About Biltmore

In 1888, George Vanderbilt approached Frederick Law Olmsted for help with the 125,000 acres of Asheville, NC, wilderness he had secured for a country retreat in the mountains. This would be Olmsted’s last project in his 40-year career and one of his grandest designs. It allowed him the opportunity to demonstrate his skills in forestry management, civil engineering and horticulture design. 

 Olmsted’s plans for the land that would eventually surround Biltmore House transformed overworked woodland into the lush natural landscape that we experience today. With six formal and informal gardens, a Conservatory and nature trails, the estate boasts native plant materials—such as mountain laurels, native and Japanese andromedas and thousands of rhododendrons—to offer four seasons of beauty. 

One of the highlights of the landscapes is the Approach Road, a three-mile entrance road that meanders from Biltmore Village up to Biltmore House, which was designed by Richard Morris Hunt. Olmsted wanted to create anticipation as visitors traveled up the road, so there are no long views and only the perfect blend of forest and landscape. He designed a “striking and pleasing approach” with “natural and comparatively wild and secluded character… all consistent with the sensation of passing through the remote depths of a natural forests”.  

Water was an important aspect of Olmsted’s design. Bass Pond and the Lagoon offered guests the opportunity for recreational activities, such as fishing and rowing. To ensure the water supply for the estate, Olmsted engineered two reservoirs as well. 

Today, Biltmore’s team of horticulturalists take care of the gardens and grounds, ensuring that Olmsted’s original intentions are maintained. The estate was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1963 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. It remains a major tourist attraction with 1.4 million visitors yearly.