Living Desert Zoo and Botanical Gardens: A Desert Conservation Effort

Located in Palm Springs, patrons flock to take a walk on the wild side at the Living Desert Zoo and Botanical Gardens, operating with a mission to conserve the Colorado Desert landscape, animals and plants. The Living Desert Zoo and Botanical Gardens offers interactive exhibits including giraffe feedings, animal shows and rides—this is a great place for family to enjoy a day packed with fun and education.

The zoo and gardens was established in 1970 as a way to preserve some of the local ecosystem in an increasingly developed area where homes, resorts and businesses were popping up at a rapid pace. Through the support of donors, members and the community, these efforts have made it possible to preserve more than 1,800 acres of wilderness habitat.

Some of the animal exhibits at the Living Desert include the butterfly and hummingbird pavilion, an endangered Grevy Zebra exhibit, Eagle Canyon exhibit and a walk-through aviary. There are daily activities scheduled including a giraffe feeding, wildlife-wonders show and an animal keeper chat. For $2 per ride, families can climb aboard the endangered-species carousel or take a bumpy ride atop a camel. 

Then, visit the Palo Verde Garden Center where rare and hard-to-find native plants can be seen. Visitors to the garden center can purchase plants and a collection of desert garden books, pottery and garden accessories. This botanical gardens and nursery area is open Tuesdays-Sundays from October through May and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and June through September from 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

The Living Desert Zoo and Botanical Gardens offers a wide range of educational programs for children and adults. The Junior Zoo Keepers program is an exciting way for children to learn about the wonders of zoo life from a zoo keeper’s perspective. Then, at Zoo Camp, children learn about plants, animals and the environment by working together in projects and games. For older children, the Starry Safari overnight adventure is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors under the nighttime skies. Adult programs include lecture series and workshop on topics including gardening and environmental conservation.

Palm Springs animals desert museum reptiles wilderness plants