Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary
Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary
Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary
5
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
Closed
About
The Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is a statewide facility that includes a surrender facility, education program, summer camps and rescue and rehabilitation. Visit over 1700 reptiles in their natural habitat while expert guides describe origin, diet, and conservation status. Students may even interact with some critically endangered animals. See more than 230 venomous snakes in the Venom & Research Lab as well as alligators, crocodiles, Galapagos tortoises, Gila monsters, just to name a few.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingWhat is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
244 within 3 miles
Attractions
86 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
64 reviews
Excellent
57
Very good
6
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Lauren Z
Providence, RI106 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
My husband and I went to Phoenix Herpetological sanctuary after visiting the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center. Someone on that tour mentioned PHS and when we got back to our resort we decided to book a tour for the next day. The place was easy to find, we were a little early for the tour but they had a large pen of Tortoises about the size of Beagles steps past their gate. We were greeted by staff members walking by and told that we would be checked in shortly. Minutes later Sammie walked out with a large bin of grapes and raspberries and we were asked if we wanted to feed some of the smaller tortoises. Of course we did! As we waited for more guests Sammie told us a lot about the tortys and the sanctuary in general.
As we got our group together Sammie guided us through several rooms of snakes, tarantulas, skinks, turtles, basically anything with scales was on this tour. Sammie gave us plenty of time to look at each animal and took a few out of their cages and offered them to us to hold. our group had a handful of children in it and we appreciated that Sammie had tons of facts and stories to entertain both adults and the younger kids. After looking at tanks and taking photos with the animals we were led outside to holding pens of Alligators! I honestly did not know there were so many species of gators! each one with their own story and a handful of facts you can tell the staff really love the animals and their jobs. The outside area was very well shaded, we never felt like we were roasting in the sun.
The tour was nicely paced and was just about 2 hours which seemed to be perfect timing for the kids. We highly recommend visiting this Sanctuary if you have anyone in your party interested in reptiles. There was a mother on our tour who told us she was completely out of her element but by the end of the tour she really seemed to enjoy herself.
As we got our group together Sammie guided us through several rooms of snakes, tarantulas, skinks, turtles, basically anything with scales was on this tour. Sammie gave us plenty of time to look at each animal and took a few out of their cages and offered them to us to hold. our group had a handful of children in it and we appreciated that Sammie had tons of facts and stories to entertain both adults and the younger kids. After looking at tanks and taking photos with the animals we were led outside to holding pens of Alligators! I honestly did not know there were so many species of gators! each one with their own story and a handful of facts you can tell the staff really love the animals and their jobs. The outside area was very well shaded, we never felt like we were roasting in the sun.
The tour was nicely paced and was just about 2 hours which seemed to be perfect timing for the kids. We highly recommend visiting this Sanctuary if you have anyone in your party interested in reptiles. There was a mother on our tour who told us she was completely out of her element but by the end of the tour she really seemed to enjoy herself.
Written December 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JJPena2
5 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
My family recently visited this Sanctuary on a very hot day in July 2023. It was well worth the trip and the heat! It was a highlight of our short stay in Arizona. My oldest son, 15, is interested in becoming a herpetologist and this experience was inspiring. Something he will never forget. Our guide, Isabel, was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. In addition to the capybara feeding, Galapagos turtles feeding and petting a crocodilian experiences that we paid for, Isabel sensed our enthusiasm and gave our party of 9 so many opportunities to interact with an assortment of reptiles and amphibians including snakes, bearded dragons and skinks. Water was provided throughout the trip and some areas are air conditioned. A great experience and who knew such a small facility in such a hidden location would have such a big impact on the world. I had no idea that this Sanctuary partners with other sanctuaries, zoos and education facilities to help reptiles and amphibians throughout the world! Feels good knowing our admission fee is going to such a worthy cause! HIGHLY RECOMMEND even if you aren't sure what herpetology is! They even have axolotls and a huge tortoise with a wheel.for a leg!!
Written July 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RoadtrippingGirl2014
Prince George, Canada155 contributions
Apr 2022
We did the Curator for the Day program. This experience and this facility are absolutely incredible. A full day (9-4), one on one with one of the curators. A full tour of the facility in the morning then helping them work (feeding the animals) in the afternoon. My 10-yr old nephew was in awe, there were so many cool animals, and being able to hold and interact with them was such a cool experience (I think there were 5 or 6 different snakes he held, plus lizards, turtles, tortoises, etc.). The curator was super knowledgeable and passionate about the animals. This facility is such an important place where they educate people on native species, how to handle them if encountered, and where people can surrender animals they can no longer take care off. We highly recommend a tour of this place, or if you have a full day to spend there to take advantage of the Curator for the Day program. We came down from Canada just for this experience and it did not disappoint! One of the coolest things we have ever done!
Written April 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
516Cheryl
Bemidji, MN5 contributions
Feb 2023
Amazing Experience! Took our very active 9 year old and we all enjoyed it very much. Especially appreciated all of the hands on activities, in
Unlike many other places where groups are large and poorly managed, we had a comfortable size group that allowed our guide to demonstrate proper handling of the animals and give each person a chance to hold, pet or feel so many different species! Our guide was very informative and patient, encouraging and answering all of our questions. This rescue work they are doing here is wonderful and it is so great to experience it. We visited the same week the Super Bowl was being played in Phoenix and it would have been great to see a few more people at the Sanctuary since they are doing so much with little funds they have! But we loved the extra time we enjoyed in our smaller group too. Looking forward to visiting again, hopefully they have raised enough $ for the greenhouse by then!!! That’s going to be an awesome experience.
Unlike many other places where groups are large and poorly managed, we had a comfortable size group that allowed our guide to demonstrate proper handling of the animals and give each person a chance to hold, pet or feel so many different species! Our guide was very informative and patient, encouraging and answering all of our questions. This rescue work they are doing here is wonderful and it is so great to experience it. We visited the same week the Super Bowl was being played in Phoenix and it would have been great to see a few more people at the Sanctuary since they are doing so much with little funds they have! But we loved the extra time we enjoyed in our smaller group too. Looking forward to visiting again, hopefully they have raised enough $ for the greenhouse by then!!! That’s going to be an awesome experience.
Written February 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Midwesterner2013
Saint Louis, MO63 contributions
Mar 2021
Fantastic tour. Very knowledgeable guides. Fascinating place. Just wish it was better at Covid protocols. Everyone wore a mask, mostly correctly, but it was very crowded inside and out. I would give it 5 stars if they could fix that.
Written March 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beachbeachlove
Coronado, CA32 contributions
Feb 2019
I had no idea this sanctuary was tucked back here! It is very interesting. We toured with a little group of 10-11 year old boys who were fascinated with all the critters. It was educational and really cool to be that close to gators that are THAT big. Enjoy!!
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angela B
3 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We were originally drawn in from seeing a tiktok about the Capybaras! Booked a private tour with the add on with the capybara and the crocodile experiences! Bronti our tour guide was very respectful of the fact that snakes were not the jam of a few of us in the group and respectfully warned us prior to pulling one out! She was very knowledgeable about the animals and always checking on how we were doing (both with the temps cause we toured during the heat wave and after walking through the snake buildings). I highly recommend if it’s in your budget to book a tour! And choose the add ons!
Written July 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
friendly_herb
Williams Bay, Wisconsin11 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
If you are an animal lover, especially a reptile lover, you need to come check this place out and see all the amazing work they are doing :D In fact, I hope I get to work here myself one day! My only "complaint" is that the public tour seemed overfilled with people and moved at a pace too quick to be able to really take in each animal. If you end up with a small group, I'm sure the experience wouldn't feel as rushed.
Written February 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SUE B
27 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
My son attended a 3 wk camp in July 2023. He was in 7th heaven!
He enjoyed every moment, loved all the animals especially snakes and now has a pet snake (after receiving his training at PHS)!
All lovers of reptiles should visit PHS! It is the only reptile Sanctuary in the world. It is a must-do for future herpetologists.
He enjoyed every moment, loved all the animals especially snakes and now has a pet snake (after receiving his training at PHS)!
All lovers of reptiles should visit PHS! It is the only reptile Sanctuary in the world. It is a must-do for future herpetologists.
Written September 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
designkelly
Phoenix, AZ37 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
A magical place if you love reptiles. I took. Your in Feb 2021, and decided to start volunteering afterwards.
This is basically a zoo for reptiles. All kinds, turtles, snakes , lizards and crocodilians.
It’s a unique property in the middle of North Scottsdale.
They have many types of tours and events available.
This is basically a zoo for reptiles. All kinds, turtles, snakes , lizards and crocodilians.
It’s a unique property in the middle of North Scottsdale.
They have many types of tours and events available.
Written June 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, Barbara. What would you like to know about this attraction?
Written March 13, 2018
The place is really fantastic. Contact the Phoenix Herpetological Society directly for details.
Written March 14, 2018
What is the cost for addmission?
Written March 28, 2016
It is $20 for adults (ages 18 - 54), $15 for seniors (ages 55+), $15 for children (ages 4 - 17), and free for toddlers (ages 3 & under).
Written March 28, 2016
Showing results 1-2 of 2
Related Stories
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing