Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary Welcomes Visitors of all Ages
A field in Michigan is the last place you would expect to find an animal sanctuary, but that’s exactly what you’ll find when you visit Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary in Athens MI.
This rescue facility is open to the public and home to hundreds of reptiles, from snakes to tortoises to, you guessed it, alligators.
This alligator sanctuary in Michigan is a must do for summer activities with kids because there is something fun for all ages, from toddlers to big kids.
Pack a bag, hop in the car with your family and prepare yourself for an hour or two of some interactive, scaly fun.
In this article
Where is Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary?
Critchlow is 15 miles south of Battle Creek on M-66. When you arrive, look for a light yellow building and green fencing.
Meet the Alligators
You’ll see an Enter sign by the “elementary school” to help you know where you start. The alligators live in “schools” based on their size. This adds a fun spin to your visit, and your kids can relate.
Their enclosures are double-fenced, and there are some benches for little ones to stand on so they can see and toss in the gator food.
Tip: Read the signs if you’re feeding the alligators. Some have special diets or need certain sizes of food.
You’ll see alligators slither in and out of their pond and hear them hissing and grunting, especially if you have a cup of food.
Along the back are the biggest gators of all time, including Godzilla and Medusa, the show’s stars. These alligators are on a special diet, so you can’t feed them, but there are windows at the perfect height for kids.
The alligators here have interesting stories about their previous homes, so take the time to read their signs.
You CAN Teach an Old Gator New Tricks
Save time to see the show where a giant 11-foot alligator named Godzilla emerges from his pond and shows off his powerful jaws. Medusa, a nine-foot alligator, is just as entertaining during the show.
The staff will walk around and tell you when the show starts.
The show runs for about 20 minutes two to three times a day at Godzilla and Medusa’s enclosure, so you should always be able to catch one.
There isn’t much seating or shade, but your kids can sit by the windows and enjoy a good view.
A deck above the enclosure has a few benches and a great view, but it fills up fast.
Godzilla and Medusa will do tricks, grunt, and snap while the staff member educates and jokes around. The surprising part is that the alligators seem to know what to do.
Your kids might get a chance to answer a question during the show.
Do you notice how passionate the staff is about the alligators? It’s a great reminder that this fun place is a rescue facility dedicated to its reptiles.
Elevate Your Visit with Animal Encounters
Going to the Alligator Sanctuary is like choosing your adventure. If you’re going for the full adventure, adding an Animal Encounter will make your visit even more unique.
There are two options for the Animal Encounter: Tortoise Encounter and Alligator Encounter.
The Tortoise Encounter is appropriate for all ages, and you can take as much time as you’d like.
At the same time, the Alligator Encounter is geared towards a bit of an older crowd, as visitors can hold a small or large alligator for a few minutes.
Scrub A Tortoise
The Tortoise Encounter boasts 15 tortoises meandering around its enclosure, and we spent the most time there during our visit. They’re cute and big, but they’re friendly.
You can feed them for an extra fee, but they are just as happy being scrubbed by the brushes. A parent can go in, too. How many people can say they’ve washed a tortoise?
The Tortoise Encounter is $10/single person or $20 per family.
Hold an Alligator
Brave kids can encounter a small or large alligator at the Reptile Encounter Station. The staff preps the kids before they bring the alligator out and helps them throughout the experience.
It’s safe! The alligator’s mouth is taped shut.
Have your camera ready because it’s a quick experience.
The Small Gator Encounter is $10 per person or $20 per family, and the large gator encounter is $20 per person or $40 per family.
Alligators After Hours
If you can’t get enough of the alligators during their regular hours, you can attend two recurring events: Twilight Tours and Spring Release.
Twilight Tours
Twilight Tours are available monthly throughout the summer for anyone at least ten years old. During a special guided tour, you will experience the facility in the dark, see their glowing red eyes, and have some laughs.
The tour starts at 9:30 PM and lasts until 11:30 PM, but don’t be late because they lock the door once it starts. Tickets are $20, and reservations are required by calling ahead or purchasing them on their website.
2025 Twilight Tour Dates
Saturday, June 28 – 9:30 PM
Saturday, July 26 – 9:30 PM
Saturday, August 23 – 9:30 PM
Spring Release
Before the Sanctuary opens for the season, you can help the staff as they carry the alligators from their winter enclosures into their summer habitat.
Watch their Facebook page for details, but this special event is happening on Saturday, April 26, 2025. You don’t need a reservation to help, but you must pay admission for this wild encounter.
Your kids can get in on the action and carry an alligator because all ages are welcome. Your fingers will be safe because their mouths are taped, but your child will earn some bragging rights for their help, along with an unforgettable experience.
Tickets & Admission
Critchlow is open seasonally from 11 AM – 4 PM, May through October
Opening Day: Sunday April 27, 2025
| General Admission (Ages 3+) | $13.95 |
| Seniors, Healthcare, Military, Law Enforcement & Education | $12.95 |
| Kids 2 & Under | FREE |
| Twilight Tours (Ages 10+ Only) | $20.00 |
| Season Pass | $49.99 |
We purchased our wristbands after deciding on our add-ons. You can get a day pass or a season pass, both of which allow you to see the alligator exhibits and shows.
Food and animal encounters are an additional fee.
Tip: Follow Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary on Facebook to stay up to date with their current events and watch videos of the alligators.
Tours
There are free guided tours you can follow, but you don’t have to. You’ll learn a lot if you have the time, but skip it if your kids are antsy to move.
Tip: If you didn’t buy gator food at the ticket window, you can buy it at the Reptile Encounter Station next to the tortoise exhibit. This is also where you can buy food for the tortoise experience.
Student Field Trips
The Alligator Sanctuary is now booking field trips! Bring your group of 15 or more children for an unforgettable guided sanctuary tour.
Your students will love the unique and educational experience as they get up close to the animals –but not too close– and learn about the facility.
Choose from the Basic Tour for a guided experience or the All Access Tour, where each student gets a bucket of alligator food and two animal encounters during the field trip.
FAQs
What should I bring to Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary?
1 – Sun and bug protection: There is very little shade, so wear sunscreen and spray yourself down with bug spray.
2 – Snacks: Bags are allowed, so pack your water and snacks. However, if you need to refuel, they have frozen treats and crunchy snacks at their snack station.
There are picnic tables with umbrellas throughout the grounds if you need to take a break in some shade.
3 – Strollers: You can bring a stroller, but since you’ll be walking on grass, make sure your wheels are well-suited for off-roading.
4 – Extra clothes: It’s not uncommon to get dirty. Consider bringing a clean outfit for the ride home.
When is the best time to visit?
Weekends attract the most visitors. Try the weekdays if seeking smaller crowds at Critchlow.
How long will we stay at Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary?
You can expect to stay anywhere from one to two hours.
Are the alligators scary?
The alligators on exhibit are fully enclosed behind fences and mostly lounge in the water at a comfortable distance away.
However, if you have a less gator-confident visitor, we don’t recommend feeding them or purchasing an alligator animal encounter on your first trip.
What ages will enjoy Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary?
This is an appropriate experience for all ages. Something is interesting there for everyone, especially if you add on an animal encounter or feed the alligators.
Where are the bathrooms?
There are two portable toilets on the grounds and one bathroom inside the gift shop. The inside bathroom has a changing table and a very loud hand dryer.
Is there a gift shop?
Yes. Your visit will end at the Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary Gift Shop, which sells stuffed animals, toys, clothes, jewelry, books and souvenirs.
Are there restaurants nearby Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary?
Station 66 is a popular ice cream shop serving hot dogs, burgers and sandwiches. It is less than 10 miles north, so you could stop there on your way home. It’s kid-friendly and delicious!
Is there anything else I can do in the area?
Binder Park Zoo is just 20 minutes away. Since there’s plenty of time to visit both places, you could devote a whole day to animals.
How can I help the Sanctuary?
Aside from visiting, you can help in two ways:
(1) Donate money on their website
(2) “Adopt” one of their reptiles. You don’t get to keep an alligator, but your donation will help keep the reptile fed and cared for.
Have You Visited Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary?
Leave us a comment with your (scaly) experiences!
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