Highlands Biological Station
Nature Reserve
Why pick this one
Highlands Biological Station offers free, year-round access to 12+ acres of botanical gardens and trails, with four specialty gardens at 4,118 feet.
Best for
- Free year-round garden and trail visits
- Learning about southern Appalachian plants
- Native plant landscaping ideas
- Nature walks, BioBlitzes and moth nights
- Research or courses focused on southern Blue Ridge biodiversity
Look elsewhere if
- Visitors specifically need the indoor Nature Center before repairs end in 2026
- Visitors require a conventional amusement attraction or commercial recreational facility
Specialties
- 12-acre botanical gardens
- Appalachian ethnobotanical garden
- Moss garden
- Native plant conservation
- Nature walks, BioBlitzes and moth nights
Certifications
- Western Carolina University multi-campus center
What makes them different
- Botanical Gardens and trails open every day from sunrise to sunset
- 12+ acres of gardens at 4,118 feet with four specialty gardens
- Free admission and parking
- Research, education and conservation focused on southern Blue Ridge biodiversity
- Live weather, soil moisture and water quality data plus a climate record dating to 1961
- Serves
- Highlands
Distilled from this business's own website.
Contact & Location
- Address
- 265 N 6th St, Highlands, NC 28741
- Phone
- +18285262623
- Website
- http://highlandsbiological.org/
- hbs@wcu.edu
Services
- Botanical gardens and trails
- Nature center exhibits and programs
- Educational courses and workshops
- Research and conservation
- Free nature talks and walks
- Environmental data access