Ochsner Park Zoo
Ochsner Park Zoo
4.5
8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
About
Small zoo in 26-acre park adjacent to Baraboo Riverwalk with playground, picnic shelters and restrooms. Zoo features over 25 different animal species, including River Otter, Black Bear, Gray Wolves, Canada Lynx, Llama, Prairie Dogs, White Tail Deer, Snowy Owls, Great Horned Owls, Capuchin Monkeys, Spurred Tortoise, Skunk, Bald Eagle, Sandhill Cranes, Miniature Donkey, Parrots, Chicken, Ducks, Goats, Potbellied Pigs, Swan and more! Free admission 365 days a year.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
130 reviews
Excellent
63
Very good
48
Average
14
Poor
4
Terrible
1
AndrewFromMadison
Madison, WI5,463 contributions
Jun 2019
It's a nice place to stop if you have kids. But as zoos go in general, if you don't live in the neighborhood or passing through town, this is not a drive-to destination. Works well though if you're in Baraboo for couple of days - to comlement Baraboo Riverwalk, Devil's Lake and Circus World.
Written 20 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kdvw4
Fond du Lac, WI113 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
My husband and I were passing by when we saw the sign for Ochsner Zoo. Being huge animal lovers, we looked it up and were especially excited when we learned that the animals they house are rescued animals that cannot live in the wild. We do not choose to support establishments that house animals for any other reason. Anyhow, we were only in the area for one day, and despite the snow storm, we visited! Honest to goodness, we had so much fun. The zoo is quite small, but the habitats are nicely done and well cared for. Some of the animals chose not to come out and we surely couldn't blame them! We missed seeing the pigs, bears and monkeys. The one lynx (I believe his name is Edwin) is a real ham.. so fun to watch. He just wants to play and play. The wolves were absolutely darling. They came running as soon as we approached and were so interested in what we were doing. They clearly wanted attention and we so badly wanted to join them so we could all have some fun together! It was a great experience for us. We very much look forward to visiting again soon.
Written 8 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve B
Kenosha, WI56 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
As photographers, my Wife and I really appreciate this Zoo. There is small variety of animals but are easily seen and photographed. This is a very well kept zoo as well, and the grounds around the whole park is beautiful and has ample parking. Although it's a free zoo, we always make a donation at it's donation box while we're there. Let's keep it free folks!
Written 2 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JohnB59686
Baraboo, WI26 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
Love Ochsner Park & Zoo. Great free activity in Baraboo! We come here a couple times a year and can spend anywhere from 15 minutes to a couple hours here.
Written 25 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
April W
Crivitz, Wisconsin, United States29 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
We visit here as frequently as we can, because it's a ton of fun. The animals are very well taken care of and the staff are always friendly and willing to answer any questions. Behind the zoo there is a whole park waiting to be explored, including stairs down to lower Ochsner Park which connects to the Baraboo riverwalk. You can cross a bridge from the riverwalk and there is another park awaiting you. ~~HINT~~ The animals are given enrichment bags around noon, so if you want to see them active that's a great time to stop by. And they are also more active in the early morning and dusk. Park is open from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm.
Written 2 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arleen H
Belvidere, IL104 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
If you have young children, this would be a great place for a break from the hectic Dells attractions. Have a picnic in the park and then check out the zoo. As another reviewer said, this is typical of zoos that many small towns used to have. In fact, my mom and her brothers came to this very park in the 1930's. The animals seem well cared for and have reasonable habitats under the circumstances. There are two wolves who are not mangy as the previous reviewer said. The one had been attacked in the wild and therefore doesn't look perfect. The other one is a beauty!
Written 14 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dyna47
Randolph, WI2,536 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
Nice place if you want to see deer, prairie dogs and a mangy wolf. Entire place is about a cityblock in size and it will take you longer to park your car and get to the gate then it will to see the entire "zoo".
Written 7 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony T
165 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Spent the morning at Circus World, stopped for a picnic lunch at Ochnsner Park and took a walk through the zoo. It is a wonderful stop for families, we'll be back with the grandkids next weekend...after another morning at the circus! The zoo hosts an assortment of rescued animals in a lovely setting. Baraboo is a family friendly, put down your phone and share the experience town.
Written 25 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SaukCountyLocal
Baraboo, WI81 contributions
Sept 2015
Perfect for toddlers. It is enclosed and safe for them to run around, with your supervision of course. The animals are well cared for. Great small zoo for little ones, that might run out of steam at a bigger zoo. It is free but runs on donations.
Written 11 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Staci V
Minnesota City, MN17 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
We were in Wisconsin Dells, and I was just aghast at the commercialism that abounds on the strip. So we got off the beaten path, went to State Parks Mirror Lake, Devils Lake & Parfey Glen it was so awesome and fun! Great scenery but we happened to Baraboo and found this little gem in the middle of town. A small FREE city run park. It was a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the strip. Monkey, bears, Lync, Llamas, goats, pigs, wolves greeted us. It was a nice place, small but fun for the kids. Lots of active prairie dogs that kept them entertained along with a huge park & playground. Worth a stop if you want to "get back to reality". Great job city of Baraboo.
Written 18 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tommarygilmore2013
Brownfield, Texas
Would there be a wheelchair available in case my 92 year old mom would get tired?
Written 17 April 2018
I’m sorry we don’t have that service. Currently you can pull about 5’ from the entrance gate. We are a small zoo of only about 2 acreas with many benches for resting. Sorry we cannot be of more help.
Written 18 April 2018
Yes, winter hours begin at the e d of October. 8:30-3 everyday even holidays.
Written 22 September 2017
You can feed the goats and there are free range chickens but no ddicated petting zoo.
Written 25 July 2017
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