Blank Park Zoo

State: Iowa. Type: AZA-accredited zoo on the south side of Des Moines, near historic Fort Des Moines. 49 acres. Opened as the Des Moines Children's Zoo on May 8, 1966, funded by a $150,000 donation from Abraham Harry Blank in 1963; reopened under its current model on May 17, 1986, and AZA-accredited in 1987. Address: 7401 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315.

Blank Park Zoo occupies 49 acres on the south side of Des Moines, near historic Fort Des Moines, and bills itself as "Iowa's Wildest Adventure." It traces its roots to a $150,000 donation from Abraham Harry Blank in 1963, which funded the Des Moines Children's Zoo that opened on May 8, 1966. The zoo nearly closed in the late 1970s before a group of civic leaders formed the Blank Park Zoo Foundation in 1981 to revive it; a $1.8 million bond and $1.4 million in community contributions funded a rebuild featuring geographically themed exhibits, which reopened on May 17, 1986. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited the zoo in 1987, and management passed to the Blank Park Zoo Foundation in 2003 under its first CEO, Terry Rich. Today the zoo cares for a large, diverse animal collection across exhibits including the Discovery Center, Australia Adventure, Big Cat Complex and various African wildlife displays, and in 2025 it broke ground on an "Expand the Impact" initiative adding new lion habitats and a native-species "Wild Iowa" exhibit.

The zoo is located at 7401 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50315, on the south side of the city near historic Fort Des Moines.

Des Moines has a continental Iowa climate with warm, humid summers and cold winters; specific monthly averages were not confirmed from the sources used for this entry, though the zoo's outdoor exhibits mean visits are most comfortable outside of the coldest winter weeks.

Warmer months, spring through fall, are generally the most comfortable for viewing the zoo's outdoor exhibits and enjoying interactive experiences like giraffe feeding and train rides; specific seasonal event details were not confirmed from the sources used for this entry.

Abraham Harry Blank donated $150,000 in 1963 toward building a children's zoo in Des Moines, and the Des Moines Children's Zoo officially opened on May 8, 1966. By the late 1970s the zoo faced possible closure, prompting local civic leaders to form the Blank Park Zoo Foundation in 1981 to save and rebuild it. A $1.8 million bond issue combined with $1.4 million in community contributions funded a redesign around geographically themed exhibits with more naturalistic, landscaped environments, and the rebuilt zoo reopened on May 17, 1986. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited the zoo in 1987. Management of the zoo transferred to the Blank Park Zoo Foundation in 2003, with Terry Rich becoming its first CEO. In 2025 the zoo launched an "Expand the Impact" initiative, breaking ground on new lion habitats and a "Wild Iowa" exhibit focused on native Iowa species.

Visitors can explore exhibits such as the Discovery Center, Australia Adventure, Big Cat Complex and African wildlife areas, take a train ride around the grounds, and join interactive experiences including giraffe feeding, tortoise encounters and penguin viewing. The zoo also runs keeper demonstrations, educational programs and safari camps, behind-the-scenes tours, and "Zoo Brew" after-hours events for adults 21 and up.

Major exhibit areas include the Discovery Center, Australia Adventure, Big Cat Complex, and African wildlife displays; the zoo houses species ranging from giraffes, sea lions and penguins to otters, red pandas, snow leopards and Amur tigers, plus numerous birds and reptiles. A new "Wild Iowa" exhibit focused on native species was under development as of 2025.

The zoo is on the south side of Des Moines at 7401 SW 9th Street; it is most practically reached by personal vehicle or rideshare given its city location. Specific nearest-airport distance was not confirmed from the sources used for this entry, though Des Moines International Airport serves the metro area generally.

Specific daily opening hours were not confirmed from the sources used for this entry; check the zoo's official website directly for current hours, which can vary seasonally.

As of research, listed admission was: infants (0-23 months) free; children (2-12) $15 and up; adults (13-64) $20 and up; seniors (65+) $19 and up; the "and up" pricing suggests rates vary by date or season, so confirm exact current pricing on the official site before visiting. Train rides are an additional $2 for members and $3 for non-members.

Most visitors plan at least half a day, roughly three to four hours, to see the major exhibit areas and take part in interactive experiences like feedings or the train ride.

The zoo sits within the Des Moines metro area, which offers a full range of hotel chains and other lodging citywide; specific named properties near the zoo itself were not confirmed from the sources used for this entry.

The zoo has on-site food facilities for visitors during their visit; a broader range of Des Moines restaurants is available citywide, though specific nearby restaurant names were not confirmed from the sources used for this entry.

Historic Fort Des Moines, adjacent to the zoo, is a notable nearby landmark; the wider city of Des Moines offers additional museums, parks and attractions within a short drive.

Des Moines International Airport serves the metro area generally; specific distance from the zoo and local public-transit options were not confirmed from the sources used for this entry.

As with any zoo, keep a safe distance from enclosures and supervise children closely, especially near interactive experiences like the giraffe feeding station. For any emergency, dial 911.

Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat and water are useful for a day spent largely outdoors; cash or a card for train rides and interactive experiences priced separately from general admission is also worth carrying.

Because admission pricing appears to vary ("$15+", "$20+", "$19+" as of research), check the official website for the exact current-date price before visiting or buying tickets online in advance. Membership can reduce costs for repeat visitors, including a lower train-ride price.

Dial 911 for any emergency. The zoo's general information line is 515-285-4722, per its official website.

Blank Park Zoo - https://www.blankparkzoo.com

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.