The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Camps and Family Programs

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Camps and Family Programs include activities such as Keeper Connections, Wildlife Safari Connection at the Safari Stage, Giraffe Feeding, and a Rhino Encounter. The programs also offer Private Safari Tours, a Walking Club, and Me & You at the Zoo. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens has more than 150 species in habitats including the African Safari habitat, Australian Adventures where visitors can walk among wallabies and see budgies fly overhead, and Wild Americas desert ecosystems of North America, along with a Desert Pupfish Refuge, miles of hiking trails, and the NEW Oasis Splash Pad.

• Schedule: October 1–May 31 general hours are 8:00am–5:00pm with last admission at 4:00pm; June 1–September 30 general hours are 7:00am–1:30pm with last admission at 12:30pm
• Price: Adult (18+): $44.95; Child/Youth (3–17): $34.95; Children under 3 years old are free.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo and botanical garden and has transitioned to become a cashless facility, with reverse ATMs on-site that convert cash to a prepaid debit card for a $1 transaction fee and free parking. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens has been a beloved institution in Southern California for over 50 years and states its mission as desert conservation through preservation, education, and appreciation. Leadership includes President/CEO Allen Monroe, Chief Operating Officer RoxAnna Breitigan, and other listed vice presidents and board officers. Community involvement includes collaboration on a headstart program for critically endangered desert tortoises, participation in recovery and reintroduction efforts for two subspecies of pronghorn, support for the Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit and the Bush Babies Environmental Education Program in South Africa, Building Community Conservation Success workshops in 11 countries, and a partnership with the Mongolian Conservation Initiative in the Gobi Desert steppe of southeastern Mongolia. Testimonials from visitors describe feeding giraffes, walking through the wallabies enclosure, interacting with staff and volunteers, and seeing animals such as wolves, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, monkeys, and camels, as well as noting the splash pad area and the overall zoo and gardens experience.

Last updated May 12, 2026.