The Best Zoos In Missouri, USA To See Capybaras

1) STL Zoo

Located in the vibrant city of St.

Louis, the STL Zoo is one of the prized jewels in the crown of Missouri’s family attractions.

With notable animals including tigers, giraffes, capybaras, elephants, sloths, bears, lions, and sea lions, the zoo is an unrivaled spectacle of diverse wildlife across an expansive 90 acres.

The zoo offers more than just a direct experience with the animals; it provides educational insights and promotes conservation, deepening the understanding of our role in preserving these beautiful creatures.

One of the unique features of the STL Zoo is the free entry, making it a budget-friendly choice for families.

The zoo is also very accessible with walkways suitable for wheelchairs, ensuring everyone can enjoy a day out at the zoo.

Plan a visit and take between 2-3 hours exploring all the attractions.

And while bringing your own food is allowed, there are also numerous food stalls available throughout the zoo, catering to all tastes.

The STL Zoo, with its 16,000 animal residents is undeniably one of Missouri’s best zoos offering a fun, educational, and memorable experience for all.

2) Kansas City Zoo

If you’re hunting for an unforgettable family adventure in the heart of Missouri, your map should definitely be marked at the Kansas City Zoo.

Spread over an impressive 202 acres, it houses a striking array of over 1,700 animals, including exotic species like tigers, elephants, giraffes, and even adorable capybaras and sloths.

It’s perfect for family outings, specifically for families with older children who will cherish the jaw-dropping sight of majestic lions or playful penguins.

Thoughtfully designed, the zoo also provides disability access with walkways suitable for wheelchair users, and service animals are allowed to accompany those who need them.

The zoo offers an immersive experience that will typically take 2-3 hours to fully explore.

Tickets are modestly priced, with adult tickets at $22 and children’s tickets at $20, making it a reasonably priced outing for a family of four at $84.

Children under two are welcomed free of charge.

The facility goes the extra mile by even allowing guests to bring their own food and drinks, although food stalls are present for those who prefer it.

Free parking is also available.

Please note that the zoo isn’t accessible through public transport so plan the journey accordingly.

The Kansas City Zoo has the perfect concoction for an exciting day out, layering a fun family ambiance with an educational experience into the incredible world of animals.

Other Zoos To Enjoy Without Capybaras

There are so many other great zoos to enjoy in Missouri.

If you want to try another zoo that doesn’t have Capybaras, then one of these might be right for you.

Dickerson Park Zoo

Close in proximity to the heart of Springfield, Missouri, you’ll find the enchanting Dickerson Park Zoo, a transformative landscape filled with over 450 animals sprawled across its expansive 70-acre area.

While the zoo features a diverse array of creatures, including tigers, giraffes, elephants, and lions, it is particularly well-regarded by animal enthusiasts for housing one of the most adorable semi-aquatic member - the Capybara.

The design of the zoo respects their natural habitat and is set up to provide these social creatures with opportunities for interaction keeping their natural behavior in view.

For visitors, it is an excellent chance to observe these fascinating, largest rodent species up close, and learn about their unique traits and behaviors.

Accessibility is a strong suit of Dickerson Park Zoo, with easily navigable walkways designed keeping in mind wheelchairs, making it a universally appealing attraction.

It caters especially well to families, whether they have older children, toddlers or even pet dogs, thanks to its inclusive planning.

Spending 2-3 hours in the property will allow you enough time to explore all its attractions.

And with free parking, a plethora of food stalls, and affordable entry fees, with adults at $17, concessions at $14, children at $12 and toddlers under 2 entering for free, the zoo promises a memorable day out without burning a hole in your pocket.

While they maintain a strict policy against handling the animals, Dickerson Park Zoo makes it clear their priority is the protection and conservation of the animals in their care, thereby ensuring a wonderful environment for both the animals and the visitors alike.

Endangered Wolf Center

The Endangered Wolf Center located in Eureka, Missouri is one of the largest zoos in the state that spans across a whopping 2000 acres.

This conservation-driven establishment primarily focuses on the care and protection of wolves and foxes, which are some of its most notable residents.

However, these are not the only animals that attract visitors to this unique sanctuary.

For those with a keen interest in capybaras, the Endangered Wolf Center is a place you would not want to miss.

Though not advertised as prominently as their wolf relatives, the capybaras form an integral part of the zoo’s appeal.

This vast space provides the ideal environment for these captivating creatures to roam and interact with their surroundings, helping you observe them in their most natural state.

The zoo offers guided tours that last for about 90 minutes, giving you ample opportunity to see all of its attractions through an immersive experience.

Though the zoo is most suited for families with older children given its large size, it also provides disability access, though the trails may be unsuitable for wheelchairs.

Remember to pack your picnic basket, as you are allowed to bring your own food and beverages to enjoy in the clean and green atmosphere.

Unfortunately, pets are not permitted inside unless it is a service animal.

Enjoy a mesmerizing day with capybaras at the Endangered Wolf Center for an average entry fee of $18, free parking, and a host of valuable memories to take home.

Grant’s Farm

Located in the heart of St Louis, Missouri, Grant’s Farm offers one of the finest experiences for Capybara viewing.

The expansive 280-acre preserve not only boasts a large number of these endearing creatures but also takes pride in its plethora of other attraction such as deer and goats.

This zoo has a focus on accessibility, with pathways that are disability-friendly, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the surroundings.

This feature coupled with the fact that entry is entirely free, makes it an ideal setting for families with older children and toddlers alike.

Despite the free entry, Grant’s Farm ensures a full and rewarding experience that usually takes around 2-3 hours to fully embrace.

Parking is easily available, although priced at $16 per car, it promises convenience to all its visitors given the lack of public transport accessibility to the site.

Within its expanse, the zoo also hosts various food stalls to meet your refreshment needs, since visitors are not allowed to bring their own food and drinks.

Though holding animals is not permitted, the sight of capybaras in their natural habitat offers a captivating experience nonetheless.

Service animals are permitted within the zoo, ensuring that the facility remains accessible to everyone.

Contact the zoo for more information.