At one time, Biosphere 2 Center (B2C) limited the number of people that could be inside, making it truly a premium tour but not available to the masses. Following changes to the facility, a guided Under The Glass tour was added allowing everyone to be eligible to experience the complex.

Guided Tours
Visitors flow from the parking area into the visitor center of this truly one-of-a-kind attraction, pay the guided tour fee and then begin their adventure of the 3.15-acre technological wonder. The first stop on the journey is a look down onto the Bio 2 rain forest pyramid. Continuing on, the terrain soon changes from a cliff above a one million gallon saltwater ocean to upper and lower savannahs, then thorn scrub and the desert. At the technosphere, see the brains that control this operation. After the underwater ocean-viewing exhibit, return to the starting point, a hill overlooking the impressive Biosphere 2. Remember to bring your cameras so as to capture the many unique photo opportunities.

Self-Guided Options
In case you are interested, a self-guided tour option is also available. It includes a movie presentation, the human habitat, climate change exhibit, ocean-viewing gallery and exterior of Biosphere 2. To gain a much fuller appreciation of the laboratory, take the Under the Glass tour.

Biosphere is open daily, except major holidays. They suggest allowing two hours to see everything. Translation: arrive before 2:30 p.m. to take it all in.

The $150 million facility opened in 1991 as a massive closed system that would last for 100 years of testing nature, technology and human endurance. Two early human survival missions lasted for two years and six months respectively. Biosphere 2 is located 20 minutes north of Tucson and 90 minutes south of Phoenix. On Highway 77, south of Oracle, take East Biosphere Road.

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Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau 100 South Church Avenue Tucson, AZ 85701 (800) 638-8350 (520) 624-1817

Biosphere 2 Center 32540 South Biosphere Road Oracle, AZ 85623 (520) 838-6200