Our Gardens and Natural Areas

We manage over 1,200 acres of gardens and natural areas, including our display gardens, campus treasures like Coker Arboretum and Battle Park, and nature preserves like Mason Farm Biological Reserve and Parker Preserve in southern Chapel Hill. You’ll find information about our different spaces below.

North Carolina Botanical Garden

Our main display gardens, Garden Shop, Daily Plant Sale, Exhibit Hall, and DeBerry Gallery are open for visitors. Per UNC policy, masks are now optional indoors.

Piedmont Nature Trails

This 88-acre forest behind our display gardens is bustling with life. Come explore! Three miles of trails follow creeks and wind around hills. Look for critters in Morgan Creek, and check for wildflowers along the paths.

Coker Arboretum

This 5-acre gem on the UNC campus features trees, shrubs, and wildflowers native to the eastern U.S. as well as eastern Asia and other parts of the world. Take a stroll or stretch out on one of the grassy lawns or benches.

Battle Park

Walking trails wind through this old-growth forest on the edge of the UNC campus. Most of this 93-acre forest has been around since before European settlement in the 1700s: it has never been clear-cut.

Mason Farm Biological Reserve

A two-mile loop trail circles this 367-acre wildlife preserve and natural area in Chapel Hill, home to over 800 species of plants, 216 species of birds, 29 species of mammals, 28 species of fish, 28 species of reptiles, 23 species of amphibians, and 67 species of butterflies.

Parker Preserve

This 127-acre tract crosses oak-hickory forests pine woods. Look for signs of 18th century home sites as you walk! A trail connects Parker Preserve to Mason Farm Biological Reserve.

Other Preserves and Natural Areas

We steward several other public preserves, including Penny's Bend Nature Preserve in Durham County (owned by the Army Corps of Engineers), Coker Pinetum, and Gordon Butler Nature Preserve, as well as other local preserves with restricted access.