Camps and Family Programs at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, 47900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260
About
Camps and Family Programs at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens include activities such as visiting the Oasis Splash Pad, Giraffe Feeding, and the Rhino Encounter. Families can explore areas like African Safari, Australian Adventures, and Wild Americas, as well as the Botanical Gardens. The program also offers access to Nature and Hiking Trails, including the Discovery Loop and Wilderness Loop, and Private Safari Tours are available.
• Ages: 3–17 years old
• Schedule: Open daily with seasonal hours
• Price: Adult (18+): $44.95; Child/Youth (3–17): $34.95; Children under 3 years old are free.
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens has been a Southern California institution for over 50 years and focuses on desert conservation through preservation, education, and appreciation. It is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo and botanical garden and has been nominated in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Zoo and Best Zoo Membership. The zoo features more than 150 species on 1,200 protected acres with miles of hiking trails and represents desert environments of North America, Australia, and Africa.
The Living Desert collaborates with partners such as the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Edwards Air Force Base, and the United States Geological Survey on a headstart program for critically endangered desert tortoises. It is involved in recovery and reintroduction efforts for two subspecies of pronghorn through partnerships in Mexico and with various Federal, State, and NGO partners. The organization supports the Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit and the Bush Babies Environmental Education Program in South Africa, conducts Building Community Conservation Success workshops in multiple countries, and works with the Mongolian Conservation Initiative on conservation strategies in the Gobi Desert steppe of southeastern Mongolia.
Visitor feedback mentions that the zoo is clean, well-maintained, and includes a wide variety of animals, with several reviews highlighting the Oasis Splash Pad, Giraffe Feeding, and the Rhino Encounter. Some visitors note that the zoo can be walked in a few hours, that summer hours end at 1:30pm, and that accessibility for wheelchair users has been improved across the park. Multiple reviews describe visits as enjoyable for kids and families.
Last updated August 10, 2026.
• Ages: 3–17 years old
• Schedule: Open daily with seasonal hours
• Price: Adult (18+): $44.95; Child/Youth (3–17): $34.95; Children under 3 years old are free.
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens has been a Southern California institution for over 50 years and focuses on desert conservation through preservation, education, and appreciation. It is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo and botanical garden and has been nominated in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Zoo and Best Zoo Membership. The zoo features more than 150 species on 1,200 protected acres with miles of hiking trails and represents desert environments of North America, Australia, and Africa.
The Living Desert collaborates with partners such as the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Edwards Air Force Base, and the United States Geological Survey on a headstart program for critically endangered desert tortoises. It is involved in recovery and reintroduction efforts for two subspecies of pronghorn through partnerships in Mexico and with various Federal, State, and NGO partners. The organization supports the Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit and the Bush Babies Environmental Education Program in South Africa, conducts Building Community Conservation Success workshops in multiple countries, and works with the Mongolian Conservation Initiative on conservation strategies in the Gobi Desert steppe of southeastern Mongolia.
Visitor feedback mentions that the zoo is clean, well-maintained, and includes a wide variety of animals, with several reviews highlighting the Oasis Splash Pad, Giraffe Feeding, and the Rhino Encounter. Some visitors note that the zoo can be walked in a few hours, that summer hours end at 1:30pm, and that accessibility for wheelchair users has been improved across the park. Multiple reviews describe visits as enjoyable for kids and families.
Last updated August 10, 2026.
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