WNC Nature Center

The WNC Nature Center is tucked away in the heart of Asheville, NC.  Just minutes from the Asheville Mall and Tunnel Road, a main thoroughfare in Asheville, the Nature Center is a unique sort of zoo.  The 40 acre park is run by the City of Asheville's Parks and Recreation, and, while it is accredited by the Association of Zoo's and Aquariums, you won't find the typical zoo animals here.  Instead, you will be immersed in a little slice of native Appalachia.  

The Nature Center features a small petting zoo with goats and sheep for the kids, and long walk ways through exhibits featuring the natives of Appalachia such as black bears, red tailed hawks, and cougars as well as engangered species such as the red wolf.   Interspersed with the exhibits are fun treats for the kids, such as the otter slide next to the otter exhibit where kids can slide just like the otters do or the giant rope climbing web in the arachnid exhibit.  

There are also picnic areas within the park and guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks in.  Most of the park is accessed through wide wood boardwalks and paved roads, although you can also take a short hike down the Trillium Trail.   Just 3/4 of a mile long, the Trillium Trail is a great way to experience the native flora of Appalachia.

At just $8 for adults and $4 for children, the WNC Nature preserve is a great way to spend a day or just a few hours exploring the wilder side of WNC.  

Waterfall over the turtle exhibit

Sleeping Bobcat

Raised walkway between the black bear exhibit
and the white tailed deer exhibit

We anticipate reopening the Red Leaf River Inn in the Spring of 2015 and hope you will follow along as we renovate and restore this beautiful property in Waynesville, NC.  Find us on Facebook and Google+, follow us on Twitter @RedLeafRiverInn, or visit us at our website.