Park Information

Turtle Bay Exploration Park is a fun, 300-acre cultural center located along the Sacramento River in Redding, CA featuring a Museum, indoor & outdoor animal exhibits, playgrounds, gardens, and the world-famous Sundial Bridge.

ADDITIONAL PARK INFORMATION

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 at the Rodeo Grounds.

Accessibility
Complimentary wheelchair and stroller rental available during park hours on a first-come, first-served basis.

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, please inquire at the Admissions Desk.

First Aid
Guest Services Park Staff members are able to provide assistance with general First Aid supplies and are able to call for Emergency Medical Services if needed. 

Service Dogs
Certified Service Dogs that comply with ADA & AZA guidelines are always welcome. Please notify the Admissions desk upon check-in.

Pets
For the safety of your animals as well as ours, pets ARE NOT allowed inside Turtle Bay Exploration Park. This includes Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp, Exhibition Halls, and the Museum Store. Pets ARE allowed on the surrounding Sacramento River Trails, Sundial Bridge and the Botanical Gardens and must be leashed at all times. Pet waste bags are available at the Sundial Bridge and parking lot. Kennel services are not available on site. For a list of available kennel services in Redding, please click here.

Please do not leave pets unattended either outdoors or in your vehicle at any time.
Pet owners must pick up after their pets and follow all related City of Redding Civil Codes.

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, temperatures in Redding can peak at any time. During summer months temperatures are known to reach over 100 degrees (Fahrenheit). During the high temperature season, guests are encouraged to explore the outdoor areas of the Park--like Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp--in the morning and early afternoon before our temperatures peak, then spend the rest of the day enjoying the air-conditioned museum and exhibitions. 

Turtle Bay may remain open during inclement weather conditions (hot or cold), though some of the Park's outdoor shows & exhibits may be temporarily affected. Refunds and rain checks will not be issued due to inclement weather. 

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 in the Forest Camp Amphitheater. Hard and soft coolers and picnic lunches are allowed and may be taken into the Park to enjoy the outdoors.

Please, no glass containers or alcoholic beverages. For your convenience, picnic areas are available in the Botanical Gardens and Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp. If leaving the Park to enjoy your food, please retain your wristband as it will allow you to return to the Park for the remainder of the day. 

The Branch House Riverfront Bistro, located at the Park entrance and Sundial Bridge, provides a selection of beverages, grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, pastries, and snacks for your convenience.

Mosaic, a full-service restaurant located at the Sheraton Sundial next door is also available for all park guests to enjoy!

Drinking fountains are conveniently located throughout the Park. Bottled water is available for purchase at Branch House and at 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 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 designed to be an all-ages-friendly, engaging environment and purposely provides many exhibits and experiences that encourage hands-on learning.

Turtle Bay is home to over 50 living animal species and 35,000 historical artifacts and is specifically designed to offer guests many opportunities involving up-close viewing and learning. All exhibits have barriers providing clear demarcation of mandated guest and artifact/animal separation. 

Turtle Bay Exploration Park has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy regarding guests who intentionally breach any clearly established animal/artifact exhibit barrier. Any guest caught breaching a barrier will be asked to leave the property immediately. Any full-time employee has the authority to ask the individual to leave. If the guest refuses or becomes confrontational in any way, staff is instructed to back off, call Security, 911 and wait for police 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