Q. What should I wear to the aviary?

A. The aviary is warm and humid—dress light and skip jackets, bags, and extra items to reduce butterfly escape and speed up inspections. Butterflies love bright colors, especially red!

Q. How many species of butterflies will I see?

A. The aviary is home to over 1000 free flying tropical butterflies, comprised of about 40–60 tropical butterfly species imported from rainforests around the world.

Q. What’s included with admission?

A. Your wristband grants all-day access to all exhibits (Exotic Butterfly Aviary, Rainforest Critter Center, Movie Theater, the Emerald Forest Mirror Maze, and our new Banyan Tree Adventure Slide) Re-entry for 3 consecutive days (as long as wristband is not removed).

Q. Can I feed or release butterflies?

A. Yes! You’ll have access to a complimentary nectar flower to hand-feed butterflies while in the aviary. Plus, newly emerged butterflies are released throughout the day, and you may even get to help with that release.

Q. What about reptiles and amphibians?

A. The Rainforest Critter Center features over 25 live reptiles and amphibians, interactive displays, and live encounters throughout the day.

Q. How long should I plan to stay?

A. Most guests spend 1½ to 2 hours touring, but this is a self guided adventure, so it’s completely up to you.

Q. When is the best time to visit?

A. To avoid crowds, steer clear of peak hours, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Visiting outside these hours will give you the best chance for a peaceful environment.

Q. Is the facility wheelchair accessible?

A. The building offers ramp access to all floors. The Butterfly Aviary allows wheelchairs (scooters only if medically necessary). Unfortunately due to safety concerns, the Mirror Maze and Banyan Tree slide are not accessible for wheelchairs or scooters. No elevators are on-site.

Q. What are the hours?

A. Open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Last entry is at 4:30 pm. Allow 1–1.5 hours before closing to avoid having to rush your adventure. Closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day (or in cases of ice/snow).

Q. How much are tickets?

• Adult (15+): $29.95 + tax

• Child (4–14): $19.95 + tax

• Senior (55+): $26.95 + tax
  Children 3 and under are free.
  *Discounts for seniors, military, AAA, and any coupons can be applied only at the front desk, not online.

Q. How long is my ticket valid?

A. Your wristband is valid for 3 consecutive days, as long as it's kept on your wrist. No exceptions.

Q. Are there local discounts?

A. Yes, Stone and Taney County residents receive a local discount at the front desk (not online), with proper ID (valid driver’s license of relevant county). Always subject to availability. Local resident discounts include the local and their dependents or one guest.

Q. Where can I park?

A. There's onsite parking, including a new shaded lot portion with EV charging stations ($0.35/kWh for up to 4 hours; $5/hour after).

Q. Any season pass options?

A. Yes! Upgrade to a season pass for just $14 at the end of your visit. These are valid for 15 months from purchase.

Q. How do I book a group or field trip?

A. For group visits (20+), call us at 417-332-2231 *select Groups from the automated directory. We will help you with your custom booking from there.

Q. How am I supporting conservation?

A. By visiting, you're supporting sustainable butterfly farming and thus rainforest conservation. By offering an eco-friendly alternative to industries that contribute to deforestation, and still providing a way for families in the rainforest to earn a living, butterfly farms work to protect and even grow rainforests around the world.