Lions, tigers, and bears…. yes, please! The Animal Ark is just an hour outside Reno, Nevada. It makes for the perfect mini adventure!
What is the Animal Ark?
It is a local nonprofit organization that is a wildlife sanctuary. The Animal Ark has been open since 1981 and since its opening has been home to abandoned, injured, or unreleasable wild animals.
The animal ark is approximately a 1-mile trail that is on dirt. You can navigate it with a stroller but an umbrella stroller won’t roll on it. Red wagons are available for free on a first come first serve basis.
Animals
The Animal Ark is home to a variety of animals. Including a bear, cheetahs, turtles, a mountain lion, and more.
Hours
Tuesday through Sunday: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (weather permitting). For weather-related conditions please check their social media. Closed Mondays.
Cost
Day passes available to purchase in person or online. The cost is $14.00 for adults, $12.00 for seniors (62+), $9.00 for children (3-12), Free for children ages 2 and under.
Memberships are also available for purchase.
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Events
The Animal Ark hosts events throughout the year. The Cheetah dash is a popular event, along with camps and other events throughout the year. Reservations are required for these events.
Birthday Parties
Have a birthday party at the Animal Ark! Package options and themes available. Party packages start at just $220.
Food
Snacks, some beverages, and ice cream are available for purchase at the gift shop, but it isn’t allowed inside the Animal Ark. They do have designated picnic tables available to eat at! Pack a picnic to enjoy at the end of your visit!
Our Animal Ark Experience
We definitely recommend checking out the Animal Ark if you haven’t. We make a trip annually. My kids loved seeing the animals and learning about them.
We usually get there right at opening at 10:00 am and spend a few hours exploring. We then make our way out and enjoy a picnic before the hour drive home.
Tips
Get there early. Plan on arriving when they open. The heat during the middle of the day can make a lot of the animals hide in the shade. So getting there early will help you see them during their active morning.
They feed the bears at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm daily so try to plan your trip around that. Your kids will love watching the bears get fed.
Pack water, sunscreen and sun hats, there is limited shade along the trail.
Have Fun
Have you been to the Animal Ark before? What tips or recommendations do you have?