Minnesota Zoo — Zoo in Apple Valley

Minnesota Zoo and its collection

Minnesota Zoo, opened in 1978, is a zoo in Apple Valley, Minnesota, United States.

It is one of two zoos in the country funded by a state, alongside the North Carolina Zoo. It opened on 22 May 1978, with exhibit design considered unusual at the time. Built on rural land that was turning suburban, it had room for larger exhibits and was among the earliest zoos to group animals by habitat rather than by taxonomy.

Exhibits

The Northern Trail runs three quarters of a mile and shows species from north of the 45th parallel, while Russia's Grizzly Coast presents sea otters, brown bears, Amur leopards and wild boars from the Russian Far East. The tanks of Discovery Bay hold 1,100,000 US gallons between them. The Medtronic Minnesota Trail is given over to state natives, the Tropics Trail simulates rainforest indoors, and the Wells Fargo Family Farm, opened in May 2000, lets guests handle farm animals.

What the venue says

• Sea Lion Discovery
• Wings & Things
• Hanifl Family Wild Woods play area
• Various food and beverage options are available at locations throughout the zoo grounds.
• On-site parking is available for $10 per car or van (and $15 for buses/motor coaches).
• The zoo is fully committed to guest inclusion, offering wheelchair-friendly pathways, accessible parking, restrooms, elevators, companion spaces, and sensory-friendly accommodations.