- Attraction: Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo & Safari
- Location: 10094 State Highway 70, Minocqua, WI 54548
- Industry: Zoo
- Website: https://wildwoodwildlifepark.com/
Bears drinking low-sugar soda from bottles while you hold the other end.
This family-owned attraction began more than 65 years ago when Jim Peck purchased land on the outskirts of Minocqua with dreams of sharing his love for animals with the public, and in 1959, an injured whitetail fawn named “Bambi” became the first resident of what would become Jim Peck’s Wildwood Kingdom.
The Domaszek family purchased the park in 1997 and transformed it into Wisconsin’s second-largest zoo, now home to over 1,700 animals representing 229 species spread across 269 acres of pristine Northwoods wilderness.
What started as a simple trout pond and rehabilitation center has evolved into a prestigious zoological facility that earned Zoological Association of America accreditation in 2008.
Unlike massive city zoos where animals feel distant, Wildwood specializes in up-close encounters that create lasting memories for visitors of all ages.
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Keep Exploring →Animal Encounters & Interactive Experiences
Giraffe Serengeti: The crown jewel of Wildwood’s experiences brings you face-to-face with towering giraffes who eagerly lean down to accept treats from your outstretched hand. These gentle giants might surprise you with an unexpected kiss as they search for their next snack, creating perfect photo opportunities that capture both their massive scale and surprisingly gentle nature.
Parakeet Encounter: Step into an immersive aviary where hundreds of colorful parakeets land freely on your hands, head, and shoulders. These chatty characters seem to enjoy saying hello to visitors, and their vibrant feathers create a rainbow of movement around you as they flutter between perches and people.
Bear Feeding Experience: One of the most unique attractions involves feeding bears their special “Bear Juice” – a low-sugar soda that you can offer directly to these impressive creatures. The experience creates an unforgettable connection between you and these powerful animals in a safe, controlled environment.
Petting Zoo Adventures: Following Jim Peck’s original theme of “Pet ’em – Hold ’em – Love ’em,” the hands-on exhibits let you interact with baby goats, gentle sheep, pot-belly pigs, soft bunnies, and friendly deer. Children particularly love petting the bunnies and feeding the variety of animals throughout the park.
Safari Tram Experience: The 25-minute guided safari tram ride takes you through wooded areas where animals roam more freely, offering glimpses of wildlife in naturalistic settings while learning about conservation efforts and animal behaviors from knowledgeable guides.
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Discover MoreAnimal Encounter Area: Daily educational programs at the outdoor amphitheater showcase various mammals, birds, primates, and reptiles, with opportunities to learn about endangered species and conservation while meeting animals up close.
Wildlife Highlights & Conservation
Exotic Species Collection: The park features an impressive array of animals including tigers, snow leopards, mountain lions, lemurs, flamingos, penguins, and various primates. You can encounter everything from the smallest insects to massive mammals, including graceful deer, cheeky bobcats, cute marmosets, playful gibbons, and even laughing hyenas.
Conservation Focus: The park’s mission emphasizes promoting life-long learning while enriching minds and fostering environmental respect to help prepare visitors for conservation challenges. For 2025, they’re expanding with a new Siamang Conservation Building, demonstrating their commitment to housing endangered species.
Educational Programs: The facility supports classroom studies and offers meaningful science and wildlife experiences where students can engage with animals while having fun. Special presentations, like the popular skunk encounters, allow visitors to safely pet and learn about animals they’d never normally approach.
Atmosphere & Setting
Northwoods Charm: Nestled in the lush woods of Minocqua, the safari creates an authentic wilderness experience where animals appear healthy and the landscaping is beautifully maintained. The 269-acre park provides spacious enclosures that allow animals room to roam while keeping visitors engaged.
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Keep Exploring →Family-Friendly Environment: The park maintains a welcoming atmosphere perfect for multi-generational visits, with wide pathways accommodating strollers and wheelchairs, and plenty of shaded rest areas throughout the grounds.
Seasonal Beauty: The Northwoods setting provides stunning backdrops that change with Wisconsin’s seasons, from lush summer greenery to spectacular fall colors, making each visit unique depending on when you explore.
Other Considerations
Pricing Structure: Adult admission costs $18.99, children 13 and under pay $13.99, with infants entering free. The safari tram ride requires an additional $4 per person for the 25-minute experience. While some visitors find the pricing on the higher side, most agree the interactive experiences justify the cost.
Food & Feeding Options: Animal food can be purchased from feeding machines for 50 cents or in $5 bags, though bringing quarters for the machines provides better value. The feeding experiences are central to the Wildwood experience, so budgeting for animal treats enhances your visit significantly.
Seasonal Operations: The park operates seasonally from late April through early October, with varying hours: spring and fall from 9am to 4:30pm, and summer from 9am to 5:30pm. Baby season brings newborn goats, deer, and other animals, making spring and early summer particularly magical for families.
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Discover MorePlanning Your Visit: Many families find season passes provide excellent value for multiple visits, and the park offers a deal for consecutive day visits. Consider packing a picnic lunch to make it a full day experience and maximize your investment.
Accessibility & Parking: The facility provides adequate parking and maintains accessible pathways throughout most of the park, though the safari tram may present challenges for some mobility-limited visitors.
Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo & Safari
📍 10094 State Highway 70, Minocqua, WI 54548
