South Dakota may be a land-locked state, but that doesn’t mean you can’t see marine life up close while you’re there. At South Dakota’s best aquariums, you’ll find saltwater and freshwater species from all over the world—and those native to the region.

Wondering what these aquariums have to offer?

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#1: Bramble Park Zoo

Address: 800 10th Street NW,

Watertown

, SD 57201-8806

Admission cost: Adults (13+)—$12, Children (3-12)—$10

What makes it special:

Bramble Park Zoo

, located in northwest South Dakota, has been in operation for more than 100 years! What started as a collection of pheasants and various waterfowl in 1912 has since grown to more than 600 animals making up 130 species on 15 acres of land.

When it comes to aquatic life, that includes an assortment of both freshwater and saltwater fish. Here are just some of the animals you’ll find at Bramble Park Zoo who spend much—if not all of—their lives on the water:

Walleye

Bluegill

Red-bellied piranhas

African cichlids

Alligator snapping turtle

Eastern three-toed box turtles

Trumpeter swans

Red-crowned cranes

Sandhill cranes

North American ruddy ducks

North American black-bellied whistling ducks

The Zoo is home to plenty more animals in addition to these. You could also see alligators, gray wolves, ball pythons, bison, salamanders, tigers, leopards, and much, much more.

Conservation efforts at Bramble Park Zoo

The Bramble Park Zoo is one of 230 organizations accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which maintains high standards for animal welfare for its members.

They also facilitate several

educational programs

for various age levels to learn more about the importance of the animals that call the Bramble Park Zoo home.

The Bramble Park Zoo also has a

Roots & Shoots

office—a program of the Jane Goodall Institute supporting and promoting community projects for young people that benefit the environment and humanitarian efforts.

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#2: Butterfly House and Aquarium

Address: 4320 South Oxbow Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57106

Admission cost: Adults (18-59)—$14, Youth (3-17)—$10, Senior (60)—$12

What makes it special:

To riff off the title of their fall gala, if you’re looking for a place to catch wings and waves, head to the

Butterfly House and Aquarium

Sioux Falls

! The nonprofit says it’s the only place you’ll find a public saltwater aquarium in North or South Dakota.

It’s also one of only a few public butterfly houses that stays open year-round, which was the main attraction it opened in 2002. In 2010, aquariums were added after a renovation of their old gift shop space, which became so popular—nearly doubling attendance rates—that they decided to continue expanding it.

Today,

the aquarium

consists of more than 10,000 gallons and houses hundreds of different species. Here’s some of what you’ll find in the aquarium exhibit at Butterfly House and Aquarium:

Stingrays

Interactive Pacific tide pool

Seahorses

Corals

Tangs

Anemones

You’ll also find another popular animal, the moon jellyfish, in the

Discovery Den

Once you’re done exploring the aquarium, you can check out more than 800 butterflies fluttering about in the

Butterfly House

—and you can feed them for $3.

Pro Tip Because of USDA requirements, strollers aren’t allowed inside the Butterfly House and Aquarium. Service animals also aren’t allowed inside the Butterfly Conservatory due to the lack of barriers.

Conservation efforts at Butterfly House and Aquarium

The Butterfly House and Aquarium also provides several educational opportunities on-site—like field trips catering to various grade levels and interactive activities found in the Discovery Den—and

online

The Butterfly House and Aquarium says it partners with other aquariums to grow and share their coral to help keep propagation sustainable.

They also help with conservation efforts for area pollinators, including the endangered monarch butterfly and the threatened Dakota skipper.

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#3: Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery

Address: 31227 436th Ave, Yankton, SD 57078

Admission cost: Free!

What makes it special:

Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery’s

13,000-gallon facility has more than 40 species of fish, amphibians, and reptiles, most of them local to the region. You’ll also find area fossils on display, too.

If you visit between May and early September, check out the rainbow trout raceway outside—whom you can feed with food from the coin-operated machine in the gift shop.

After your visit, you also have the option of exploring the area's hiking trails.

Conservation efforts at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery

One crucial part of conservation is education. At the hatchery, scheduled tours are available for groups of all ages, whether that’s preschool or college students.

One of the functions of Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery is rearing crucial and endangered species of fish that are then released.

Another is that it works with its partners to support research, which includes supplying them with eggs and fish and contributing research of their own. One of the species they’ve worked with is the mysterious, endangered pallid sturgeon, a fish that the scientific community says there’s still much to learn about.

What is the best aquarium in South Dakota?

South Dakota’s best aquariums offer their own distinct experiences. Depending on what you’re looking for, here’s where you should go:

If you’re hoping to see a variety of species from different habitats, visit Bramble Park Zoo.

If you love insects just as much as you love marine life, take a gander at the Butterfly House and Aquarium.

If you’re interested in regional species, fish rearing, scientific research, or all of the above, visit Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery.

Better yet, make time to visit all three!

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