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General Admission Tickets

• Adults (20+): $35 in person, $32 online
• Children (4-12), Seniors (65+), Military/Veterans: $25 in person, $22 online
• Children under 3: Free

Included Tour
Your tickets include an hour-long riding tour conducted on our open-air tram. This tour leaves every hour from our Discovery Area and is led by one of our education or animal care team members. It is a fantastic experience where you will learn about the amazing animals that call the Refuge home. You will also have the opportunity to wander around our self-guided Discovery Area when not on the guided tour.

Our tram can be accessed by manual wheelchairs but not motorized wheelchairs or scooters. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Rate: $250 per person

Time: 9:30 am, approximately 2-3 hour tour duration

Rate: $500 per person (groups up to 5 people)

Time: 9 am, daily approximately 2-3 hour tour duration

Capacity: 5 people maximum. Tours not exclusive to one party.

We need at least 75 hours in advance notice for Coffee with the Curator tours.

You will meet with Curator Emily McCormack or Assistant Curator Laurie Vanderwal (based on availability) for coffee and a light breakfast. Your guide will lead a presentation about big cats in captivity, the exotic pet trade, and the history of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge before heading out for a behind-the-scenes tour. You will travel in the comfort of an SUV and will tour all of our habitat areas, as well as visit locations that are not normally accessible to guests, including Rescue Ridge, our state-of-the-art veterinary hospital, and our commissary, where we prepare all of the animals’ meals.

Rate: $100

Time: Daily from 9 am – 4 pm

We do request that you schedule your tour at least 3 days in advance so that our team has time to set up the tour.

See your favorite big cats from the comfort of your own home! Take a virtual tour with one of our animal care team members, ask questions, see your favorite animals, and help support the big cats and bears that you love!

Rate: Prescheduled groups consisting of more than 15 people get a discounted admission price. Please contact our Marketing department (link below) to get Group Discount rates and schedule your tour today

Size: 15-150. Groups larger than 65 may have to be divided into multiple days/tours.

We ask that group tours be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance so that we can make sure to have enough tour guides/seats available.

Schedule your club or workgroup for a guided tour of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and see the many animals that reside in our large, natural habitats. You will be able to watch a variety of rescued animals in their habitats while learning unique animal facts and hearing each animal’s individual story. Your tour will be led by one of our knowledgeable biology/zoology or education specialists.

Rate: Prescheduled educational groups consisting of more than 6 people get a discounted admission price. Please contact Shayleen to get Group Discount rates and schedule your tour today.

Size: 6-150. Groups larger than 150 may have to be divided into multiple days.

Field trips should be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance. We require all groups to provide 1 adult chaperone per 20 children.

Take your students on an educational adventure by spending a day at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. It is an excellent way to help your students learn all about big cats and enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding Ozark Mountains. Support big cats in need and help inspire the next generation. Take advantage of our new educational programming to make the most out of your field trip! All of our tours are guided by our knowledgeable interns with a degree in biology or zoology. Your students will be able to observe our animals play, nap, and run while hearing science-based animal facts. We also share each animal’s rescue story.