Travel the globe in just one afternoon, viewing animals from South America, Australia, Missouri Habitats, Africa, and more at the Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield, Missouri, located just 30 minutes north of Branson. It's a jungle out there with this great zoo being home to more than 500 animals from 170 different species. Most famous for the success of its Asian elephant, cheetah, and maned wolf breeding programs the Dickerson Park Zoo offers a day of fun observing animals of all kinds in a replica of their natural habitiat. The Dickerson Park Zoo also offers a miniature train ride, that takes you around Monkey Island, for a 360 degree look at their home and kids will love the reptile house, which features nearly every kind of snake and lizard. You will also notice that there are some birds that roam free in the park, such as peacocks, although they tend to stay near the entrance.
Hours of operation are as follows: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, April through September, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, October through March (except during inclement weather). It is closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. There is an admission fee.
