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Prices and hours, planning your visit to wildlife safari.

Escape on a wild African Safari Drive Through Adventure and get up close to Ostrich, Watusi cattle, Lions and Zebra. Venture through the homes of hippos and the land of the scimitar horned oryx. Your Safari journey will take you through Southern Africa where the Rhino and Giraffe rule. Carry on to interpretive wetlands, cleaning the local waters in reaffirmation of our commitment to the soil before venturing into the land of bears, bison and elk within the sprawling canyon forests of North America.

Take a trip past the incredibly inspiring African elephants and prepare to enter the land of emu, yak and white-naped cranes as your tour of the incredibly diverse wildlife of planet Earth continues on in Asia. Dare yourself to end your journey with a trip through a carnivore loop featuring Wildlife Safari’s top cheetah breeding grounds and ferocious Sumatran Tigers. All from the comfort of your own vehicle, rain or shine, year-round.

Free Village Keeper Talks & Presentations

Check out the Always Free Safari Village and be sure to join us for keeper chats throughout the day!

General Admission Prices

Adults: 23.95, children: 17.95, seniors: 20.95.

Children 2 & under are FREE

Wildlife Safari is a 610-acre Drive-Thru animal park. Driving your own vehicle, it takes about 1-1/2 hours to complete. You will receive a map of the park to enhance your experience and help identify animals with your admission. Group rates are available for groups of 12 or more which you can learn more about by inquiring with guest services at 541.679.6761 or [email protected].

Seasons & Hours

Open 363 days per year.

March – September Drive-Thru, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Last vehicle admitted at 6:00p.m.) Village & Gift Shop 9:00a.m. to 6:00p.m.

October Drive-Thru, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Last vehicle admitted at 5:00p.m.) Village & Gift Shop 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.

November – March Drive-Thru, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Last vehicle admitted at 4:00p.m.) Village & Gift Shop 9:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m. Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas

Eat at Safari

Safari village cafe hours:.

March – September 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Grill closes at 4:30 p.m.

The Snack Shack is open until 5:30 p.m

October 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Grill closes at 4:30 p.m.

November – March 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Grill closes at 3:30 p.m.

For the safety of our animals and yours, NO animals are allowed in the Safari Village nor the Wildlife Safari Drive Through. Wildlife Safari offers free onsite (unsupervised) kennels for pets, and sells locks for the kennels for a $5 fee at guest services, inside of the gift shop. It is recommended to bring a water bowl as well.

Drive Thru Rules & Restrictions

• Wildlife Safari is located in Winston, Oregon, just minutes off of I-5.
• Animal Enrichment Encounter tickets do not include drive-through admission, which is required to participate in Animal Enrichment Encounters.
• Be sure to check out the Always Free Safari Village .
• Mothers get in free on Mother’s Day, fathers get in free on Father’s Day, veterans get in free on Veteran’s Day.

Wildlife Safari gives you the opportunity to take a trip to Southern Oregon to escape on a wild African Safari and get up close to ostrich, Watusi cattle, lions and zebra. Venture through the homes of hippos and the land of the scimitar horned oryx. Your journey will take you through Southern Africa where the Rhino and Giraffe rule. Carry on to interpretive wetlands, cleaning the local waters in reaffirmation of our commitment to the soil before venturing into the land of bears, bison and elk within the sprawling canyon forests of North America. Take a trip past the awe-inspiring African elephants and prepare to enter the land of emu, yak and white naped cranes as your tour of the incredibly diverse wildlife of planet Earth continues on in Asia. Dare yourself to end your journey with a trip through a carnivore loop featuring Wildlife Safari’s top cheetah breeding grounds and ferocious Sumatran Tigers. At Wildlife Safari, adventure rules daily.

• While ticket and enrichment encounter payments are non-refundable, should you need to reschedule our guest services department would be happy to assist you with an alternate time or an upgraded encounter.
• Encounter times subject to change, please call ahead for availability.
• Tickets for drive through admission do not expire, and are valid until redeemed.
• Enter the Wildlife Safari Drive Thru Animal Park at your own risk.
• No Open Top Vehicles (Convertibles must have tops up at all times)
• No Motorcycles
• No pets are allowed in the Safari Drive-Through, nor in the Safari Village
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You Don't Even Have To Leave Your Car At Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park, A Unique Safari Experience In Nebraska

Beth Price-Williams

A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.

More by this Author

Sometimes all we need to add a bit of excitement to an otherwise ordinary day is a bit of time among animals. Animals, after all, just have this natural way of garnering smiles with their antics. This Wildlife Safari Park in Nebraska is predominately a drive-through, although you can get out of your car to view the animals from several overlooks.

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Have you been to Wildlife Safari Park in Nebraska? What did you think? Share your experience in the comments! Then check out Scatter Joy Acres , an animal rescue ranch in Omaha.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

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 wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• (2.34 mi) Kimberly Creek Retreat
• (5.08 mi) West Omaha/ NE Lincoln KOA
• (6.29 mi) Pine Grove RV Park
• (9.78 mi) Green Gable's Inn at Greatful Acres
• (5.99 mi) Days Inn Greenwood
• (2.34 mi) Round The Bend Steakhouse
• (4.61 mi) Parker's Smokehouse
• (3.58 mi) Cheri O's
• (3.57 mi) BW's Pub and Grill
• (7.88 mi) We'll Smoke U BBQ

Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park

Hours Open April through October.

Admission through May 4, 2023

$9.00 Adults (12 and over) $7.00 Children (3-11) $8.00 Seniors (65 and over) FREE Children 2 and under

$8.00 Military Adult (12 and over) $6.00 Military Child (3-11) $7.00 Military Senior (65 and over)

Admission: May 5 – October 1, 2023 *Jurassic Adventure, an all-new added experience featuring some of the world’s largest and most life-like robotic dinosaurs, opens.

$12.00 Adults (12 and over) $10.00 Children (3-11) $11.00 Seniors (65 and over) FREE Children 2 and under

$11.00 Military Adult (12 and over) $9.00 Military Child (3-11) $10.00 Military Senior (65 and over)

Parking FREE for Wildlife Safari Park guests

Drive. Hike. Explore. Wildlife Safari Park is a four-mile, drive-through North American wildlife adventure. You will feel like you are on an actual safari, coming face-to-face with North American plants and animals such as elk, white-tailed deer, bison and waterfowl.

Did you just match to UNMC or Creighton?

Your Guide the Wildlife Safari Park near Omaha

By: Ryan Renner, Realtor

I have helped many families moving to Omaha.  Contact me  if you have any questions about the Omaha area or need help buying a home.

If you love the idea of experiencing adventure from the comfort of your own car, you need to check out the Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari!

Located half an hour southwest of Omaha, in Ashland, NE , the Simmons Wildlife Safari Park is a local treasure that lets you get up close and personal with a variety of animals.

The park spans four miles of drive-through safari terrain, features two miles of hiking trails with multiple overlooks, and gives you the chance to see North American wildlife such as cranes, wolves, elk, and even bears!

Your Guide to the Wildlife Safari Park Near Omaha

A brief overview of the simmons conservation park and wildlife safari, what’s the big deal about the safari park.

The Simmons Wildlife Safari Park is affiliated with Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo . Similar to its downtown Omaha ally, the Wildlife Safari Park is renowned nationwide. In fact, it recently came in first place for the 2022 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice for Best Safari Park !

Needless to say, Wildlife Safari Park is an entertaining adventure. Not only that, but it also supports animal conservation. The park is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums ( AZA ). The AZA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to accrediting zoos and aquariums that promote nature conservation, animal education, and patron recreation.

What to Bring to the Park

Feel free to bring your own food and water to the Wildlife Safari Park. You may decide to indulge in ice cream and a bagged snack at the visitor’s center or at a park vending machine. Still, it won’t hurt to have something on hand to chew or sip on.

Even though you’ll spend most of the time inside of your vehicle, you should still bring sunscreen and bug spray, especially if you decide to go for a long hike.

Finally, bring a smartphone or camera for pictures, and keep your hands on the map they give you when you enter the park!

Getting to the Wildlife Safari Park

Directions to the wildlife safari park.

The Wildlife Safari Park is located directly off of Interstate 80 West near the Platte River. The park’s official street address is 16406 292nd St, Ashland, NE 68003 .

Your GPS will tell you to take I-80 W to Exit 426. This exit leads you to Nebraska Highway 66, which you will travel on southbound for about half a mile. A left turn onto northbound 292nd Street puts you within eyesight of the Wildlife Safari Park’s main office.

Other Nearby Attractions

As this article will demonstrate, the Simmons Wildlife Safari Park offers more than enough entertainment for a day out with the family. However, if you’re visiting the Ashland or the greater Omaha area and would like to see more attractions, there are things to see! 

A couple Ashland area favorites include the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum (aka the SAC Museum ) or the Eugene T. Mahoney State Park . For more ideas of fun stuff to do with the family, check out my article “ Things to Do in Omaha with Kids .”

Hours for the Wildlife Safari Park

The Wildlife Safari Park is not open year-round. It can be enjoyed between the months of late March/early April and October every year. The park’s current hours are 9am-5pm. Check out the sections below to learn the schedule for specific events and experiences.

Pricing and Membership

Individual ticket pricing for the park.

If you aren’t interested in purchasing an annual membership and just want tickets for a single day at the Wildlife Safari Park, the main rates are listed below:

• $12.00 for Adults (ages 12 and up)
• $10.00 for Children (ages 3-11)
• $11.00 for Seniors (ages 65 and up)
• Free Admission for Children below 2 years of age

Apart from the baseline prices, the Omaha area Wildlife Safari Park also offers discounts for military servicemembers and their families:

• $11.00 Military Adult (12 and over)
• $9.00 Military Child (3-11)
• $10.00 Military Senior (65 and over)

Group Admission Rates for the Simmons Wildlife Safari Park

If your child has a class, scouting troop, or daycare that is excited to explore this Omaha area safari adventure, the Simmons Park offers special pricing for schools and other large groups.

The school rate for field trips is available when the school or other educational facility is willing to cover its students’ price of admission. The cost for individual students, whether in pre-kindergarten, college, or anywhere in between, is $4 per person. On top of that, school chaperones get to enter for free!

Field trips can be upgraded with bus tours and student workshops. More information on those specific programs can be found here .

The one caveat with the park’s school pricing is that a School Group Registration form needs to be submitted to the Simmons Wildlife Safari Park well before the day of the visit. The online registration form can be found at this link .

If you’re not with a school but still want to take advantage of a great group rate, the Wildlife Safari Park offers discounts for registered groups of at least 30 people. If you make a reservation by phone (402-738-6916) or email ( [email protected] ) at least two weeks before your visit, each group member can receive admission at the following rates:

• $8.00 Adults (12 and above) 
• $6.00 Children (3-11) 
• $7.00 Seniors (65 and above)

You can also submit an online reservation request to the park’s Marketing Department at this webpage .

Wildlife Safari Membership Pricing

Similar to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, the Wildlife Safari Park offers annual membership rates for families. A single household membership provides admission for two adults and up to six children or grandchildren (age 20 and below).

You can currently purchase these yearlong memberships for $65. The Wildlife Safari Park does not currently offer the option of buying standalone memberships online. So, you’ll have to call their Guest Services Department (402-944-WILD) or speak with the main office while at the park.

If you and your family are interested in exploring both Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and the Wildlife Safari Park, you can purchase a Safari Park membership as an add-on to a zoo membership pass by contacting the zoo’s Guest Services Department (402-733-8401).

Exploring the Wildlife Safari Park

With 440 acres of land and four miles of drive-through road, the Omaha area Wildlife Safari Park offers a lot to see and do! The property has different habitats, such as water features, wooded areas, and open grassland. This handy official map summarizes the park and offers the major highlights. Check out the details below for more in-depth information:

Prairie Dog Town

The Simmons Wildlife Safari Park aims to educate and entertain even before you’ve started the safari! Be sure to check out the Prairie Dog Town habitat just outside of the visitor’s center.

You can view these classic grassland critters burrowing and calling to each other inside their underground colony. So cool!

Elk Meadows

After leaving the visitor’s center and peeking at the prairie dogs, you can follow the drive-through trail through the park. The starting exhibit is the Elk Meadows .

These American elk are an impressive species that begin growing their antlers in the spring. These antlers can grow up to five feet across and the same distance from front to back. In addition, these antlers, which are shed every year, are covered in a fuzzy layer called “velvet.” Wow!

There are three designated viewing spots where you can pull over to snap a picture or admire the animals. If you don’t get a print-worthy picture, don’t worry! You can try again when you come back through. 

The Elk Meadows exhibit stretches across both the coming and going sides of the drive-through trail. So, it’s both the first and last exhibit at the park.

The trail leads you next to Deer Woods . There, white-tailed deer enjoy a wooded ravine and nearly 10 acres of grassland all to themselves.

While these small deer have exceptional camouflage, they can be spotted by eagle-eyed visitors, especially when the deer move to the bottom of their ravine for some shade against the heat of summer.

Pelican Wetlands

You’ll then pass through Deer Woods and cross over Pawnee Creek to find Pelican Wetlands . This exhibit houses waterfowl like the American white pelican, the blue- and green-winged teals, herons, ducks, and the American coot (better known as the mud hen).

These birds are far from alone in the Pelican Wetlands. Reptiles and amphibians such as turtles and frogs are also happy to call the exhibit home. You can spot these various critters from a designated viewing spot located near Pelican Point.

Wildlife Education Center

The next section of the safari park offers a break in the action. The Wildlife Education Center has plenty of parking for you and your family. There, you can take a breather with some amenities, including a gift shop, restrooms, and even a vending machine.

Once you’ve caught your breath, you can walk through the Education Center or check out the nearby owl aviary. If you want to explore on foot, you can embark on the Pawnee Creek Trailhead. Check out the “Hiking” sections below to find out more!

Finally, after you’ve satisfied your curiosity with everything that the Wildlife Education Center offers, you can hop back in your car and continue the safari!

Crane Meadow

Next up is Crane Meadow . This 12-acre exhibit features sandhill cranes, ducks, geese, and even trumpeter swans. These birds make their marshy home in an area that is dedicated to replicating western Nebraska’s sandhills. 

All of these lovely birds can be viewed from the Crane Meadow Viewing Tower, which puts you nearly three stories up above the water to give you a true bird’s-eye view!

Bison Plains

As you continue down the trail, you’ll come upon the 40-acre Bison Plans exhibit . Here a herd of massive American bison roam the land. Unrelated to the true buffalo, American bison are a truly unique species. The bison located at the Wildlife Safari Park stand up to six-and-a-half feet tall at the shoulder and can move their one-ton bodyweight up to 40 miles per hour!

Although they may sound intimidating, the bison are friendly when treated with kindness. They’re often quite comfortable walking right up to your vehicle! You may even catch the herd cutting across the road in front of your car! It’s an amazing sight.

The beginning of the Bison Plains section offers a lookout point called Bison Overlook. At this wheelchair-accessible platform, you can park your vehicle and admire a true-to-life bronze sculpture of a mother bison with a calf.

Meanwhile, kids can play and find learning opportunities in the new nature playground area. There is also a 600-square-foot viewing deck with an overlook of the majestic herd’s habitat. The habitat itself is split evenly between flat, open grasslands and a more wooded area for the bison to enjoy.

Hiking to Wolf Canyon

Most of the Simmons Wildlife Park is a drive-through safari, but there’s plenty of fun to be had if you want to stretch your legs! The Wildlife Safari Park offers two miles of hiking trails, with destinations like Wolf Canyon and Frog Lake .

Located about a quarter-mile hike away from the road, Wolf Canyon gives you an up-close look at wolves, bears, and other exciting animals.

Hikers can look down at a pair of black bears named Cinnabuns and Licorice, whose cinnamon and black coats, respectively, match their adorable names. Like any black bear, these two are strong climbers, fast on their feet, and hungry for everything from fish to honey to nuts!

Of course, the area wouldn’t be Wolf Canyon without canines, so a pack of gray wolves prowls behind a fenced-in area. These fearsome hunters receive regular training and twice-daily feeding. If they’re extra well-behaved, these wolves might also earn a trout or hard-boiled egg! (Their favorite treats.)

Wolf Canyon offers a children’s area called the Hands-On Corral . Here, families can enjoy a petting zoo with some farm animals, have lunch at a picnic table, or admire a classic 1956 John Deere Tractor. If you come in the late summer or early fall, you might even find a shed antler from one of the mighty elks!

Hiking to the Eagle Aviary

If you continue trekking on the hiking path, you’ll come across the walk-in Eagle Aviary , which boasts both the iconic bald eagle and the whooping crane.

The bald eagle, which is a type of raptor, has been featured on the Great Seal of the United States since 1782. Inside the aviary, the eagle and its fellow animals enjoy a half-acre natural pond setting.

Other Hiking Sights

As for the trail itself , birdwatchers, photographers, and recreational hikers can all enjoy the sights along the way, including a gorgeous view of the Platte River. Keep your eyes open for quarries with fossilized rocks, too!

Posted trail maps let guests know the difficulty level for the various sections of trail. So, you don’t have to worry about biting off more than you can chew. There are even trails that are moderate enough to take your small kids along!

Most of the trails at the Wildlife Safari Park start at the Hands-On Corral. Beginning hikers should use the Wolf Canyon Foot Trail. Anyone looking for more of a challenge should try the Frog Lake Trail.

Special Events and Activities

As if these varied exhibits weren’t exciting enough, the Simmons Wildlife Safari Park will host special events and exclusive experiences for guests.

Between April and October, you can make a 45-minute picnic reservation for between 40-240 people of all ages in either the late morning or early to mid-afternoon. This reservation costs $25 for each person who is at least three years old, while prices for kids two years of age and younger are $15.

On top of an admission to the park, each picnic guest also receives a catered meal (hamburger or hot dog, picnic-style side dish, chips, condiments, mini cones, and a summertime drink), with the option to upgrade to pulled pork, chicken, and/or soda pop for a few dollars more.

Most excitingly, for a flat fee of $100 per half hour, an Animal Ambassador will bring in an animal for an up-close encounter with the picnic group!

Cheetah and Tiger Backstage Safari Experiences

Viewing such a great variety of animals is awesome enough, but the Omaha area Wildlife Safari Park also offers behind-the-scenes experiences . These Backstage Experiences combine education, walking, and animal encounters for any guest at least 8 years old.

On alternating Saturday mornings between 10:30-11:30 (be sure to be at least 15 minutes early!), guests can pay $65 per person ($50 for members) to see both the park and a big cat exhibit. You and your guests can choose between the Cheetah Conservation Breeding Facility or the Tiger Conservation Breeding Facility.

Each of these facilities showcase the park’s focus on animal care and nature conservation. The Cheetah Facility houses all but two of the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo’s cheetah population–20 cats in all! Here, you can learn about the zoo’s participation in the plan to prevent the extinction of cheetahs. Guests can hear about the similar goals at the Tiger Facility, which can hold up to six adult tigers at a time.

Guided Bus Tours

Large groups may wish to explore the Simmons Wildlife Safari Park altogether at the same pace and in the same vehicle. Fortunately, the park offers both Step-on and Premium Safari Bus Tours . For either $125 per bus (Step-on) or $200 per bus (Premium), visitors can enjoy either a one- or two-hour personalized bus tour throughout the Wildlife Safari Park.

While both bus tours offer the chance to snap some solid animal pictures, only the Premium tour gives you the chance to hike with a guide onto the Pawnee Trail. This way, you won’t miss out on the black bears, gray wolves, or other critters located off of the hiking trail.

Whichever bus you choose, both tour options are offered at 10am and 1pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

Animal Experiences

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Simmons Wildlife Safari Park conducts daily 2pm Animal Experiences near the bear habitat. There, an Animal Ambassador will speak one-on-one with guests about animal care. And, they’ll let you meet the animal of course! 

Other animal feeding times at the park may vary. However, aiming for either 1:30pm or 3:00 pm should give you the best odds of catching the Animal Ambassadors ‌feeding the impressive animals.

Day Camps and Educational Programs

The Omaha area Wildlife Safari Park hosts a variety of changing classes, camps, and other opportunities. Currently, the park has bird and stargazing photography classes scheduled for July and August.

One Saturday each month from 10:30-11:30am, 3- and 4-year-olds can participate in the Early Learning Kids Klub (E.L.K. Klub). For $15 per child ($13 for members), each participant (along with an adult chaperone) gets a hands-on Nebraska wildlife education!

The scheduled dates for the E.L.K. Klub are:

• September 3rd
• October 1st

From time to time, pop-up classes will take place at the Wildlife Education Center. These $2, all-ages classes are advertised the day of on bulletin boards ‌throughout the park. So, keep an eye out! They host fun crafts and outdoorsy workshops that are a total blast if you can catch them. 

If participating in the park’s “Campouts” (see below), you’ll get even more fun activities from their impressive instructors. You can expect activities like walking in a creek, exploring at night, and watching animal footage from a trail camera. Call the park’s main office at 402-944-WILD (9453) to learn more.

The safari park fun doesn’t have to stop just because the lights are out!

Families, car campers, small groups, school groups, church groups, scout troops, and other large groups can sign up to camp out at the Simmons Wildlife Safari Park! The park offers three location options for campers.

The main campsite houses five tents of various sizes, plus a campfire pit for roasting s’mores or hot dogs. The Wildlife Education Center doubles as overnight lodging if any guest desires. This facility can also screen movies and even has space for a campfire. Lastly, the Car Camping program lets your family sleep in their cars or tent in the parking lot.

Whichever camping location you pick, the $45-per-person cost covers the overnight stay, next-day admission into the safari park, a guided hike in the evening, a campfire s’mores session, and opportunities to learn about animals and nature conservation.

The Wildlife Safari Park is another great way to experience the wonders of nature right here in the Omaha area! 

I hope this article has piqued your interest in the adventurous opportunities ‌offered by the Wildlife Safari Park. The next time that you’re visiting Omaha or Lincoln, your family can pop over to Ashland to experience gorgeous animal sights, fun hiking, and an unforgettable experience! I’ll see you there!

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Take a Zoofari at the Ashland Wildlife Safari Omaha

Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari near Omaha

A lot of times when I talk to people from Nebraska and ask them “Why don’t you travel right here, in our own backyard more?” I get responses like

• There is nothing to do here
• There are WAY better things in other states (or countries)

While the entire reason for this blog is to dismiss point number one (Here are just 26 EXPERIENCES in Nebraska alone.  Or, here’s our Ultimate Bucketlist Of Things To Do in Nebraska ), I do get what they are saying with the second argument.

For example, several years ago, we went on an amazing Safari in South Africa.  We rode in a Land Rover on the search for The Big 5 and that is a trip I will NEVER forget.

BUT, the reality is, a trip to South Africa just isn’t in the cards for a lot of people for a multitude of reasons.  And I get and understand that.

Which is EXACTLY why I push Nebraskans to look right here, in our own state, for fun adventures that might give a taste of other trips (and who knows, maybe local travel will inspire you enough to travel further?)

Enter: The Lee. G. Simmons Conservation and Wildlife Safari Park in Ashland Nebraska!

Ok Ok….no it is not the same as a full-on African Safari.  I’ll give you that.  But hey, let’s look at the glass as half full and celebrate that the NEBRASKA safari park was just voted as the number one safari park in the US!!! (Woohoo! #NETourism For the Win!!!)

So, today I am giving you an “EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW” type of post about the Ashland NE Wildlife Safari, including insider tips, what to know before you go, what to expect and more.

Know Before You Go

A lot of people call it the Omaha Zoo Safari, or even the Omaha Wildlife Safari.  But it is actually not in Omaha at all, but instead almost smack dab in the middle of Omaha and Lincoln.  The Ashland Wildlife Safari is well, you guessed it, in ASHLAND Nebraska!

In fact, it is the same exit (426 off of 1-80) as Mahoney State Park, just a bit down the road in the opposite direction.

Time Needed

As life with little ones goes, we were limited to a morning outing due to nap schedules.  We easily were able to see the whole park as well as have a wonderful picnic lunch.

However, we also could have spent more time at some of the stops, driven slower and hung out longer.  I would allow for at LEAST a minimum of 3 hours for your outing, but you could easily spend the better part of the day here as well.

Adults: $7.50

Children: $5.50 (ages 3-11).  Free under 2

Seniors(65+): $6.50

Military Discounts:

Adult: $6.50 Adult (12 and over) Child: $4.50 Child (3-11) Senior: $5.50 Military Senior

Membership:

You can purchase an annual membership (good from one year of date of purchase) for $55 and includes:

• Up to two adults (technically from same household, but I was let in on my mom’s pass) and
• Up to six dependent children (up to age 20!) OR up to six grandchildren (again, up to age 20)

Omaha Zoo Pass Holders: While this is not an actual Omaha Zoo Safari, if you have a Henry Doorly Zoo Membership, you can do an add on with the Ashland Wildlife Safari membership for $50 in addition to your zoo pass.

Opening Hours and Months

Since it is an outdoor driving safari, the conservation park is only open from spring to fall (April-October).  Gates open at 9am-5pm every day.

This is a self-guided driving tour that basically goes in a loop around the conservation park.

The road is a gravel road that gets a bit bumpy in spots.  You don’t need a safari jeep though to get around, although I also wouldn’t come in your sports car!  I also wouldn’t wash your car just before heading out on your safari, as it will surely get plenty of dust and dirt on it….just like a real safari!

Driving Tips

If you have little ones (aka in car seats), read below for further information about this.

Pretend like you are on a real life, safari!  That means you’ll be driving around a barrier-free location where animals get to roam freely (in their own designated areas).  In fact, they can come RIGHT up to your car, and they often do!! (just remember, no petting or feeding the animals!)

• The Speed Limit is 7 MPH.  Yup, THAT slow! But this way, you take your time and really get to see the animals!
• The animals ALWAYS have the right of way.  In fact, on our way out, we ended up getting stuck in a Pelican Traffic Jam for a good 10-15 minutes as two preening pelicans stubbornly decided to just plop down in the middle of the road right in front of us! How rude!
• The only time you are allowed out of your vehicle is in designated areas (they are well marked and obvious of where you can get out)
• No motorcycles or bikes

Things To Do and See at the Safari Park

This drive through Safari Park not only lets you get RIGHT up close and personal with some really cool animals, but let’s you play safari guide for a day!

On your drive you’ll go through

An Elk Meadow

The elk are really cool to see, especially the males with their GIGANTIC horns!!! If your kids are like my two- year old son, just go with the flow when they get excited to see “REINDEER!!!”

The Deer Woods

We were afraid we wouldn’t see any deer, as the signs said they like to stay in the shade during the heat of the day, but luckily, there were several hanging out in the ravine just on the side of the road!

Pelican Wetlands

I’ve never been SO close to these huge birds! You can get out of your car here and walk up to the pond.  Although, my nephews LOVED looking at all the frogs probably more than the pelicans!

Make a Pit Stop

Next you’ll come to a large parking lot, where you’ll absolutely want to get out here and check out everything by foot.  There is a food stand (opens at 10am) with the basic menu of things like hot dogs, burgers, ice cream and other treats .   You can also hit up the restroom here or use any of the many picnic benches with your own bite to eat.

Stretch your legs and walk around to all the exhibits here

1) Eagle Aviary

2) petting zoo area.

Brush and pet the friendly, playful goats and chase the roosters around.  This is a great stop for the kids!

3) Crane Meadow

Climb a (small) tower that overlooks a marshy swamp, home to tons of ducks and ducklings, geese, swans and the famous Sandhill Cranes!  If you can’t make the annual Sandhill Crane Migration in Kearney (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! You can read all about that on our Ultimate Guide To Seeing The Nebraska Sandhill Cranes here) this is a great opportunity to see the beautiful birds so close!

Walk along an easy trail that turns into a boardwalk (stroller and handicap accessible) lined with some owls that lead you straight to the bears!

5) Wolf Canyon

After seeing the beautiful bears, keep on the trail and head up a hill to see the wolves.  Unfortunately, we could only spot one, laying low in the tall brush, but that is also the beauty of conservation areas such as these, where the animals have so much more freedom and space than a typical, caged up zoo.

Tip: The hill up to the wolves is not very stroller or wheelchair friendly.   It is pretty steep for wheels and very rocky.

6) Safari Park Hike

Depending on your time constraints (and how whiny the kids are!) there is a really easy hike that is in the same location as the bears and wolves.  Just continue along the path to make a loop that shouldn’t take longer than about 30 minutes.  While there are a few “steep” areas, there were plenty of people in flip-flops and young children, which should give a clue that it is a pretty easy “hike” that just about everyone can do.

Hop back in your car for a grand finale of the

Bison Plains

The drive thru zoo has a huge area houses these ginormous creatures (2,000+ pounds!!!) where it’s not uncommon to have them right up at the window of your car.  Obviously, for safety reasons, just remember these are still wild animals and to not feed or pet them…as fun as that might seem to be.

Prairie Dog Town

Finish off your safari trip at the Visitor Center, where you can park your car, see the Prairie Dog Town, play on a small playground, walk around an aviary and of course, have another bathroom break!

Good Things To Know

There are three places to stop for a quick restroom stop.

• At the entrance in the Visitor Center
• Just at the beginning of the drive
• About halfway through the drive at the big parking lot

Where and What to Eat:

• We love bringing picnics to places like this to save a few bucks (can you say cheap frugal???).  There are picnic tables at all the locations mentioned above near the restrooms, as well as scattered throughout the park near other exhibits, like in the shade next to the Eagle Aviary.
• At the visitor center as well as the halfway point in the drive, there are stands to buy some basic foods like chips, hot dogs, popcorn, waters, etc.

Just remember to clean up after yourself and of course, to NEVER feed the animals!

Driving Safety With Children: Should You Let Them Out Of Their Carseats?

Can I get a roll call of all my fellow car seat safety freaks out there???

I was pretty torn about what to do about the kids in the car.  I mean, the whole point of this outing was to go see the wildlife!  I had three under three with me (granted, there were two other adults in the van with us) and on every other day, I am a CAR SEAT SAFETY FREAK!

Now, as we drove around, we saw ALL sorts of situations with kids in the vehicles

• Older kids hanging halfway out the windows excitedly pointing to bison
• Toddlers and babies on the laps of adults
• Kids in the back trunks of SUVS w/ the hitch up!

But, in my family, we have a black and white rule:

If the car is moving, you are buckled in the car seat!!!

Some will argue that you are going 7 miles per hour during this drive!  What the heck could go wrong!?  And I totally agree, but for me, it was more about setting the precedent with my very stubborn, VERY impressionable toddler.

Not only am I just super anal and paranoid about car seat safety, but my 2 year old is in the phase where if you do something ONCE, he expects it again (and throws the ever so fun 2 year old tantrums when it doesn’t happen).  I knew that if I let him out of the car seat for this ONE morning at the safari, that I would be fighting the car seat battle for Lord knows how long.  And I’m sorry, but I’m an exhausted mama, I just don’t want to put up with that.

This meant that yea, he missed a lot of the driving portion of the safari and my 22 month old nephew saw very little at all while in the car.  However, I did what I felt comfortable and safe with.   As the old adage goes, “MY CAR, MY RULES!”

Considering there was plenty to see at the stops where we could get out at, I was perfectly fine with my decision. (Also, there were multiple times that the car was lower than the animals, so my son could still peer out and see SOMETHING….just not maybe a whole herd)  However, if you choose to let your babe out, or sit on your lap, that is also your choice and there were clearly PLENTY of kids doing so.

What To Do Nearby the Wildlife Safari

Kids eat free.

On Thursdays at Round the Bend Steakhouse just about 3 minutes outside the park, kids eat free on Thursdays.  I wouldn’t plan a trip around this in and of itself (food is decent-average).  It’s just always nice to know of a place to save a few bucks with a family!

UPDATE:  Kids no longer eat FREE on Thursdays but now get $2 off their kids menu.  Still not a horrible deal, but it’s probably worth it just to bring your picnic lunch instead to the park 🙂

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park

You can literally see Mahoney State Park from the Safari!  If you are spending a long weekend at Mahoney, this is a fantastic add-on to your itinerary!  We LOVE staying at the Mahoney cabins, going to the pool there and just spending the weekends!  Here is our Mahoney Ultimate Guide if you haven’t checked that out yet!

SAC Museum (Strategic Air Command and AeroSpace)

If you are wanting a full day outing and day trip, spend the morning at the Safari Park and once it’s hot (in the summers) head inside to the Air and Space Museum, just 5 minutes away from the Safari.

Platte State Park

Platte is home to some REALLY great hikes!  If you are wanting some more outdoors, head over here for a fun afternoon before heading home.

Have you been to the Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park in Ashland Nebraska yet?   What were your favorite parts of your safari drive?  I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!

For further information, conservation efforts, exhibits and more, check out the official park’s website here .

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Wildlife Safari

16406 North 292nd Street, Ashland , Nebraska 68003-1848 USA

• Independent

“Drive. Hike. Explore.”

Drive. Hike. Explore. Wildlife Safari Park is a four mile, drive-through North American wildlife adventure. You will feel like you are on an actual safari, coming face-to-face with North American plants and animals such as elk, white-tailed deer, bison and waterfowl. 

Reviewed by mcluskey1

Great activity for kids! Get up close with animals.

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• Sun - Sat: 9:00 am - 5:00 am

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Nebraska’s Wildlife Safari With Kids

Think Nebraska’s wildlife is boring? Think again. We recently visited Simmons Wildlife Safari in Ashland, Neb., (about 20 minutes west of Omaha). It was my dad’s first trip to the attraction, so we were excited for him to enjoy it with the kids.

D i sclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari quick facts

Where : 16406 N. 292 St., Ashland, Neb. (take Exit 426 off Interstate 80)

Hours : The wildlife safari is open seasonally, from April through October. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though there are some evening and overnight special events.

Ticket prices : Regular admission is $12 of adults (ages 12+), $11 for seniors (65+), $10 for kids (3-11), and free for children ages 2 and under. There is a $1 off discount for military. You can buy tickets at the gate.

Memberships : Memberships are available and are valid for one year from the date of purchase. They admit up to two adults from one household and up to six dependent children, ages 0-20, at same address OR up to six grandchildren, also ages 0-20, will be covered for each visit. 

Memberships are $80. You can add the Wildlife Safari membership to an existing Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium membership, a value of $65, too! Call the zoo’s guest services department to get that done.

Plan a visit to the safari park

Grab that map they hand at the admission gate of the wildlife safari park . Not because you’ll get lost – the kids love it.

You’ll be driving at a maximum speed of 7 mph, so hang on, partner! You want to go slower, really, to catch all the wildlife. You’ll notice each area is separated by gates akin to the ones you remember from “Jurassic Park.” Scare the kids and put a water glass on your dashboard and recreate the T-Rex scene. Just kidding.

You’ll see deer, elk and an assortment of birds at the start. It’s pretty tranquil. Then you’ll drive around some wetlands, featuring photogenic waterfowl.

You can get out of your car at this point, though the parking areas are small. A lot of people just drive on by, so expect minimal crowds.

Your next stop is shortly after that. Definitely get out, because there’s the Hands-On Corral (AKA petting zoo) your kids will like. There are also trails to animal enclosures you can only see by walking to them.

Near there is a little play area with picnic tables, as well as an old Rosenblatt tower you can climb for a nice view. Venture over to the bald eagles and then double back to walk an inclined trail to see owls, bears, wolves and further afield, toads.

We caught an animal feeding time and the 1:30 p.m. enrichment talk. It was a fortunate accident! These kind of experiences are called Keeper Talks , and they occur daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Tip : Keep Talks are included with admission! The wildlife safari has some other behind-the-scenes experiences that are an added fee and require reservations.

Back in the car, you’ll get to drive past some pretty birds on your way to the big attraction: American bison. These free-roaming creatures get near your car, making for some impressive photos.

Be sure to stop back at the visitor center. There are more animals to see inside and outside, as well as a small playground and a group of sculptures kids seem to like climbing on.

Timing a picnic

There are a couple picnic tables near the petting zoo that aren’t very shaded. More tables are located near the visitor center. If you didn’t bring food, you can purchase snack bar items, ice cream and other goodies at the visitor center.

You may be interested in posts about attractions near the safari park:

• Strategic Air & Space Museum With Kids
• Guide to Mahoney State Park

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Tuesday 8th of December 2015

These are fantastic photos! I am actually the keeper that fed those animals at that talk and I love the picture you got of Buns! That female wolf was definitely showing herself off to all of you. =)

Thanks, Callie! I love that you found this page, and like the photos. You've got such a fun job!

Alissa Apel

Wednesday 16th of July 2014

I loved visiting there when I went last. You got some great photos. Sometimes the animals like to hide; while other times they are out and about.

We got good photos this time around because we remembered to bring a bigger camera lens. :)

Jill Darling

Monday 14th of July 2014

I can't believe I haven't taken the kids here yet...thanks for the reminder!

It's one that stays off the radar but once you visit, the kids will want to come back.

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Drive Through Safari

August 1, 2022

Visitors travel through several distinct “lands” on the drive-through adventure zoo’s road, where they can see Sandhill Cranes, antelope, deer, and a sizable herd of buffalo. In this area of the county, most animals are free to wander. Visitors’ cars can view everything, but a short walk is needed to reach the Wolf Woods part. While outside the vehicle, you can explore the interactive nature exhibits.

Visit Wildlife Safari Park website to know more.

Address: 16406 N. 292 Street Ashland, NE 68003

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