navajo nation zoo & botanical park

NMtraveler47042

They recently remodeled the inside portion and it looks really nice. I like how they have signs in both English and Navajo. The zoo is small and one can see the entire zoo in about 30 minutes- 1 hour. It's nice and free, so a good stop with kids if you have time. I actually do not think they have any bathrooms, so I would stop at McDonalds before you get here. Possibly visitors are supposed to use the restrooms at the Navajo Nation Museum, which is next door. Also a place worth visiting.

ronrayrn

The Navajo Nation takes pride in its care of these animals. The ability to see and read each animal and the part it plays in Navajo thinking is educational and breath taking. A must see!

lataniat2014

I always go here because its a great place to kill time especially in Window Rock area. The Animals are all natives from arizona region. What i love about this place is the Bear and the Bobcat. The bob cat is very adorable his name BJ ! lol

harelf2014

We travelled west from Gallup to Tuba city, this is a great free place to stop, see some animals, and refresh yourself from the long ( and boring drive ). Our kids ages 4 and 8 enjoyed it very much.

20KimW

We enjoyed this zoo. It is a little like Jurassic Park or "Land of the Lost" with looming rocks and a lot of solitude. The female cougars pace beneath the male cougar who licks his paws and seems very relaxed. The elk has huge antlers (they look as if they weigh 40 pounds or more). He eats his food near a fence and it looks like his antlers would get caught in the fence. The amphibian display indoors was very clean and nice and it's an enjoyable place to visit, if you're seeking peace and quiet.

atebet

Great place to visit with lots of well treated and respected animal. The staff was very pleasant and nice and it is a free entrance park. Of course we helped them by buying shirts, hats and some other stuff. The best besides checking the animals was the fact they had the description of each aniimal in their language and the meaning of each animal in their spiritual lives. I've loved it!!!

mattaprylhaynes

They can do better. The Tribal Council can do a good job on attractions when they try. Here it is clear they just didn't care.

larry155

it is a small zoo, but well laid out and has informative signs about the animals. The animals are all local, and rescued. The navajo museum is located nearby and is interesting . Both are worth a look depending on your interests. The museum is also free.

370leslies

This was just a small zoo, but it was very nice. It was also free, but I did put a few dollars in the donation bins.

PaigeW178

All of the animals in this Navajo-run zoo are rescue animals, and while visiting it seemed to us that the zoo staff is working hard to give all the animals the best possible environments, given funds available. The zoo is free and relies on donations. The Navajo believe that animals should be left in the wild, but each of the animals here would not survive without human help. Interesting displays give scientific information on many of the animals, and also information on the significance of each animal in traditional Navajo culture. We saw two Gila monsters, one rattlesnake, red foxes, grey foxes, black bears, two coyotes, a jack rabbit, and one very cute, very rare albino raccoon, plus other animals. This seems to be the only place in North Arizona where you can see native animals, except in the wild of course. The next nearest place, as far as I could find, is the Sonora Desert Botanical Garden in the South near Tuscon.

ms9477

Sweet place to take a break and run around. Great little playground in the center of the zoo and fun animals in the circle to see. Takes an hour or less to visit so it is a good rest stop for the kids.

desertwren

I felt sorry for the animals because that's not where they want to be. The most interesting animal to me was the large cougar. The poor hot bear was pacing. The wolf was looking down at us from up high on a hill. There were 2 gila monsters that are rare to see in the wild. There was a deer with large antlers and an elk also with very large antlers. There were different kinds of birds, foxes, and snakes. It's a great place for children to learn about animals and small enough that you don't have to walk too far. The museum nearby is really nice with an outstanding library.

352AmandaC

This fun and free! There are maybe 30 animals altogether and a great swing set (two big kid, two baby, one snake slid and a few small slides). There is even a hogan you can go into. It is pretty nice. Try to leave a donation. That is the only way they operate. Walking distance to library and museum.

AlthedaT

It was a small zoo but interesting. It would have been nice to see additional facts posted by each animal.

jts1948

we were there in May and many of the exhibits were closed. it is also not very accessible for anyone in a wheelchair, scooter or if you have a baby stroller.