ZOOS & ANIMAL PARKS OREGON

Cascades Raptor Center is a wildlife rehabilitation facility and nature center dedicated to birds of prey, located in Eugene, Oregon. The center operates a Wildlife Hospital that provides medical care for injured and orphaned raptors across the state, while also serving as a public education venue featuring resident avian ambassadors. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, live flight demonstrations, and special programs such as Brunch with the Birds and evening events. The center engages in citizen science initiatives including nest monitoring and raptor rescue, and partners with local organizations to advance raptor conservation. Operating under the Museums for All accessibility program, the Cascades Raptor Center offers a meaningful and inspiring wildlife experience for visitors of all ages in the Willamette Valley.

Alpacas of Oregon is a family-friendly alpaca farm located in Sherwood, Oregon, approximately 30 miles southwest of Portland in the heart of Oregon wine country. Owned and operated by Suzanne and Doug Campbell since 2004, the farm is home to a charming herd of alpacas and offers educational farm tours, hands-on animal interactions, and fiber arts experiences for visitors of all backgrounds. The farm's barn store features a curated selection of alpaca fiber products, yarn, and merchandise, and the property also hosts weddings, corporate events, and community gatherings. Open by appointment, Alpacas of Oregon is dedicated to educating visitors about the alpaca lifestyle and the luxurious fiber these gentle animals produce, making it a unique and enriching destination in the Pacific Northwest.

Gramma Roses Petting Zoo is a charming reservation-only animal attraction located at 13737 SE Shawnee Road in Prineville, Oregon, offering intimate guided tours Wednesday through Sunday. The zoo is home to a wonderful variety of animals including kangaroos, wallabies, Patagonian cavies, zebras, porcupines, an armadillo, an emu, a Chinese Meisha pig named Daisy, reptiles, birds, tortoises, and unique insects. Visitors can hand-feed and pet kangaroos, wallabies, and goats, and have the opportunity to hold snakes and rabbits. All animals are well socialized and accustomed to visitor interaction, creating a warm and welcoming experience for guests of all ages. Indoor areas are available during inclement weather, making Gramma Roses Petting Zoo a year-round destination in the scenic high desert of central Oregon.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a premier AZA-accredited marine attraction located in Newport, Oregon, showcasing approximately 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species in a series of diverse and immersive exhibits. Highlights include the Amazon Basin, Connected Coasts, and Rocky Coast habitats, which feature sea otters, sea lions, tufted puffins, and jellyfish, among many other remarkable animals. Visitors can enjoy interactive touch encounters with sea jellies and octopuses, attend daily animal feeds, and watch ambassador animal presentations throughout the day. Since opening in 1992 as a nonprofit organization, the aquarium has maintained a strong commitment to environmental stewardship through marine reserve advocacy, plastic pollution awareness campaigns, rehabilitation efforts, and community partnerships. Family-friendly amenities including dining, a gift shop, and accessible facilities make the Oregon Coast Aquarium an outstanding destination for visitors exploring the central Oregon coast.

The Seaside Aquarium is Oregon's oldest privately owned aquarium, proudly operating since 1937 at 200 North Promenade along the scenic Oregon coast in Seaside. This beloved coastal attraction invites visitors to interact with a variety of Pacific Northwest marine species, including harbor seals that guests can feed, as well as sea stars, anemones, rockfish, and other local ocean life in touch tanks and interactive exhibits. The aquarium is deeply committed to conservation, contributing to marine mammal stranding response, sea turtle rescue operations, and the Haystack Rock Awareness Program. Dog-friendly and open year-round, the Seaside Aquarium offers an accessible and educational oceanside experience that connects people of all ages to the wonders of Pacific Northwest marine life.

Wildlife Safari is a drive-thru and walk-through wildlife park located in Winston, Oregon, offering an immersive wildlife experience rooted in conservation education. The park is open seven days a week and features a broad collection of animals that visitors encounter from the comfort of their vehicles as well as on foot. Educational programming including Story Time on the Serengeti, Adventure Hour activities, Junior Zookeeper youth programs, and a seasonal aviary running from May through September cater to a wide range of ages and interests. Families can adopt animals, participate in guided wildlife encounters, and support the park's conservation initiatives directly. Wildlife Safari also offers memberships, event hosting, and field trip accommodations, positioning itself as a community-centered destination that blends entertainment with meaningful environmental stewardship in southern Oregon.

West Coast Game Park Safari was a walk-through wildlife safari park located 7 miles south of Bandon along the Oregon coast, home to over 75 species of animals including snow leopards, African lions, Bengal tigers, bears, elk, camels, chimpanzees, emus, capybaras, and cougars. For decades, the park invited visitors to roam freely through the grounds, feeding and petting tame resident animals, while daily ambassador animal presentations allowed guests to interact closely with specially trained wildlife under the care of handlers. The park opened in 1968 and was a beloved Oregon Coast attraction for generations of families. Following investigations into criminal activities, the park closed in 2025. Travelers interested in wildlife experiences in the Pacific Northwest are encouraged to seek currently operating alternatives in the region.

Great Cats World Park is a specialized zoological attraction in Cave Junction, Oregon, showcasing over 50 feline individuals representing 17 species in a setting focused on education and appreciation of wild cats. Visitors encounter magnificent animals including tigers, leopards, jaguars, pumas, lynx, ocelots, servals, and additional wildlife such as porcupines and peacocks during guided daily tours and photography sessions. The park operates Wednesday through Monday with continuous rotating tours beginning mid-morning, offering an intimate and informative experience for wildlife enthusiasts and families. Beyond public tours, Great Cats World Park provides field trip programs and an internship opportunity for those committed to animal care. Located in the scenic Illinois Valley of southwestern Oregon, the park positions itself as a premier educational destination for those seeking to learn about and connect with the world's most captivating feline species.

Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center is a nonprofit wildlife sanctuary and rehabilitation facility set on 24 acres along the wild and scenic Rogue River near Grants Pass, Oregon. Founded in 1981, the center has helped more than 1,200 wild animals annually, welcoming over 20,000 visitors each year to meet its more than 80 permanent residents. Visitors can tour exhibits featuring a diverse range of birds, smaller mammals, reptiles, and large mammals including cougars, bears, and wolves, many of whom were rescued from injury or orphaned in the wild. The center operates a fully equipped wildlife hospital and offers youth camps and educational programming throughout the year to foster appreciation for Oregon's native wildlife. Operating entirely on private donations without state or federal funding, Wildlife Images is a community-supported institution that blends hands-on conservation with meaningful public education in the heart of Southern Oregon.

Oregon Zoo is a landmark wildlife institution located on 64 forested acres in Portland's Washington Park, founded in 1888 and recognized as the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi River. Home to more than 1,800 animals representing over 230 species including 19 endangered and 9 threatened species, the zoo presents exhibits organized by geographic region, including the Great Northwest featuring mountain goats, black bears, and California condors; Pacific Shores with polar bears and sea otters; and Africa with lions, giraffes, and cheetahs. The zoo is internationally renowned for its Asian elephant care program spanning more than 60 years, and has participated in wildlife conservation efforts for species from pikas to Oregon silverspot butterflies. Educational programming, community science initiatives, and special events make Oregon Zoo one of the most visited cultural attractions in the Pacific Northwest.

Newport Discovery Zoo is a nonprofit rescue zoo located in Newport, Oregon, dedicated to educating visitors and providing a permanent home for exotic and non-releasable animals. The facility houses over 100 animals, with a focus on reptiles, birds, and smaller mammals, including kangaroos, emus, fennec foxes, sloths, alpacas, tortoises, small alligators, and more. A welcoming petting area allows guests to feed and interact with many residents, and special paid encounters offer even closer experiences with select animals. With admission that includes access to interactive exhibits throughout the building, Newport Discovery Zoo provides an engaging, hands-on experience for animal lovers of all ages along the beautiful Oregon coast.