Butterfly House & Aquarium (BHA)

About BHA

Butterfly House & Aquarium is the only public saltwater aquarium in the Dakotas and one of only a few butterfly houses nationwide that are open year-round.

Through educational experiences with the smallest and most delicate animals like butterflies, corals, and jellyfish, we fulfill our mission of creating connection and inspiring conservation of wild species and spaces.

In September 2022, the board of directors for the Butterfly House & Aquarium and Great Plains Zoo voted unanimously to merge our two organizations.

As of January 1, 2023, the merger is in effect as we operate on our two campuses. Over the next several years, major renovations at the Zoo's current location will give us one consolidated campus, creating a remarkable destination for our community featuring animals from land, sea, and sky.

*Butterfly House & Aquarium is not accredited by the Association of Zoo's & Aquariums (AZA).

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BHA Admission & Hours

We are excited you're looking to visit Butterfly House & Aquarium. Every visit helps us work towards our mission of creating connections and inspiring conservation of wild species and spaces!

Hours of Operation: Open year-round from 10 am - 4 pm (final admission at 3:30 pm)

BHA Admission Pricing

Infant (Under age 2): Free
Youth (Ages 2-17): $10.75 + Tax
Adult (Ages 18-59): $14.75 + Tax
Senior (Ages 60+): $12.75 + Tax

Things to Know Before You Go...

Butterfly House & Aquarium is a USDA APHIS regulated facility. To meet the conditions of our permit, restricted items include:

Please use our outdoor stroller parking due to limited space in our building.
- For special accommodations, please see our admissions desk upon arrival.
Food, snacks, gum, and drinks can harm the animals and are not allowed in the Aquarium Gallery or Butterfly Conservatory.
Ages 17 & under must be accompanied by an adult for entry into the facility.
Working trained service animals are permitted within the facility. Pets, exotic species, therapy animals, and emotional-support animals are not permitted.