Biltmore Estate Policies

Biltmore Estate Policies

• What is not allowed in Biltmore House?

  • Food and drink, except for clear, plastic water bottles
  • Pets (except service animals)
  • Weapons/Firearms*
  • Personal bags larger than 19″ x 14″ x 9″ (more details below)
  • Wheeled bags
  • Video recording (including cell phone video recording) and sketching
  • Gimbals, Steadicams, GoPro cameras
  • Audio recording of special event performances such as live music during Candlelight Christmas Evenings
  • Photography and cell phone use that interferes with the enjoyment of other guests

  For your safety and the protection of this historic home, all guests must enter through a security scanner for each entry to the building.

  *Biltmore is a privately owned estate with both Security Personnel and Law Enforcement Officers on the property. In the interest of public safety, and for the safety of Biltmore employees and officers, Biltmore does not permit weapons/firearms inside Biltmore House or in estate establishments that serve alcohol.

  Overnight guests may safely secure their weapons/firearms in their hotel room while on the estate. Daytime guests may safely secure their weapons/firearms in their vehicle while on the estate.

  Law enforcement officers are not exempt unless coordinated and approved in advance by Biltmore’s Director of Security & Police Operations.

  We appreciate your understanding of, and cooperation with, this policy.

• Personal Items in Biltmore House

  Guests may bring a personal bag no larger than 19″ x 14″ x 9″ into Biltmore House.

  If your bag does not meet these requirements, please leave it in your vehicle or ask about storage options. Exceptions will be made for medical items after inspection.

  Backpacks are not allowed on any guided tours, including Rooftop, Backstairs, Exclusive, and Expert-Guided tours. Guests are required to leave backpacks in a locker or in their vehicle.

  We reserve the right to refuse admission for any bag, parcel, or other item. Weapons/Firearms* are prohibited.

  *Biltmore is a privately owned estate with both Security Personnel and Law Enforcement Officers on the property. In the interest of public safety, and for the safety of Biltmore employees and officers, Biltmore does not permit weapons/firearms inside Biltmore House or in estate establishments that serve alcohol.

  • Overnight guests may safely secure their weapons/firearms in their hotel room while on the estate.
  • Daytime guests may safely secure their weapons/firearms in their vehicle while on the estate.

  Law enforcement officers are not exempt unless coordinated and approved in advance by Biltmore’s Director of Security & Police Operations.

• Food & Beverage Policy

  No outside food and beverage is permitted on estate grounds except for personal water bottles and while picnicking in certain estate locations; please visit Guest Services for recommended picnic spots.

  Only clear, plastic water bottles are permitted inside Biltmore House. Outside alcohol and tailgating—including the use of tents, grills, multiple camping chairs/tables, and large coolers—are not permitted on estate grounds.

• Pet Policy

  The grounds are perfect for walking your pets, but please keep them securely leashed at all times. Animals (except service animals) are not allowed in any building. Animals are allowed on the outdoor patios of Bistro and Cedric’s Tavern, but patio seating should be requested from the host or hostess inside first. All animals must be leashed on estate grounds for their own safety and the comfort of our other guests. Please be courteous of others and pick up after your pet.

• Ticket & Estate Visit Policies

  Tickets are not valid after original use. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. The service charge is non-refundable. Resale of tickets is prohibited by law and/or regulation.

  Your ticket purchase gives Biltmore, its representatives, and the media authorization to use and reproduce any video or photographs of you and your party.

  Guests visiting Biltmore are subject to the rules and regulations governing this private property and the State of North Carolina.

• Bicycle Policy

  Bicycles are considered vehicles in North Carolina and must be operated in full compliance with state vehicle laws as well as Biltmore policies. All traffic and directional signage on estate property applies equally to motor vehicles and bicycles.

  To ride your bike on the estate, you must be a Biltmore Annual Passholder, a guest of The Inn, Village Hotel, or Cottages on Biltmore Estate®, or have an estate daytime admission ticket for that day.

  Where you can and cannot ride

  You are welcome to ride your bike in the following areas:

  Bicycle riding is allowed on estate property and roads as well as designated bike trails throughout the estate. Both bike riders and guests in cars have access to the same roads.

  Bicycles are prohibited in the following areas:

  • Non-guest areas
  • All trails designated for horseback riding
  • Shuttle route area in front of Biltmore House
  • Garden paths; riders must disembark and “walk” their bicycles in these areas
  • Beyond the Bollards to the front of Biltmore House

  Bicycles as Primary Transportation
  If your primary mode of transportation onto the estate is a bicycle, you:

  • Must stop at Lodge Gate to present your Pass or admission ticket
  • May access estate roads to travel directly to your destination
  • Must exit via the estate’s main entrance unless instructed to do otherwise

  If you are transporting bicycles on your motor vehicle, you:

  • Must travel either to parking areas near the house or to Antler Hill Village parking
  • May not park at Group Sales, Gate House Gift Shop, or the Reception & Ticketing Sales Center to unload your bicycle; if you do so, you will be asked to return to your motor vehicle and park elsewhere to unload.

  If you need to park your bicycle to tour Biltmore House, bicycle storage is located near the North iron gate by the Rampe Douce.

  State Laws and Biltmore Policies

  All guests must follow ALL rules as established through the Laws of the State of North Carolina as well as Biltmore policies.

  Per these laws and policies, bicycle riders:

  • Younger than 16 must wear a helmet at all times.
  • May not pass other guest or estate vehicles, carriage horses, or other bicycle riders.
  • May not travel the wrong way/against traffic.
  • Must remain in line when presenting their Admission Ticket or Annual Pass at Biltmore’s Lodge Gate, Admissions Gate, or Passholder Entry Lane.

  Should you or your guests violate these policies, we reserve the right to revoke estate access via bicycle and/or your Annual Pass at any time.

  Trail Information & Bike Rentals

  Please visit the Outdoor Adventure Center and/or Bike Barn in Antler Hill Village for instructions and trail maps.

  Bike rentals are also available at the Bike Barn for an additional fee.

• Estate Wildlife

  Biltmore Estate’s 8,000-acre Blue Ridge Mountain backyard is home to a wide variety of wildlife and birds including black bears, deer, rabbits, turkeys, and migratory waterfowl. While it is a treat to witness wildlife in their natural habitat, it is extremely important to remember these are wild animals, and as such, can become aggressive and even dangerous.

  For the health and safety of our guests, employees, and estate wildlife, we ask that all guests please:

  • • Do NOT approach wildlife or encourage or allow wildlife to approach you.
    • Do NOT attempt to feed (or leave food items out for) wildlife.
    • Remain alert and attentive to your surroundings, especially in wilderness areas such trails, fields, and wooded areas.
    • Maintain a safe distance (at least 50 yards) from wildlife at all times.
    • Review our Pet Policy requiring dogs and pets to be securely leashed at all times.
    • Store any food items inside your vehicle when not using.
    • Report black bear sightings or incidents immediately by calling Biltmore Company Police at 828-225-1581 or 828-225-1582.
    • Call 911 if there is an emergency requiring medical assistance.

    Additional safety guidance regarding black bears in the Blue Ridge Mountain area, please review this helpful Bear Safety guide from the National Park Service.

• Photo & Video

  Thank you for helping us preserve the integrity of the Biltmore name and image by cooperating with the following policies. We invite you to share your images on social media by tagging #Biltmore and @biltmoreestate.

  Inside Biltmore House

  Taking photographs and videos by cell phone or small cameras, without flash, is permitted on the self-guided tour for personal use only.  Commercial photography is not permitted. Photography/videography is not permitted on specialty tours inside Biltmore House.

  Large cameras, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, gimbals, Steadicams, GoPro cameras, or any other photography equipment are not allowed inside Biltmore House.

  For the safety and convenience of all guests, group photos must be taken outside of Biltmore House. Photos/videos should not be taken on stairs. Please always be mindful of your surroundings and use caution when taking photos/videos.