The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Discover desert wildlife and conservation at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, featuring interactive encounters and beautiful desert landscapes.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Pleasant temps, animals active
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Best Time
Pleasant temps, animals active
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover desert wildlife and conservation at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, featuring interactive encounters and beautiful desert landscapes.
"A very clean and spacious zoo with tons of animals, highly recommended for family fun!"
🎟️ Book Tickets Online
Save money and time by purchasing your admission tickets in advance on their website.
💧 Stay Hydrated!
The desert sun is intense. Bring plenty of water or utilize the misters throughout the park. [^Review]
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Giraffe Feeding Frenzy
Giraffe Feeding Area
Get up close and personal with these gentle giants. Feeding them is a memorable experience for all ages.
+3
Rhino Encounter
Rhino Exhibit
An unforgettable opportunity to learn about and feed rhinos. Highly recommended by those who've tried it.
Desert Trails
Various Trails
Explore diverse desert landscapes on easy to medium hiking trails, offering a different perspective of the zoo.
Wallaby & Australian Section
Australian Exhibit
Discover a surprisingly spacious area for wallabies, a unique and engaging exhibit for visitors. [^Review]
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Desert Heat
Interactive Experiences & Tickets
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎟️ Book Tickets Online
Save money and time by purchasing your admission tickets in advance on their website.
💧 Stay Hydrated!
The desert sun is intense. Bring plenty of water or utilize the misters throughout the park. [^Review]
🦒 Giraffe Feeding Fun
Don't miss feeding the giraffes! It's a highlight for many and worth the extra cost.
🦏 Rhino Encounter Worth It
If your budget allows, the rhino encounter is a highly recommended, unforgettable experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎟️ Book Tickets Online
Save money and time by purchasing your admission tickets in advance on their website.
💧 Stay Hydrated!
The desert sun is intense. Bring plenty of water or utilize the misters throughout the park. [^Review]
🦒 Giraffe Feeding Fun
Don't miss feeding the giraffes! It's a highlight for many and worth the extra cost.
🦏 Rhino Encounter Worth It
If your budget allows, the rhino encounter is a highly recommended, unforgettable experience.
👟 Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking on various terrains, so wear comfortable footwear.
☀️ Early Summer Closures
In summer, the zoo often closes by 1:30 PM. Plan your visit accordingly to maximize your time. [^Review]
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise The Living Desert Zoo for its well-organized layout, friendly and helpful staff, and clear commitment to animal welfare. The interactive experiences, especially feeding giraffes and the highly recommended rhino encounter, are major highlights. Some find the gift shop pricing high, and the summer heat can be intense, leading to early closures.
"Very well organized park. Workers are very friendly and kind! A handful of lettuce normally costs $10 per person to feed the giraffes but a worker kindly offered us a discount of $10 for two bunches of lettuce instead for me and my partner :)
Zoo also clearly cares for the well being of its animals. They have a vet clinic located right in the middle of the zoo and sometimes they have live procedures that the public can come watch.
They also shut down the zoo early at 1:30pm during the hot summers so the animals can rest in the shade peacefully given how hot this place can get."
Henry Lin
"A very clean and spacious zoo with tons of animals. Went here back in 2024 and had a great time.
Wallabies and the Australian Section were particularly fascinating because this is one of the only zoos that I’ve seen (in person) give a somewhat spacious area to roam around.
Food options are there and the goats are very cute and pettable.
This makes we want to play animal crossing all over again…
If you’re wondering about the animal selection, they have a ton. You can check my photos for some examples of them.
I recommend feeding the giraffes and checking out the goats.
Fun experience for family and I hope I can visit here again so I can pet the goats again"
Ryan
"Absolutely incredible experience. A very interactive zoo with many happy and energetic animals even in the blazing heat. Staff is fantastic especially one named Anne who helped my mom with a cart ride when she was nearly getting heat stroke and another lady I didn't get a name of that replaced my souvenir coin when I got an accidental duplicate"
Parker Stoner
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is located at 47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260. It's about a 2-hour drive from Los Angeles.
Yes, there is ample parking available at the zoo. [^Review]
Public transportation options to the zoo are limited. Driving is the most convenient way to reach The Living Desert. [^Review]
From Los Angeles, take I-10 East towards Palm Springs. Exit at Monterey Avenue and turn left. Continue on Monterey Avenue, which will turn into Portola Avenue, and the zoo will be on your right.
The zoo is generally accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, with paved paths throughout most of the park. [^Review]
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Adult tickets (13+) are around $27.95 online or $29.95 at the door. Child tickets (3-12) are $17.95 online or $19.95 at the door. Children under 3 are free.
Yes, you can purchase tickets at the door, but buying online is often cheaper and saves time.
While not always advertised, some visitors have reported receiving discounts, like for multiple bunches of lettuce for giraffe feeding. Checking their website for special offers is recommended. [^Review]
Hours vary by season. From October 1 to May 31, it's 8 AM to 5 PM. From June 1 to September 30, it's 7 AM to 1:30 PM. They are closed on Christmas.
It's advisable to check the zoo's website or inquire upon arrival about booking for special encounters like giraffe feeding and the rhino encounter, as they may have limited availability.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can see a variety of desert animals, including giraffes, rhinos, bighorn sheep, wallabies, various reptiles, and more. +1 [^Review]
Yes, the zoo offers interactive experiences like giraffe feeding, a children's learning center, and splash pads during summer months. +1 [^Review]
Yes, they host events like 'Glow in the Park' during certain seasons and 'Wildlights' around the holidays.
You can often pet goats in a designated area, and some encounters allow for closer interaction with animals like rhinos. [^Review]
Absolutely! The Living Desert features hiking trails that allow you to explore the desert ecosystem.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there are food options available, including indoor dining locations. [^Review]
While not explicitly stated in all sources, it's generally a good idea to check the zoo's policy on outside food and beverages. [^Review]
Expect typical zoo fare, with options for snacks and meals. [^Review]
The zoo is spacious, and while specific picnic areas aren't always highlighted, it's a possibility. [^Review]
Yes, water and other beverages are available for purchase at the zoo's dining facilities. [^Review]
📸 📸 Photography
The giraffe feeding area, the diverse animal exhibits, and the desert landscapes offer great photo opportunities.
Yes, photography of the animals is generally allowed, but always be mindful of zoo rules and avoid flash photography that might disturb them. [^Review]
Typically, there are no major restrictions on personal photography, but commercial photography might require special permits. [^Review]
Early morning or late afternoon often provides the best light for photography, avoiding harsh midday sun. [^Review]
The giraffe feeding and the rhino encounter offer unique, up-close photo opportunities that are very popular.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
[^Review]Consider the Rhino Encounter for an extra special treat if your budget allows; it's an educational and awe-inspiring experience for older children.
💰 Budget Travelers
+1 Focus on the free-to-enjoy exhibits and the general zoo experience, which is extensive and engaging. [^Review] The giraffe feeding, while an extra cost, is often cited as a highlight and can be shared to reduce individual expense. Pack your own snacks and water to save on food costs, though check the zoo's policy on outside food. [^Review] Visiting during the off-peak season or on weekdays might also offer a more relaxed experience without necessarily impacting the ticket price. [^Review]
💑 Couples & Date Ideas
Consider visiting during the cooler months for a more leisurely stroll through the trails, or opt for an early morning visit in summer to beat the heat and enjoy a more intimate experience before the crowds arrive.
The 'Glow in the Park' event can also be a magical evening date option. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Living Desert's Conservation Mission
Visitors can learn about these efforts through educational exhibits and keeper talks. The zoo's commitment to animal welfare is evident in their spacious enclosures and the care provided by their veterinary clinic, which is sometimes open for public viewing of procedures. [^Review]
By visiting The Living Desert, you're not only enjoying a day out but also contributing to vital conservation work. The revenue generated from admissions and special encounters helps fund their ongoing efforts to protect desert wildlife for future generations.
Navigating the Zoo in Different Seasons
[^Review] They offer misters throughout the park and indoor cooling options, including a children's learning center and dining areas, to help mitigate the heat. [^Review]In contrast, the cooler months from October to May are ideal for a full-day exploration. The animals are generally more active, and the weather is perfect for enjoying the zoo's walking trails and exhibits without the intense heat.
Special events like 'Glow in the Park' and 'Wildlights' are often held during the cooler evenings of these seasons, offering a magical experience. Regardless of the season, comfortable shoes are a must, as the zoo is quite expansive. Staying hydrated is crucial year-round, but especially during warmer periods. [^Review]
Unforgettable Animal Encounters
+1 Many describe this as a highlight of their visit, offering a unique perspective and a chance for incredible photos. For a more exclusive and educational experience, the Rhino Encounter is highly recommended, though it comes with a higher price tag of $50 per person.
Beyond these popular options, the zoo also offers opportunities to interact with other animals, such as petting goats, making it a truly engaging destination for animal lovers of all ages. [^Review]
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit