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Hemker Park and Zoo Closed for the Season Open May 1 image

Hemker Park and Zoo Closed for the Season Open May 1

Tourist attraction β€’ Zoo

πŸ‘πŸ‘ *** Everyone has a different experience *** We had a great experience. The price we paid is worth it. We bought 2 General Admission Tickets for $40.50 (before Tax, Service Fees, and Credit Card Processing Fees). We came at late noon, so most animals were napping or hiding. Other animals look overhea... People often mention animals, feed, time, experience, kids, birds, worth, feeding, great, amazing,


Address

26715 Co Rd 39, Freeport, MN 56331

Website

www.hemkerzoo.com

Contact

(320) 836-2426

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (1K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • .: Hide open hours for the week

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: animals (73) feed (28) time (27) experience (23) kids (23) birds (17) worth (16) feeding (16) great (15) amazing (14)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Sara H. 7 months ago on Google β€’ 99 reviews
    *** Everyone has a different experience *** We had a great experience. The price we paid is worth it. We bought 2 General Admission Tickets for $40.50 (before Tax, Service Fees, and Credit Card Processing Fees). We came at late noon, so most animals were napping or hiding. Other animals look overheated and tired because of the weather outside. To have a better experience, choose a day that is cool and not too hot outside. Before noon or after 3 pm is the ideal time to visit the zoo. At that point, the animals will be more active instead of hiding from the heat or taking a nap. In this zoo, you can see animals more closely than in most other zoos. There are many experiences available for a fee that can provide you with more enjoyment and knowledge about the animals. You can have Bird Feeding, Giraffe Feeding, Otter Feeding, Rhino Feeding, Koi Feeding, or a Tram Ride with a budget fee and Red Panda Experience, Alligator Experience, Kangaroo Experience, Cuddle with Boa, or Pet The Penguin with a higher fee. Asking the staff for more details about the experience you are interested in. I believe there are some events at this zoo, so be sure to check out the events calendar on their website to not miss any interesting activities.
    4 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 4/5 Nicky Clark S. 2 years ago on Google
    Really cool zoo. Heads up if you go in May or October that you'll miss about 1/3 of the animals because it's too cold out for them and most animals are outside. Cash preferred, there's an additional charge for cards. Bring change for food to feed the animals along the way, fifty cents each. There's a little snack shack and indoor restrooms and two gift stores. The staff was all really nice!
    4 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Kathy L. 2 years ago on Google
    My husband, daughter, her 2 kids and I had a wonderful day at the Hemker Park and Zoo!! The environment of the zoo is amazing! It was great to see the animals so close up! My grandkids got to feed the giraffes, the otters and the newest member of the zoo and the only one in Minnesota, the rhinoceros who just turned 3. A highlight for the kids was the parakeet tent where they land on you as you feed them seed on a stick. We even had to go back a second time before we left. Lots of animals to see, even some on the endangered list. It is a must see! You will NOT be disappointed! PS. It is only about an hours drive from the Twin Cities.
    3 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Noah M. 2 years ago on Google
    Really low-key zoo, perfect place to kill a few hours and see some awesome animals up close! Most reactive and goofy animals I've seen at any zoo. Highly recommend, will be back to take more pictures.
    3 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Tammie 1 year ago on Google β€’ 207 reviews
    A true gem outside the craziness of the city. Staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and truly care about the animals. Experiences are well worth the price. We spent the entire day here and loved every minute! Even the food from the concession stand was delicious and hot. Highly recommend visiting! We'll be back!
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 SANDRA B. 6 months ago on Google β€’ 300 reviews
    Hemker Park & Zoo is a must visit. Animals, facilities, coffee cafe, and park grounds are very well cared for AND the zoo has 2 rhinos, giraffes, yaks, many varieties of exotic birds, alpaca, African penguins, a red panda, and so much more. Walk the grounds or board a safari vehicle to see the animals in a loop. Pack a cooler and enjoy lunch in a shaded picnic pavilion. Staff members are competent, caring, friendly, enthusiastic animal lovers.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Ka Bo X. 9 months ago on Google β€’ 38 reviews
    Good place to take the kids to enjoy. Definitely smaller than expected. There's activities you can do like feed the giraffes, birds or otters for a small fee. There's a play ground and small area to get snacks. A little pricer than other places and smaller, but the overall experience was good.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 4/5 D S. 5 months ago on Google β€’ 481 reviews
    Pulling up I was disappointed, it looked like a farm. Got in there and was surprised on the amount of different animals there. I seen a giraffe run in person for the first time here, it looked to be in slow motion because there are so big. Kinda on the pricey side to get in, but worth it at least once.

  • 5/5 Esraa K. 2 years ago on Google
    The kids and I loved this place. We have the chance to feed the Griffe at their fed time. We bought lettuce ticket at the entrance πŸ₯¬ and spent time feeding them with some lovely pictures! The recently added a ride small safari car. The ride for $7 taking you inside the zoo for 30 minutes. It is amazing experience. We loved seeing different kind of spacies. Some of the animals were new. There are also monkeys, birds, goats, sheep, lama, alpaca, fish, turtles, deers, zebras, and my favorite animal to see is Camel with two hams 🐫 also known as Bactrian Camel or Mongolian. I recommend this zoo for families, kids and anyone who enjoy animals.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 cindy h. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing time at the zoo today. When you drive up the zoo looks really small in size, but it is definitely a nice little hideaway. Lots of animals, and you are able to feed many of them at a price. You can feed a rhino, giraffe πŸ¦’, otters, many of the monkeys, koi fish, and obviously a petting zoo. Well worth the drive. It was an amazing experience, and I can't wait to experience it again.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Nicholas S. 1 year ago on Google
    Fantastic little zoo. Love the variety of herd species. Very well kept and the animals are all well kept, bright and alert and seem very happy. We will be coming more.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Mary B. 1 year ago on Google
    The park was extremely clean and beautifully landscaped. The animals appeared very healthy and had nice enclosures. The staff was amazing: friendly, informative, patient with all my questions. It’s a small zoo, but has a nicely diverse variety of animals. They have food now, and are planning a coffee shop. I will definitely return.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Jayson S. 1 year ago on Google
    We had fun with a first time visit! Very few people around so it was relaxed, and saw most animals in the exhibits. Some really impressive and rare animals, several which I had not seen before. Visitors can get fairly close up to many of the animals as well. Fun little road trip and way to spend an afternoon.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 brenda s. 7 months ago on Google β€’ 180 reviews
    Lovely zoo! The animals are so well organized to see them all. The staff is amazing.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Vanessa A. 7 months ago on Google β€’ 124 reviews
    It's an amazing place, You'll really enjoy seeing different kinds of animals. Feeding the giraffes was my favorite part!
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 4/5 Cassandra 6 months ago on Google β€’ 29 reviews
    Definitely worth the little trip! We're newly from Saint Cloud and discovered this Zoo when planning a visit with grandparents. They have a variety of kid friendly foods, adorable play park with ample seating for picnics, and many different animals! The walk around isn't strenuous so little kids can handle it. We spent a total of 4 hours which is about as much as you would need... could be less, but we did a lunch date and the kids played a while after viewing the entirety of the zoo. The day was slightly expensive- in total it was $40 admission, probably $20 refreshments, $10 for feed, and $20 for a take away item- this was just for myself and my daughter. You can get away with a cheaper date by bringing your own picnic and drinks.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Natasha R. 6 months ago on Google β€’ 11 reviews
    I loved absolutely everything about this mom & pop type park/zoo!! My boyfriend and I went on a "zoo date," and ended up choosing Hemker Park & Zoo, and I was not disappointed! The woman working the register in the entrance building, was very kind and all smiles. She gave off very happy vibes. My favorite part was all of the budgies landing and climbing all over us, but I do need to reiterate, it was just all around a fun time and we loved it.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Tanner B. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing experience! My family had such a great time here! Very inviting atmosphere, perfect size for walking around with small children, plenty to do and tons of close-up experiences. I would go here over down to the cities any day! My daughter will forever remember the giraffe feelings, and my older kids didn’t want to get out of the bird feeding building! We will absolutely be back!
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 T P. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a smaller farm like experience with exotic animals. The experiences you can purchase are pretty cool. We got 1 on 1 time with a penguin, fed the giraffes, fed the rhino, the otters and the koi fish. Lots of zoos let you feed giraffes, but where can you pet a penguin or feed a rhinoceros! The people were pretty friendly and I saw them cleaning tables and refilling soap at their hand washing stations. Prepare to get dirty, we were all fithly by the time we left. Also we were late and they were extremely accommodating in moving our experiences around so we could still do them all. Only negative is that my little boy fell and was bleeding and crying and about 5 workers walked passed and not a single one inquired if everything was OK or if we needed anything. Perhaps they are just used to kiddos crying or were hyper focused on their jobs and not really paying attention?
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 John B. 8 months ago on Google
    This place is a hidden treasure I will be telling everyone about. I didn't expect the quality zoo that we found out there. Great job.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Theresa O. 8 months ago on Google
    Absolutely LOVED this zoo. A nice assortment of birds and animals.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 1/5 S K. 3 years ago on Google
    I love supporting local businesses! We drove an hour and a half to come to this zoo instead of going to one of the larger ones in the cities. We arrived at 4:05. Closing time was 6:00, so we had plenty of time. It was drizzling a bit, but we didn’t care. However, once we paid $75, we realized that most of the animals were inside. Had they mentioned it before taking our money, we would have come back next weekend. When I mentioned this before leaving less than an hour after we arrived, I got a rude, condescending reply of β€œwe do what’s best for the animals”. I get it. If you don’t keep the animals out in the rain, that’s fine. But if you could mention that it’s mostly birds and a few random animals here and there left out today, we would have happily paid the $75 the following weekend. It just seemed like common courtesy as a business to mention that to guests before taking their money. It felt like a complete money-grab. Unfortunately, we will not be donating to this business again. They seemed greedy and callous. I would recommend to others that this tiny little zoo isn’t worth that kind of money and a business with such poor customer care doesn’t deserve your money anyway.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Tatyana C. 6 months ago on Google β€’ 150 reviews
    I was here about a year ago with my 14 month old daughter and just came back with her, and she had a blast with all the animals. The zoo is well taken care of and so clean! They have beautiful structures built instead of the cheapest materials( will include some photos of structures). I love that the animals are clearly loved and taken care of. Staff are so friendly, and it's reasonably priced given that it's a private zoo. We did the giraffe feeding and a kangaroo encounter, and it was absolutely majestic. Highly recommend, and we will definitely be back! Thank you so much for giving people the opportunity to be in such close proximity to animals! It's just beautiful πŸ₯ΉπŸ₯ΉπŸ₯Ή

  • 5/5 Blue P. 6 months ago on Google β€’ 46 reviews
    We had a great time and will definitely visit again! Don't judge this zoo by what you see from the road, as this place is much bigger on the inside. They have a wide variety of animal species from many regions of the globe, and certain animals that you will not find at any other Zoo in Minnesota. They offer a plethora of animal encounter experiences you can add on to your visit that will be sure to please. If you are viewing the photos here on Google for this zoo you may find that some animals are not currently on display anymore. We visited on the week of September 10th 2023 and the animals we didn't see were the Helmeted Curassow, Flamingos and the other birds in the same enclosure, the Peacock or albino Peacocks, Sandhill Crane, White Crowned Hornbill, Lady Ross Turaco, Ostrich, Puffins, Hyacinth Macaw, Green Iguana, Red Earred Slider, Warthogs, Badger, Ankole Watusi, New Guinea Singing Dog, De Brazza Monkey, Green Monkey, Vervet Monkey, Sitatunga, Nyala, Japanese Serow, Blesbok, Transcaspian Uriaf, Bontebok, but they still have so many other enclosures and species offered for display and a visit will be worth while.

  • 5/5 Nicole P. 5 months ago on Google β€’ 41 reviews
    Amazing place to visit! We went for the first time this summer and I’m sure we’ll be back!

  • 5/5 ML P. 4 months ago on Google β€’ 20 reviews
    I love this place. I have visited this place over and over for the past couple of years. and hope to continue going there for many years to come.

  • 5/5 Tim S. 5 months ago on Google β€’ 13 reviews
    Awesome zoo, great little local spot, they have a coffee shop as well, not sure on the hours, unfortunately didn't get to try any myself. Great place for kids though!

  • 5/5 Sheila M. 1 year ago on Google
    When you first pull up, you will kinda wonder why you took the time to go there, but it is really a great little hidden gem in Freeport, MN. Staff was very personable. I had a lot of fun. I would go back again.

  • 5/5 venessa c. 2 years ago on Google
    We love this place. Super nice for the little one, she can walk it and have fun. We loved feeding the KoI and the food to the other animals. Feeding the Rhino was fun but not what we expected, we figure everyone still learning how to do this best and we will Definitely come back to do it again. Just waited for a long time to drop our banana and not be able to actually feed it and have to move for the next one so quick. But it was still super amazing and fun to be so close to Tio. He is beautiful and amazing and loved the experience. The park is so fun. Mine is to little she fell off the slide each time cause it isn't really set for toddlers but we kept trying. The staff is always soooo nice and helpful. We love this zoo and always recommend it to everyone and say get a roll at Charlie's when you leave too. We will be back a few times this summer. Thanks for being so great for my family fun!

  • 5/5 Sarah W. 9 months ago on Google
    Clean, large enclosures with wide variety of animals. Large playground with great concessions! Coffee/ice cream shop very clean. Everything is reasonably priced and I highly recommend the animal feedings

  • 5/5 Rose P. 9 months ago on Google
    Wonderful experience for the whole family!! Fed rhinos and buddies and otters! Little kid-geared playground was a fabulous end to our adventure at the Hemker Zoo in Freeport, MN!

  • 5/5 Rich S. 3 years ago on Google
    Very fun place, interaction with animals, it's a very well maintained place. I will certainly be going back!!!

  • 5/5 Nicole R. 9 months ago on Google β€’ 6 reviews
    This was truly one of my favorite zoo experiences. With beautiful well kept grounds, healthy animals, and a wonderful variety of animals our family had a great day. We felt safe, relaxed, and engaged the entire visit. We especially enjoyed the giraffes, playground, and the bird house!

  • 5/5 Keith H. 3 years ago on Google
    This zoo is just spectacular!! You can tell that the owners love what they do and generally care about the animals they have. They actually think about how to design the habitats for the species and try making it fun for them. They may not have as many species as other zoos but you won’t get up and personal with them like you will here. You can purchase lettuce leaves for $3 and feed them up close to the giraffe!! If you loved birds, they have an awesome enclosure where you can buy a food stick and have several all over you, as you watch them nibble the treat. Absolutely LOVED it and plan on making this a regular gig, summer months!!

  • 5/5 The E. 1 year ago on Google
    Top 2 zoo's ive been to. Me and my girlfriend fed a rhino($20 per person ), a giraffe (included in the "ZOO IT ALL DAY pass) , some otters ($6 a person), and the koi fish (included in the "ZOO IT ALL DAY pass). Definitely worth the extra money to feed the animals.

  • 5/5 star palmer a. 1 year ago on Google
    In the late 90s we had the privalege of visiting your zoo and I fell in love with Molly the moose and meet your Awesome Dad who visited with us and let me feed Molly some bread. Thank you so much for keeping this going I'm sure your Mom and Dad are proud!

  • 5/5 Mercedes B. 10 months ago on Google
    Absolutely LOVE them! My kids and I visited for the first time today, May 10th, and had a very wonderful time! It is the cleanest and most friendly zoo I have been too! My son ended up having an accident and I forgot my wipes, a lovely woman with the staff helped me out with a couple of wet towels to clean him up with. I absolutely will return! ❀️ Thank you for being so friendly and absolutely amazing!

  • 5/5 Alyssa F. 1 year ago on Google
    This was by far the best zoo experience I've had in Minnesota! All of the staff members are more than friendly and the animal feeding experiences are so worth the money. I'm a full grown adult and giggled like a child feeding the rhino a banana 🦏🍌

  • 5/5 Laura S. 3 years ago on Google
    Great experience, especially feeding the giraffes! We all loved it and will definitely be going back!

  • 5/5 Pastel F. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing animals! Bird house was super fun, people are so friendly and I loved it!

  • 5/5 CeCealia S. 3 years ago on Google
    Went to boo at the zoo and it was so much fun! Beautiful day and animals.

  • 5/5 Jeff M. 1 year ago on Google
    Very well kept property. Nice variety of animals and the admission prices are where they need to be to care for these animals year round and also for upgrades being done. Will be coming back to this zoo.

  • 5/5 Joel M. 3 years ago on Google
    Great zoo, with a ton of animals you can't see in the city. Just wish the rhino had come out to play ☹

  • 2/5 Jamie R. 9 months ago on Google
    Very overpriced for a short experience. We paid extra to feed the giraffes and they just gave us one leaf of lettuce and that was it, lasted about 2 seconds. There was little to no education around the park and we didn’t even know what animal we were looking at most of the time. A lot of the exhibits were dirty and small.. It was fine but definitely nothing special.

  • 4/5 jeffrey a. 3 years ago on Google
    We had a lot of fun on our first trip. There were a lot of people there because of Halloween coming up and costumed kids when we were pulling up, so we had to park up the road a ways. It was a fun experience and we'll probably go back in the future during the spring or summer.

  • 5/5 Karla K. 3 years ago on Google
    I LOVE this place!! It was a coolee amd windy day but i really enjoyed it. It is a smaller sized zoo but the variety of animals is (to me anyways) amazing. I LOVE Stevie the Secretary Bird, he is awesome. I will definitely be back next year with family!!

  • 5/5 Linda W. 3 years ago on Google
    They do have basket food. We had chicken strips and french fries, and they were delicious.

  • 5/5 Larissa B. 3 years ago on Google
    Love this zoo! They have lots of different animals and alot of unique birds. Speaking of birds, they have an enclosed aviary with a bunch of cockatiels or something??? Like little small birds, anyways, you can go in and feed them and they land on you and it's just soooooo cute, one of my absolute favorite experiences of my whole life. It's quite a big zoo with lots of places to walk to. You can also feed giraffes and otters there which is fun. There is a place to get hot food and they have really good onion rings and pretzels, and the gift shop has a ton of really cool items, its hard not to overspend your budget πŸ˜‚.

  • 5/5 James D. 7 months ago on Google
    What a nice little zoo. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon and the first thing I noticed is now nice everyone is. Every person we interacted with at the zoo was smiling and seemed very happy to be there. The zoo itself was a lot of fun. The animals all look very well taken care of. We spent $7 per person for a tram ride around the park as my daughter had knee surgery five days before. Instead of making us wait for the hour and a half until the next tour they had someone take us around right then. Our guide had so much knowledge about the animals and the park. By far one of the best attractions in the area and a must go.

  • 4/5 Jason B. 3 years ago on Google
    The animals appear well taken care of, and they aren't so far away that they cannot be seen. They let you feed the otters and giraffes for an additional fee. Giraffe feeding takes less than a minute, otter feeding about the same. They have an enclosed bird area, where you can feed them too. The birds will land right on the feeding sticks, so it's cool for the little kids. Pricing isn't too bad for a couple hours worth of entertainment.

  • 5/5 Mitzie R. 7 months ago on Google
    The zoo is amazing. Had such a great time with my granddaughter and her school friends. Will certainly be back. Would love to become a member

  • 5/5 Amber E. 3 years ago on Google
    Hemker zoo was great! Very clean and kept up well. Good flow to the space. And good variety to see.

  • 5/5 Matt J. 3 years ago on Google
    This was an awesome family place for a picnic and to see many different types of animals. We will be back and highly recommend to anyone that is interested. I would prefer Hempkers over MN or Como zoo anytime.

  • 5/5 Joelle M. 3 years ago on Google
    Really cute zoo! Wasn't too crowded and very clean.

  • 5/5 Michele G. 3 years ago on Google
    A surprising array of animals found in a small town. My kids loved seeing the giraffes up close and had a blast feeding all the little birds with their popsicle sticks covered in bird seed. The otters and baby zebra were high on their list of favorites as well. Clean restrooms, clean cages/trails. We enjoyed our time and will be back again.

  • 5/5 Sean J. 3 years ago on Google
    Lots of animals. Well worth the price. All the animals are well cared for. Had a lot of fun feeding the giraffe and otters. Well worth the trip. I can't wait till they get the rhino's.

  • 5/5 Bob S. 3 years ago on Google
    Great zoo with family focus! You get closer than most other zoos as well. Fun exhibits, chance to feed a giraffe, feed birds, and lots of other fun experiences. Well worth the trip.

  • 5/5 Jessica T. 3 years ago on Google
    Had a blast, enjoyed the variety of animals and they look happy in their enclosures. The attractions look well cared for and my daughter absolutely loved feeding the giraffe!!!

  • 5/5 Megan R. 3 years ago on Google
    First time to this zoo. It's a great place - lots of fun for kids. Be sure to go down and around all the paths so you don't miss anything. You can feed birds (buy the sticks when you pay admission). There's also a playground, a cafe and a souvenir shop.

  • 5/5 Gina D. 3 years ago on Google
    "That was fun!" A very happy 3 year old! Parents enjoyed themselves too!

  • 4/5 Clara M. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice little zoo. Fun to feed the giraffe and the birds. Was high priced.

  • 5/5 Peter H. 3 years ago on Google
    Awesome

  • 5/5 Tamara G. 3 years ago on Google
    Love feeding the parakeets

  • 5/5 Jeremy C. 3 years ago on Google
    Fun, amazing animals

  • 5/5 Cynthia R. 3 years ago on Google
    Great family zoo!

  • 5/5 Randy C. 3 years ago on Google
    If you have kids, check out this diamond in the rough. Buy some seed sticks at the admission desk and go to the Budgee cage. Giraffe feeding is #2. Feeding the otters is overrated. Bring lots of quarters to buy other feed from the dispensers.

  • 3/5 Emily O. 3 years ago on Google
    The giraffe was so cute.

  • 5/5 James H. 3 years ago on Google
    This place was great! You can get up and close to all the animals! Even feed a few of them! Very kid friendly! I'll be returning for sure!

  • 4/5 Michelle G. 3 years ago on Google
    Perfect day for the zoo! Clean place and very kid friendly.

  • 5/5 Tracy O. 3 years ago on Google
    Great zoo in central MN. Animals are clearly well cared for and healthy. Nice to see so many animals up close

  • 5/5 Sankar J. 3 years ago on Google
    A small (not so small though) local zoo. Very amazing.

  • 4/5 ronald l. 3 years ago on Google
    Small but very fun place to visit

  • 5/5 Angela M. 3 years ago on Google
    Budgie aviary was the best!

  • 5/5 Ahna Lee L. 3 years ago on Google
    We went to this zoo due to receiving a gift certificate. It was our first experience here and it was so fun. You definitely need GPS to get there but it’s worth it! It’s a lot smaller than most metro zoos, and very well laid out. Especially now during a pandemic the signs are well made and displayed all over. The concession stand had a lot of variety and options, and the picnic area included a pavilion and smaller tables with umbrellas. The picnic area encircles a playground area for kids in a central location. Before you even get to the admissions booth you get to see animals! This is a perfect spot for younger kids as it is smaller to navigate and you won’t get lost.

  • 4/5 Lizzy B. 3 years ago on Google
    Some of the animals were hiding or moved somewhere else. Didn't get to see the tortise.πŸ˜’

  • 1/5 Makayla R. 3 years ago on Google
    The enclosures were so small I wanted to cry

  • 5/5 to m. 3 years ago on Google
    We enjoy this quick, 30 min. Out of town experience.

  • 5/5 S F. 3 years ago on Google
    Well worth the drive, our family thoroughly enjoyed our time here! Of course the budgies were a hit but seeing all the birds and other animals up close was a lot of fun. They just became first zoo in Minnesota to have a rhino to top it off and young baby zebras. Highly recommend.

  • 5/5 Brenda W. 2 years ago on Google
    As Grandparents, we visited the zoo yesterday with our daughter and 3 young grandchildren, ages 2, 4, 6. This zoo was perfect for all ages. The kids loved it and were curious to see what was the new animal(s) coming up. The staff were very helpful when we had questions and the animals appeared very well cared for. This was a great adventure with young grandkids. And we were able to pack a picnic lunch and bring it into the picnic area to enjoy while the kids also enjoyed the playground. Our grandkids enjoyed feeding the giraffes.

  • 5/5 Malisa D. 2 years ago on Google
    Loved it!! Very unique, lots of exotic animals, many were endangered. They had Giraffes and a Rinosurous! Staff was very nice and answered questions about animals. Cages were clean, beutiful place, you could have a Birthday party there under the shelter or any other small get togethers. Flowers all thoughout the zoo with little sitting areas!

  • 5/5 Francis C. 3 years ago on Google
    East to get to. Service was excellent. Great family fun. Good for all ages.

  • 5/5 Dan P. 2 years ago on Google
    The Hemker zoo is always a fun experience. We have been there multiple times with our grandchildren and the visit never disappoints.The new Rino building is great πŸ‘.

  • 5/5 Lindsey W. 2 years ago on Google
    Love this place! Getting close to a giraffe,rhino and Otter?! Plus I was (nicely) attacked by a ton of budgies! Had a blast

  • 5/5 Aidan K. 2 years ago on Google
    Fantastic Family Fun!! Many cool attractions and events there.

  • 1/5 Alyssa H. 3 years ago on Google
    The enclosures are obviously too small. Most need an upgrade in space. Especially for the Giraffes. A typical medium sized room isn't good to house a giant animal like that, even if it's for "viewing pleasure". When it starts to toss its neck around and pinning its ears its clearly agitated and upset. I would be too. Please, PLEASE make some of the enclosures bigger.

  • 5/5 Jen F. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing! Feeding the parakeets is an amazing experience!

  • 5/5 Tina M. 2 years ago on Google
    Wonderful place to visit. Picnic area. Gift shop. Lots of animals. Entertaining monkeys. Curious camels. Zebras, reindeer, giraffes, etc

  • 5/5 Angela P. 2 years ago on Google
    My family loves this zoo! So friendly, clean, and always a joy to visit!

  • 5/5 Carrie S. 3 years ago on Google
    Very friendly. Fun for family!

  • 5/5 Angela O. 3 years ago on Google
    Great place!

  • 5/5 Benjamin C. 3 years ago on Google
    Very fun, interactive zoo experience for the kids! Giraffe, otter and bird feedings were a blast for the kids, too! Highly recommended 😁

  • 5/5 chackos123 3 years ago on Google
    I had a ton of fun at Hemker Park & Zoo (and so did my kids πŸ˜€). The park had a pretty impressive number of animals to view. They all appeared to be healthy and very well cared for. The bird enclosure where you can feed the birds was really cool. The seed sticks are a couple dollars extra, but I felt well worth it. I also paid extra for the kids to feed the giraffe some lettuce and I can't lie, that was really fun too! We enjoyed the afternoon here and ended the trip with a little time on the playground set. A perfect way to wrap things up before the car ride home.

  • 5/5 Kirsten N. 3 years ago on Google
    Such a hidden gem!!! Great variety of animals and they offer a much more personal experience than the bigger zoos. We got to feed otters and a giraffe!!! My toddler had an awesome time! They will be bringing in a rhino here in the next couple of weeks and we will definitely be coming back for that. I plan on telling all of our friends about our wonderful experience and about the fantastic staff.


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