Name: Fall Tree ID at The North Carolina Arboretum
Start: 2026-10-16T13:00:00.000-04:00
End: 2026-10-16T16:00:00.000-04:00
Location: The North Carolina Arboretum

Fall Tree ID at The North Carolina Arboretum

Put a name to the trees on your next hike with Fall Tree ID at The North Carolina Arboretum. Instructor Lauren Lampley shows you how to use field guides along with bark, buds, leaf shape, growth pattern, habitat and fruit to name the common trees of Western North Carolina.

The class runs Friday from 1 to 4 PM, all outside on easy trails and paved paths, so dress for the weather. It also counts toward the Arboretum's Blue Ridge Naturalist certificate.

Seats start at $38 and registration is required. Sign up now and catch the leaves while they're still turning.

Located within the scenic Pisgah National Forest just south of downtown Asheville, The North Carolina Arboretum encompasses 434 acres of stunning cultivated gardens, hiking and biking trails, and outdoor discovery spaces. Easily accessible via the Blue Ridge Parkway and located at 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, the Arboretum is a premier destination for nature lovers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts. Key highlights include the Bonsai Exhibition Garden, National Native Azalea Repository, inspiring Quilt Garden, and multiple garden-themed trails representing native Appalachian flora. The Arboretum also features year-round rotating educational exhibits and programs, a visitor center with a gift shop showcasing regional crafts, and seasonally operated on-site dining. While admission is free, a parking fee applies to most vehicles. The Arboretum welcomes pedestrians, cyclists, and members with no charge. Accessibility features include wheelchair-friendly paths and complimentary wheelchairs available on-site.

Locals treasure the North Carolina Arboretum as a peaceful and beautiful retreat into nature with unparalleled botanical diversity. Visitors appreciate the well-maintained trails and the wealth of educational programs for all ages, including guided hikes, plant workshops, and kid-friendly discovery activities. The scenic views of the Southern Appalachian Mountains combined with captivating garden designs make it a favorite spot for photographers, artists, and outdoor fitness enthusiasts. Many locals also value the Arboretum’s commitment to conservation and sustainability, contributing to its status as a vital part of the Asheville community. The relaxed ambiance and plentiful amenities create the perfect blend of recreation and learning.

The North Carolina Arboretum

Enjoy Asheville, NC’s vibrant recreational scene with a wide variety of outdoor activities, sports leagues, parks, and family-friendly fun. Whether you love hiking, biking, paddleboarding, or playing sports, Asheville offers endless ways to stay active and engaged. Discover parks, recreational centers, and hidden outdoor gems that encourage community involvement and outdoor exploration. Perfect for locals and visitors alike, Asheville’s recreation options foster wellness, fun, and connection to nature and community. Find the best spots to unwind, get active, and make lasting memories in this dynamic mountain town.

Things to Do in Asheville, NC: Recreation and Activities

Asheville is a dog friendly town, and these breweries, restaurant patios, bars, shops and pet services welcome you and your dog. Many breweries allow leashed dogs, including Highland Brewing and its meadow in East Asheville, Wedge Brewing, RAD Brewing, New Belgium and Ginger's Revenge in the River Arts District, and Archetype, One World West and Westville Pub on Haywood Road in West Asheville. Downtown, Wicked Weed's brewpub has two pet friendly patios, the Funkatorium is on the South Slope, and Twisted Laurel and Posana have dog friendly patios near Pack Square. Woodfin has Zillicoah, Riverside Rhapsody and Salt Face Mule along the French Broad River. South of town, try Sweeten Creek Brewing, 12 Bones Smokehouse in Arden, Turgua in Fairview, and Sierra Nevada and Mills River Brewing in Mills River. Black Mountain has Pisgah Brewing and Lookout Brewing. For pet supplies and care, visit Asheville Pet Supply on Merrimon Avenue and All Pets Animal Hospital on Patton Avenue. Every listing below has hours, photos and directions.

Dog-Friendly Breweries, Bars and Shops in Asheville, NC

Looking for things to do with kids in Asheville? Find wildlife, hands-on museums, farm days, arcades, bowling and outdoor theater. In East Asheville, the WNC Nature Center has black bears, red wolves, river otters and red pandas on Gashes Creek Road. Near downtown, the Asheville Tourists play minor league baseball at HomeTrust Park, long known as McCormick Field. Downtown, the Asheville Art Museum on Pack Square has a makerspace where kids and grown-ups make art together, and Asheville Community Theatre on Walnut Street stages youth productions. In West Asheville, Sky Lanes has been bowling on Patton Avenue since 1963, with bumpers and an arcade, and Asheville Retrocade on Haywood Road is packed with vintage arcade games and pinball. South of town, Claying Around on Hendersonville Road is a paint-your-own pottery studio, and Sweeten Creek Brewing has a big creekside lawn with cornhole and barbecue. Out in Fairview, Hickory Nut Gap Farms runs hay rides and pony rides on fall weekends. Each summer, Montford Park Players stage free outdoor Shakespeare in Montford. Asheville Parks & Recreation runs more than 50 parks with playgrounds, swimming, trails and community centers.

Fall Tree ID at The North Carolina Arboretum

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