand on site. We brought a compact rolling cooler. There is a playground and picnic area at the back end/halfway point of the park, with restrooms and a fountain. I recommend stopping there to rest before moving on. 3. This may not be the best place for people with health issues. There is a significant amount of walking, and shortcuts through the park all have stairs. I did not see any motorized carts available. If you really want to come with someone who has a hard time walking, it would be best to call ahead and ask what they can do to accommodate you. 4. Have realistic expectations. It is a zoo, not a circus. If one or two animals are unavailable, it shouldn’t ruin your day. The whole place is filled with natural beauty, with song birds in the trees and the sounds of leaves in the wind and miniature waterfalls. You will still have lots to see even if a few animals aren’t available.

jom jim

You can give a local zip code to get the resident discount and I highly suggest you do so. Not nearly the amount of animals they advertise on their website. There are some wolves, red panda, otter, black bear, deer, fox, owl, hawk and some snakes and turtles. Do not mistake this for a zoo.

Alyssa Matheson

My daughter always has such a great time when we visit. Last year when we came, it was raining, so we didn't get to do as many things as we did this year. She got to play with the little puppet theater and the wooden xylophone. There's a pretty neat "jungle gym" where the ropes are made into the design of spider webs. It's a hit with the younger, more adventurous set. The barn offers a little play area with hay and farming tools, and it's a nice escape from the heat or the rain. It also looked like they were building a little farmer's market stand. There's a place you can buy hot dogs and nachos (they offer veggie dogs, if you're into that), and a souvenir shop with more food choices, plus vending machines in a few places that feature snacks and drinks of all kinds. The pathways are pretty kid and stroller friendly (we encountered quite a few) and they're also not too bad if you have to use a walker (a group of older ladies and gentlemen were there). There's a lot of informational things around every exhibit and it's pretty easy for your average 6-8 year old to enjoy learning about. The cougar exhibit and the snakes were a big hit with mine. The only concern I had was my massive fear of heights and walking over the bridge to see the deer and bears. Not for the faint of heart. But tons of fun. And don't worry, I didn't use the flash for any of my pictures, nor did I disturb any animals while taking one.

George Carpetto

Cute wildlife center. Saw 90% of all the animals, it was cold so some were sleeping. The 2 otters were really cool. The petting area had some goats and donkeys. Not super expensive and a good time killer. You can walk the grounds in about an hour - hour and half. Great for kids. 1.5 miles off of 40.

Alexandria Campbell

Great place to take the kids, we all enjoy our time here. Very kid friendly with various unique play areas along the way, even a builders area! Educational and a great way to get outside. 2 of our favorites are the petting area and the otters, of coarse!

Jennifer Cohen

We stumbled upon this place using Siri on my son’s iPad and we couldn’t have been more happy. The prices are extremely reasonable and the enclosures are incorporated into the landscape. The animals seemed happy and had a good amount of room. They did a great job of integrating kid’s activities into the park keeping the whole family entertained. We spent about 2 hours here and really enjoyed it. It’s a great family activity that won’t break the bank.

Courtney Ledford

Always a fun time and favorite place to take the kids for a little fun and education. Always feel safe taking loss by myself and new buildings and entrance are great

Mr. J

Great place for family. A really nice get away. Definitely a must visit and the prices are very reasonable. Military members enter free and so do children under 3.

Morgie

I had seen a review about some of the animals not having water and they ALL have water in the exhibit's. Sometimes you cant make people happy no matter what but it was such a wonderful experience for both my son, me and my family. They are very hands on with the animals and they take such good care of all of them. I highly recommend!!

Jeremiah Gillam

What a wonderful surprise. We had a few hours to spend before heading over to the Biltmore so we stopped here. The animal enclosures were large and the setting was natural and beautiful..

Michele Smallwood Elder

This was a great place to visit. I enjoyed it more than I would have the zoo honestly. They had the local animal habitats in their natural environment. Well worth the $10 to get in.

Cathy Dixon

Credit card only. I think this park may have been closed due to the pandemic prior to our visit. Looked like they were just getting up and running. Construction going just as you entered by the donkeys and sheep. Vegetation was overgrown, didn't seem maintained as we remember from a couple years ago. Barn stalls empty. Didn't see some of the animals that was suppose to be there. The kids didn't seem to mind so much. They loved the play areas.

Stormy Campbell

WNC Nature Center is the coolest place in town. Not only do you get to view animals up close but they are in a setting that is spacious and much like their natural habitat. So you get to see the animals behaving much like they would in the wild. These animals aren't "caught" for "your viewing pleasure" either, much like happens in a "regular" zoo. At the nature center these animals are part of a conservation effort OR are being rehabilitated for reentry into the wild. The walk throughout the center is serene and beautiful, with trees native to the area towering above and providing natural shade. It's a very relaxing and educational experience to come here.

J K

A bit cautious about this place at first, didn't know if it was just for kids or families. Can confirm that it definitely is not! Lions, (little) Tigers, and Bears. Oh my goodness! They are obviously stressed a bit from the human presense, but it is a necessary evil. People would never otherwise appreciate these elusive animals nor seek to preserve them. Would recommend to any outdoors person!

Carly Pierce

I loved this place. Wish I could stay longer. I kept getting dirty looks though since my toddler was screaming bloody murder in a designated quiet zone. Sorry bears. Wish I could've stayed longer, maybe next time. Very nice sized natural exhibits and I think its wonderful how they have wildlife that is from the area. Tons of activities for kids. Hopefully yours behave better than mine.

Ezekiel M

This was a fun little wildlife center. It was just as advertised. I left there feeling like I had encountered all of the local animals you wouldn't likely see in the wild--but it would be cool if you did (safely). The cougar was active and the red panda was adorable. It's mostly geared toward little ones, but I had fun with my 10/11 year old boys. It helped there was basketball courts nextdoor afterwards. I also went ahead and signed up for my local museum pass which could be used here. This makes the cost seem like it's less of a big deal.

Jon Orbach

While on the small side, there's a lot to see and do here! There's quite a few awesome exhibits for animals native to the region including the incredibly rare red wolf. There's plenty of stops for kids to play and even a petting zoo at the beginning!

Krystal Brown

Great day trip with family or a date with someone special. The animals are native from WNC and are more active in the cooler weather. The nature center has fun events throughout the seasons. A nice gift shop. They have a little food shop as well.

D Patterson

A lot of fun, and nice little day trip for the family. This place isnt the biggest reserve, but there is plenty to see and do here, and surrounding areas. The staff is very frienly, and the inhabitants are well kept. Highly recommend if you are looking for a easy little trip to take

Heather Johnson

This is a treasure of a zoo. The exhibits are focused around western North Carolina, as the name implies, and range from native species, to livestock, to animals related to those from prehistoric Appalachia. It's AZA accredited, and clearly prides itself on both education and great animal care. They have a breeding population of endangered red wolves, helping to boost their numbers and save the species. While we were there, we had the chance to hear the gray and red wolves calling back and forth. As with any zoo, there's a good chance that the animals will be sleeping, but if you go in the morning, everyone tends to be more active. We make a point to visit just about every time we're in Asheville and have never been disappointed.

Kathleen Koechling

Red pandas! Grey and red wolves and other animals in nice habitats. Clean and cheery with many play areas for kids. Great nature trail, 3/4 of a mile.

Chase Snider

They have a giant turtle statue and a small turtle statue AND real turtles. Red Pandas, foxes and wolves, bears and cougars, amongst other things. Very cool and easily accessible nature park/zoo/whatever you want to call it. Makes for a cute date.

Marsh The Fox

Small zoo that does a great job representing the wildlife of the Appalachian Mountains. All the animals are well taken care of, and they also have Red and Grey Foxes, Coyotes, Raccoons and Opossum. All of these animals are a pain to aquire in North Carolina, even for a zoo (due to poor law writing), so seeing them here is one of the few places you can in the state. Local Geology: Gniess and Schist bedrock. Garnets can be found occasionally.

Randy Garcia

WNC Nature Center was a great experience. Very economical for a family of 4. Everybody had a blast seeing the animals and learning about them and the native trees/forestry. Highly recommend.

Stacie Greene Storie

Took our 6 year old here during Spring Break. It was the first time any of us had been. Such an awesome experience! Friendly, helpful staff. Walking area is well maintained and easy to navigate. Plenty of shades and places to sit for a break as you are trekking between the animal habitats. Each habitat has a plaque with details about the animal. These plaques gave all the pertinent info in a super easy to read way. Bathrooms are readily available upon entrance and about halfway through the habitats. They were exceptionally clean. Gift shop was super cute! There's isn't a court or option to buy any snacks or anything so if you plan to be here during a meal I'd advise packing a simple picnic lunch. There are picnic tables along the way in the shade. Can't wait to go again! Definitely recommend! This is a great outing for the ENTIRE family!

Shayland L.

It was great and some good yet entertaining exercise. Wear some comfy shoes and take lots of pictures.

Dakota Bennett

This is an amazing place to see it is well worth it and I think it's under priced for how gorgeous it is. Very family friendly and amazing staff

Jarrod

Definitely a special place, one all ages can enjoy! Gvien its layout, you can see many animals, interactive educational displays and visit play areas in a short period of time. There's great shade throughout the park, which makes it nice when visiting in summer months. Really enjoyed the Appalachian Station, Black Bear Ridge, Birds of Prey, and Red Pandas! Note: they don't accept Discover credit cards at the ticket office, signage throughout the park isn't the best so highly recommend downloading a this map, and in the overflow parking area there's a staircase that take you right to the entrance. Enjoy!

Amanda Morgan

We took a small special needs class on a trip to this wonderful place! Lots of updates since I was there last. Many more improvements to come the way it looks. Looking forward to returning soon.

Knick Walker

Brought the family over the weekend. We loved it. Really cool to be able to see the animals native to our area! Highly Recommended!

Nickki Robinson

Beautiful zoo tucked away in the woods. The animals are way less active in the summer than in cooler seasons. Keep in kind when planning a visit.

Jonell Mcfadden

This place was better than it should've been. Very reasonably pierced and even offered a great military discount. The animals seemed tired but it was fun and the gift shop had something for everybody.

Steve Todd

Nice little wildlife experience. It was the perfect way to spend a few hours while we waited for the breweries to open.

April Milam

Close to town. Small but nice enough. If I lived close by, I'd get a season pass and go walking on the shaded paths. It was hot when we went, so the animals weren't very active. But it was still nice to see and learn a little about native animals.

Kristin Donovan

Super fun place! We spent a couple of hours here on our way south. Easy parking, good value for the price. Fun atmosphere and lots of nooks of interesting things to do for little ones. As with any zoo or animal park, the animals tend to be asleep in the heat of the day, so try to go early.

Amanda Dorris

Had a lot of fun here with my 10 and 13 year olds. Great price and very friendly staff. We especially enjoyed watching the otters be fed, the reptile house, and the walking trail.

Jacque Dundas

Always an enjoyable place to visit and having a membership allows for a lovely place to go for a walk anytime I like. It isn't a large zoo, but it is well maintained and has a quaintness to it. The staff will make you feel welcome. There are also fabulous education programs and volunteer opportunities for kids.

Sarah Derstine

We LOVED this place! The animals are rescued and well taken care of! Excellent Habitats similar to what they would have in the wild. I can't tell you how important that is to us. This is not a "zoo". This is a humane Wildlife Center. I feel deeply in love with Uno the big male Black Bear. I kid you not, he waved at us. I assume he learned this when he was with people as a cub, perhaps. Ursa was so precious too. His pictures are even on my Smartphone screensaver. Western North Carolina Nature Center, any chance of a live bear cam, so I can check on my bear boyfriend ?🤣 If you are an animal lover and CARE about their well being, COME HERE!

Andres Jimenez

My son loved being here. He especially enjoyed his time with the snakes, frogs and turtles.

Kaylee DeLiguori

A great place to visit to get outdoors on a nice day right here in Asheville! The enclosures are full of structures that mimic Appalachia's natural environments for the animals, lots of things for the critters to climb on/play with etc. The animals seem happy, and is extra morally-conscious as the focus is primarily on local wildlife in need of a home, such as birds with broken wings. The grounds are covered in trees leaving this well-shaded, and though hilly (which may add difficulty to guests with mobility issues/small children) there are plenty of benches to rest onwith gorgeous views of our mountains to boot! There are several play areas for the kids, and classrooms and education areas for classes held on occasion that sound fun and educational as well. All told except going through the entire park to take roughly 2 hours, well worth the price of admission!

Jeanie Knox

This is an awesome place for the whole family. The new renovations to the entrance and barn area are gorgeous, the animals are all well cared for and healthy and it's a great way to get up close to some local wildlife. Educational programs are informative and fun for kids and adults. Don't miss the otter feedings!

sange lama

About 30 minutes to 1 hour wall depending on your time. I recommend you to go early in the morning. During day time most of them are asleep, resting. Overall a great time we'll spent.

Meridith Ann Smith

This is the best place to spend a little time in a beautiful place with animals! It's well kept, the animals are clearly beloved, and it doesn't take all day to get through. I'm disabled and it's very easy to navigate (I use a cane but I've also used my walker... and my dad uses his electric wheelchair). Fantastic place to take the kids to burn off pent up energy.

Amanda Miller

Took my daughter here and she loved it. All the animals and little critters. We had a great time and will definitely be back.

Rosemary Fischer

Worth it! Great place for a cute date or for families. The bobcat is sneaky (and sleepy), but the cougars are very visible and!! As of February 2019 they have TWO red pandas! Also otters-- very fun to watch.

CHRISKING

Amazing Experience with the family, great staff there and friendly visitors as well. Would recommend any day 10/10

ss karup

A fun educational experience seeing the animals in a natural setting. Lots of information at each animal exhibit. Friendly staff and clean facility.

Kirk Lung

Love it. year pass best deal in town. Gets you astc and aza all for free or half off, all over world.Great for traveling cheap stuff. Here fun and slow no rush. On a hill but not steep. People there great. Still own by city..

Kamila JW

It's a nice small zoo to visit for a walk wikt kids....we really liked their new red pandas exhibit and predators like wolfs and mountain lions.

Kristie Strieby

This place was a delight, good for all ages, nice variety of animals, cleanly kept and lots of things to entertain children. Loved it!

Rachel Chapin

This place is great! They have a good variety of animals native to NC, including otters, wolves, cougars, bears, birds, and snakes. They have lots of activity stations for kids and a cute petting area. Plenty of picnic tables for snacking. I'm excited to hear that they're expanding!

Christopher McMillan

A nice small zoo. They have some quality exhibits and it's an especially nice collection of native animals. The only negatives are the lack of any map given to you and a dearth of signs directing you, so you often end up backtracking and walking in circles to see everything which can be mildly frustrating. The ticket price for locals is very reasonable at $10, but I feel like they gouge tourists some by charging them $15.

suzie que

Great nature center, very relaxing and the displays for the animals are well placed with nice walking trails along the way. The best part was seeing the red pandas!!♡♡♡ Definitely make this place a stop if you visit Asheville. It's a nice gateway from the hustle and bustle of downtown.

Daniel Pence

Would suggest visiting early in the day as the animals all seemed to be napping during the heat of the day.

Kat Davis

This was a really cool place to visit when we had time to kill before our flight home. It was raining and cold when we went, but don’t let that deter you because we had the entire place to ourselves and the animals were still pretty active (cougar and otters especially).

Diane Clay

The best part of our visit was my granddaughter who is 11 months. She enjoys everything. But there was alot of poison oak all along walkways. All I think of was I am sure glad she was not walking.

Jill K.

Wonderful place to view NC wildlife(and some from outside NC). Animals looked to have been well cared for, and happy. They even had heaters going for the owls, on the chilly day we were there. I was very impressed with WNC Nature Center!!

Faye Cress

Nice animal enclosures. Saw most of the animals. Better early in the morning. Animals get hot and don't move around as much up in the day. Nice activities and play areas for children.

Nichole Morris

Great place. Easy to walk all paved. Not to big. Animals are in great care. Also has a play ground. Well shaded

Ashley

Such a great family activity! It wasn't too hot because the shade and wasn't too long to get through. Had a great time!!

mill marie

We love it here! Wheelchair accessible and so much fun!!

Julie Ryan

Great day for the family. The staff was super informative, and the kids loved it. We all had a wonderful day I would definitely take them back for another visit.

Mark Rehm

Great family friendly place with nice walking exhibits. The animals are rescues so it was cool to see them in relatively comfortable environments. The otters draw the biggest crowd of course. The weather was perfect for the trip but a lot of the animals were asleep.😂 We still had a great time though. …

Jennifer Twitty

Had a great time at the fair. Was hoping to see more animals, but alas... 😀 The funnel cake was divine as was the hypnotist comedy show. A must visit!

Kathy Scoggins Smith

Great place to go visit. Animals of all kinds. Asphalt walking trail so handicap accessible, kids playgrounds, gift store. Just a fun place to visit in the mountains.

Nick Gosey

Nicely laid out zoo with local species. Perhaps the middle of winter isn't the ideal time to visit as it seemed like many of the animals were inside or very sedentary, but even so it was enjoyable and not so large as.to be exhausting. This is a very child-friendly experience with numerous play areas along the path (four or five in total). The otters are especially fun to watch this time of year. The baby snapping turtle they have right now is one of the most adorable things ever. We spent three hours with three young children (2, 5, and 8) and saw most everything and the kids were able to play a good bit. One thing to try to get the kids to realize is that there are numerous play areas so they don't need to exhaust then selves at the first! My nieces and nephew tried their hardest at the first and were getting pretty tired and cranky by the end. Try to keep them moving on through!

Laurel Barrett

This was a cute zoo that was much flatter than I thought it would be. It took my about an hour to walk around. I was horrified to see a man grab a stick and tap a turtle with it. I wasn't able to find a keeper at the time but I hope the turtle is ok.

A rare FISH

Sneks, no bear, otters having blast. Animals treated well. Lots of rescues and recovering injuries.

Joe Barrett

I observed the parking lot and front entrace way this morning. The cleanliness and attention to detail bolstered my intention to bring the family and observe the animals this Fall. Kindness is key to a lovely experience.

Chris P.

Awesome place to take the little ones, check out some wolves, and bears. The otter feeding is worth seeing. It looks like red pandas are coming soon. My son is 3 and had a blast, fell asleep on the car ride home.

kyle

Really cool place and fun atmosphere. The trails are kinda small which can cause traffic jams when viewing areas. There's a lot of overgrowth on some exhibits which makes the viewing of the animals kind of limited. Nice little area, great for children of all ages. Takes about an hour to an hour and a half to see everything.

SuperChase220

Very affordable way to get up close and personal with some local wildlife! The pictures tell the story better than any words could- a must-see if you are in the area!

Ilse Descher

My children had a great time here. The animals were nice to see. The playgrounds were nice and a lot of fun.

Barbara McSwain

Great place to learn about animals. They have great areas to see the animals they have. We enjoyed the ability to wander around together. There are areas for children to play, learn and get up close with some of the animals.

M D

It is beautiful, educational, the staff and volunteers are friendly and professional. The animals are taken very good care of and are excellent ambassadors to teach people about wildlife!

Nancy Arruzza

Very nice small zoo. It's in the woods and there are many giant old trees. We were there at the right time to each the otters being fed. It was nice to see the animals up close. It is built on a hill so you do have to walk up hill or upstairs.

John Yates

Adorable and family friendly. The exhibits were great. Awsome experience. Great value.

Xamul Vang

Great facility! My kids love this place. They not only have a great selection of local wildlife, but plenty of play areas for the kids as well. If you need a place for your kids to enjoy, this is a much more ideal than going to the mall. I recommend it for all parents. If you're a local, get the membership. Best bang for your buck and a great investment!

Sapphire Skiba-Alonso

It was a very fun homeschool trip. Clean and very natury. We went on a friday morning and wasn't to busy. Definitely a fun day out

Francisco Cappai

Really nice place for the while family! You can see wild animals and almost interact with them.

panda newcity

The WNC Nature Center is a fantastic place for kids and adults alike. I would suggest to look into feeding times before you go if you're looking for specific action, or just plan to wing it and be surprised. It's a great way to spend a calm and beautiful afternoon walking about, with lots of interesting things to see and do, and managed by some truly lovely volunteers.

gypsy ;

Great place for a little family outing! Friendly staff, nice animal enclosures, cute kids play area, benches and restrooms aptly located

scott tolley

This was a great place to bring my 2 year old son who loves animals. Not expensive either and the otters are very entertaining!

Erin Kerr

Very kind staff and wonderful place to spend a few hours! They are very conservation/rehabilitation oriented and all the animals seemed well cared for. They have several informative programs throughout the day. We were there when they introduced Junior the screech owl. Lovely place, good for kids and adults!

Munkey Munk

Very well managed and maintained. The animals are very well cared for, it's a great place that is home to some incredible creatures.

Heather Chambers

Awesome place and people. Beautiful animals. Go and check it out!

Dean Thompson

Fun time, check out the otter, you can pet the donkey , bears are cool. Nice stroll through the grounds

Carrie Beard

They have recently updated the entrance and several exhibits. They are now featuring red pandas! Can see the animals very clearly. Wonderful place to take kids. Stroller friendly. Several places for children to play with jungle gyms, musical instruments, interactive setups, and slides.

David G

New entrence and restrooms are very nice! Lots of great local wildlife to see. We come here everytime we visit Asheville. Went again 6/2022 still awesome.

Ethan Ramsey

Very fun zoo. They have many animals native to the area, featuring large exhibits and a layout that feels more like a forest than a tourist site. They also have incredible activities for kids to interact with.

Angela Gilliam

This was a nice place and we spent a few hours here. Come early because after breakfast many take naps the rest of the time. They have improvements scheduled which is good.

Chelsea White

Love this place. Fun for everyone. The animals seem healthy and well cared for.

Ashton Kade

Really cool place for a great price! I loved seeing all the reptiles and watching the feedings! It’s a great place to visit with your family or friends to enjoy the animals that live in our own area! I will definitely be back!

Hans Caspary

Great day trip, the size is perfect for little ones. The animals are well cared for.

James Thompson

Very nice exhibits and lots of interactive stuff for the kids. Just bought a season pass and very pleased with the decision. The kids really enjoyed the feeding of the otters.

Michael Smith

We were here for a school field trip and had a great time! The park is well laid out, similar to the Greenville Zoo. The staff was very nice and knowledgeable and delivered a great presentation to the kids.

Alexander Dixon

Awesome place! Lots of cool animals, with play areas throughout the center to keep the kids entertained. Love going here. Definitely worth the membership if you live anywhere close by. Plus they are actively trying to make it better!

Cherie Miller

This is a great place to visit in Asheville. It has species native to Western North Carolina. It's a great size for younger kids too. My 5 year old loves this place.

Kathy Sinclair

Loved this place. Me and my sister will be going back. We wanna go see the male & female red panda on February 14th 2019.

Patrick Gourley

Theres no otter place ewe should take your kids. I don't know howl you could say no. Don't be a chicken and check this place out. Come out of your shell and get down here. Don't get skunked by not going. Staff was beary friendly. It's a hoot.

Big Brain

A very well done nature center. Kids and adults all really enjoyed our visit.

Samantha Carroll

Wonderful day trip for my children, ages 1 1/2 and 5. They both had a great time, and so did I!

Consuelo Loftis

I really missed the live exhibits in the underground world☹️ great experience for kids and adults. The year pass for a family is the absolute best bargain around!

Johzey Danler

Great place. Small, but perfect for adults with or without children. Clean and well kept.

Harvey D. Cottrell

Many of the animals were hiding or sleeping but we still had a wonderful time. Happy to be able to view animals that are well cared for. This was an excellent spot for our six year old to learn about conservation and see endangered species up close.

Peggy Stacey

Kids loved it nice walk easy for a great grandmother had so much fun

Barbara Monroe

Quaint little nature place that you can discover with your children in 2 hours.

Matthew Knapp

This was a small facility and I was able to look at everything within an hour to an hour and a half, but it was definitely worth it. Nice to be able to walk around and learn about all the different animals. I think this would be a great place to take kids.

Sue Alderman

Had a beautiful day here with one daughter and 2 grands, 5 year and 20 month.

Carson Royer

Very cool local zoo. It's small but well cared for, and with lots of educational content. You could see all the animals in about an hour and a half. They have almost exclusively species from North America with lots of info about conservation. We went in the morning in early March and the bears were still hibernating and most of the animals were pretty sedentary. Our favorites were the river otters, barn owls, red pandas, and red tailed hawks.

Robert Buscemi

This was great! The Nature Center is part of the AZA, so our membership from back home got us in. All of the animals had something to do with the area - even the red pandas (archeological digs of related ancient animals)! Getting around was like taking a hike on a paved trail but with animals and play areas mixed in, took us about 2.5 hours to get all around including stops in every playground space.

Rebecca Hudson

Very clean! We went in mid-October and it was perfect weather. Most of the animals were out and about. We're not from this area so it was neat to see all the different animals.

Ashley Webb

This was a fun adventure for my fiance, his 3 yr old son, myself amd my 14 year old daughter. It was the beginning of December, so that had a lot of the animals hidden from us. Can't wait to try again in the spring

Timothy Zhuk

Very fun experience with my friends at looking at the animals.

Nicholas Montierth

Great place to go see the native animals around Western North Carolina. Enjoyed seeing the red pandas and black bear

Madeline Trahan

This was a spontaneous day trip we took and I'm so glad we did! The center is beautiful and kept very clean. I felt very close to these animals compared to other zoos and centers which makes the experience so much better! Perfect place for a family thing or a date day.

Ashley Dillingham

As much as this place has changed over the years, it’s still a fun attraction. A lot of animals are either hidden or asleep when I go here but that doesn’t take away from the awesome things this organization is doing. So glad to see the reptile exhibit was up and running again when I went this week. It’s a nice little walk and they have a decent gift shop. People need to realize that this isn’t a zoo and they mostly promote local animals. My parents went when they were young, I did as well and I hope to take my children here someday!

Katharine Carr

This was fine - mostly just a nice, hilly walk. Lots of children shouting, screaming and playing. Most of the animals were sleeping or hiding from view. Might be a good activity if your kids are 10 or under. Lower your expectations for seeing animals.

Devon Morrison

They have red pandas. One was resting with his little arm hanging down from his chillaxing platform. No further description needed. Five stars.

Jessica Brswell

The staff is very nice and knowledgeable. My kids love it.

Dervin Seibel

Not a lot there, but still a nice little place to take the kids.

Mayra Bowen

It was a nice time. Despite being rainy and cold my 10 year old daughter enjoyed it. We definitely be back during the summer time

Sarah Allen

The kids had a blast. Lots of areas to play in between different animal exhibits.

Karen Lesko

This is a great place for kids. In addition to the animals there were several small park areas and mining for gems. My grandkids loved it!

Carole Cooper Moore

We always enjoy the nature center. I recommend going in the morning or on an overcast day to see more active animals.

Danielle Cruise

For my daughter's birthday we made the trip from Florida up to the Asheville area. We found this gem and I am so glad we went. It was super chilly and wind the day we went, but we had the best time! Lots and lots of walking which was great! We will be back!!

Eva Rodriguez-Cue

i stop by so much, i became a member! worth every penny and amazing for some time to decompress and connect with nature.

Gena Thomas

A small but beautiful animal park. Nice walk around, so pretty.

Caitlin M

We enjoyed our time at the WNC Nature Center. Everyone was friendly and the grounds were clean. Neat to see the animals of North Carolina. It was very generous that they offered half off for my zoo membership from my hometown. If you are in the area and looking for something to do, this was an enjoyable experience.

Secorah Arbuckle

Wonderful trip for me and my son! Very inexpensive and plenty to see and do for a morning trip!

Matt Cristos

The Nature Center is great. The staff are helpful and there are great exhibits of Cougar, wolves, foxes, bear... the kids live the barnyard animal portion to the have a gem mining station that they enjoyed and there are plenty of places with playground-like play areas and learning opportunities, so a little for whatever you are looking for. There is inside stuff outside stuff educational and fun stuff for a quick visit or a little longer and they have a conservation mission so the park fees are to help out the wildlife in the region. Super Cool we will be back!

Jennifer DeBias

Really nice nature center. Definitely worth the money. Had a great time.

ashlyn is here

I love seeing all the animals and there always adding something new. I think they could make it more handicap friendly

Stephanie Schulz

Very nice nature center. I only gave it 4 stars because 1. It was pricey and 2. You couldn't use any portion of the entrance fee for a family membership which could be used at reciprocal zoos and aquariums. The Arboretum was able to accomplish this and I've used that membership at reciprocal botanical gardens.

Erika M

Nice little stop while in Asheville. Easy way to see some wild animals. We especially liked the fact that the exhibits had multiple vantage points, giving easy access to view the animals from multiple angles. Even though it was a rainy day, we got to see all of the animals (except for the bears-expected due to hibernation), regardless if they were active or napping. All of the enclosures are outdoors, except for the reptiles. A nice little break from the mask. We definitely enjoyed our first visit here!

Hannah Silberman

I’ve been going to the nature center since I was a little kid. No matter how many times I go I always see or find something new to explore. They have made a ton of improvements recently, and have a lot of fun active learning stations for kids in between exhibits. I couldn’t recommend coming here more with kids (or just as a super fun walk for just adults)! I’ve also attended several little kid birthday parties here, it’s a great and educational place to celebrate.

Kenneth Massey

Perhaps it would be better in Spring, but the facility itself was really great! There weren't many aminlas out when we went, but it was still a fun day!

Cadence Giddings

A nice small zoo. Lots of exhibits where you can be very close to the animals.

Gabi Beam

This place was really fun. The animals looked healthy and had a good bit of space to live in and run around! They even brought some of the reptiles out for everyone to look at and "pet".

Ashley Therrell

Great prices, friendly/knowledgeable staff, and very kid friendly.

Kristi “kaykay” Jarrell

My son was super excited to see the animals. And I'd love to take my son again.

Martin Lenski

Great place to take kids. Lots of wildlife that are quite active too.

Genita “Gigi” Coger

Very nice and cheap for families to enjoy!

Brittany Brooks

I adore this place! Even though it was cold and rainy and a lot of the animals were sleeping we had a blast. They are so cute! I enjoyed seeing a bear in person for the first time 😁❤ It was worth the trip and the money. The place was also pretty clean and the staff was friendly. …

Jobe Ringer

The cages seem spacious and comfortable. It is obvious that this is not treated as a place for profit and tourism. The admission is very modest and it seems to have a lot of the work done by volunteers. The habitats are very nicely recreated and the animals are respected. The flow of the Nature center works very well. All in all, there is one large loop. You don't have multiple path options to confuse you, and you don't feel like you miss any of the exhibits because they are hidden or inaccessible. The center is very clean and well kept. There is a nice mix of animals, but not a large amount.

Pento Paper

This center was not nearly the size of the NC zoo nor did it have nearly as many exhibits but it was only about a dollar less expensive than the NC zoo. Also, I couldn't see animals that there were signs for in the exhibits such as wolf and coyote. Did not see any exhibit otters that was advertised (my favorite) or owls. The gift shop was not open 😐. Idk why.

Ashleyanne Cracchiolo

I had fun with my mom and my son at this nature center, but I have to be honest that I was disappointed at how small it is. Maybe because it's not a "zoo", but I think $15 per person was too much for such a small place. We saw the entire center in a little over an hour. And we were going very slowly. The volunteers were really nice, but next time I think I'd rather travel a little further and go to a real zoo.

Noke Game Calls

My wife and I stopped in Asheville to visit the Western NC nature center as we were passing through. We had a great time and were impressed that there was so much to see. Every staff member was extremely helpful and friendly. If ever back in the area we’ll definitely stop again.

ALEXA WILTON

This is a wonderful place to take children. They get to see wild animals up close and they have wonderful nature play areas for kids to explore and learn. We got to see animals that we never saw in person before, and the price was good. I'm thinking about getting a membership for the family because you could easily make a day out of this adventure and I'm sure it will be a great place to make a family favorite day out.

Evan Monei

Encounters are closer than Asheboro Zoo without overcrowded lines. We went today when it opened at 10am and there were maybe 5 families in line when it opened. The blackbears, wolves, otters, and Red Pandas were up and about and you could see them clearly. Information was posted where you could read about each animal and gave interesting facts about where you can see them in the world. Being a North Carolinian, many of the exhibits were of animals you can see in your woods but in beautiful simulated habitats. The animals looked well nourished and happy. The staff were exceptionally friendly, saying hello at every opportunity. The otter live feeding was informational and they really captivated the audience. 100% reccomend this experience to all animal lovers. The price is reasonable and the park is well kept.

Rachel Dierking

Great way to spend some time outside on a beautiful day. The trails were easy to walk, there were a number of shaded places to play and eat, and many fun facts to learn about the animals and the nature center. I saw a number of children with their caregivers, couples, and individuals, but it didn't feel crowded.

Scott Reffitt

Great place to support wildlife and enjoy your family time.

Crystal Reavis

Don't expect this place to be like a big zoo! It is very much a Nature zoo. The animals are taken care of much better than most. There are all very healthy. If you are planning on pushing someone in a wheelchair. The trails are 95% paved however, be prepared to have to push up hill about 50% of the walk and try to hold them back the other 50%. Staff was great! The reptile exhibit was very good. (Also has A/C). The only reason I gave it a 4 was because I think it is a bit over priced.

Mike Vecc

Small place, family friendly, needs an infusion of capital and design ideas to update and clean it up. Still worth seeing at least once.

Jessica Wheeler

It was crowded but crowds weren't a problem. Great place to visit! Great way to get out into nature. Great place for kids.

Dan Shapiro

My wife and I find this place cute. It is small. Takes an hour and a half max to walk through. There are some play areas for young kids. If you've been to bigger zoos I would set your expectations lower. It is cute and not expensive, but it's not limited on it's length of entertainment

Lindy W

We love WNC Nature Center! Lots of play areas throughout the zoo area for the kids to climb, explore, and play! The animals are all well cared for, and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing the big cats, otters, and other animals!

Amy Dodds

It was super fun but a lot of walking for my 4 year old. Also during our time there most of the animals were asleep, so I wish we had gone at a different time of day (we went in the early afternoon). My son loved the playgrounds!

Dylan McNeil

Staff was friendly and helpful from the few interactions i had them. Only a few exhibits compared to other captive zoos or ones where the animals are breed in captivity This center actually has only rescues and the animals can not be put back into the wild as they are disabled to some capacity. Why 4 and not 5, Since NC is a mountainous region, The center is built around the cliffs and mountains, So the steep hills and inclines do make walking around a little more difficult for anyone who may have trouble handling that. Other than that, It's a very nice center.

Dustin Strickland

Great place to take kids. Lots a animals native to WNC here. Self paced viewing. Took us about 2 hours to go through.

norma blume

It was fun seeing the animals. Im sure spring and summer time are way better. Will definitely go back

Reece Flexner

Great local zoo with mostly indigenous animals. Almost entirely outdoors with a few small playgrounds for kids. There is a pretty steep elevation gradient, so it may eventually get tiring for very young kids, but it is still wheelchair and stroller friendly with good signage so you don't get stuck at the top of stairs.

Jeanne Robertson

It was a wonderful enjoyable experience. I highly recommend it. The employees were awesome and the place itself was an excellent exhibition

scott lane (scottlane13)

This is a very clean park. It is an easy walk and a good place to enjoy the beauty of the area along with animals of the area. It's a fair price and a nice, comfortable way to spend 1 - 2 hours enjoying nature. They have done a great job with signage and explaining the exhibits for both plants and animals.

Taylore Willis

This is definitely a small facility, but a nice spot to drop by if you are already in the area. Walking through all of the exhibits will only take about 45 minutes. There is a nice showcase of local animals and some great information about conservation. It is mostly in forested areas, which could be nice for hot summer days. They also have some small play areas where younger kids (~ages 6 under) would really enjoy. Most adults would likely be underwhelmed just because it's not big, but for families with small kids it would be loads of fun and just the right length that kiddos don't get cranky. It's not a zoo. Its a nature center! I enjoyed it!

Alexis Cassavaw

My family and I really enjoyed the nature center. We decided to get a membership so we can enjoy all the perks!

Scarlett Wilson

Not a huge variety of animals but all the animals they had looked very well taken care of. Enclosures were large & clean. Nice little play areas for kids. Did not care for the way the gift shop was set up & ran at all. But otherwise a nice place to take the kids for an afternoon.

Lynn M.

Always come at least once on our trips. Lots of native species. They keep it clean and we'll kept. Three hands on kid areas: play ground; music area; stem area.Always have mixed feeling about zoos, this one is much better than many. If you have an annual pass to a local to you zoo or aquarium check if the nature center is reciprocal. We got 50% off our tickets.

Loretta Divine

Nice small AZA zoo that emphasizes local species and education. The kids love the play areas.

Kelsey Barbare

Such a neat place with well taken care of animals. My kids loved it.

Jess McCartha

We visited because we have a membership with a reciprocal zoo, and we got in for half price. We loved it, and we will definitely be back in the future to see all the new habitats they plan to build.

Thomas R Battoe (Fl HI#16)

Kiddo and I went late morning. The area was going through a heat wave so it was hot and all the animals were protected and shelter. Got to see the Bears. Didn't get to see the wolves, panda, other creatures that needed to shelter shelter

Matt Sanderson

So many things to see and it makes some amazing family photos.

Darryl Pender

Seeing all the animals native to NC was very cool. I even saw a mountain lion 🦁. …

Brian G

Great place for the entire family. Most of the exhibits are shaded, as are the trails between each. If visiting in the summer, go early as possible to see the animals moving around more than when it is the heat of the day. Bring water and snacks to keep the cost down.

David King

What a great place. Love what they do for the animals. My niece 9 years old and my nephew 5 years old love it

Jaiden Acker

Love this place. Great barnyard exhibit to get close up with animals. They've also got cougars, wolves, otters, and animal galore! Kids and adults will rejoice alike. Ditch the zoo and come here!

Lens Honey

Super friendly staff. The enclosures for the animals are large and look well kept after. And They have Red Pandas!!!

Eric R

Nice zoo. Loved the Appalachian predators exhibit and some interpretation on plants as well

John Bratz

The reptile exhibits are still closed but very happy to have it re-opened.

Kirsten Eaton

Definitely visit this place if you are in town. One of the first “zoos” I have been to where you feel like the animals are actually treated exceptional. It’s a super calming atmosphere and also a very fair price.

Amy Kirby (Phoenix)

Love love love this place! Great place for children and adults to learn about the local wildlife in NC.

Mikayla

If you have a zoo membership (anywhere in the country!) make sure you bring your cards as you get discounted entry!! We were excited to find out that our Florida zoo membership got two adults and one child entry to this nature center for just $13 total! There are lots of animals to see and various children’s play centers set up. But the play centers are probably more focused on smaller kids, like 3-6 year olds. My 8 year old didn’t really care for any of them except for the arachnid climbing area. The park kind of works in a loop so it’s easy to see everything and make sure you don’t miss any of the animals. The otters were definitely one of our favorites! And the red pandas!!

Zachary Zivic

It's not very big but for the price it's well worth it. A lot of cool animals from WNC! Also it's great for little kids

Kaitlyn Moody

It's a great place to go with family, lots of animals, playground areas for older kids and younger kids. Older like me (11). We come often here.

Jerry Reed

Nice name for a zoo. However, all but a few of the animals were sleeping. Nocturnal animals do that, ya know.

Chris Bourgoyne

Nice quaint enjoyable place. The wolves great. Red and Gray are on display! What made it even more pleasant was an ambulance had passed and set them off! 😊 …

duane giffin

Great exhibits and lots of things for kids to see and do

Judy Crane

Not to big to wear you out. Nice outing.

Veronica Reed

Beautiful Nature Center in the West of NC to visit with family at all ages, their main activities calendar is during fall break...

Max Vander Ploeg

They've done a nice job trying to recreate some of the animal's natural habitat, but I'm still not crazy about seeing animals in captivity. That being said, I don't want to see a bear in the woods either. We brought our 5 year old niece, & she loved every minute of it. The otters were definitely a big hit. All in all, a great way to spend an afternoon. And, then, do what I did.....go to Highlands brewery which is just up the road.

Trisha bratcher

Was really disappointed. When I came here 17 years ago it was amazing with trails thru the woods and they had the animals pretty much in their natural habitat and you had to walk trails to be able to see them. Now it's more like a zoo with all the animals in small areas and no trails to walk at all and no access to the river. It's more like a zoo now instead of a nature center with a path about a mile long for you to see all the animals. It's something fit for younger kids.

adrian bobbitt

My kids and I really enjoyed our visit. They loved seeing the animals. Some of the animals do things to get your attention.

Josh Sullins

Great experience for adults and kids! Lived seeing the black bears and otters.

John W

Had a good time walking around with the wife and kid. We enjoyed all animals that were active and playing on the playgrounds scattered throughout the nature center. We visited the center to get out of the heat since the tree cover and indoor buildings provided some relief.

Damion Reilly

Great for the whole family. Educational and fun. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Please contribute to our local Nature Center.

Nadine Farmer

All the animals were sleeping in the sun to get warm. It was 65 degrees and windy. I got a few pictures Grey wolf, black bear, red panda. The cougar was sleeping in his box I want to go bank when it gets warmer I had a great time It was my birthday

Marshall Moorhead

A great bang for the buck. We brought our toddler who enjoyed seeing the black bear, red panda, and the otters.

Nikkay1074

Great little place! The animals were so cute.

SIDECAR RICH

Nice little nature center with local mountain wildlife

Scott S

Thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The reptile and amphibian exhibit was fantastic!

Tammy Mcmahan

It was nice and quiet and pleasant there wasn't a whole lot of people there was people but not all what most of the animals was in their cubbies or in the shade they were very hot that day but I enjoyed the walk it was peaceful

Spencer Porch

This was an incredible visit and I’m so glad I did it! The nature center is truly tucked away in a forest on the mountains, making it feel so much more intimate and natural. It really compliments the theme of the park, which is showcasing Appalachian nature. I had a great time here!

Desaray Holtzclaw

Very awesome spot to explore. The kids loved it!

Pat Baumgartner

Nice small zoo, animals appeared well cared for, nice way to spend a couple of hours. Might be boring for older children but great for younger children. Accessible.

Lisa Fluharty

Awesome zoo. Highly recommend. Easy to get to and good parking. I didn't find this zoo listed on any Asheville to-do lists, but it is worth the visit!

Carrie Albury

Great place to learn and see the animals, very informative!

Jeanie

I have an annual pass for my son & myself. We absolutely love going to just walk around & enjoy the nature & animals.

Michael Robinson

We took our 2 and 4 year old grandson's and we had a great time. They were so excited to see the animals. Their favorite ones were the otters, they put on a good show for the boys. Fun day out.

Jordan Girard

Affordable, family friendly. I went in June and it was shaded so very comfortable even in the heat. Two play areas break up the walk through.

Brian Smothers

Really cool place to chill ax look at the animals staff very knowledgeable nice to see the animals and then began a decent habitat instead of locked up in cages

Hugh Lowe

Great place to visit. Really impressed by the lay out. Kid friendly and some animals one does not see at other zoos.

BillandCarole Pickard

Lots of open space to wander and enjoy. PLEASE don't feed the animals. I saw some yahoo feeding the animals leaves from a tree.

Jini Lumsden

Family friendly, wheelchair accessible trails, local wildlife exhibits, plan to stay a couple of hours.

Christopher Allin

Highly recommended for all ages, even adults. I appreciated that in place of exotic animals they have a focus on native animal species and do a good job educating visitors of the habitats of those animals. We spent about an hour walking through the nature center and saw everything. I feel the entry price is reasonable considering all that you can see.

Joel Bergstein

What an amazing facility! Great activity for families! Do yourself a favor and get a membership!

Jacob

Bit small, but its a nature center and not a zoo. Has a fair amount of uphill paved walkways but should be easily walkable for most. I like the new additions, especially the kids play areas where they can burn off some energy.

Alexander Baldwin

A beautiful zoo, but a bit small. They had black bears, cougars, red and Grey wolves, owls, and otters to look at as well as an inside area with snakes and amphibians. Took us an hour to see how whole thing and we weren't in a rush at all. I'd probably go again if I lived nearby.

Patricia Lykins

Wonderful! This more like a zoo than just a walk in the woods. It's well maintained, and the animals look healthy. There are several nature play stops scattered throughout, including a giant spider web climbing structure. We spend about three hours there, and loved every minute!

Coreen Stalnaker

Great animal experience. Loads of social distance reminders and people did a great job keeping apart (that is so weird to say). Kids had a blast seeing all the cool animals. Definitely a good way to spend an afternoon.

michael metelsky

A great little zoo. A favorite of my grandchildren!

R3D-1 Truth

Really nice place for family outing. Very clean, lots of beautiful scenery, and the animals were amazing. May be smaller then normal zoo, but the prospector gem wash gave the kids big smiles and fun.

David Siemens

Took the grandkids (ages 9-13) and they had a blast. It's winter here so some of the animals (bears) we're hibernating. Still, it was a fine educational experience. Highly recommend.

Andrea Duvall

We were so impressed by how nice it was and how ovbiously well taken care of the animals were! We got there around 11 am when it was naptime but i loved seeing all of the fluffy cozy animals napping. They looked so sweet even though they were cougars, wolves and bears.. i still wanted to give them a hug!

Juan Rodriguez

I just moved from Miami and this is a family oriented, fun and beautiful Nature Center. I suggest the annual pass too.

David Truong

Nice zoo. Can also walk premises, and, if you're lucky, run into a bear.

Kathy Ray

Wonderful nature center! They have plans to expand, too!

Stephanie Nicholson

Beautiful walking trail with awesome animals to see. Some of them are hiding and it's fun to try to find them. This is a wonderful place to take young children. It is a very peaceful setting. There are no restaurants in the park there are vending machines and kona Ice and there is ice cream in the gift shop. There is also a Drink Machine. There is also a playground

Jessica

We enjoyed our visit to the nature center. Most of the animals were sleeping so we didn’t get a ton of animal interaction but the natural kids play areas were fantastic.

Angie Brill

We really had a great time at this nature center

Mellissa West

We loved at the animals. Had such a good time. After we did a little mining. My nieces loved this place and can't wait to go back.

Ben Schlief

Great place. Easy to walk around, just the right size for a few hour visit with some littles. The habitats are well kept and the animals are easy to see, but look comfortable. The small play areas around the center are a welcome break for the littles.

Kara Allen

Small place but very well kept and animals look healthy and content

S B

We went on a drizzly winter day so some of the animals were nowhere to be found (probably napping somewhere). We played a fun game of "try to find where the animal is hiding." We did get to see the red pandas get fed. That made up for the missing animals.

Nancy Tater

The size is preferable so that the staff can spend their time with each animal. The trails are beautiful, the playground is clean and safe.

Jessica Chapman

I always love coming here. If I could visit more often, I would.

krystina wintling-ayers

Whenever we visit the area we are sure to stop here. Its a family favorite.

Ruby Buchanan

Clean, animals habitation was laid out well. Lots of space for animals. Play nets great for kids

Randy Fowler

Fantastic place to take the kids and learn about wnc wildlife.

Charity Bonapfel

Small local zoo with emphasis on local creatures and habitats. There is a lot of walking/ hills, but strollers are allowed. Price was reasonable, and petting zoo was a bonus. Absolutely loved seeing the otters playing around and we wanted to see a bear the whole trip and they were quite active. Great, affordable afternoon with the kids.

Kerstin N.

I’m not crazy about zoos or animals in captivity, but we took the kids and they enjoyed it. The Fox was pretty active while we were there, as was the otter. Animals seem to have some extra space compared to other zoos I’ve experienced.

Christine Traynor

Really nice place to take kids. Lots of animals to see and several play areas too.

Nismotech85

Great place to take the kids to. Also not bad for adults who want to get a nice stroll in and look at some animals while doing so. Several play areas for kids mixed in with the animal exhibits, and reasonably priced.

Chris S

Awesome place, with a lot of really cool exhibits. Animals were a bit dormant(probably due to the cold) but the habitats seemed quite well designed and had a good display of their natural surroundings.

Ty Gregory

Very cool place. With very cute animals

Chloe Moss

Definitely our favorite place we went during our trip to Asheville! Saw lots of animals and the majority were actually pretty happy compared to what you are used to seeing at zoos. The otters and red pandas were absolutely adorable and the whole park was so fun to explore without being overly crowded.

Coach Adam

This is an amazing zoo considering it's size and location. It's not a big city zoo, but one of my absolute favorites. You can leisurely see all the animals and exhibits in an hour or 2. However, the variety of animals, the views of the enclosures and the natural atmosphere makes it worth the trip. Seems like mornings and evenings are the best times to see the animals up and about. As with most zoos, feeding times are best. The animals tend to be sleeping in the heat of the day. Our favorites are always the otters, they are so playful. Kids of all age will enjoy it.

Lewis Garrison

A small zoo experience. The animals and birds are mostly of the local type with a few non natives in the mix. Not too crowded so you can cover it all in a few hours moving at a leisurely pace and stopping to view each one.

Nikki M

The best part of the WNC Nature center is that the animals you see are 1) native to NC and 2) endangered or unable to be released into the wild due to injuries. Don't go expecting to see hundreds of animals from all over the world, or you will be disappointed. This is a beautiful little sanctuary for native animals, and its clear the animals are happy and well cared for.

Jake Merrill

Took our twin toddlers to this nature center for an outing while visiting family. They seemed to enjoy the animals, but they are a bit young yet. They were too small to enjoy the petting zoo, or multiple play areas. The park seemed to have a healthy amount of educational opportunities if timed correctly. The only drawback were the hills. It's great for a walk, but pushing a double stroller, it was a little more taxing than we anticipated. Overall, a good glimpse at the general wildlife that one might encounter in this area of the country. It was a little pricey for what it was, but I think it's worth it for conservation purposes.

Marshall Sheldon

Great little place with lots of shade and cool animals

B. Y.

Not the biggest or best zoo in North Carolina, but worth the visit. A good way to spend a couple of hours while in Ashville. They have a variety of different animals. The trail is paved and easy for walking. The black bears and foxes were the most active while we were there. Some animals were hard to see. Recommend going in the cooler parts of the day.

Whitney Lesnicki

The WNC Nature Center is a well-shaded, easily walkable, natural habitat zoo. There's a farm animal section with some animals that you can pet. There's also a reptile house. It has fun play areas for small children. It's just the right size for ~2 hours with young children. Even on a warm day, you'll be comfortable in the shade here. There's tons of tree cover. If you're expecting the Bronx Zoo, you'll be disappointed. It's small, and nothing over the top.

Kelly Snow

Lovely zoo, sweet animals. Best is feeding time, especially the otters Obie and Olive. Just adorable!

Kathy H

Lots of sleeping animals but still fun. So much for young kids to do

Sharon Crossett

This is a great place to go. For the family, there are good kid activities to keep them entertained beyond just looking at animals. For the individual, there are nice long walking paths and a relaxed atmosphere. The animals are well cared for and seem relaxed and in their natural surroundings. The bathrooms are clean and the staff is friendly and happy to chat about their charges indefinitely.

Lisa Sparks

Great park. Animals appeared healthy and happy. Animal enclosures were well thought out with enrichment items

Ethan Sam

Really fun way to spend 2 hours. The space is utilized well, the animals seem really happy, and there’s places to stop along the way for kids to play and explore. Staff was extremely friendly, price was reasonable. The only downside was that the petting zoo didn’t have an attendant and the kids were hoping to go in and get a bit closer to the goats/sheep/donkeys etc.

Kristin

I've been here a few times now. It's absolutely beautiful. It feels like a walking trail as much as a zoo, and I love it. There is so much beautiful scenery. The animals are all loved and very well maintained. All the workers that I have encountered are very kind and knowledgeable about the animals. They don't hesitate to take time and speak about them either or answer any questions. Do yourself a favor and visit!

Nichole Davis

My husband and I enjoyed our visit here. Great place for taking the kids or for an affordable date! Definitely worth a visit!

Shu Lam

Small but fun. Has red pandas so couldn't resist!

Angela Floyd

The animals were not very active but it was hot. However got my son to let me take a picture with a turtle.

Tisha Barron

We love to see the animals, love the wooden boardwalks throughout the center. We really enjoyed seeing the otters get fed. Also loved getting to see the cougar.

Seana Ashlimae McIntire

One of my favorite local nature centers... This place is not to be confused with a zoo. I have been here over 10 times and always bring family from out of town to visit. The animals are well kept and taken care of...

Abelina Sifuentes

We visited on 1-16-21 and had a wonderful time. Very few people probably because of the cold but we enjoyed it more that way. The animals all seemed so well taken care of and loved. It took us about 2 hours to go through it all but we weren’t able to do the nature trail due to bear activity. A must stop in Asheville!

Erin Carr

Love taking my younger kids here. The otters are always so sweet. I enjoyed the student volunteers who shared corn snakes with the visitors. On a hot day there are shady places to hang out. My youngest loved the little rope Jungle gym. It will be even nicer when the new entrance is finished, and the red panda habitat is finished.

matthewp82

Wonderful place. Great fun for the kids. Just minutes from downtown.

Brooke

The animals, many rescued from not good situations are cared for with love and thought although they are still caged. Beautiful place and beautiful animals. Patient, caring, knowledgeable staff.

Ryn

I love the Nature Center because it's not a zoo. These animals live in natural habitats. They are rescues that cannot survive free in the wild. Many are survivors of being hit by cars. Other animals were orphans or are endangered species. The staff are dedicated professionals working hard at giving these animals the best life possible.

Alan Lemmons

Nice small zoo. Enough animals to be cool, entertain, and make it worth the money without it taking up an entire day.

zipp acd

Nice shady trails to watch animals.

William Culver

Nice way to see some unique and well cared for animals. Staff super friendly. Rainy day and we were members of another museum that is associated with their organization so we got in for free! Very easy to use if you handicapped as well. Thanks

Eric Batchler

There is potential here and time of year may have been a factor but most animals were hiding/sleeping or otherwise inactive. It was a pleasant walk, though, so we may give it another shot in the Spring or Summer.

Kristy Smith

Went on my Honeymoon, so obviously really enjoyable. It was kind of cold out but other than that, definitely 5 stars. All enclosures were great sizes, bigger animals (like bears, cougars, bob cats and deer) got the perfect size cages. Better than any zoo I've seen. Lots of hands on with children, awesome prices and is even great for just adults. We enjoyed it. It is really only 1-2 hours of enjoyment but definitely worth the money. Would do again!!

Brianna Johnson

It was fun even though it was cold out and we weren't able to see all the animals in their exhibits like bears were hibernating and turtles were in the warmth the kids still had a blast!!

Jasmin Villatoro

Great place to take the kids! Fairly decent sized zoo with a nice variety of animals on exhibit. We got a chance to see all of the animals in action the morning we went. Not sure if the animals are always super active but we loved it while we were there.

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