Which Is Best: DeYoung Family Zoo Or Wilderness Trails Zoo. A Guide To Which Is The Best Zoo In Michigan, USA

Explore the captivating world of Michigan's native and exotic fauna at two of its prized zoos: DeYoung Family Zoo and Wilderness Trails Zoo.

Journey through DeYoung's spacious 79-acre sanctuary, accommodating over 450 animals, including tigers, sloths, bears, penguins, and more.

Relish in Wilderness Trails' 56-acre natural habitat, providing homes to capybaras, bears, lions among over 200 other creatures.

Both zoos cater to families with older children and provide disability access, making them an engaging and inclusive exploration for all.

Discover the similarities and differences between two of Michigan's animal kingdoms as you delve into this comparison.

Which Is Best: DeYoung Family Zoo Or Wilderness Trails Zoo. A Guide To Which Is The Best Zoo In Michigan, USA

At A Glance

Nestled in the respective towns of Wallace and Saginaw, Michigan, DeYoung Family Zoo and Wilderness Trails Zoo are remarkable wildlife havens that enjoy a fair share of popularity.

DeYoung Family Zoo, sprawling over 79 acres, offers a unique assembly of 450 animals, including tigers, sloths, bears and penguins, in a large, spacious environment.

In comparison, Wilderness Trails Zoo, though slightly smaller at 56 acres, provides a natural setting for over 200 animals, including capybaras, bears, and lions.

Both these zoos, priced at $60 for a family of four, are not just economically viable, but also wheelchair-friendly, making them ideal for families with older children.

While neither offers public transport access, they boast free parking facilities and provide food stalls, along with an option for visitors to bring their own food and drinks.

Unfortunately, neither zoo permits guests to hold animals or bring pet dogs, albeit service animals are allowed.

Size

Both the DeYoung Family Zoo and the Wilderness Trails Zoo are expansive zoos situated in Michigan, offering ample space for animals and visitors alike.

The DeYoung Family Zoo is slightly larger, spreading across 79 acres, providing an immersive environment for their collection of 450 animals including tigers, sloths, and bears among others.

To explore this zoo fully, you could spend about 2 to 3 hours at the location.

In comparison, Wilderness Trails Zoo, occupying 56 acres, takes about the same amount of time to visit, allowing visitors optimal opportunities to encounter over 200 of their notable inhabitants like capybaras, bears, and lions.

Despite their size difference, both zoos provide a spacious environment where animals thrive and visitors can thoroughly enjoy their experience.

More About DeYoung Family Zoo

About DeYoung Family Zoo

Size (acres) 79
Time To Walk Around 2-3 Hours
Adult Price $16
Child Price $14
Infant Price Free Under 2 Years Old
Price For Family Of 4 $60
Parking Free
Number Of Animals 450
Can Bring Your Own Food? Yes

Information from https://thedeyoungfamilyzoo.com/

Price

Both DeYoung Family Zoo and Wilderness Trails Zoo, located in the state of Michigan, offer a reasonably affordable experience with prices that are quite comparable.

At both zoos, the price for an adult ticket is tagged at $16, and for a child, the fare is as low as $14.

The flexibility in terms of pricing is also evident in Concession tickets, with DeYoung Family Zoo offering it at $15 (and free for military personnel) and Wilderness Trails Zoo slightly less at $13.

Both attractions offer free entry to children under the age of 2, which could present a significant saving for families with toddlers.

The total price for an average family of four visiting the zoo equates to $60 at both locations, further strengthening their paralleled affordable experience.

The cost of an average family of 4 at DeYoung Family Zoo is $60 compared to 60 at Wilderness Trails Zoo.

Both the DeYoung Family Zoo and Wilderness Trails Zoo boast a remarkable variety of animals sure to captivate the entire family.

With a population of 450 animals, DeYoung Family Zoo presents an impressive collection of species, including the majestically striped tigers, endearing sloths, robust bears, and fanciful penguins.

On the other hand, Wilderness Trails Zoo, home to over 200 creatures, flaunts a distinct array of species.

Here, the endearing capybaras, the sturdy bears, and the regal lions contribute to the rich biodiversity represented in the zoo.

Hence, whether you wish to witness the quirky antics of a sloth or bask in the majesty of a lion, both zoos have something unique to offer, in spite of DeYoung Family Zoo’s larger variety of animal species. <div class=”overview” markdown=”1”id=”wyntk-wilderness-trails-zoo”>

More About Wilderness Trails Zoo

About Wilderness Trails Zoo

Size (acres) 56
Time To Walk Around 2-3 Hours
Adult Price $16
Child Price $14
Infant Price Free Under 2 Years Old
Price For Family Of 4 $60
Parking Free
Number Of Animals Over 200 animals
Can Bring Your Own Food? Yes

Information from https://wildernesstrailszoo.org/

</div>

Accesibility

When it comes to accessibility for individuals with disabilities or difficulty walking, both the DeYoung Family Zoo and the Wilderness Trails Zoo in Michigan have made accommodations to ensure an enjoyable experience for all.

The DeYoung Family Zoo, a 79-acre, expansive zoo situated in Wallace, is wheelchair accessible.

Although most of the paths are easy to navigate, it’s worth noting that some may be a bit challenging due to the large and spacious nature of the park.

On the other hand, the 56-acre Wilderness Trails Zoo located in Saginaw, specifically prides itself on having trails suitable for wheelchairs, offering a more natural environment for ease of navigation.

Thus, both aim to cater to the needs of their visitors with differing physical abilities, yet the specific level of accessibility differs somewhat between the two locations.

Pefect For

Both the DeYoung Family Zoo and Wilderness Trails Zoo in Michigan offer an engaging and accessible experience for families with older children and individuals with disabilities.

DeYoung Family Zoo, with its spacious layout and wheelchair accommodating paths, is ideal for those who require unhindered mobility.

This zoo also gives families unique experiences with a variety of animals including tigers, sloths, and penguins.

Similarly, Wilderness Trails Zoo also provides disability access with wheelchair-friendly trails.

Its natural surroundings and exotic animal encounters featuring capybaras, bears, and lions make it a suitable destination for families seeking adventure.

However, neither zoo allows pet dogs, with exception of service animals, or physical contact with the animals.

Overall, both zoos are perfect for exploratory family outings and are worth considering for their distinctive animal encounters and accessible facilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both DeYoung Family Zoo and Wilderness Trails Zoo offer enriching experiences in Michigan.

Although slightly larger in size, DeYoung Family Zoo provides ample space and a diverse range of animals including tigers, sloths, bears, and penguins.

Both zoos focus on inclusion with accessibility for people with disabilities, and cater to families with older children.

Wilderness Trails Zoo, while slightly smaller in size, encapsulates a natural and exotic atmosphere and offers encounters with unique animals like capybaras.

Both zoos have similar pricing, free parking, and food amenities—making either a great choice for a family day out.

Whether you favor the spacious allure of DeYoung Family Zoo or the unique animal encounters at Wilderness Trails Zoo, each presents a unique, memorable experience.

Zoo Near Me