Kansas Zoos, Wildlife Parks and Animal Sanctuaries

The Zoos of Kansas

Many people are surprised to learn that Kansas has 13 named zoos, as well as other animal parks. Kansas zoos range from small operations like the Cedar Cove Feline Conservatory & Sanctuary in Louisburg to one of the country's largest - the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas.

Caney, Kansas - The Safari Zoological Park is a private zoo, just east of Caney, Kansas, near the Oklahoma state line. Their hours can be a bit irregular and the zoo may not open during poor weather, so be sure to call and confirm before visiting. The small zoo has primates, large cats of several species, bears, wolves, foxes, and tropical birds. A guide takes you though the park on a one hour tour. Safari Zoological Park, Tyro Cutoff Road, Caney, Kansas 67333 (620) 515-2885
Clay Center, Kansas - The tiny Clay Center Zoo is free and open 9 AM - 8 PM, 7 days a week. The Clay Center Zoo is run by the Clay Center Utility Company. It is part of a park across from the power plant. Some of the cages are very small and barren. Clay Center Zoo, 4th Street and Pomeroy, Clay Center, Kansas 67432 (785) 632-2171
Dodge City, Kansas - Wright Park Zoo in Dodge City is one of the smallest zoos in Kansas. Portions of the zoo are old, but there is more room and better facilities for the animals than many WPA zoos. Temporarily Closed Wright Park Zoo, 130 4th Avenue, Dodge City, Kansas 67801 (620) 225-8163
Emporia, Kansas - The David Traylor Zoo is a small zoo, but far from the smallest in Kansas. One of the biggest events in 2014, was the arrival of an orphaned male cougar cub from the state of Washington. This free zoo is open 10 AM - 4:30 PM, 7 days a week. David Traylor Zoo, 75 Soden Road, Emporia, Kansas 66801 (620) 341-4365
Garden City, Kansas - With 300 animals of 100 species, the Lee Richardson Zoo is larger than most zoos in Kansas. The layout is not very easy to follow and many of the animals are hard to see. Admission is free if you walk in, but there is a charge of $10/car if you drive in. The zoo is open 8 AM - 5 PM in winter and 8 AM - 7 PM from April - Labor Day. The Lee Richardson Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Lee Richardson Zoo, 312 Finnup Drive, Garden City, Kansas 67846 (620) 276-1250
Garden Plain, Kansas - Eagle Valley Raptor Center was started in 2003 to promote conservation of birds of prey through public education, and provide shelter and care to injured & orphaned raptors. The Center and living quarters occupy 10 acres and there are an additional 10 acres of tall grass prairie with a nature trail & small wetlands area. Admission to the center is by appointment for individuals or groups. A $5 donation is suggested and includes a guided, personalized tour. Eagle Valley Raptor Center, 927 North 343rd Street West, Cheney, Kansas 67025 (316) 542-9981
Goddard, Kansas - The Tanganyika Wildlife Park opened to the public as a zoo, in June of 2008. Tanganyika is a non-profit breeding facility for rare and endangered species. Species represented in the park include giraffes, tigers, snow leopards, and zebras. Tanganyika Wildlife Park distinguishes itself from other Kansas zoos by emphasizing interaction between visitors and the animals, There are many opportunities to feed or pet wildlife as diverse as lemurs, camels, birds and snakes. Closed for the winter, open April through October. Tanganyika Wildlife Park, South Hawkins Lane, Goddard, Kansas 67052 (316) 794-8954
Great Bend, Kansas - The Brit Spaugh Zoo has two parts. The main part appears to be much older and includes many small, out of date cages. The second part is north of the main area about 60 yards away. The North American Exhibit has larger pens and most of the zoo's larger animals. Much of this portion of the zoo can be viewed from the outside even when the zoo is closed. Several new exhibits are under construction, Brit Spaugh Zoo, 2200 Main Street, Great Bend, Kansas 67530 (620) 793-4226
Hutchinson, Kansas - The Hutchinson Zoo has only about 160 animals and doesn't take very long to visit. It says a lot about the pride of the community, that Hutchinson maintains this zoo, when the spectacular Sedgwick County Zoo is only 40 miles away. Open limited hours, seven days a week. Free Admission. Hutchinson Zoo, 1500 S Plum Street, Hutchinson, KS (620) 694-2693
Independence, Kansas - The Ralph Mitchell Zoo is one of Kansas' oldest zoos. Older features include a monkey island built as a 1930's WPA project, and "Kiddy Land." Although the surrounding Riverside Park seems to be doing well the Ralph Mitchell Zoo has declined from its best times. Open 7 days a week. Free. Ralph Mitchell Zoo, Riverside Park Independence, Kansas 67301 (620) 332-2513
Junction City, Kansas - Milford Nature Center is located below the dam impounding the 16,200 acre Milford Reservoir. The nature center provides many things for visitors including live animal exhibits (fish, birds, animals, reptiles & amphibians), taxidermy specimens of same, nature trails, a butterfly house (open from late May through early October), playground, and a picnic shelter. The nature center sits next to a Milford Fish Hatchery . Milford Nature Center, 3415 Hatchery Drive, Junction City, Kansas 66441 (785) 238-5323
Lawrence, Kansas - Monarch Watch began at the University of Kansas in 1992. In 2004, they started the Monarch Waystation Program to create gardens to support the Monarch butterfly population. The international program now numbers 44,000 waystations with Waystation #1 sitting outside the Monarch Watch offices. You can order their monarch raising kits, a monarch tagging kit or milkweed for your own waystation. Monarch Watch, 2021 Constant Ave, Lawrence, Lawrence 66047 (888) 824-4464
Lawrence, Kansas - The Prairie Park Nature Center displays more species than several of the attractions that call themselves zoos. The display hall has a surprising large selection of plants, birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, fish and small mammals. The live species on display are supplemented by dioramas with stuffed animals, and also by wild birds and mammals which come up to the nature center's windows. Parry Park Nature Center, 2730 SW Harper, Lawrence, Kansas 66046 (785) 832-7980
Louisburg, Kansas - Cedar Cove Feline Conservatory & Sanctuary isn't a park, but a preserve for tigers and a refuge for big cats of other species which are abandoned, neglected or whose owners are unable to care for them. Cedar Cove is open to the public on Weekends only. Each visitor or group of visitors have a personally guided tour. Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary, 3783 Highway K68, Louisburg, Kansas 66053 (913) 837-5515
Manhattan, Kansas - The Sunset Zoo is one of the most popular zoos in Kansas. Most displays are modern & roomy, and the animals all appear healthy. This zoo is fun. Open 360 days a year. Sunset Zoo, 2333 Oak Street, Manhattan, Kansas 66502 (785) 587-APES
Manhattan, Kansas - The Insect Zoo at Kansas State University includes displays of preserved, live and fossil insects. Several of the displays are hands on, including the use of microscopes to view preserved insects, and a creative kitchen display where each cupboard or drawer had examples and details about the creatures that may be found there. Insect Zoo & KSU Display Gardens, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506
Meriden, Kansas - ATLAS Education educates the public to change their reactions to amphibians, turtles, lizards, arachnids, and snakes. Their goal is to change the way the world perceives animals, and to take the fear out of people's hearts and minds and replace it with love and gratitude. ATLAS Education, 7272 KS-4 A, Meriden, Kansas 66512 (785) 409-7275
Nickerson, Kansas - The Hedrick's Exotic Animal Farm Bed and Breakfast Inn in Nickerson is open for both overnight guests and tours. Tours include seeing 30 varieties of exotic animals and feeding and/or petting cattle, camels, ostriches, rheas, zebras, antelope, kangaroos, and giant tortoises. The tour concludes with a pony ride (for those under 85 pounds) and camel rides for all. Open year around, with tours by appointment only. Hedrick's Exotic Animal Farm, Bed and Breakfast, 7910 North Roy L. Smith Road, Nickerson, Kansas 67561 (620) 422-3245
Overland Park, Kansas - The 12 acre Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead has farm animals, birds of prey, gardens, nature trail, a one room country schoolhouse, fishing pond, Kanza Indian encampment, horse drawn wagon rides, and pony rides. This petting zoo has become more of an agricultural theme park. Open 7 days a week April - October. Free only on Monday through Thursday. Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead, 13800 Switzer, Overland Park, Kansas (913) 897-2360
Pittsburg, Kansas - Nature Reach is an outreach program of Pittsburg State University's Biology Department. Nature Reach offers interactive small group programs both on the Pittsburg State campus and in schools. The campus location has a collection of wild animals which exceeds the size of most nature centers. Nature Reach also has a Natural History Reserve which is located several miles southwest of Pittsburg. There are 79 acres of partially reclaimed mine land and the Natural History Reserve Laboratory & Raptor Care Facility with its owls, hawks, vulture and crow. Nature Reach, 328 Heckert-Wells Hall, Pittsburg State University, 1701 South Broadway, Pittsburg, Kansas 66762
Pratt, Kansas - The Pratt Education Center, Aquariums and Fish Hatchery are operated by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Displays, dioramas, and exhibits display both living and preserved native birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles of Kansas. The Aquarium Room contains twelve 400-600 gallon aquariums displaying fish species that are native to Kansas or that have been successfully introduced into Kansas. Other rooms include live snakes and prairie dogs. Wildlife Education Center and Aquariums, 512 SE 25th Street, Pratt, Kansas 67124 (620) 672-5911
Salina, Kansas - The Zoo at Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure is on 60 acres, adjacent to the Rolling Hills Ranch and the Museum. The animals are in spacious enclosures and appear to be in excellent health. If you visit on 2 or 3 zoos in Kansas, Rolling Hills should be one of them. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Wildlife Education Center and Aquariums, 512 SE 25th Street Pratt, Kansas 67124 (620) 672-5911
Salina, Kansas - The largest free standing aquarium in Kansas is the Kansas Fishes Exhibit at the Central Mall in Salina. The 15,000 gallon aquarium is home to 50 - 100 turtles and native fish, including channel catfish, blue gill, crappie, wipers, largemouth bass, white bass, and walleye. Free - open during regular mall hours. The fish are fed daily at 4 PM. Central Mall, 2259 South 9th Street, Salina, Kansas 67401 (785) 825-7733
Topeka, Kansas - The best known feature of the Topeka Zoo is the tropical rain forest which was impressive when it was built over 30 years ago. The zoo is well laid out, and the animals are in large attractive enclosures. Topeka Zoo, 635 Gage Boulevard, Topeka, Kansas 66606 (785) 368-9180
Wichita, Kansas - The Kansas Wildlife Exhibit in Wichita's Central Riverside Park opened in 1988, but there has been a zoo here in one form or another since 1901. There are 8 cages with over 20 species of birds and turtles, mostly birds of prey that are also used in education programs. The cages are fairly heavy, making it hard to see and photograph the wildlife. There is a lovely adjacent pond. Admission is free and it is open from dawn to dusk. Kansas Wildlife Exhibit, Central Riverside Park, Wichita, Kansas (316) 683-5499.
Wichita, Kansas - The Sedgwick County Zoo is the largest zoo in Kansas and one of the largest zoos in the United States. One of Kansas' largest attractions, the zoo is home to more than 2,500 animals of nearly 500 different species. One of the most impressive features is the Downing Gorilla Forest. The Sedgwick County Zoo is open 364 days a year. Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 Zoo Boulevard, Wichita, Kansas 67212 (316) 660-9453

Kansas zoos and refuges still to be reviewed: Operation Wildlife (Linwood). Please let me know if there are other animal parks or zoos that I have missed or if you hear of changes at the zoos or parks already visited..

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