The Edisto Island Serpentarium is a reptile park on Highway 174 where you can see snakes, alligators, turtles and lizards up close, most of them species native to the Southeast. It’s one of the island’s best-known attractions and an easy half-day outing for families, especially on a hot or cloudy day when the beach isn’t calling.
The Edisto Serpentarium is seasonal, and its days and hours change through the year, so check the schedule below before you drive over.
At a Glance
- Location: 1374 Highway 174, Edisto Island, SC 29438
- Phone: (843) 869-1171
- Season: March through mid-December (2026), on select days each week
- Cost: $21.95 adults, $17.95 seniors, $16.95 children 4–12 from April through October 2026; 3 and under free
- Good for: Families, kids of most ages, anyone curious about Lowcountry wildlife
- Time needed: 1.5–3 hours; admission is good all day
- Tips: Buy tickets online, check show times, and come early in summer to beat the heat
Edisto Serpentarium Hours and Season (2026)
The Serpentarium publishes its schedule on its Dates and Hours page, and notes that hours are subject to change because of staffing or weather. The 2026 schedule:
| Dates (2026) | Open days | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 5–28 | Thu, Fri, Sat | 10 a.m.–3 p.m. | Indoors only |
| April 2 – May 23 | Thu, Fri, Sat | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Indoors and outdoors |
| May 26 – August 29 | Tue–Sat | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Indoors and outdoors |
| September 3 – October 31 | Thu, Fri, Sat | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | – |
| November 5–28 | Thu, Fri, Sat | 10 a.m.–3 p.m. | Indoors and outdoors (winterized); no shows |
| December 3–19 | Thu, Fri, Sat | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Indoors only |
The park is closed from late December until early March. Even in season, it’s only open three days a week outside summer, so plan your visit for a Thursday, Friday or Saturday unless you’re here between late May and late August.
Tickets and Prices
Tickets are sold online through the Serpentarium’s website, and admission is good for the whole day, so you can leave for lunch and come back. Prices posted for 2026:
| Ticket | March 2026 | April–October 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | $15.00 | $21.95 |
| Seniors (65+) | $12.00 | $17.95 |
| Children (4–12) | $10.00 | $16.95 |
| Age 3 and under | Free | Free |
Prices for November and December 2026 weren’t posted when we checked; confirm on the pricing page before you go. The Serpentarium offers daily discounts for first responders, for groups of 18 or more paying together, and for visitors with an Edisto Beach State Park parking pass, so hang on to your park hangtag.
What You’ll See
The Serpentarium is split between an indoor building and landscaped outdoor gardens. The collection is mostly reptiles native to the southeastern United States, which makes it a good place to learn what you might, or might not, want to meet on a trail.
Outdoor Gardens
The outdoor gardens are the signature experience. Snakes live in open-air enclosures with low walls instead of glass, so you look down into habitats with water, logs, stumps and trees, and see the animals much as you would in the wild. Venomous and non-venomous species are kept in separate habitats.
Indoor Exhibits
The indoor facility holds more snakes and other reptiles and is the part that stays open in the cooler months. In early spring and December, the Serpentarium is indoors only.
Alligators, Turtles and Lizards
Beyond snakes, you’ll see alligators, turtles and lizards. For kids who’ve spotted a gator from a creek dock or a tortoise on a trail, it’s a chance to see these animals up close and safely.
Shows and Lectures
Lectures and shows are part of the visit during most of the season. There are no shows in November, so if the shows are what you’re coming for, visit between April and October. Ask for the day’s schedule when you arrive.
History of the Edisto Island Serpentarium
The Serpentarium opened in July 1999. It grew out of more than 50 years of snake hunting by brothers Ted and Heyward Clamp of Edisto Island. That background shows in the outdoor gardens, which display animals in natural-looking settings behind low walls instead of glass tanks.
Today the Serpentarium also runs field trips, outreach programs and memberships. Read more on its history page.
Tips for Visiting
- Check the calendar first. Outside summer, the Serpentarium is open only Thursday through Saturday.
- Go early in summer. Much of the visit is outdoors, and Edisto summers are hot and humid. Bring water and a hat.
- Time your visit for a show. Ask about show times when you buy tickets or arrive.
- Use your park pass. If you’ve paid admission at Edisto Beach State Park, bring the hangtag for a discount.
- Plan for rain. The indoor building makes the Serpentarium a decent rainy-day choice, though the outdoor gardens are much of the experience. See our rainy day things to do list for more ideas.
- Make it a learning day. Pair it with the live animals at the state park’s Environmental Learning Center, covered on our Edisto Beach State Park page.
Edisto Serpentarium FAQ
When is the Edisto Serpentarium open?
In 2026 it opened March 5 and closes for the year after December 19. It’s open Thursday to Saturday most of the season and Tuesday to Saturday from late May through late August. Hours vary from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. in December to 10 a.m.–5 p.m. in summer.
How much are tickets to the Edisto Serpentarium?
From April through October 2026, tickets are $21.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors 65 and older, $16.95 for children 4–12, and free for children 3 and under. Prices change by season, so check the website.
How long does a visit take?
Plan on one and a half to three hours. Your ticket is good all day.
Is the Serpentarium good for young kids?
Yes. Children 3 and under get in free, and the low-walled gardens put animals at a good viewing height. Keep small children close and follow staff instructions.
Can I see the snakes in winter?
The Serpentarium closes from late December to early March. In early March and December it’s open indoors only, so you’ll see fewer animals than in summer.
Plan Your Trip
The Serpentarium is on Highway 174 on the way to the beach, so it’s an easy stop on arrival day or on a drive to Botany Bay. Round out the day at the Edisto Island Museum, grab lunch from the Edisto restaurants guide, and find more family ideas in things to do on Edisto with kids and Edisto Island attractions.