Visitor Information

Binder Park Zoo is closed for the season

2024 Season: May 1 - October 27

You may email inquiries to info@binderparkzoo.org or call (269) 979-1351.

Wilderness Tram

 

The adventure begins at the International Depot as you board the zebra-striped tram. Destination: Wild Africa! Enjoy an immersive experience wandering through Zuri National Park with views of the savanna and wild African animals. No passport is required for your return trip. (Free)

Binda Conservation Carousel

Reminiscent of the golden age of carousels, this one-of-a-kind, wooden carousel was custom-made for the zoo and features a menagerie of 36 colorful, hand-carved animal figures. Themed murals, crests, lighting, and music weave together to create a stunning whirl of animals that delight riders of all ages. ($3)

 

Z.O. & O. Railroad 

 

All aboard the Z.O. & O.! Ride an open car pulled by a miniature locomotive through a scenic one-and-a-half-mile nature loop. The vintage 1963 CP Huntington train is a pride and joy of the zoo and guest favorite. ($3)

Dining & Shopping

DINING

Beulah’s Restaurant: Enjoy a variety of tasty grab-and-go items, indoors or out. Beulah's is located in the East Zoo and open daily.

Kalahari Kitchen: Enjoy delicious meal, snack, and drink options with dining overlooking the savanna exhibit. The grill closes a half-hour before the zoo closes each day. Kalahari Kitchen is open daily. For the menu, click here!

Brass Ring Concession: Located at the carousel, Brass Ring features snacks, soft serve ice cream, and an ICEE station and is open daily.

Hours and menus are subject to change. Please inquire at the admission gate for updates.

SHOPPING

Safari Gift Shop: Located at the zoo exit, Safari Gift Shop is where you’ll find unique, affordable gifts and apparel for everyone.

Zawadi Traders: Located in Wild Africa, Zawadi Traders is where you'll find lots of wild gifts!

Restrooms

Restrooms are available for use inside Binder Park Zoo.

Phone Find Wristbands

Visiting with small children or someone with cognitive conditions? If you're carrying a cell phone during your visit, pick up a free Phone Find wristband at entrance for them to wear. The Phone Find wristband helps reunite the wearer with their family/caregiver in the event they become separated.

Simply print your cell phone number on the wristband and instruct the wearer to go to a uniformed zoo employee if they get separated. We'll call you and get you and your party reunited.

Accessibility

Wagon, wheelchair, and mobility scooter rental: Available at zoo entrance

SUV wagon (seats two children): $7.00

Manual wheelchair (small, medium, and large available): $6.00

Mobility scooter: $25.00 plus $25.00 deposit. Mobility scooters are available on a first come, first served basis. Mobility scooters can be reserved in advance by calling (269) 979-1351 (deposit required). Mobility scooters can accommodate up to 500 lbs.

KultureCity

FOR GUESTS WHO HAVE SENSORY PROCESSING NEEDS:
Binder Park Zoo has partnered with KultureCity to improve our ability to assist and accommodate guests with sensory needs. Our objective is to provide an inclusive and seamless experience for all guests for all events including those with sensory needs. We strive to raise awareness of the needs and challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing disorders by supplying our team members with continuous training and by offering the resources and accommodations below to our guests.

Sensory Bags
Sensory bags containing special KCVIP badges, fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones, and other resources are available for checkout (at no cost by leaving an ID) at our Guest Services Booth located at the entrance booths.

There is a $25.00 deposit on the KultureCity Sensory bag. That deposit is refunded when the guest returns the sensory bag with no damaged or missing items.

Weighted Lap Pads
Weighted lap pads are also available upon request (at no cost by leaving an ID) at our Guest Services Booth located at the entrance booths.

leaf-64

Giraffe Experience at Twiga Overlook

The opportunity to meet and hand-feed the giraffes in Wild Africa is a signature experience at Binder Park Zoo.

From the overlook deck, guests can meet these gentle giants face-to-face and have an opportunity to experience the thrill of hand-feeding snacks of lettuce to them.

Twiga Overlook closes one hour prior to the zoo closing.

Feed the giraffe experience: One lettuce snack*= $2, five lettuce snacks = $8*

* A lettuce snack is a single romaine lettuce serving that has been specially prepared by Animal Care commissary staff. Any other food is strictly prohibited.

Reclassified as a “vulnerable” species by the IUCN in 2016, giraffe have also been added to the SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) list by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) to draw attention to their precarious situation in the wild. Proceeds from this experience help fund the care of the Binder Park Zoo giraffe herd.

Guest Policy sign

Mobility Device Policy

Wheelchairs and other devices designed for persons with a mobility impairment (electric-powered or manual) are permitted inside the park.

Devices other than a wheelchair or powerchair/scooter, if used for a mobility impairment only, may be allowed into the park upon final approval of zoo personnel. The following devices will not be permitted: unicycles; bicycles; golf carts; gas-powered vehicles of any kind, including ATVs; lawn mowers; go-carts; etc.

There is a maximum speed limit for all mobility devices of 5 miles per hour inside the park. For the safety of our guests, anyone who does not comply with the speed limit or is operating the device unsafely will be asked to leave the zoo.

Any wheelchair or scooter wider than 29 ½ inches will not be able to board the trams to Africa, the carousel, or the Z.O. & O. Railroad. Ramps for all rides have a 600 lb maximum capacity.