The Living Desert — Zoo in Riverside County

The Living Desert and its collection

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, opened in 1970, is a zoo in Palm Desert, California, United States.

The holding runs to 1,200 acres, of which 80 are built out, and annual attendance is above half a million.

History

Several trustees from the Palm Springs Desert Museum created a 360-acre preserve in 1970. By 1974 the stock ran to lizards, tortoises, a kit fox and a pair of bighorn sheep, and a Mojave Garden replicating the High Desert went up in 1974-75.

Animals and collection

More than 500 animals of over 150 species are kept. An Australian walk-through area holds wallabies and reptiles alongside an aviary.

Exhibits

An LGB model railway runs on 3,115 feet of track. Its wooden G-scale trestle, 201.8 feet long and claimed as the longest anywhere, carries trains across a wash and a drop of nearly two feet. The trains began in 1998 within the seasonal WildLights event and ran after dark only.

Things to do

Things to do include Oasis Splash Pad, Rhino Encounter, Giraffe Feeding, Rats to the Rescue Encounter and Discovery Loop.

What the venue says

• Discovery Loop
• Wilderness Loop
• The zoo features multiple spots to grab food or a refreshing drink, including the full-service Thorn Tree Grill (serving burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches) as well as quick-service locations like the Bighorn Cafe, Crash Café, and Kookaburra Café.
• Parking for The Living Desert is free.
• the park features wide, paved walkways and ramps throughout, making it easy to navigate with wheelchairs, strollers, or for visitors with mobility needs.
• Manual wheelchairs and electric scooters are also available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis at the entrance.
• Certified Autism Center
• Detailed sensory maps highlighting quieter or louder zones are also available.
• Assistive listening devices are offered for guests who are hearing-impaired, and aides accompanying sight- or hearing-impaired visitors receive complimentary admission.