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Reptile Gardens


TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 4.0 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #3 of 25 attractions in Rapid City
Traveler Description:                    ... Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternet... /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable... more »
Know about Reptile Gardens? Share your expertise with other travelers. Add to this description now.
Attraction type: Nature center, Zoo
Activities: Viewing wildlife
Address: 8955 S Hwy 16 Rapid City, SD 57709
Tel: 605-342-5873

Reviews you can trust

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
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5 of 5 stars
LisNick   14 contributions
Coralville
Oct 18, 2009

This stop was well worth it. A beautiful dome with tropical plants, flowers, and birds, as well as an extensive snake exhibit. Reptile Gardens was fun, educational, and really had that "wow" factor. However, I personally do not appreciate the "insects" section and would have been very happy if it wasn't a part of this attraction. The giant tortises were... more

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5 of 5 stars
GoHusk   8 contributions
Colorado
Aug 23, 2009

Kids (11, 9 and 6) loved this place, as well as adults. Lots of caged snakes, reptiles to view inside. Young kid did the two shows we watched (alligators/croc's and snakes) and he was awesome! Made you jump back in your seat watching him wrestle the croc and watching him experiment with the venomous snakes. You can even walk up... more

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5 of 5 stars
landslide   14 contributions
Minnesota
Aug 22, 2009

This is our second time at Reptile Gardens. We took our boys back in 2000. I was surprised to hear they wanted to go there again. This was the only place we went to in 2000 that they wanted to visit again. They have an alligator show, bird show and a snake show. All are worth seeing, although the alligator... more

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4 of 5 stars
accountant_guy   46 contributions
accountant_guy
Aug 2, 2009

This is a very nice specialty zoo. They say they have the largest representation of reptiles in the world, and being a self proclaimed zooaholic I would probably agree. That being said, it is a specialty zoo and even with the largest representation of reptiles in the world there has to be more than just exhibits to occupy one's time.... more

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4 of 5 stars
GoHawksAnkenyIowa   48 contributions
Ankeny, Iowa
Jul 31, 2009

The 3 shows are the highlight of this attraction. Our family rated them and 2 liked the bird show the best, 2 the snakes and 1 the gator/croc show. We visited on Tuesday, July 21st in the morning and were able to see the shows consecutively. The only other exhibits were the prairie dogs and the giant tortoises which up... more

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1 of 5 stars
the5hefels   11 contributions
Dubuque, Iowa
Jul 19, 2009
0/3 found this review helpful

We visited on July 13th and were greatly disappointed. It was very small and run down. They had two displays, one was praire dogs and the other was Tortises. Then one building that housed the reptiles. The alligator show was entertaining but this was the only enjoyable part of the time spent there. The average zoo has many more reptiles... more

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4 of 5 stars
livsmom5131   7 contributions
MN
Jul 11, 2009

One of the many places we stopped at while on our "Rushmore" vacation. Our daughter is six and we had a great time. She was able to get up close to and even touch the giant tortoise and some snakes. This place had a large variety of animals and was a great stop! We went in the evening around 5pm... more

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4 of 5 stars
bdlewis2745   20 contributions
Aurora, CO
Jul 7, 2009

2 adults and 5 kids between 6 and 12 had a good time. We only saw the main display and the 3 shows because we got rained out. However, they give you a pass to return for as many times as you want to during your stay in the Black Hills. We didn't make it back. We enjoyed all 3... more

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5 of 5 stars
Traveler0991   16 contributions
South California
Apr 26, 2009
1/1 found this review helpful

the real deal, not just one of the many, cheesy roadside "attractions" in south dakota. beautiful facility, super friendly staff, GREAT collection! beautiful displays, helpful informative staff, nice shows, beautiful happy animals. komodo dragons, lotsa snakes, birds, nice bald eagle, gators, prairie "dogs", etc., etc. very extensive, nice clean souvenir and gift shop. i was very impressed, really. more

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5 of 5 stars
palenakamikale   143 contributions
Montana
Feb 5, 2009
2/2 found this review helpful

Enjoy the variety of creepy crawly, cute and amazing things on display. The giant turtle skeleton is WOW! The birds and snakes outside cages roaming free of enclosure is an experience. There are beautiful flowers and foliage inside, a nice gift shop and weather permitting great outside attractions as well. I would say fun for all ages. more

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Reptile Gardens Address

8955 S Hwy 16, Rapid City, SD 57709
Tel: 605-342-5873