Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo
Sevierville, TN
- Admission
- $21.99
- Accreditation
- None listed
not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Everything below is directory information drawn from public sources and the zoo's own site.
Animals at Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo
We haven't confirmed this zoo's animal list yet.
Feathers & Fangs from visitors
What people who've been to Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo say
A Feather is something this zoo does well; a Fang is something it gets wrong. Left by people who've been, and read by us before they appear.
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About Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo
Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo is at 109 Nascar Drive in Sevierville, Tennessee. The zoo's website describes more than 130 species of tropical animals on more than two acres in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, and hundreds of tropical and temperate animals from around the world. The zoo is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Its official site is rfadventures.com.
Exhibits and habitats
The website describes the zoo as handicap accessible, flat, and air-conditioned, all on one level for wheelchairs and walkers. Animals named on the zoo's website include otters, sloths, and lemurs.
Conservation and programs
The zoo offers Close Encounters, behind-the-scenes experiences with otters and sloths that include hand-feeding and photo opportunities, according to the website. The site also promotes Jungle Jim's show, and lists TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice awards for 2022, 2023, and 2024.
The zoo's conservation page says a portion of every admission and encounter ticket goes toward global conservation. Organizations it lists are The Sloth Institute Costa Rica, a nonprofit in Manuel Antonio that works on wild sloth conservation and welfare; the Rainforest Trust, which protects tropical and subtropical forests by creating legally protected reserves; the WWF Nepal Freshwater Program, which works to protect and restore rivers and wetlands; and the Lemur Conservation Network.
For schools, the zoo offers field trips for groups of 20 or more students, including public and private schools, homeschool groups, preschools, daycares, and youth organizations. A trip includes a 30 to 45 minute presentation geared to the students' grade level, in which educators introduce ambassador animals, followed by a self-guided tour. The website gives an average stay of 2 to 2.5 hours for grades K through 8.
Planning your visit
As listed on the zoo's website, the zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 363 days a year, closing on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The website lists military and local discounts, with ID required. Ticket details are on the zoo's website. The phone number listed is 865-428-4091, and the email address is info@rfadventures.com.
What we haven't confirmed
Everything above came from public sources. These specifics we haven't stood behind yet:
- Parking
- History and opening year
- Full species list
- Show times
Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo compared with nearby zoos
How Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo lines up against other zoos in the same state. We don't have coordinates for it yet, so these aren't ranked by distance.
| Zoo | Admission | Hours | Size | AZA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainforest Adventures Discovery ZooThis zooSevierville, TN | $21.99 | Open daily 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, 363 days a year; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. | — | No |
| Brights ZooLimestone, TN | $24.02 | Fall (Sept–Dec): Mon–Wed & Fri–Sat 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sun 12:00 – 5:00 PM; closed Thursday. Last entry 3:30 PM. Dec 2 – Mar 1 (winter closure); may close for inclement weather. | — | No |
| Chattanooga Zoo at Warner ParkChattanooga, TN | $26.95 | 9am – 5pm | 13 acres | Yes |
| Memphis ZooMemphis, TN | $20.95–$30.95 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last admission 4:00 PM). On public Lantern Festival nights the zoo closes at 4:00 PM (last entry 3:00 PM). | 76 acres | Yes |
Distances are straight-line. A dash means we haven't confirmed that detail yet, not that the zoo lacks it.
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo: common questions
Is Rainforest Adventures AZA accredited?
No. The zoo is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Where is it?
At 109 Nascar Drive, Sevierville, Tennessee.
Is it accessible?
The website describes flat, single-level, air-conditioned pathways suitable for wheelchairs and walkers.
What experiences are offered?
The website lists otter and sloth Close Encounters, Jungle Jim's show, and school field trips.
Is it open every day?
The website lists daily hours and closures only on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Something wrong here? Tell us — we correct in place, with a dated note.