ZOOS & ANIMAL PARKS OKLAHOMA

Bowser's Peace Sanctuary is a unique nonprofit animal sanctuary and nature retreat located at 34080 Rattlesnake Hill Road in Tecumseh, Oklahoma. The sanctuary centers around Bowser, a beloved American black bear whose calm and powerful presence serves as an invitation for visitors to reflect, connect, and find peace in nature. Guests can also meet and feed Billy and Bambi, a pair of American bison, as well as horses and a pack of Great Danes. The sanctuary operates as a 501(c)(3) organization, welcoming visits by reservation and offering horse-drawn carriage rides for special events. Rooted in a philosophy of healing and peaceful coexistence with the natural world, Bowser's Peace Sanctuary offers a deeply personal and contemplative wildlife experience unlike any traditional zoo, drawing visitors seeking connection with animals in a serene, judgment-free setting.

Oasis Animal Adventures is a unique learning farm and animal therapy destination located near Disney, Oklahoma, at the south end of beautiful Grand Lake in the Green Country region. The facility is home to a remarkable collection of exotic and domesticated animals, including a zebra, zedonk, kangaroos, ring-tailed lemurs, camels, Sulcata tortoises, a sloth, a spider monkey, and more, all raised and cared for by founders Linda and Bill Goldner. Visitors engage in hands-on encounters at the barn, learning about each animal's story, natural behaviors, and characteristics through guided, interactive experiences. Oasis Animal Adventures also offers emotional, mental, and physical therapeutic animal encounters, welcoming small groups, larger parties, school field trips, and birthday celebrations in an intimate and nurturing setting. It is an inspiring destination for anyone seeking a meaningful connection with extraordinary animals in the heart of northeastern Oklahoma.

The Menagerie, operated by Bradt's Mammals and More LLC, is a large petting farm and agritourism attraction located in Alva, Oklahoma, conveniently situated near three state parks. Spanning 32 acres, it is recognized as the largest petting farm in Oklahoma and is home to a remarkable variety of animals including miniature donkeys, llamas, alpacas, camels, highland cattle, fainting goats, emus, a sulcata tortoise, micro pigs, a zebra, and many more. Visitors receive a complimentary cup of feed upon arrival and can enjoy hand-feeding the friendly animals throughout their visit. Seasonal highlights include Oklahoma's largest hay maze, available in October and November, while year-round activities include live-action laser tag gaming and farm exploration. Founded as a source of healing and joy for the Bradt family, the Menagerie has grown into a cherished destination for families seeking hands-on animal encounters and outdoor fun in northwestern Oklahoma.

Lost Creek Safari is Stillwater, Oklahoma's only USDA-certified animal park, offering families and visitors the opportunity to encounter exotic animals in a distinctive wildlife setting. The park emphasizes fun and educational family adventures, providing guests with close-up experiences with a variety of exotic species in a natural outdoor environment. As a certified facility, Lost Creek Safari maintains high standards of animal care and welfare, making it a trustworthy destination for animal lovers and families throughout the Stillwater area and beyond. The park's serene setting and commitment to memorable wildlife encounters make it a worthwhile outing for visitors of all ages seeking something unique in north-central Oklahoma.

Snider Family Exotics is a local zoo and exotic animal park located at 142 NE Grandview Drive in Fletcher, Oklahoma, housing over 40 different species in an interactive setting. Guests can encounter deer, primates, camels, and a wide range of other exotic animals through hands-on experiences led by knowledgeable zookeepers. The park specializes in immersive encounters where visitors can hold animals and take photos alongside favorites like camels. Seasonal highlights include a pumpkin patch event, and the facility welcomes birthday parties, field trips, and group outings throughout the year. Snider Family Exotics prioritizes wildlife education and conservation awareness while delivering entertaining and memorable experiences for families and visitors from across Oklahoma.

PAWsitively Wild Animal Encounters and Education Center is a hands-on animal experience venue located at 767 W 13th Street in Atoka, Oklahoma, offering year-round visits in a clean, safe indoor environment. Guests can feed and interact with a diverse array of domestic and exotic animals including lemurs, wallabies, alpacas, otters, parrots, and snakes. A highlight for many visitors is the sloth encounter, where guests can feed Flash the Sloth his favorite foods and enjoy a close-up educational experience. The center also offers party room rentals for groups of up to 20 people and provides mobile zoo services for outside events and community gatherings. Combining entertainment with wildlife education, PAWsitively Wild is an engaging, family-oriented destination in southern Oklahoma.

Nomad's Animal Encounter is an appointment-only exotic animal attraction located in Seminole, Oklahoma. Operating through a private tour format, the facility invites guests to meet a variety of animal residents in an intimate, personalized setting. All visits are conducted on-site and must be reserved in advance, ensuring each group receives dedicated attention during their time with the animals. The experience is designed to be both educational and entertaining, giving visitors a chance to connect closely with wildlife in a way that larger venues often cannot provide. Families, school groups, and animal enthusiasts are all welcome to discover the diverse cast of creatures that call Nomad's home by booking through the facility's online reservation system.

Hochatown Rescue Center and Petting Zoo is a family-friendly wildlife rescue and interactive petting zoo located at 9177 US-259 N in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, within McCurtain County. The facility's mission is to provide a nurturing sanctuary for domesticated, local, and exotic animals while fostering public education and appreciation for all creatures. Approximately 95 percent of the animals in residence are rescues, including injured, orphaned, or surrendered animals, and the center employs licensed wildlife rehabilitation personnel on site. Guests can interact with a delightful range of animals including goats, donkeys, hedgehogs, guinea pigs, baby ducks, parrots, reptiles, and more, as well as observe animals undergoing rehabilitation. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the center offers an affordable and enriching experience for families and visitors exploring the popular Hochatown and Broken Bow tourism area.

Oklahoma Aquarium is a 72,000-square-foot public aquarium located in Jenks, a southern suburb of Tulsa, Oklahoma, that opened in 2003 and is home to over 10,000 animals representing more than 500 species. The aquarium is internationally recognized for its world's largest exhibit of bull sharks, featuring ten bull sharks and three nurse sharks in a dramatic 380,000-gallon saltwater tank with a walk-through tunnel that places guests right in the middle of the action. Other exhibits explore Oklahoma native species, Ozark habitats, coral reefs, invertebrates, and open-ocean environments, with animals including sand tiger sharks, zebra sharks, loggerhead sea turtles, jellyfish, seahorses, stingrays, and humphead wrasse. Interactive touch tanks, feeding stations, an outdoor playground, carousel, and the Coral Reef Cafe add to the family-friendly experience. Oklahoma Aquarium is a standout destination for wildlife education and aquatic adventure in the Tulsa metro area.

Blue Zoo Aquarium Oklahoma City is a vibrant, hands-on aquarium experience located inside Quail Springs Mall in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Designed with families and children in mind, the attraction lets guests touch and feed stingrays, bamboo sharks, and birds, and observe a wide variety of marine and freshwater species including jellyfish, clownfish, and seahorses. The facility features separate saltwater and freshwater centers, a fun pirate ship play structure with water tables, and jellyfish displays that captivate visitors of all ages. Blue Zoo offers daily admission, annual memberships, birthday party packages, field trips, and day camp programs, making it one of the more engaging things to do for families in Oklahoma City. With an educational mission centered on inspiring curiosity in a fun, interactive environment, Blue Zoo brings the ocean experience to landlocked Oklahoma.

Medicine Park Aquarium and Natural Sciences Center is a unique eco-tourism attraction located at 1 Aquarium Drive in Medicine Park, Oklahoma, within Comanche County in southwest Oklahoma. The facility's mission is conservation through education, bringing together people, nature, and science in an interactive setting. More than 90 native and non-native species are on exhibit, spanning fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. Highlights include a river otter habitat, a walk-through quail aviary, a sturgeon touch tank, a turtle feeding area, and a photo opportunity with Moby — billed as the largest blue catfish in captivity. Live electric eel demonstrations are held multiple times daily, Tuesday through Sunday. The grounds also feature a six-acre botanical garden. Family-friendly programming and educational exhibits make this center a rewarding destination for visitors exploring Oklahoma's natural and scientific heritage.

Beavers Bend Safari Park is a 90-acre wildlife park situated near Broken Bow, Oklahoma, in the scenic Beavers Bend area. Visitors drive their own vehicles through a nearly two-mile trail winding through natural wooded terrain with water features, encountering a diverse array of animals including bison, zebras, ostriches, kudus, elk, exotic antelope, lemurs, kangaroos, monkeys, hyenas, rhinos, and tortoises. Special hands-on sloth, capybara, and otter experiences are also available, and the park offers luxury cabin accommodations with access to nearby Beavers Bend State Park, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and families exploring southeastern Oklahoma.

Tulsa Zoo is a 124-acre zoological park in Tulsa, Oklahoma, featuring state-of-the-art exhibits across richly themed habitats including African Plains, Rainforest, and Lost Kingdom. Visitors encounter giraffes, tigers, jaguars, penguins, sea lions, and many more species. Hands-on experiences such as keeper chats, the Children's Zoo petting area, and the Helmerich Playground make the zoo especially inviting for families. The zoo hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including summer camps, Zoo Nights for adults, and seasonal celebrations. A strong conservation ethos underpins every aspect of the zoo's work, including active participation in endangered species breeding programs and the documented hatching of Komodo dragons. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Tulsa Zoo invites guests to connect with wildlife and advocate for a shared natural heritage.

The Oklahoma City Zoo is a major zoological facility located at 2000 Remington Place in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, showcasing a wide variety of wildlife including bears, elephants, rhinos, Komodo dragons, and Galapagos tortoises. The zoo offers unique animal encounters such as Wild Encounters, Breakfast with the Animals, and Brush with the Wild experiences that bring visitors remarkably close to the animals they love. A botanical garden, diverse dining options, and the Baobab Lodge overnight experience add to the destination's appeal. The zoo's vision — that all people take action to conserve wildlife and wild places — drives robust educational programs including field trips, summer camps, and community outreach. A convenient mobile app and year-round membership options make the Oklahoma City Zoo an exceptional family destination.

Zoo Safari USA is a USDA-licensed educational wildlife organization based in Locust Grove, Oklahoma, dedicated to rescuing animals and transforming them into ambassadors for their species. Rather than operating as a traditional walk-through zoo, Zoo Safari USA focuses on a traveling educational program that has brought live animal presentations to schools, daycares, and community events for over 30 years. The organization's diverse collection includes mammals such as marmosets and wallabies, birds including emus, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, with a special emphasis on Oklahoma native species alongside exotic animals. Interactive presentations allow participants to touch snakes and observe animals up close, creating memorable educational moments. Funded entirely through donations, the organization directs all resources toward animal care, veterinary services, and facility development, with an aspiration to become a comprehensive teaching institution for zoo operations and animal welfare education.

Arbuckle Wilderness is a sprawling drive-through safari park spanning more than 200 acres in the scenic Arbuckle Mountains near Davis, Oklahoma, approximately 60 minutes south of Oklahoma City. The park is home to hundreds of exotic animals from multiple continents that roam freely in natural habitats, which visitors observe from the safety of their own vehicles. Beyond the drive-through experience, the park features a reptile petting zoo, a walk-through zoological area, hay bus rides, a souvenir shop, and a cafe. Open year-round, weather permitting, Arbuckle Wilderness accommodates group visits, birthday parties, and corporate events, making it a versatile outdoor attraction for families and wildlife enthusiasts exploring central Oklahoma.

Tiger Safari Zoological Park is an interactive exotic animal park located in Tuttle, Oklahoma, approximately 20 minutes southwest of Oklahoma City, and is the only open privately owned zoo in the state housing large carnivores. Founded in 2002 and opened in 2003, the park is home to more than 170 animal species including lions, tigers, apes, monkeys, kangaroos, and some of the rarest felines in the world such as a royal white tiger, royal golden tabby tigers, a black jaguar, and white-handed gibbon apes. Daily animal encounters at 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, and 4 pm allow guests to meet animal ambassadors including fennec foxes, owl monkeys, Sulcata tortoises, and exotic birds, and visitors can even hand-feed a Siberian tiger. The park also offers overnight accommodations in the Shi-Awela Safari village, featuring authentic African bush huts. Tiger Safari Zoological Park is a premier wildlife adventure destination for families and wildlife enthusiasts across Oklahoma and the surrounding region.