Visit · Highlands Nature Center
Highlands Nature Center
The Station’s museum since 1927: live animals, hands-on natural history exhibits, and programs on the remarkable biodiversity of the southern Appalachians.
930 Horse Cove RoadFree admissionEst. 1927 as the Highlands Museum
Staffed and operated by the Highlands Biological Foundation.
01 · While we’re closed
Letting the light back in
The historic WPA-built building is getting new storefront windows, a weathertight envelope and better drainage. Programs carry on outdoors in the meantime.
Programs
Outdoors this fall
The Foundation’s free nature programs meet at the Sto and Cook Pavilions and on campus trails.
The Foundation’s programs →Gardens & trails
Still open daily
The Botanical Gardens, trails and grounds stay open every day from sunrise to sunset.
The Botanical Gardens →The project
What’s being built
Four projects are under way across campus this fall, all funded by Western Carolina University.
Pardon our mess →02 · Visit
Plan a visit
- Address
- 930 Horse Cove Road
Highlands, NC 28741 - Phone
- 828.526.2623
- Admission
- Free; donations welcome
- Hours
The Highlands Biological Foundation staffs the Nature Center and runs its programs. Free admission is supported by the Foundation, the State of North Carolina and Western Carolina University.
Only service animals may come inside the Nature Center. Dogs must be leashed everywhere on campus.
03 · Exhibits & programs
Something for every age
Explore the exhibits and try hands-on activities on the spectacular biodiversity of the Highlands Plateau. Programs here are run by the Highlands Biological Foundation; each link below goes to the page that keeps its dates and details.
04 · Groups
Bringing a group?
If you’re visiting with 10 or more people, please review our group guidelines and let us know you’re coming. The Nature Center is small, so groups rotate through in tens.
05 · History
The Station’s museum
The Highlands Nature Center began as the museum of the Highlands Biological Station. Drag through its story, from one room beside the library to the repairs under way now.
- 1927The Highlands Museum Association is founded by Clark Foreman and local citizens.
- 1928The museum opens on July 4 in a one-room addition to the Hudson Library.
- 1941The WPA-built museum and outdoor amphitheater officially open.
- 2001A renovation brings exhibits and year-round educational programming.
- 2026Structural repairs to the Nature Center: “letting the light back in.”
- 2027One hundred years on the Plateau.