Binder Park Zoo is open for the season on May 1, 2021.
Mon. - Fri. 9am-5pm, Sat. 9am-6pm, Sun. 11am-6pm.
Please note - the zoo office is currently closed to the public.
Contact info@binderparkzoo.org or call (269) 979-1351 during the following hours:
Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm, Sat. 9am-6pm, Sun. 11am-6pm
Remember that final admission occurs 1 hour prior to the zoo closing each day.
Please note - the hiking trails are currently closed to guests.
We look forward to your visit. We ask your cooperation to help PROTECT THE HERD by following these safety guidelines:
- Wearing a facemask is recommended in the park and will be REQUIRED in all indoor locations, on the Wilderness Tram, at Twiga Overlook (giraffe deck), while feeding the goats, and in any area where 6’ of distance can’t be maintained between unrelated parties.
- Practice social distance, stay 6 feet apart from others not in your group
- Wash hands often & use hand sanitizer
- Be patient as you wait in line
- Take turns at animal exhibits
- HAVE FUN!
As you plan your visit, please be aware of the following information, subject to change.
- The Adventure Station is closed.
- There will be no duck feeding or face painting.
- Twiga Overlook is open (giraffe feeding), but face masks for guests over age two and sanitized hands will be required. Twiga Overlook closes each day one hour prior to the zoo closing time
- Safari Gift Shop and Zawadi Traders are open with limited capacity
- Z.O. & O. train rides will begin in June
- The Binda Conservation Carousel will operate with limited capacity and modified for social distancing.
- The Wilderness Trams will operate, seating is modified for social distancing and guests are required to wear masks when riding the Tram. Guests can walk the .5 mile, 15 minute route to and from Wild Africa - a trek that is uphill there and downhill back.
Remember that Wild Africa closes 30 minutes prior to the zoo closing each day. The trams cease operating and the walking trail closes at that time.
Binder Park Zoo employs the most recent guidelines provided by the CDC, the state of Michigan, public health officials and other AZA accredited zoos to create a safe operating plan at the zoo. Safety reminders are posted throughout the zoo and all staff are required to follow special protocols as well.
Contact us at info@binderparkzoo.org or 269-979-1351
Animal welfare is a top priority at Binder Park Zoo. Please be aware that some animals like giraffe, require temperatures to be at least 55 degrees and sunny to be on exhibit. Other factors like rain and wind may also delay or prevent them from going on exhibit. Check for updates by calling the zoo office at 269 979-1351 between 10:00am-4:00pm. If call volume is high you may need to leave a message. Your call will be returned as soon as possible. Please understand that animals on or off exhibit can change as quickly as the weather!
We do not accept coupons from outside organizations, including Groupon.
DINING
Starting Monday, Sept 21
Beulah’s Restaurant in the East Zoo is OPEN for full service every day from 10:00 am-3:30 pm.
Kalahari Kitchen in Wild Africa is CLOSED Monday- Friday. Check back for weekend updates!
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 in Wild Africa is now open, come check out all the wild gifts!
Restrooms are available for use inside Binder Park Zoo.
Wagon, wheelchair and electric scooter rental - available at zoo entrance.
SUV Wagon (seats two children) - $7.00
Manual wheelchair (small, medium & large available) - $6.00
Electric scooter - $25.00 plus $25.00 deposit - Scooters available on a first come, first served basis. Scooters can be reserved in advance by calling (269) 979-1351 (deposit required). Scooters can accommodate up to 500 lbs.
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.
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.
There is a $25 deposit on the KultureCity Sensory bag. That deposit is refunded when the guest returns the sensory bag with no damaged or missing items.
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.
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.
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.