PETTING ZOOS VIRGINIA

Maymont is a beloved 100-acre public garden, nature preserve, and historic estate in Richmond, Virginia, celebrating its centennial in 2026. Anchored by the Robins Nature Center, the property features a 40-acre Virginia Wildlife Trail housing rescued native species including black bears, bobcats, coyotes, otters, and porcupines in naturalistic habitats that reflect the ecology of the James River region. Visitors can also enjoy a hands-on farm area, a Gilded Age mansion with guided tours, curated Japanese and Italian gardens, and seasonal events throughout the year. Daily guided trail treks, behind-the-scenes animal experiences, and educational camps for children complement the regular programming. Admission to the grounds and the wildlife trail is free to the public, making Maymont an accessible and enriching destination for all.

Infinity Acres Ranch is an educational nonprofit petting ranch located in Ridgeway, Virginia, offering animal-assisted programs designed to promote learning, healing, and connection. The ranch is home to camels, llamas, donkeys, and other domestic and exotic animals, and welcomes schools for field trips aligned with Virginia educational standards, as well as summer camps, birthday parties, and mobile exhibit experiences. Therapeutic programs serve veterans and adults with disabilities, and gem mining cave activities add an extra layer of fun for families and groups. The ranch emphasizes its core values of Respect, Responsibility, and Recreation throughout all of its programming.

Fort Chiswell Animal Park is a safari-style wildlife attraction situated along Virginia's I-81/I-77 corridor in Wythe County, offering travelers and families an up-close experience with animals from around the world set against the scenic backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Visitors board a guided safari bus to tour the grounds and then explore a walk-through petting zoo, with opportunities to hand-feed animals using Zoo Chow or roasted peanuts. The park operates seasonally, opening on weekends in spring and fall and daily from May through Labor Day, with free parking and no advance reservations required. Picnic facilities make it an ideal stop for a leisurely family day in southwest Virginia.

Little Critters Traveling Petting Zoo LLC is a mobile petting zoo based in Botetourt County, Virginia, that brings farm and exotic animals directly to birthday parties, school events, and community gatherings. The USDA-certified, family-owned operation features a delightful lineup of animals including miniature horses, miniature donkeys, pygmy goats, llamas, alpacas, sheep, chickens, and rabbits — all fully vaccinated and well cared for. In addition to mobile visits, guests are welcome to visit the farm by appointment for an up-close educational experience. Little Critters prides itself on combining wholesome family entertainment with age-appropriate animal education, making each visit a memorable and hands-on encounter for children and adults alike.

Yoder's Country Market Petting Zoo, known as "the barnyard," is a free, family-friendly attraction located at 2105 S. Seminole Trail in Madison, Virginia, adjacent to Yoder's Country Market. Visitors can interact with a variety of friendly farm animals including alpacas, goats, turkeys, ducks, sheep, rabbits, and pigs, with the opportunity to feed them directly from hand using feed available at quarter feeders or in bag purchases. A highlight of the barnyard is a 15-foot-high goat skywalk where playful goats romp and entertain guests of all ages. Open during regular market hours and free of charge, the petting zoo complements a broader agritourism experience that also includes a cafe and gift shop, making it a delightful stop for families exploring the Virginia countryside.

Leesburg Animal Park is a welcoming zoo in Leesburg, Virginia, showcasing an eclectic collection of animals from around the world just outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Visitors can encounter wallabies, sloths, zebras, llamas, coatis, a variety of birds, and many other species across the park's exhibits. Beyond animal viewing, the park offers birthday parties, summer camps with themed adventures, guided educational programming, and seasonal events including Easter egg hunts and a Christmas village. The Zoo-To-You outreach program brings animals to external locations, extending the park's educational reach into schools and community events. Leesburg Animal Park is designed to be an engaging and family-friendly destination that combines hands-on wildlife encounters with festive seasonal experiences.

Virginia Safari Park is a 180-acre drive-through and walk-through wildlife attraction set in the scenic countryside of Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County, Virginia. Guests drive their own vehicles through rolling pastures where rhinos, king cheetahs, giraffes, sloths, anteaters, and numerous other species roam freely, with daily animal feeding opportunities creating memorable close encounters. The Safari Village walk-through area offers a budgie aviary, wagon rides, and special nose-to-nose animal encounters for a more intimate experience. Operating as part of a network of sister parks across the southeastern United States, Virginia Safari Park supports animal care, conservation, and education programs. The park is open most days of the week and provides an accessible, family-friendly wildlife destination in the beautiful Blue Ridge region of Virginia.

Bluebird Gap Farm is a 60-acre family-oriented farm park operated by the City of Hampton, Virginia, offering a free, educational, and recreational experience in an accessible urban setting. The farm is home to approximately 100 domestic and wild animal species, including horses, cows, pigs, goats, chickens, birds of prey, alpacas, tortoises, peacocks, and waterfowl, with interactive animal feed machines allowing guests to engage with the animals directly. Visitors can explore nature trails including the scenic Azalea Trail, enjoy a duck pond, nature play area, and human sundial, and visit an antique display barn. Picnic facilities, a pavilion for groups of up to 100, and a Hampton Master Gardeners Display Garden and Arboretum round out the offerings. Open most of the year from March through November, Bluebird Gap Farm is a beloved community landmark for school field trips, family outings, and anyone wishing to connect with animals and nature in Hampton.

Heavenly Heart Farm and Mini Petting Zoo is a licensed, USDA-inspected animal attraction located at 3795 Swover Creek Road in Edinburg, Virginia, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. The farm specializes in friendly, interactive animals including silky fainting goats, hair sheep, pot-belly pigs, miniature horses, bunnies, guinea pigs, chickens, and more, fostering warm and memorable connections between visitors and animals. A highlight of the experience is the miniature horse that is dressed as a unicorn for special Unicorn Events, bringing an extra touch of magic for young guests. The farm also operates as an animal rescue and rehabilitation facility, caring for more than 100 animals daily. Pony rides and traveling zoo packages are available for events, birthday parties, and community gatherings throughout the region.

NOVA Wild is a 30-acre nonprofit zoo located in Vienna, Virginia, dedicated to wildlife conservation and immersive animal experiences for families and nature lovers. The zoo is home to over 40 species, including capybaras, cheetahs, ring-tailed lemurs, wallabies, and a variety of bird species. Visitors can explore exhibits on foot, participate in unique up-close encounters with baby capybaras and kangaroos, or enjoy a drive-through interactive safari where guests can feed animals such as water buffalo. The zoo actively supports international conservation initiatives through partnerships like WorthWild Africa. Educational field trips and birthday party packages round out NOVA Wild's offerings, making it a refreshed and welcoming wildlife destination in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.

Luray Zoo is a privately owned rescue facility located at 1087 US Highway 211 West in Luray, Virginia, within the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Operating without government funding and relying on admissions, gift shop sales, and donations, the zoo is dedicated to the rescue and care of animals in need. Visitors can enjoy alligator feedings, keeper talks, and educational programs, with special seasonal events scheduled throughout summer and fall. The zoo offers field trips for school groups and memberships for regular visitors, making it a community-oriented destination. Its combination of animal rescue, hands-on learning, and direct wildlife encounters gives families a meaningful and educational experience in rural Virginia.

Metro Richmond Zoo is a family-friendly wildlife attraction located in Moseley, Virginia, in Powhatan County, home to thousands of animals representing species from around the world. Visitors can hand-feed giraffes, budgies, and camels, and enjoy rides including a train, skylift, and carousel. Notable residents include critically endangered African penguins, cheetahs, and siamangs. The zoo also features Treetop Zoofari, an adventure zipline course offering aerial views of the facility and its animal habitats. Metro Richmond Zoo actively supports conservation efforts for cheetahs, Diana monkeys, and other endangered species, and offers keeper talks, animal feedings, and summer day camps. Online ticketing and memberships make it easy for regional families to visit this expansive and diverse zoological park.

Natural Bridge Zoo is a privately owned zoological park located in Rockbridge County, Virginia, having welcomed visitors since 1972. The zoo houses an impressive variety of animals including white tigers, African lions, giraffes, zebras, camels, bears, mountain lions, baboons, gibbons, spider monkeys, lemurs, macaws, and Burmese pythons, among many others. Signature experiences include giraffe feeding, elephant rides, and a petting area where guests can get up close with goats, sheep, camels, and llamas. Under new management since 2024, the zoo is refreshing its visitor experience while maintaining its tradition as a must-see attraction near the Natural Bridge State Park landmark in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.