By Jupiter Tide Staff
JUPITER — Tucked into the woods off Rocky Pines Road, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary is part wildlife hospital and part nature walk. It's one of the easiest outings in Jupiter for families with young kids.
The nonprofit cares for injured, sick and orphaned Florida wildlife. Animals that can't return to the wild live along a shaded loop of paved trails, where kids can see native animals up close.
Here's how to plan a visit.
The basics
Where: 17855 Rocky Pines Road, Jupiter
Hours: Open every day, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., rain or shine. Last admission is 4:15 p.m.
Closed: New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, plus Jan. 23, 2027, for the Wine in the Wild fundraiser
Cost: Admission is by donation. You can give by card at the Welcome Center or in the cash boxes.
Reservations: Not needed for families. Groups of 10 or more must book ahead.
How long: The sanctuary covers just under 20 acres. Plan on about an hour.
Phone: 561-575-3399
When to go: the weekly animal talks
Busch staff hold a free educational program at 12:30 p.m. most days, with a different featured animal group each day, according to the sanctuary's schedule:
Monday: Wonderful Waterbirds at 12:30 p.m. Also on Mondays: Swamp Servings, a public alligator feeding at 4 p.m.
Tuesday: Sly Foxes
Wednesday: Otter Adventures. Families with little ones can also come for Tiny Tales Storytime at 10 a.m. in the Educational Discovery Center.
Thursday: Hunters of the Skies (birds of prey)
Friday: Reptiles Rule!, in the air-conditioned Reptile Complex (a good pick on a hot day)
Sunday: Flatwood Friends
Busch also offers a Conservation Conversation at 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Schedules can change, so check the programs page before you go.
Tips for families
Strollers and wheelchairs: The paths are paved and ADA-compliant. Many enclosure railings have lower cutouts so small kids and wheelchair users can see in. There are four accessible parking spaces.
Sensory-friendly: Free noise-canceling headphones are available.
What to bring: Walking shoes, sunscreen and a reusable water bottle. The Welcome Center shop sells a small selection of snacks and drinks.
Leave the dog home: Only service animals are allowed.
Found hurt wildlife? The hospital takes in injured animals daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call first at 561-575-3399.
For kids who want more
Busch runs Junior Naturalist programs for kids ages 5 to 8 (Mini Naturalists) and 9 to 14 (Junior Naturalists), with sessions on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Some sessions are full and have a waitlist, so check the naturalist programs page.
Make a day of it: Pair Busch with a visit to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum or Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach.
Sources
Find more weekend ideas in The Tide Pool. Jupiter Tide is a free local news site for Jupiter, Juno Beach and Tequesta. Follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram @JupiterTideNews, and sign up for our free weekly newsletter.