Idaho Zoos and Aquariums: Complete Visitor Guide

Explore Idaho's diverse collection of wildlife parks, featuring two AZA-accredited zoos, interactive aquariums, specialized reptile centers, and unique drive-thru wildlife experiences. From native Rocky Mountain species to exotic animals from around the globe, discover Idaho's premier wildlife attractions.

10+

Zoos & Wildlife Parks

2

AZA-Accredited Zoos

400+

Animal Species

3

Aquariums

Featured AZA-Accredited Zoos

Zoo Boise AZA Accredited Through 2028

Address: 355 Julia Davis Drive, Boise, ID 83702
Website: zooboise.org
Location: Julia Davis Park, Downtown Boise

One of Idaho's most popular attractions and living science facility home to over 300 animals from 100 species. AZA-accredited through September 2028. Spring 2024 began phase one of 15-20 year master plan with new red panda habitat featuring climate-controlled space and overhead movement paths.

Hours

Daily: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Last admission: 4:00 PM
Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's

Admission

Adults (12-61): $10
Seniors (62+): $9
Kids (3-11): $9
Under 3: FREE
Thursdays: Discounted prices

Parking

Extended visitor parking pass available for visits longer than 2 hours (obtain with admission ticket)

Highlights: Lions, Amur tigers, Magellanic penguins (colony of 9), snow leopards (Sabu and Kabita), red pandas, giraffes, sloth bears, sand cats (one of few zoos in country), Gorongosa National Park exhibit with painted dogs, hyenas, baboons. Seven multi-species homes.
Conservation: First zoo in country to create conservation fee (2007). $1 fee built into admission has generated over $4 million for wildlife conservation since 2007. Veterinarian leads AZA Snow Leopard SAFE program. Red Panda Species Survival Plan participant. Granted $296,500 to conservation efforts in 2021.

Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park AZA Accredited Through 2026

Address: 2725 Carnival Way (Rogers St. and Carnival Way), Idaho Falls, ID 83405
Website: Idaho Falls Zoo

Known as the "Best Little Zoo in the West." First zoo in Idaho to achieve AZA accreditation. Received Quarter Century Award for 25 years of continuous AZA accreditation. Approximately 10 developed acres inside Tautphaus Park with 300+ animals representing 130 species.

Season

May through September
Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Admission ends: 4:30 PM

Admission

Check website for current pricing
Free parking available

Highlights: African lions (Kenya and Dixie, arrived July 2024 from Abilene Zoo), African penguins, Chilean flamingos, Amur tiger, snow leopards, Bactrian camels, sloth bears, red-crowned cranes, wallabies, New Guinea singing dogs, kookaburras. Over 28 African species. Regional habitats: North/South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Guinea.
Conservation: Participates in 40+ Species Survival Plans. About 40% of animals participate in SSP program to maintain genetically diverse populations. Children's Zoo farmyard features exotic farm animals with contact yard for sheep/goats. Interactive playground "Eggceptional Eggsplorer's Eggsperience."

Programs: Daily "Come Meet a Zookeeper" shows in summer. Penguin Interaction Program with zookeeper meet-and-greet. Birthday parties available (10 AM or 2 PM). Special events, educational programs, volunteer opportunities. ~145,000 visitors per season.

Specialty Zoos and Wildlife Parks

Zoo Idaho (Pocatello)

Website: zooidaho.org
Location: Ross Park, Pocatello
Season: April through October
Hours: Admission ends 3:30 PM
Admission: $6 per ticket

Established 1932, specializes in species of Idaho and Intermountain West. World-class grizzly bear exhibit. Dedicated to preserving intermountain west wildlife through conservation and education. Provides home for non-releasable wildlife that would struggle to survive in wild. Rocky Mountain species in natural setting.

Animals: Grizzly bears, bison, deer, elk, cougars, coyotes, eagles, owls, pronghorn. Living symbols of Intermountain West.

Visiting Tips: 45-minute visit duration. Outdoor zoo on local terrain with uphill walks. All animals are rescued. Birthday parties available year-round with 2-week advance notice.

Yellowstone Bear World

Address: 5 miles south of Rexburg on U.S. Highway 20
Website: yellowstonebearworld.com

Drive-thru wildlife park where visitors drive personal vehicles through park surrounded by free-roaming North American wildlife. Essential Yellowstone/Grand Teton region experience.

Wildlife: American black bears, grizzly bears, gray wolves, Rocky Mountain elk, bison, white-tail deer, mule deer, Rocky Mountain goats, moose.

World Center for Birds of Prey

Address: 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, ID 83709
Website: The Peregrine Fund

Innovative facility with interactive exhibits, multimedia shows, original artwork, and resident birds of prey. Features Peregrine Falcon (fastest animal in world) and raptors from around globe. The Peregrine Fund is worldwide leader in bird of prey conservation. Designed for all ages.

Idaho Reptile Zoo (Garden City)

Address: 3725 W. Chinden Blvd., Garden City, ID 83714
Website: idahoreptilezoo.org

Federal and state recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit rescue and education center. Home to 400+ animals. Provides permanent homes to rescue and rehabilitation animals. Educational outreach programs throughout Treasure Valley.

Animals: Green iguana (Hulk), blue tegu (Joanna), dwarf caiman (Felix), American alligator (Gus), reticulated pythons, Sulcata tortoises, monitor lizards, tarantulas, boa constrictors.

Experience: Hands-on opportunities including playing with baby alligators, feeding turtles (food included with admission), holding tortoises. Birthday parties and educational events. Many animals rescued from dire situations.

Idaho Aquariums

Aquarium of Boise

Website: aquariumboise.net
Location: Corner of Cole & Franklin, Boise
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 AM-5 PM, Sun 12 PM-5 PM

501(c)(3) nonprofit aquarium opened 2011. Currently 38 exhibits with 250+ species of animal and marine life. Over 35,000 gallons of saltwater.

Exhibits: Shark nursery, coral reef habitat, shark and stingray pool (17,000-gallon exhibit), jellyfish tank, tide pools, 1,700-gallon tropical reef exhibit. Coral refugium for biological filtration. Interactive touch tanks (coral, starfish, crabs, sharks, rays). Terrestrial/arboreal animals: lories, tree frogs, chameleons.

East Idaho Aquarium (Idaho Falls)

Address: 570 E Anderson St, Idaho Falls
Website: eastidahoaquarium.com

501(c)(3) nonprofit founded 2013. Mission: educate and inspire about water ecosystems worldwide through interactive experiences.

Features: Sea anemones, jellyfish, sharks, tropical fish, local river species, reptiles, tropical birds. Interactive touch tanks. Feed stingrays, birds, and fish. Pet big lizards, feel electric eel shock. Swim with sharks program. Sit with rays in shallow tank.

Petting Zoos and Animal Experiences

Big Red's Barn (North Idaho)

Website: bigredsbarn.com
Hours: Thu-Sun 10:30 AM-5:30 PM
Admission: $15 per person (all day valid), kids 2 and under free

North Idaho's only indoor petting zoo. Year-round hands-on animal experience indoors, out of weather, with clean and dry animals.

Animals: Slo-mo the sloth, Pistachio the wallaby, Persephany (13-foot reticulated python), El-Roy the llama, Chubbs the prairie dog. Plus exotics, miniatures, birds, farm animals, reptiles.

Babby Farms (Caldwell)

Address: 5900 El Paso Rd, Caldwell, ID 83607
Website: babbyfarms.net
Hours: Tue-Sun 9 AM-5 PM (closed Mondays)
Admission: Adults (12-54) $10.50, Children (4-11) $8, Seniors (55+) $7.50, Under 3 free
Thursdays: Discount Days

Nonprofit organization providing children and adults with disabilities opportunity to interact with animals. 130+ animals cared for daily. Guided tours with hands-on approach to touch, pet, and feed animals.

Animals: Kangaroos, camels, lemurs, zorse, zedonk, plus farm animals.

Wildlife Rescue and Sanctuaries

Idaho Wildlife Rescue / Animals In Distress Association (AIDA)

Rescues and rehabilitates injured and abandoned wild mammals and birds in Boise. Ruth Melichar Bird Center is avian branch. 24-hour rescue hotline with volunteer referrals. Receives calls from police, fire departments, Idaho Fish and Game, Idaho Humane Society, veterinarians, public.

Snowdon Wildlife Sanctuary (McCall)

Website: snowdonwildlifesanctuary.org

Specializes in rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife. Provides native habitat and natural conditions for wildlife assimilation before release. Medical care until re-release into wild.

Heart of Idaho Animal Sanctuary (Custer County)

Website: heartofid.org

Rescues, rehabilitates, and finds permanent homes for abandoned, neglected, and abused animals in Custer County.

Frequently Asked Questions

Idaho has two AZA-accredited zoos: Zoo Boise (accredited through September 2028) and Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park (accredited through September 2026). Idaho Falls Zoo was the first zoo in Idaho to achieve AZA accreditation and received the Quarter Century Award for 25 years of continuous accreditation. Fewer than 10% of approximately 2,800 USDA-licensed animal exhibitors nationwide achieve AZA accreditation, making these facilities leaders in the zoological profession.

Zoo Boise became the first zoo in the country to create a conservation fee in 2007, with a $1 fee built into admission that has generated over $4 million for wildlife conservation. In 2021 alone, Zoo Boise granted $296,500 to conservation efforts. Zoo Boise's veterinarian leads the AZA Snow Leopard SAFE program and the zoo participates in the Red Panda Species Survival Plan. Idaho Falls Zoo participates in over 40 Species Survival Plans, with about 40% of animals in the SSP program to maintain genetically diverse and biologically sound populations across AZA facilities.

Zoo Idaho in Pocatello specializes exclusively in species of Idaho and the Intermountain West, featuring grizzly bears (world-class exhibit), bison, deer, elk, cougars, coyotes, eagles, owls, and pronghorn. All animals at Zoo Idaho are non-releasable wildlife rescued from situations where they would have struggled to survive in the wild. Yellowstone Bear World offers drive-thru viewing of free-roaming native North American wildlife including American black bears, grizzly bears, gray wolves, Rocky Mountain elk, bison, white-tail deer, mule deer, Rocky Mountain goats, and moose.

Yes, several facilities offer hands-on experiences. Idaho Reptile Zoo provides opportunities to play with baby alligators and feed turtles (food included with admission). Aquarium of Boise features interactive touch tanks where visitors can touch or hold coral, starfish, crabs, sharks, and rays. East Idaho Aquarium offers feeding stingrays, birds, and fish, petting lizards, feeling electric eel shock, and swimming with sharks. Big Red's Barn (North Idaho's only indoor petting zoo) provides year-round hands-on access to sloths, wallabies, pythons, llamas, and more. Babby Farms offers guided tours with 130+ animals where visitors can touch, pet, and feed kangaroos, camels, lemurs, zorses, and zedonks.

Zoo Boise is open year-round daily 10 AM-5 PM (last admission 4 PM), closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Idaho Falls Zoo and Zoo Idaho operate seasonally: Idaho Falls Zoo runs May through September (9:30 AM-5 PM), while Zoo Idaho operates April through October (admission ends 3:30 PM). Morning visits tend to be less crowded and animals are often more active earlier in the day. Plan 1.5-2 hours for Idaho Falls Zoo, 45 minutes for Zoo Idaho, and 2+ hours for Zoo Boise for full experiences. Indoor facilities like Big Red's Barn, aquariums, and Idaho Reptile Zoo operate year-round regardless of weather.

All Idaho zoos offer excellent family experiences. Idaho Falls Zoo features a dedicated Children's Zoo farmyard with exotic farm animals, a contact yard for sheep and goats, and an interactive playground called "Eggceptional Eggsplorer's Eggsperience." Daily "Come Meet a Zookeeper" shows and Penguin Interaction Programs are available in summer. Zoo Boise offers birthday party packages (May 15-October 15) with presentations, goodie bags, and food options. Idaho Reptile Zoo hosts birthday parties with private areas and hands-on shows. Zoo Idaho offers educational birthday party programs year-round with 2-week advance notice. Petting facilities like Big Red's Barn and Babby Farms provide safe, hands-on animal interactions perfect for young children.

Idaho Falls Zoo is known as the "Best Little Zoo in the West" and was the first zoo in Idaho to achieve AZA accreditation. Despite its modest 10-acre size with 300+ animals representing 130 species, it punches above its weight by participating in over 40 Species Survival Plans (40% of animals are SSP participants). The zoo received the prestigious Quarter Century Award from AZA for 25 years of continuous accreditation, placing it among fewer than 10% of USDA-licensed animal exhibitors nationwide to achieve this standard. Recent additions include African lions Kenya and Dixie (July 2024 from Abilene Zoo) and exhibits representing five continents with over 28 African species alone.

Yes, both of Idaho's AZA-accredited zoos feature penguins. Zoo Boise houses a colony of nine Magellanic penguins (five females, four males) who split time between their nests and swimming in their pool. The penguins share the Penguin Pavilion with Inca terns during spring, summer, and autumn, making it one of seven multi-species homes at the zoo. Private penguin experiences are available. Idaho Falls Zoo features African penguins and offers a Penguin Interaction Program where participants meet a zookeeper, interact with the birds, and learn about African penguin lives. Both programs provide up-close encounters with these fascinating birds.

Last updated on November 27, 2025