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Natural beauty comes in a kaleidoscope of colors each fall at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville. Vibrant colors amid trees, shrubs, and perennials delight the senses. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and adjacent to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, it's one of the most beautiful natural settings in the South.

With the great diversity of trees on their 434-acre public garden, you'll find a long fall color season. Peak color is the last two weeks of October. Often, areas of great color extend into early November. 

NC Arboretum Bonsai

Favorite Fall Spots

  • See the mum display in the Quilt Garden (pic at top of page), along with fall plantings in nearby gardens.
  • Find the tiniest fall color show in the Bonsai garden (pic above).
  • Forest Meadow (adjacent to the amphitheatre) was designed with tree selections that would exhibit great fall color.
  • The Auto Garden (aka parking lot) has brilliant maples, Kentucky coffee trees, ash trees that all change color at different times during the fall season
  • Education Center Entrance Plaza, behind the Arboretum fountain surrounded by fall seasonal plantings, find a beautiful October glory maple that is backed by the two black gums on either side of it that demonstrates great color during the fall.
  • Mountain bike the forested loop of Hard Times Road, Owl Ridge Trail, Rocky Cove Road and Bent Creek Road. Begin at the parking area near the Gatehouse.
  • Hike the Carolina Mountain Trail, a 1.2-mile hiker only trail that starts at the Education Center and ends at Bent Creek Road. Pass through three forest types: pine, mixed hardwood and ericaceous. Read about native trees and insects via interpretive signs along the way.
  • Pick up lunch at their Bent Creek Bistro and find the perfect picnic spot.
  • For more gardens and trails, see our complete NC Arboretum Guide.

NC Arboretum Fall

Fall Events & Exhibits

National Geographic Photo Ark: September 24, 2022-January, 8, 2023
See this traveling exhibition in the Baker Visitor Center featuring 50 works by National Geographic photographer and Fellow Joel Sartore. Click here to visit their website.

Guided Forest Trail Walk & Garden Tours
Check the Arboretum schedule of free guided walks along woodland trails and through the gardens. Click here to visit their website.

November 2022 Winter Lights Begin
Walk through open-air gardens with glowing landscapes, 50 ft lighted tree, Quilted Garden and more! We are delighted to be a sponsor of this festive event. Read about Winter Lights.

NC Arboretum Fall Color

The Arboretum is a photographer's dream each fall with the many colors, warm lighting and an impressive outdoor sculpture collection.To plan a visit, see our complete NC Arboretum Guide. For the latest on fall color and events in the Asheville area, go to our Fall Foliage Forecast.

NC Arboretum Fast Facts

  • Property Hours: The gardens and trails are open daily, weather permitting, 8 AM–9 PM September–October. The entrance gate closes one hour before. The Education Center, Baker Exhibit Center and Bonsai Garden are open daily 9 AM–5 PM.
  • Admission: Free, but there is a parking fee. $16 per personal motor vehicle, $50 15-seat passenger van, $100 motorcoaches. Parking is $7 on the first Tuesday of each month. No charges apply for pedestrians, bicyclists or The North Carolina Arboretum Society members.
  • Pets: Dogs on leashes are permitted on the grounds and in the gardens (except the Bonsai exhibit). Service or guide dogs only are allowed in buildings & Bonsai exhibit.
  • Picnics: Informal picnicking permitted on the grounds. No alcoholic beverages.  Picnic goodies available for purchase in the education center at the cafe. 
  • Wheelchair Access: The buildings, gardens and some trails are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs are available free of charge onsite, on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  • Directions: The NC Arboretum is located off NC Highway 191, south of Asheville. From I-26, take exit 33; from I-40, use exit #47 (Farmers Market). From both these exits, follow Blue Ridge Parkway (and 191 South) signs to the Parkway entrance ramp. Arboretum entrance is immediately on the right, after exiting onto the ramp. From the Blue Ridge Parkway, take Milepost 393 exit.
  • Address: 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville
  • Telephone: 828-665-2492 | Click here to visit their website

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