Nevada Zoos and Aquariums: Complete Guide to Wildlife Attractions

Nevada features unique wildlife attractions ranging from interactive aquariums on the Las Vegas Strip to wildlife sanctuaries in the Sierra Nevada foothills. With 1 AZA-accredited facility and numerous specialized animal habitats, Nevada offers distinctive desert and exotic animal experiences for families, wildlife enthusiasts, and conservation supporters.

1

AZA-Accredited Aquarium

2,000+

Animals at Shark Reef

FREE

Flamingo Wildlife Habitat

15+

Wildlife Attractions Statewide

Quick Navigation

Major Aquariums in Las Vegas

AZA Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay - Top 16 Best Aquarium in U.S.

Location: Mandalay Bay Resort, 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Opened: June 20, 2000

Website: Shark Reef Aquarium

Facility Highlights

  • Size: 105,000 sq ft facility designed as a sinking ancient temple
  • Main Tank: 1,300,000 US gallons - one of largest in North America
  • Animals: 2,000+ animals including sharks, giant rays, endangered green sea turtles, piranhas, jellyfish, and Komodo dragon
  • Recognition: Rated one of 16 best aquariums in U.S. by U.S. News & World Report (Feb 2025)
  • Accreditation: Only AZA-accredited zoo and aquarium in Nevada

Exhibits

  • 14 Exhibits Total: Including shark tunnel and shipwreck with 360-degree views
  • Shipwreck Tank: Home to endangered green sea turtles, Galapagos sharks, blacktip reef sharks, sand tiger sharks, and green sawfish
  • Touch Pool: Interactive experience with sharks, rays, and horseshoe crabs
  • VR Theater: 36-seat virtual reality theater showing aquatic short films (opened 2020)

Shark Species

Blacktip reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, bonnethead sharks, nurse sharks, sand tiger sharks, sandbar sharks, zebra sharks, coral cat sharks, Galapagos sharks

Special Programs

  • Dive with Sharks program (swim with sharks)
  • Animal feeding programs (introduced 2013)
  • Conservation education programs

Hours & Admission

  • Hours: Entry times hourly from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry)
  • Admission: Adults $29, Seniors (65+) $27, Children (5-12) $24, Ages 4 and under FREE
Conservation Leadership

First and only Nevada facility accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. $40 million project dedicated to marine conservation and education.

2024 Update

When The Mirage Las Vegas hotel closed in July 2024, approximately 450 tropical fish from their 20,000-gallon aquarium were transferred to Shark Reef Aquarium.

SeaQuest Las Vegas - Interactive Aquarium Experience

Location: Boulevard Mall, 3528 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89169

Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Experience

Interactive land and sea adventure home to 1,200 different animals from 300 different species. Explore rainforest, desert, and ocean themes with hands-on animal interactions.

Interactive Experiences

  • Snorkel with Stingrays: Swim with rays, tropical fish, and non-threatening sharks
  • Crested Porcupine Encounter: Meet and hand-feed African crested porcupine
  • Wallaby Encounter: Feed, pet, and photograph wallabies
  • Touch and Feed: Interact with hundreds of animals from five continents
  • Otter Experience: Interactive sessions with playful otters

Education Mission

Through educational programs and interactive experiences, SeaQuest inspires visitors to become advocates for the environment and wildlife conservation.

Perfect for Families

Hands-on encounters make learning fun for children and adults. Touch, feed, and interact with exotic animals in safe, supervised environments.

Silverton Aquarium

Location: Silverton Casino, 3333 Blue Diamond Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89139

Admission: FREE

117,000-gallon tank with thousands of tropical fish. Named "Best Free Attraction in Las Vegas." Features live swimming mermaids interacting with guests. Perfect for all ages.

One World Interactive Aquarium

Location: Las Vegas

Dedicated to creating immersive and educational experiences that foster deep connections between people and animals. Mission to inspire wonder and respect for wildlife through hands-on learning opportunities.

Zoos and Animal Parks

The Las Vegas Zoo (Camel Safari) - ZAA Accredited

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Website: thelasvegaszoo.com

Established: 2016

About

Boutique-style zoo and safari experience providing up-close encounters with exotic animals. Accredited by Zoological Association of America (ZAA), member of American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, and Disney approved vendor. NO association with former Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park (closed 2013).

Animals

  • Dromedary camels and Bactrian camels
  • Two-toed sloths
  • African crested porcupines
  • New Guinea singing dogs
  • Sand cats
  • Llamas and alpacas
  • River otters

Experiences (By Reservation Only)

  • Safari Tours: Daily at 10:00 AM - includes UTV or tram safari, zoo tour with exotic animal encounters
  • VIP Sunset Safari: UTV safari, tram safari, and hands-on ambassador animal experiences
  • Camel Rides: 30-minute camel rides with tram safari, photo-op, and zoo tour
  • Educational Programs: Interpretive tours guided by keepers with animal encounters
  • Group Programs: Partnerships with homeschool groups and service projects
Accreditation
  • Zoological Association of America (ZAA) accredited
  • American Livestock Breeds Conservancy member
  • Disney approved vendor
Reservation Required

All experiences require advance reservation. Contact through website to book tours and encounters. Tours offered seven days a week at 10:00 AM.

Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary - Northern Nevada's Only ZAA-Accredited Facility

Address: 1265 Deerlodge Rd, Reno, NV 89508

Phone: Check website for current contact

Website: animalark.org

About the Sanctuary

38-acre non-profit wildlife sanctuary in Northern Nevada foothills (20-30 minutes from central Reno). Established in 1981, Animal Ark provides lifetime homes for orphaned, injured, and non-releasable wildlife. Opened to public in 1994. Never bred, sold, or traded any animals since opening.

Hours (Seasonal)

  • Open: April through November
  • Days: Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Closed: Mondays, holidays, and winter (following Thanksgiving)
  • Animal Feeding/Training: 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM daily

Admission (2025 Rates)

  • Adults: $20
  • Seniors (65+): $16
  • Children (3-12): $12
  • Children 2 and under: FREE

Animals

Kit foxes, desert tortoises (native to Nevada's Great Basin), Bengal tigers, African servals, wolves, raptors, cheetahs, and many more. Primarily features native North American predators with a few exotic species.

Special Events & Programs

  • High-speed cheetah runs
  • Wolf howls
  • Night tours
  • Animal enrichment programs
  • Outreach programs
  • Educational tours and wildlife demonstrations

Accessibility

Golf carts available by advance reservation for disabled, handicapped, or elderly patrons. Cost: $35 or $15 with valid handicapped placard (4 passengers max).

Accreditation

Northern Nevada's only facility fully accredited by the Zoological Association of America.

Mission

Inspire environmental stewardship through wildlife education. Provides sanctuary for animals that cannot survive in the wild.

Directions

Take US 395 North to Red Rock Road (Exit 78). About 30 minutes from central Reno.

Sierra Nevada Zoological Park (Sierra Safari Zoo)

Location: 10200 N Virginia St, Reno, NV (Stead area)

Former Name: Sierra Safari Zoo

Status: Check current operating status before visiting

History

Founded in 1989 by Jimmie Martin, Dale McDaniel, and Dave Dawson. Grew to become Nevada's largest zoo housing 40+ species of exotic animals, including chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, big cats, reptiles, and sloths. Featured in 2017 film "War for the Planet of the Apes."

Notable Animals (Historical)

  • Barbary Lion Leo
  • White tigers Caesar & Crystal
  • Lions, tigers, baboons
  • Fallow deer (visitors could feed and pet)
  • Goats, alpacas, llamas (interactive)

Operations

Completely staffed by approximately 50 volunteers performing daily care and feeding of 150+ animals. Offered interactive programs and behind-the-scenes tours.

Note: Verify current operational status before planning visit due to recent challenges including decreased attendance and increased costs.

Wildlife Sanctuaries and Rescue Centers

Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Imlay, NV (320 acres in high desert)

Website: safehavenwildlife.com

Established: 2006

Tours: Seven days a week at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM

Mission to rescue wild animals and provide forever homes. Houses black bears, bobcats, cougar cubs, lions, tigers, African servals, coyotes, and foxes. Hundreds of wild domestic and exotic animals rescued and cared for since 2006.

Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary

Address: 8103 Racel St, Las Vegas, NV

Website: gilcrease.community

Established: 1991 (as Gilcrease Bird Sanctuary)

501(c)3 nonprofit on historic ranchlands, home to 500+ exotic birds and domestic farm animals. Over 100 parrots including African Grays, cockatoos, macaws, toucan. Also peacocks (including albino), chickens, turkeys, ostriches, emus. 7.5-acre facility with guided and self-guided tours. Birds have been regrowing feathers lost for years thanks to improved diet.

Lion Habitat Ranch

Location: Henderson, NV

Established: 1989

Hours: Thursday-Monday, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Non-profit animal sanctuary specializing in care and protection of lions and big cats. Home to native African lions since 1989. Also cares for exotic birds and giraffes (visitors can feed giraffes).

United States Wolf Refuge and Adoption Center

Location: Sparks, NV

Founded: 1992

Wildlife sanctuary dedicated to wolf conservation and education.

Primera Parrot Sanctuary

Location: Henderson, NV

Founded: 2018

Dedicated sanctuary for rescued parrots providing lifetime care.

Southwest Exotic Avian Rescue

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Parrot rescue providing veterinary care, foster homes, and adoptions for over 150 birds. Accepts all bird species from finches to raptors.

Free Wildlife Attractions in Las Vegas

FREE Flamingo Wildlife Habitat - Best Free Las Vegas Attraction

Location: Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, 3555 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Phone: (702) 733-3349 (Wildlife Department)

Website: Flamingo Wildlife Habitat

Admission & Hours

  • Admission: FREE (no reservations or tickets required)
  • Hours: Daily from dawn to dusk
  • Pelican Feedings: 8:30 AM and 2:00 PM daily
  • Keeper Talk: 10:00 AM daily (free for visitors)

Wildlife & Features

  • Chilean Flamingos: Over 100 iconic pink flamingos
  • Birds: Exotic waterfowl, brown pelicans (including rescue pelican), local songbirds, hummingbirds
  • Aquatic Life: Freshwater turtles, variety of fish, ducks
  • Habitat: 4 acres of lush plant life, waterfalls, and streams

Visitor Information

  • Smoke-free area
  • Handicap accessible
  • Outdoor exhibit
  • Open every day of the year
  • Located on south side of Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
Best Free Activity

One of the best-loved free things to do in Las Vegas. Perfect for families looking to slow down after busy sightseeing. Established in 1995.

Educational Programs

Daily keeper talks at 10 AM provide insights into animal care and conservation. Learn directly from wildlife experts.

Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat

Location: The Mirage, Las Vegas Strip

Hours: Saturday-Sunday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Animals & Experiences

  • White tigers
  • Lions
  • Bottlenose dolphins (15-minute dolphin shows)
  • Leopards

Note: The Mirage Las Vegas hotel closed in July 2024. At time of closure, the facility housed seven bottlenose dolphins, four leopards, two lions, eight tigers, one two-toed sloth, one umbrella cockatoo, and approximately 350 fish. Verify current status and location of animals.

Petting Zoos and Animal Farms

Nature Health Farms

Location: Pahrump, NV (55 miles from Las Vegas, 45 miles from Death Valley)

Established: 2019

Recognition: #1 Petting Zoo in Pahrump, Top 10 things to do in area

Family-owned petting zoo featuring donkeys to pet, free-roaming alpacas, geese, chickens, goats, horses, peacocks, and more. Therapeutic and educational experiences. Must-stop destination for families.

Backyard Barns LV

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Animal farm and petting zoo with hands-on encounters with friendly farm animals. Get up close with horses and farm animals during grooming and feeding routines. Perfect for families and kids.

J.R. Pony Parties

Location: Northwest Las Vegas

Small licensed and insured farm offering farm tours for friends, families, and schools. All farm animals are tame and used to children. Provides petting zoo and pony ride services.

The Farm

Location: Las Vegas area

Visitors can get up close and personal with chickens, peacocks, ducks, goose, turkeys, goats, pigs, horses, cows, mule, llama, rabbits, cats, tortoises, and more. Interactive farm experience for all ages.

Desert Rose Ranch

Location: Near Carson City, NV

Welcomes friends of all ages from young kids to grandparents. Pet donkeys, goats, and other friendly farm animals. Family-friendly atmosphere.

Interactive Animal Experiences

Nevada's Best Interactive Animal Encounters

Nevada offers unique hands-on animal experiences throughout the state:

  • SeaQuest Las Vegas: Snorkel with stingrays, feed porcupines, interact with wallabies
  • The Las Vegas Zoo: Camel rides, UTV safaris, hands-on exotic animal encounters
  • Animal Ark: Cheetah runs, wolf howls, feeding times at 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM
  • Shark Reef Aquarium: Touch pool with sharks and rays, dive with sharks program
  • Lion Habitat Ranch: Feed giraffes, observe African lions
  • Sierra Nevada Zoological Park: Feed and pet fallow deer, interact with goats, alpacas, llamas

Visitor Information

Best Time to Visit

  • Las Vegas Attractions: Year-round (mostly indoor)
  • Animal Ark: April-November (closed winter)
  • Outdoor Attractions: Spring and fall for comfortable temperatures
  • Avoid: Summer midday heat (105°F+)

Planning Your Visit

  • Shark Reef Aquarium: 2-3 hours
  • SeaQuest: 2-3 hours
  • Animal Ark: 3-4 hours
  • Flamingo Habitat: 30-60 minutes
  • Las Vegas Zoo Safari: 2-3 hours

Free Attractions

  • Flamingo Wildlife Habitat (FREE)
  • Silverton Aquarium (FREE)
  • Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary (donation-based)

Las Vegas Strip Attractions

Most aquariums and wildlife habitats on Las Vegas Strip are inside casino resorts. Free parking available for resort guests. Valet and self-parking options.

Accessibility

Major Las Vegas attractions are wheelchair accessible with elevators, ramps, and accessible restrooms. Animal Ark offers golf cart rentals for disabled, handicapped, or elderly visitors ($35 or $15 with handicapped placard).

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Nevada has one AZA-accredited facility: the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. It is the only accredited zoo and aquarium in Nevada. The 105,000 sq ft facility opened in June 2000 as a $40 million project and features over 2,000 animals including sharks, rays, endangered sea turtles, and a Komodo dragon. The main tank holds 1.3 million gallons, making it one of the largest in North America. It was rated one of the 16 best aquariums in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report in February 2025.

The Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park (informally known as the Las Vegas Zoo) permanently closed on September 20, 2013, when the last remaining staff members quit. The zoo operated from 1981 to 2013 on a 3-acre site and exhibited over 150 species including the last family of Barbary apes in the United States. A complaint was filed with the USDA over animal treatment, and the animals were relocated. The current Las Vegas Zoo (Camel Safari), which opened in 2016, is a completely different facility with no association to the former Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park.

Nevada offers several outstanding free wildlife attractions: The Flamingo Wildlife Habitat at Flamingo Las Vegas features over 100 Chilean flamingos, exotic birds, and wildlife across 4 acres of gardens with waterfalls and streams (open daily dawn to dusk, with free pelican feedings at 8:30 AM and 2 PM). The Silverton Aquarium at Silverton Casino has a 117,000-gallon tank with thousands of tropical fish and live swimming mermaids, named "Best Free Attraction in Las Vegas." Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary houses 500+ exotic birds and farm animals on 7.5 acres (donation-based). All are family-friendly and perfect for budget-conscious visitors.

Nevada excels in interactive animal experiences: SeaQuest Las Vegas offers snorkeling with stingrays, porcupine feedings, and wallaby encounters with 1,200 animals from 300 species. The Las Vegas Zoo (Camel Safari) provides camel rides, UTV safaris, and hands-on exotic animal encounters by reservation. Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary near Reno features cheetah runs, wolf howls, and feeding times at 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 2:30 PM. Shark Reef Aquarium has a touch pool with sharks and rays plus a dive-with-sharks program. Lion Habitat Ranch in Henderson lets visitors feed giraffes. Sierra Nevada Zoological Park allows feeding and petting fallow deer, goats, alpacas, and llamas.

Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay admission is $29 for adults, $27 for seniors (65+), $24 for children ages 5-12, and free for children 4 and under. Entry times run hourly from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry). The aquarium features 14 exhibits including a shark tunnel, shipwreck tank with 360-degree views, touch pool with sharks and rays, and a 36-seat VR theater. Special programs like dive-with-sharks and animal feeding are available for additional fees. The facility houses over 2,000 animals in a 105,000 sq ft space designed as a sinking ancient temple.

Nevada has 16 wildlife sanctuaries and refuges. Major facilities include Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary in Imlay (320 acres housing black bears, big cats, coyotes, foxes with tours at 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM daily); Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary near Reno (38 acres, ZAA-accredited, providing lifetime homes for non-releasable wildlife); Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary in Las Vegas (500+ exotic birds and farm animals since 1991); Lion Habitat Ranch in Henderson (lions and giraffes since 1989, open Thursday-Monday 11 AM-3 PM); Primera Parrot Sanctuary in Henderson; Southwest Exotic Avian Rescue in Las Vegas (150+ birds); and United States Wolf Refuge in Sparks. Combined, these organizations employ 722 people and earn over $21 million annually.

Yes, the Reno area has two main wildlife facilities: Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary (1265 Deerlodge Rd, about 30 minutes from central Reno) is a 38-acre ZAA-accredited sanctuary open seasonally April-November, Tuesday-Sunday 10 AM-4:30 PM. It houses kit foxes, desert tortoises, Bengal tigers, African servals, wolves, raptors, and cheetahs with admission at $20 adults, $16 seniors, $12 children. The Sierra Nevada Zoological Park (formerly Sierra Safari Zoo) at 10200 N Virginia St in the Stead area was Nevada's largest zoo with 40+ species, though visitors should verify current operating status before planning a visit.

Most Las Vegas wildlife attractions are open year-round as they are primarily indoor facilities: Shark Reef Aquarium operates daily with hourly entry times 10 AM-6 PM, SeaQuest Las Vegas is open Monday-Sunday 11 AM-8 PM, and Flamingo Wildlife Habitat is accessible daily from dawn to dusk every day of the year. However, Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary near Reno is seasonal, operating only April through November, Tuesday-Sunday 10 AM-4:30 PM, and closed during winter following Thanksgiving. Outdoor attractions are most comfortable to visit in spring and fall when temperatures are moderate; summer temperatures can exceed 105°F in Las Vegas.

The Mirage Las Vegas hotel closed in July 2024, ending its decades-long animal exhibits. At the time of closure, Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat housed seven bottlenose dolphins, four leopards, two lions, eight tigers, one two-toed sloth, one umbrella cockatoo, and approximately 350 fish between the two attractions. The 20,000-gallon aquarium that hosted about 450 tropical fish was relocated, with the fish transferred to new homes at the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. The closure marked a shift in Las Vegas from entertainment-focused animal exhibits toward more education and conservation-focused wildlife facilities.

Nevada offers several family-friendly petting zoos: Nature Health Farms in Pahrump (55 miles from Las Vegas) is the #1 rated petting zoo in the area with donkeys, free-roaming alpacas, geese, chickens, goats, horses, and peacocks. Backyard Barns LV in Las Vegas provides hands-on farm animal encounters with grooming and feeding experiences. J.R. Pony Parties operates a licensed farm on the northwest side of Las Vegas with tame animals used to children. Gilcrease Animal Sanctuary features opportunities to pet and feed goats, chickens, and geese, especially suitable for younger children. The Farm in the Las Vegas area offers close encounters with chickens, peacocks, ducks, goats, pigs, horses, cows, llamas, rabbits, and tortoises. Near Carson City, Desert Rose Ranch welcomes all ages to pet donkeys and goats.

Last updated on November 27, 2025