Montana Zoos & Wildlife Sanctuaries

Montana features two AZA-accredited wildlife centers specializing in native Northern Hemisphere species, plus numerous wildlife sanctuaries dedicated to grizzly bears, wolves, raptors, and non-releasable animals. From ZooMontana's 70-acre wildlife park to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center at Yellowstone's gateway, Montana offers exceptional opportunities to observe and learn about regional wildlife.

2

AZA-Accredited Zoos

10+

Wildlife Sanctuaries

100+

Mammal Species Statewide

365

Days Open at GWDC

Quick Navigation

Top Montana Wildlife Centers

ZooMontana AZA

Location: 2100 Shiloh Rd, Billings, MT
Phone: (406) 652-8100

Hours: May-Oct 10 AM - 4 PM, Nov-Apr 10 AM - 2 PM daily

Admission: Adults $11, Children (3-15) $8, Seniors/Military $9

Montana's only zoo and botanical park, AZA-accredited, specializing in northern-latitude animals across 70 acres. Features 106 animals of 56 species including Amur Tigers, Red Pandas, Grizzly Bears, Grey Wolves, Canada Lynx, Wolverines, River Otters, Bald Eagles. Five themed areas: America's Waterways, Asia, Discovery Area, Homestead Barn with children's zoo, and Rocky Mountain Adventure. Sensory Garden and koi feeding available.

Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center AZA

Location: 201 S Canyon St, West Yellowstone, MT
Phone: (800) 257-2570

Hours: Daily 8:30 AM - 7 PM (seasonal variation)

Admission: Adults $16.50, Seniors (62+) $15.50, Children (5-12) $11.50, Under 4 FREE

Not-for-profit wildlife park opened 1993, AZA-accredited since 2001. Open 365 days/year, admission good for two consecutive days. All bears are rescued nuisance bears or orphaned cubs. Large naturalistic habitats with pools, waterfalls, and fish-stocked ponds. Two wolf packs, raptor exhibits, and Banks of the Yellowstone Exhibit featuring river otters, Cutthroat Trout, Arctic Grayling, and native amphibians. Located one block from Yellowstone National Park.

AZA-Accredited Zoos & Wildlife Centers

Montana is home to 2 AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited facilities among 240 nationwide. AZA accreditation represents the gold standard for animal care and education, with fewer than 10% of 2,800 USDA-licensed wildlife exhibitors achieving this status.

ZooMontana AZA Accredited

Address: 2100 Shiloh Rd, Billings, MT
Phone: (406) 652-8100

Hours:
- May-September: 10 AM - 5 PM daily
- October-April: 10 AM - 4 PM daily
- Guests permitted on grounds 1 hour after closing
- Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day
- Call ahead in questionable weather

Admission:
- Adults: $11
- Children (3-15): $8
- Seniors (55+) & Military: $9
- Children 2 & under: FREE
- Groups (12+): $7 per person
- School & non-profit groups: $4 (call ahead)

Size: 70-acre wildlife park and botanical garden

Animals: 106 animals of 56 species including Amur Tigers, River Otters, Grizzly Bears, Big Horn Sheep, Wolverines, Grey Wolves, Red Pandas, Sika Deer, Bald Eagles, Pygmy Marmosets, Canada Lynx, Takin

Exhibits: Five themed areas - America's Waterways, Asia Region (paved path through cottonwood forest), North America Region (wolves, grizzlies, otters, beavers, eagles, bighorn sheep), Discovery Area, Homestead Barn (Belgian draft horses, pygmy goats, peafowl, rabbits), and Rocky Mountain Adventure. Sensory Garden and Botanical Gardens throughout. Turn-of-the-century homestead house and barn.

Special Features: Montana's only zoo and botanical park. Specializes in Greater Yellowstone ecosystem fauna and northern-latitude animals. AZA-accredited facility demonstrating commitment to animal welfare and conservation. Koi feeding available for small fee. Children's zoo in Homestead area.

Location: 10 miles from Billings Logan International Airport with free parking

Visiting Tips: Arrive early to see grizzly bears at breakfast (most active). Visit early mornings on hot days for animal activity. Wear sunscreen. Water bottle filler inside. Plan 2-3 hours for complete tour.

Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center AZA Accredited since 2001

Address: 201 South Canyon St, West Yellowstone, MT
Phone: (800) 257-2570 or (406) 646-7001

Opened: 1993
Renamed: 2002 (previously named differently)

Hours: Daily 8 AM - dusk (seasonal variations: summer 8:30 AM - 7 PM)
Open: 365 days/year

Admission: Good for two consecutive days
- Adults (13+): $16.50
- Seniors (62+): $15.50
- Children (5-12): $11.50
- Children 4 & under: FREE

Animals: Grizzly bears (all rescued nuisance bears or orphaned cubs), two wolf packs, birds of prey (raptors unable to survive in wild), North American river otters, Cutthroat Trout, Arctic Grayling, Tiger salamanders, Columbia spotted frogs, Rubber Boas, Garter Snakes

Exhibits:
- Bear Habitat: Large naturalistic outdoor habitat with pool, waterfall, private indoor areas. Staff hides food and stocks pond with fish for natural discovery behaviors. Bears rotated for different social combinations.
- Wolf Habitats: Two packs in separate habitats divided by Naturalist cabin with large viewing windows
- Banks of the Yellowstone Exhibit (opened 2019): Freshwater aquariums featuring native species
- Birds of Prey (added 2013-2014): Five exhibits housing raptors, including renovated golden eagle aviary for bald eagles
- "BEARS: Imagination & Reality" educational exhibit

Mission: Not-for-profit educational facility providing visitors opportunity to learn about, view, and appreciate grizzly bears and gray wolves. Wildlife rescue/recovery center, not traditional zoo.

Facilities: Complimentary parking, restrooms, playground, gift shop, picnic tables

Location: One block from Yellowstone National Park west entrance, next to Yellowstone Giant Screen Theater

Visiting Tips: Go early when animals most active (especially summer). Two-day admission allows multiple visits. This is rescue center focused on education and conservation.

Bear, Wolf & Large Predator Sanctuaries

Montana Grizzly Encounter

Location: Bozeman, MT

Founded: 2004 when Casey Anderson rescued baby grizzly named Brutus

Animals: Six bears - Brutus, Bella, Sheena, Jake, Maggi, and Max

Mission: Bear rescue and education facility focusing on grizzly bear conservation and public awareness

Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Red Lodge, MT

Established: 1983 (35+ years of operation)

Animals: Non-releasable animals including bison, bears, mountain lions, wolves, hawks, owls, and foxes

Mission: Providing lifelong care for injured or non-releasable wildlife unable to return to their natural habitats

Howler's Inn Wolf Sanctuary

Location: Near Bozeman, MT

Animals: Captive-bred wolves from all over North America

Public Access: Not open to general public (not licensed for exhibitors)

Note: Only accessible to guests staying at Howler's Inn. Rescues and cares for captive-bred wolves.

Raptor & Bird Conservation Centers

Montana Raptor Conservation Center

Services: Rehabilitation, education, and conservation partnerships

Mission: Montana's raptor welfare center caring for injured birds of prey and advocating for species protection

Raptors of the Rockies

Location: Florence, MT

Programs: On-site and community education with live birds

Annual Reach: In 2021 - 33 programs, 24 tours, 807 attendees of all ages

Focus: Educating schools and public about birds of prey conservation

For the Birds Parrot Rescue and Sanctuary

Location: Kalispell, MT

Founded: 2016

Mission: Parrot rescue and sanctuary providing permanent homes for parrots in need

Other Wildlife Sanctuaries

Animal Wonders

Animals: 100+ wild and exotic animals

Rescues and provides continuing care while offering educational programs about wildlife

Montana Waterfowl Foundation

Location: Ronan, MT

Reintroduces Trumpeter Swans on reservation and provides wildlife education opportunities

Safe Haven Llama and Alpaca Sanctuary

Rescues and re-homes llamas and alpacas, providing safe haven for displaced camelids

National Wildlife Refuges & Management Areas

CSKT Bison Range

Location: Moiese, MT

Wildlife: Bison, deer, elk, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, mountain lions, black bears (occasional)

Birds: Over 200 bird species inhabit the area

Features: Major bison conservation area managed by Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes

Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Location: 14 miles north of Great Falls off US Highway 87

Features: Self-guided auto tour route through refuge

Wildlife: Wetland birds, waterfowl, and migratory species

Swan River National Wildlife Refuge

Location: Between Swan and Mission mountain ranges south of Swan Lake

Habitat: Wetland and grassland

Wildlife: 171 bird species, white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, beavers, muskrats, raccoons

Judith Wildlife Management Area

Location: 11 miles southwest of Utica in east end of Little Belt Mountains

Features: Abundant vegetation for wintering elk and deer

Significance: Montana has more mammal species (approximately 100) than any other U.S. state

Planning Your Montana Zoo Visit

Best Times to Visit

  • Early Morning: Animals most active, especially bears at breakfast feeding time
  • Summer: Longer hours (ZooMontana 10 AM - 5 PM), but arrive early before heat increases
  • Winter: Shorter hours but unique opportunity to see animals in snow (ZooMontana 10 AM - 4 PM)
  • Spring/Fall: Moderate weather, comfortable temperatures for walking tours
  • Special Events: ZooMontana Family Fun Nights ($8 adults, $6 children), Holiday Nights (Thu-Sun 5:30-9 PM, $10-12)

What to Bring

  • Sunscreen (Montana sunshine intense at elevation)
  • Water bottles (water bottle fillers available at ZooMontana)
  • Comfortable walking shoes for 70-acre ZooMontana
  • Camera for wildlife photography
  • Light jacket (mountain weather changes quickly)
  • Binoculars for distant animal viewing

Time Planning

  • ZooMontana: 2-3 hours for complete tour of 70 acres
  • Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center: 2-3 hours (take advantage of two-day admission)
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries: 1-2 hours each
  • National Wildlife Refuges: 1-3 hours for auto tours

Money-Saving Tips

  • Two-Day Admission: Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center admission good for two consecutive days
  • Family Events: ZooMontana Family Fun Nights ($8 adults vs regular $11)
  • Group Rates: ZooMontana groups of 12+ pay $7 vs regular $11
  • School Groups: ZooMontana offers $4 admission for schools/non-profits (call ahead)
  • Young Children: Children under 2 (ZooMontana) and under 4 (GWDC) FREE
  • Military Discount: ZooMontana offers $9 military rate vs regular $11

Weather Considerations

  • Check Before Visiting: ZooMontana hours dependent on weather and trail conditions - call (406) 652-8100 if questionable
  • Montana Weather: Can change rapidly; be prepared for temperature swings
  • Winter Closures: Most facilities remain open year-round, but trail conditions may affect access
  • Summer Heat: Visit early mornings when animals are more active and temperatures cooler

Frequently Asked Questions

Montana has 2 AZA-accredited facilities: ZooMontana in Billings and the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone. As of 2025, only 240 facilities nationwide hold AZA accreditation, representing fewer than 10% of the 2,800 USDA-licensed wildlife exhibitors. AZA accreditation requires meeting rigorous standards for animal care, conservation, education, and facilities, with re-accreditation required every five years.

ZooMontana houses 106 animals representing 56 species, specializing in northern-latitude and Greater Yellowstone ecosystem fauna. Major species include Amur Tigers, Red Pandas, Grizzly Bears, Grey Wolves, Canada Lynx, Wolverines, River Otters, Bald Eagles, Big Horn Sheep, Sika Deer, Pygmy Marmosets, and Takin. The Homestead Barn features domesticated animals including Belgian draft horses, pygmy goats, peafowl, and rabbits. Visitors can also feed koi in the ponds for a small fee.

The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is not a traditional zoo but a wildlife rescue and education facility. All bears at the center are rescued nuisance bears or orphaned cubs that cannot be released into the wild. The facility's primary mission is educational - providing visitors opportunities to learn about and appreciate grizzly bears and gray wolves while supporting wildlife conservation. Unlike zoos that acquire animals for display, GWDC exclusively houses animals that need permanent sanctuary. It has been AZA-accredited since 2001, demonstrating its commitment to high standards of animal welfare.

The best time to visit is early morning when animals are most active, especially to see the grizzly bears come out for breakfast feeding. After eating, bears put on impressive shows in the water and interact with each other. On hot summer days, early morning visits are particularly recommended as animals become less active as temperatures rise. The zoo offers longer hours May-September (10 AM - 5 PM) versus shorter winter hours October-April (10 AM - 4 PM). Plan to spend 2-3 hours for a complete pleasant walk through the 70-acre zoo and botanical gardens.

Montana offers several facilities to observe wolves safely. ZooMontana in Billings features Grey Wolves in their North America Region exhibit. The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone houses two separate wolf packs in naturalistic habitats divided by the Naturalist cabin with large viewing windows allowing observation of pack behavior. Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary in Red Lodge also cares for non-releasable wolves. For wild wolves, Yellowstone National Park (partially in Montana) offers opportunities to see wolves in their natural habitat, though sightings require patience and often binoculars or spotting scopes.

Yes, both major facilities operate year-round. The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is open 365 days per year, including holidays. ZooMontana is open every day at 10 AM except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. However, ZooMontana's hours depend on weather and trail conditions - visitors should call (406) 652-8100 prior to visiting if weather is questionable. Winter hours are shorter (10 AM - 2 PM or 4 PM) compared to summer hours (10 AM - 5 PM). Guests are permitted on ZooMontana grounds for one hour after the posted closing time.

Montana has numerous specialized wildlife sanctuaries. Bear sanctuaries include Montana Grizzly Encounter (Bozeman - 6 bears including Brutus) and Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary (Red Lodge - bison, bears, mountain lions, wolves since 1983). Raptor centers include Montana Raptor Conservation Center, Raptors of the Rockies (Florence - 807 attendees in 2021), and For the Birds Parrot Rescue (Kalispell). Other sanctuaries include Animal Wonders (100+ animals), Howler's Inn Wolf Sanctuary (near Bozeman - not public), Montana Waterfowl Foundation (Ronan - Trumpeter Swans), and Safe Haven Llama and Alpaca Sanctuary. Montana has approximately 100 mammal species - more than any other U.S. state.

ZooMontana: Adults $11, Children (3-15) $8, Seniors (55+) & Military $9, Children 2 & under FREE. Group rates (12+) $7 per person. School/non-profit groups $4 (call ahead for reservations). Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center: Adults (13+) $16.50, Seniors (62+) $15.50, Children (5-12) $11.50, Children 4 & under FREE. GWDC admission is good for two consecutive days. Both facilities offer free parking. ZooMontana also offers special event pricing: Family Fun Nights ($8 adults, $6 children) and Holiday Nights ($10-12 adults, $8-10 children).

Montana does not have a major standalone public aquarium, but the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center features the Banks of the Yellowstone Exhibit (opened 2019), which includes large freshwater aquariums showcasing North American river otters, native fish species (Cutthroat Trout and Arctic Grayling), and native amphibians and reptiles (Tiger salamanders, Columbia spotted frogs, Rubber Boas, and Garter Snakes). This exhibit focuses on Yellowstone ecosystem aquatic species. ZooMontana also has ponds where visitors can feed koi fish for a small fee, though this is a minor feature rather than a full aquarium exhibit.

Montana offers several National Wildlife Refuges and management areas. CSKT Bison Range (Moiese) is home to bison, deer, elk, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, mountain lions, occasional black bears, and over 200 bird species. Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge (14 miles north of Great Falls off US Highway 87) features a self-guided auto tour route for viewing wetland birds and waterfowl. Swan River National Wildlife Refuge (between Swan and Mission mountain ranges) provides habitat for 171 bird species plus deer, elk, moose, beavers, muskrats, and raccoons. Judith Wildlife Management Area (11 miles southwest of Utica) offers excellent wintering habitat for elk and deer in the Little Belt Mountains.

Last updated on November 27, 2025