Reptile Gardens

Reptile Gardens is a reptile zoo in Rapid City featuring over 200 species of reptiles, amphibians, and birds across outdoor exhibits and indoor displays. The grounds include various habitat types designed to house animals from different regions around the world.

Earl Brockelsby founded Reptile Gardens in 1937 at age 21, starting with local snakes kept in basic pits. The facility later expanded to include animals from many countries, growing into an international collection.

The Sky Dome creates an indoor jungle where rare reptiles live among tropical plants in a controlled environment. Visitors experience multiple habitats and the diversity of reptile life in a single space.

The grounds sit along US Highway 16 between Rapid City and Mount Rushmore, making it easy to find and visit. Daily animal presentations happen throughout the season from March through November for visitors to watch.

Guinness World Records recognized the zoo as the world's largest reptile zoo, a title it has held since 2014. This distinction reflects the scale of the collection and grounds that visitors explore today.

Location: South Dakota

Inception: June 3, 1937

Fee: Yes

Address: South Highway 16

Website: http://reptilegardens.com

GPS coordinates: 43.99068,-103.27140

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:44