Hattiesburg Zoo

State: Mississippi. Type: 12-acre zoo within 40-acre Kamper Park in Hattiesburg. Opened 1950 (celebrated 75th anniversary in 2025). Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Zoological Association of America. Over 55 species on exhibit. Operated by the Hattiesburg Convention Commission. Address: 107 S 17th Ave., Hattiesburg, MS 39401.

The Hattiesburg Zoo occupies about 12 acres within Kamper Park, a 40-acre municipal park donated to the Daughters of the Confederacy in 1902 by John Kamper and transferred to the City of Hattiesburg for public use in 1908. The zoo itself opened in 1950 and marked its 75th anniversary in 2025, growing over the decades into an Association of Zoos and Aquariums and Zoological Association of America-accredited facility. Its collection today spans more than 55 species across mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates, with exhibits featuring zebras, giraffes, hyenas, wallabies, emus, sloths, Galapagos tortoises and a range of African species. As of the most recently reported figures, the zoo draws well over 100,000 visitors a year, making it a significant family attraction in the Pine Belt region of southern Mississippi.

The zoo is located within Kamper Park at 107 S 17th Ave., Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in Forrest County in the Pine Belt region of southern Mississippi.

Hattiesburg has a humid subtropical climate typical of southern Mississippi, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Specific temperature normals were not confirmed from official sources for this entry; visitors should expect warm, humid conditions from late spring through early fall and mild winters with occasional cold snaps.

Spring and fall generally offer the most comfortable temperatures for walking the outdoor zoo grounds, avoiding the peak heat and humidity of a Mississippi summer. The zoo's winter hours (Friday-Sunday only, January-February) are more limited than its March-December schedule, so visitors planning an off-season trip should check day-of-week availability in advance.

Kamper Park's 40 acres were donated by John Kamper to the Daughters of the Confederacy in 1902 and transferred to the City of Hattiesburg for public use in 1908. The zoo opened on about 12 acres of that park in 1950 and has operated continuously since, reaching its 75th anniversary in 2025. Over the decades it earned accreditation from both the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Zoological Association of America, reflecting an expansion from a small municipal animal collection into a broader accredited zoo with more than 55 species.

Visitors can walk the zoo's exhibit paths to see zebras, giraffes, hyenas, wallabies, emus, sloths, Galapagos tortoises and other African and global species. The zoo, being compact at 12 acres, is well suited to a self-guided walking visit for families with young children. Kamper Park surrounding the zoo offers additional green space for a broader outing.

Exhibit highlights include giraffe and zebra habitats, a hyena exhibit, wallaby and emu displays, a sloth exhibit, and Galapagos tortoises, among the zoo's more than 55 represented species. The wider Kamper Park grounds, in which the zoo sits, add additional park space for visitors.

Hattiesburg is accessible via Interstate 59, and the closest airport is Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport, with larger commercial service available from airports such as Gulfport-Biloxi International or Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International further afield. Most visitors arrive by car and use on-site parking at Kamper Park.

Per the zoo's official site, hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., March through December, and Friday-Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., January and February. The zoo is closed Mondays year-round plus select holidays; ticket sales end at 3:30 p.m. daily.

Per the zoo's official site: advance online tickets (purchased before 5:00 a.m. on the day of visit) cost $8 plus tax for children ages 2-12, $10 plus tax for adults ages 13-64, and $9 plus tax for seniors 65+. Day-of tickets (at the booth or online after 5:00 a.m.) cost $10, $12 and $11 plus tax respectively. Children under 2 are free, and group rates are available for parties of 20 or more.

Given its compact 12-acre size, most visitors can tour the Hattiesburg Zoo's exhibits in about one and a half to two hours.

Hattiesburg, home to the University of Southern Mississippi, has a range of chain hotels concentrated near I-59 and the university area, a short drive from Kamper Park; specific property names were not verified from official sources for this entry.

Hattiesburg's downtown and university-area districts offer a range of casual and sit-down dining options within a short drive of Kamper Park; specific restaurant names were not confirmed from official sources for this entry.

Kamper Park itself, surrounding the zoo, offers additional green space. Downtown Hattiesburg and the University of Southern Mississippi campus are a short drive away for visitors extending their stay.

Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport is the closest local airport; larger commercial airports such as Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport are a drive further south. A personal or rental vehicle is the most practical way to reach the zoo and get around Hattiesburg.

As with any zoo, keep young children close in busy exhibit areas and follow posted signage around animal enclosures. Summer heat and humidity call for sun protection and hydration during outdoor exhibit walks. For any emergency, dial 911.

Sunscreen, a hat, and water are recommended given the outdoor exhibit layout, especially in Mississippi's hot, humid months. Comfortable walking shoes suit the zoo's pathways, and a stroller may help families with young children cover the grounds.

Buying tickets online in advance of 5:00 a.m. on the day of your visit secures the lower advance price per the zoo's official pricing structure. Because ticket sales end at 3:30 p.m., plan to arrive well before closing. Checking the seasonal day-of-week schedule (Tuesday-Sunday in the main season vs. Friday-Sunday only in January-February) avoids a wasted trip in the off-season.

Dial 911 for any emergency. The Hattiesburg Zoo's general information line, per its official site, is 601-545-4576.

Hattiesburg Zoo - https://hattiesburgzoo.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.