Frank Buck Zoo

Get Closer to Nature at the Best Little Zoo in Texas

The Frank Buck Zoo is home to more than 130 animals and is accredited by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA). Experience a "giraffe's eye view" from the elevated walkway that surrounds the mixed-species African savannah exhibit.

Details

Animals On Exhibit
African spurred tortoise, alpaca, American alligator, Arabian camel, Asian small-clawed otter, Bennett's wallaby, black vulture, blue-crowned conure, Burmese python, cheetah, clouded leopard, coyote, Geoffroy's cat, flamingos, great horned owl, helmeted guinea fowl, leopard tortoise, lesser rhea, miniature zebu, miniature horse, military macaw, Nubian ibex, ostrich, Patagonia cavy, Pygmy goats, red fox, red-ruffed lemur, Reeves' muntjac, reticulated giraffe, ringtailed coati, ringtailed lemur, spotted donkey, squirrel monkey, Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, whistling ducks, yellow-naped amazon

Animal encounters daily (weather permitting)
Flamingo 10:00 AM
Giraffe 10:30 AM
Tortoise 1:00 PM
Capybara 11:30 AM & 1:30 PM
(Flamingo & Capybara reservation required)

Petting Zoo
Bring quarters to feed the Pygmy goats with feed available for purchase at the vending machines. Available until the machines are empty.

Private Parties
Enjoy your next birthday party or gathering on the zoo's trellised, elevated dining deck. This package includes the reserved use of the party deck for your specified time, a twenty-minute small animal encounter, goat feeding, and all-day admission to the Frank Buck Zoo.

September - November and March Booking Times Available: Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 am or 1:30 pm
April - June 15, 2024 Booking Times Available: Saturday and Sunday 10 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:30 pm
Zoo parties start at $225.00. This covers the price of the first 20 people. Each person above 20 is an additional $10 each.

Birthday Parties include:

• Small animal program on the party deck 
• Time to eat, serve cupcakes or cake, and open gifts on the party deck
• Clean up time (all items taken to vehicles and check out with the gift shop staff)
• Depart the party deck for goat feeding
• Goat feeding with goat food provided
• After goat feeding, you are free to tour the zoo on your own.

Field Trips School Group Discounted Admission:
Students $5.50 Teachers/Chaperones $7.50
Parents & siblings may only get the discounted chaperone rate of $7.50 & student rate of $5.50 when they are included with the school invoice.

Gift Shop
The Frank Buck Zoo gift shop acts as the admission office. Purchase tickets and annual passes, local Texas-made items, a variety of Fair Trade items from around the world, stuffed animals, interesting toys and games, snacks, drinks, and stroller & scooter rentals.

Hours
Open daily from 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Last ticket sold at 3:00 pm
Closed Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day

Contact

Website
gainesville.tx.us/108/Frank-Buck-Zoo

Address
1000 W. California Street, Gainesville, TX 76240
Get Directions

Phone Number
Admission/Gift Shop  (940) 668-4539
Program Coordinator (940) 668-4533
Administrative Office  (940) 668-4533

Please visit the website for a full list of programs, camps, volunteer opportunities, and community events.