Binder Park Zoo is open for the season
Zoo office hours
Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 6pm
Sunday 11am - 6pm
With exception to special events
Zoo Hours of Operation
APRIL 17 - 30 & September 3 - October 6
10 am - 4 pm
Monday - Sunday
May 1 to September 2
9 am – 5 pm Monday – Friday
9 am – 6 pm Saturday
11 am – 6 pm Sunday
October 14-31
10 am – 4 pm
Monday – Sunday
General Zoo Admission Rates
Binder Park Zoo Members: FREE (Must show ID) | Military: $1.00 off with ID | AAA Member: 10% off with ID
We do not accept coupons from outside organizations, including Groupon.
DINING
Beulah’s Restaurant is located in the heart of the east zoo and opens daily 30 minutes after the zoo opens, and closes 30 minutes before the zoo closes.
Kalahari Kitchen is located in the African village plaza. Seasonal hours apply. Please check hours of operation at the admission gate.
The Brass Ring is located inside the Binda Conservation Carousel hall and features ice cream and other snacks and treats.
Food Carts are conveniently located throughout the zoo, each offering a variety of refreshments available to purchase.
SHOPPING
Safari Gift Shop is located at the zoo exit and is where you’ll find unique, affordable gifts and apparel for everyone.
Zawadi Traders is located in the African village plaza near the tram station. Explore a collection of genuine African and African- inspired goods for the perfect gift or souvenir.
Visit Binder Park Zoo on any Animal Play Day and witness first hand how our zookeepers keep the animals active and happy. Play Days are a perfect way to see how the animals receive enrichment and to learn more about the animals.
Times and animals are subject to change without notice. Check with the entrance for updates.
Going Bananas - September 2, 2018
It may surprise you which animals will devour a banana faster than you! Watch as some of the animals eat these healthy fruits peel and all!
Lemurs 12:00
Black Bear 12:30
Red-capped mangabey 1:00
Miller Children's Zoo 2:00
Carb-Free Enrichment Day- September 22, 2018
Humans are not the only one that watch their carbs! Some animals here at Binder Park would find a meatball more delicious than a peanut butter sandwich. Enjoy in the excitement as these carnivores attack their enrichment.
Lion/ Painted dog 10:00
Snow Leopard 11:00
Cheetah 12:00
Black Bear 1:00
CDC 3:00
Zookeeper Tails are a fun way to learn insider information about our animals from the people who know them best... zookeepers! These chats take place daily throughout the season; Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Saturday
Snow leopard 11:00am
Lions 12:00pm
Savanna (African Village) 1:00pm
Sunday
Conservation Discovery Center 11:30am
African Painted Dogs 12:00pm
Red River Hogs 1:00pm
Monday
Red Panda 11:00am
Wolves 1:00pm
Tuesday
Snow Leopard 11:00am
Wednesday
Black Bears 11:00am
Lions 1:00pm
Thursday
Snow Leopard 11:00am
Cheetah 1:00pm
Friday
Aldabra Tortoise 11:00am
Lynx 1:00pm
When we have chilly spring/fall weather, some of our temperature sensitive animals, like the giraffe, may be off exhibit when conditions are too cold and/or rainy. We will do our best to post animals off exhibit and any delays at the entrance to the zoo each day. Visitors can call zoo office for updates.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
Picnic tables in the pavilions are available to guests on a first-come first-served basis. Pavilions are available for rental if you wish to reserve a space for your corporate picnic, family reunion, or other get-togethers. Picnicking is only allowed in the picnic areas located adjacent to the zoo parking lot. Coolers are not allowed inside the zoo.
Enjoy a trip to Battle Creek
Play Binder Park Golf Course & visit Binder Park Zoo
with packages through Marriot at http://marriott.com/btlcy
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 option the thrill of hand-feeding snacks of lettuce to them.
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 Zoo & 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.
Binder Park Zoo is a Weapons Free Zone.
No smoking allowed on zoo grounds (includes e-cigarettes).
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 ATV’s, 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 ZO&O Railroad. Ramps for all rides have a 600 lb maximum capacity.