With almost 300 acres to explore and nearly 10 miles of pathways and trails, there's a lot to see when visiting Turtle Bay! Here are a few helpful tips when planning your visit!
Complimentary Parking
Turtle Bay Exploration Park is not responsible for fire, theft, damage, or loss of vehicle, including articles left within. RVs & Trailer vehicles are encouraged to utilize the large, overflow, dirt parking lot located next to the Sundial Bridge Lot. Additional overflow parking is available at the Rodeo Grounds.
Accessibility
Complimentary wheelchair and stroller rentals are available during park hours on a first-come, first-served basis.
Restrooms
Restrooms are available throughout the Park in the Museum, Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp, and Botanical Gardens. All restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Family/Private Restroom access is available by request.
First Aid
Guest Services Park Staff members are able to assist with general First Aid supplies and are able to call for Emergency Medical Services if needed.
Pets
For safety reasons, pets are not allowed in the paid admission areas of Turtle Bay Exploration Park, including the Museum and Exhibition Halls. Pets must be leashed on the Sacramento River Trails, Sundial Bridge, and in the Botanical Gardens. Waste bags are available at the Sundial Bridge and parking lot. On-site kennel services are not provided. Certified Service Dogs that meet ADA and AZA guidelines are welcome; please inform the Admissions desk upon check-in. Do not leave pets unattended outdoors or in vehicles, and pet owners must clean up after their pets, following all City of Redding Civil Codes.
Lockers
Lockers are available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis near the Museum entrance and are just $.50 per use.
Lost and Found
Contact the Admissions Desk located at the Museum entrance to report lost children and lost and found items. You may contact the Admissions Desk directly by calling 530-242-3111. Lost & Found items are held for up to 30 days. Turtle Bay is not responsible for lost, missing or stolen personal property.
Weather
As the Second Sunniest City in America, Redding often sees summer temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. To stay cool, we recommend exploring outdoor areas like Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp in the morning. Spend the hottest part of the day enjoying the air-conditioned museum and exhibits. Turtle Bay remains open during inclement weather, but some outdoor shows may be affected. Please note that refunds and rain checks are not issued due to weather conditions.
Smoking
Turtle Bay Exploration Park is a smoke-free environment, as are the Sundial Bridge and surrounding Sacramento River Trails. This includes cigars, pipes, vapes & e-cigarettes.
Food and Beverage
Food and drinks are not allowed in the Museum, Exhibition Halls, Parrot Playhouse, or the Forest Camp Amphitheater. Hard and soft coolers and picnic lunches can be brought into the Park for outdoor enjoyment, but please avoid glass containers and alcoholic beverages. Picnic areas are available in the Botanical Gardens and Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp. If you leave the Park for food, keep your wristband to return later. Branch House Riverfront Bistro at the entrance offers beverages, sandwiches, salads, pastries, and snacks. Mosaic, a full-service restaurant at the nearby Sheraton Hotel, is also available. Drinking fountains can be found throughout the Park, and bottled water is for sale at the Branch House and vending machines in the Forest Camp and Botanical Gardens.
Stay on Trails
For your safety and to protect the habitat and natural environment.
Wild Animals
Rattlesnakes, deer, birds of prey, and various other wild animals may be found in the gardens and the surrounding trails. Never approach or feed any wildlife.
Unaccompanied Minors
Turtle Bay Exploration Park requires that visitors age 15 and younger be accompanied by an adult at all times. Minors found unaccompanied will be supervised at the Museum Front Desk until the chaperones have been located.
Guest Conduct
For the safety and enjoyment of our guests, we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. All Turtle Bay Exploration Park staff members carry radios and/or cell phones. If you encounter any problems or an emergency, please contact any Staff member located throughout the Park. To ensure a WONDER-FULL and enjoyable visit, we ask that you observe and follow all Park rules:
Please do not feed, touch, harass, or annoy the animals.
Please do not reach, climb, crawl under, or lift over barriers separating you from animals, exhibition pieces, or artifacts.
No smoking anywhere within the Park, river trails, gardens, or the bridge.
Visitors are asked to stay on the marked paths and walkways.
Plants are for all to enjoy and are not to be picked or trampled.
All children must be supervised at all times by a parent, guardian, or chaperone.
Zero Tolerance Policy - Assuring the Health & Welfare of Animals & Artifacts
Turtle Bay Exploration Park is an engaging environment for all ages, featuring over 50 living animal species and 35,000 historical artifacts that encourage hands-on learning. Exhibits have barriers to clearly separate guests from animals and artifacts. The park enforces a zero-tolerance policy for anyone who breaches these barriers. Violators will be asked to leave immediately, and if they refuse or become confrontational, staff will call security and 911 for assistance.
Zero tolerance guest behaviors include, but are not restricted to:
Animal & Artifact Health and Welfare
Reaching, climbing, jumping, or lifting over a fence, rope, or other barrier without staff permission & supervision
Touching of animals or artifacts without staff permission & supervision
Throwing of foreign objects at or around artifacts or animals
Feeding animals without staff-directed permission
Inappropriate Behavior
Threatening or implying damage or injury to an animal or an artifact
Disruptive and sustained foul language
Physical abuse towards other guests or staff
Appearance of impairment or influence of drugs or alcohol
Inability to follow Park rules and guidelines or directions given by Turtle Bay Staff