The North Carolina Arboretum

Map of TRACK Trail at North Carolina Arboretum

The North Carolina Arboretum TRACK Trail follows the Natural Garden Trail and loops through the gardens. The Natural Garden Trail is a 1 mile hike through a mixed hardwood forest. The trail through the formal gardens is 0.3 miles. The entire TRACK Trail is an easy 1.3 mile loop.

The North Carolina Arboretum is a 434-acre public garden located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest. Surrounded by lush folds of the botanically diverse Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum is adjacent to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, at Milepost 393, and is nestled in one of the most beautiful natural settings in America. Formal gardens, seasonal exhibits, a Bonsai collection, a cafe, gift shop and more are available at the Arboretum. 

The North Carolina Arboretum has a $16 per vehicle fee for entry. Funds are used to maintain the grounds and sustain the future of the Arboretum.

Track an adventure here
Collectible sticker for North Carolina Arboretum

Location Details

Recreational Features: Picnic Tables, Interpretive Programs, Birding
Amenities: Restrooms, Nature Center, Visitor Center, Gift Shop
ADA Compliant: Partial
Seasonality: Open all year
Flowers along the trail
View up the trunk of a tall tree
Pink magnolia flowers
Shaded dirt trail through forest
View of the parking lot
Mountain view through trees in autumn
Concrete paths near a greenhouse

Adventures for The North Carolina Arboretum

Hiking

A Quest for Dragons

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
1.00
There are over 300 species of dragonflies in the United States. They can be found soaring and swooping over ponds, rivers, and swamps across the country. Use this brochure as a guide on your quest to discover the incredible world of dragonflies.
Turtle Tales brochure
Hiking

NC Arboretum: Turtle Tales

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.30
Follow Shelly, an eastern box turtle, on one of her favorite Arboretum trails and learn about some of the trees and other plants that help her survive.
Hiking

Let's Explore - ecoEXPLORE

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
1.30
Scientists need your help! Use this brochure to learn how to be an ecoEXPLORER and share your nature observations with real scientists.
Hiking

Who's at Willow Pond

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
1.00
There's a lot to discover at Willow Pond at the North Carolina Arboretum! From a variety of plants and insects, to frequent reptile, bird, and amphibian visitors. Willow Pond is also special spot to look for salamanders and newts. Use this brochure to observe the biodiversity here and map what you find!
Hiking

Decomposers of the Dead

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
1.00
When plants and animals die, an important type of organism takes care of the mess. Scavengers and decomposers feed on dead things and return the energy to the ecosystem. Use this brochure to learn about the great and gross world of decomposers.
Birds of the Blue Ridge Mountains brochures
Hiking

Birds of the Blue Ridge Mountains

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.30
The Birds of the Blue Ridge Mountains brochure is an illustrated field guide containing some of the more common birds found along the trail. Each illustration contains the bird's common name, Latin name and phonetic spelling of their call. Having trouble locating birds? Use the back panel illustration to identify their preferred location within the forest.
Hiking

Hikin' to Find Lichen

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.30
This brochure-led adventure takes kids deep into the mysterious world of lichen. Kids will discover the three different forms lichen can take, and some of the features that make the lichen lifestyle unique. Kids will also read the Lichen story about Alice Algae and Freddy Fungi to help them remember how lichens work.
Hiking

El Juego Del Escondite En La Naturaleza/Nature's Hide & Seek

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.30
El Juego Del Escondite En La Naturaleza/Nature's Hide & Seek brochure is designed so that kids of all ages can walk along the trail and discover common things that are often overlooked in nature. Written in both Spanish and English, discover new things hiding in nature with the help of this bilingual brochure.
Hiking

Types of Trees

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.30
It’s easy to get confused with the various types of trees that can be found in the forest. Use this guide to identify and learn about a few of the common types of trees in the area.
Hiking

The Need for Trees

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.30
By following the picture and textual clues found in "The Need for Trees" brochure, kids will discover six of the more common trees found along the trail. During their adventure, kids will learn about the need that people and other animals have for trees and about the roles trees play in the forest.

Directions

100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way
Asheville, NC 28806
Latitude: 35.496225700000
Longitude: -82.609453000000

The North Carolina Arboretum does not charge admission per person. Parking is $14 per personal vehicle, free for members.
For directions please visit ncarboretum.org

Partners

The TRACK Trail program is sponsored by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation.

The North Carolina Arboretum TRACK Trail was made possible through a partnership between The North Carolina Arboretum and The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation's Kids in Parks Program.