Best Petting Zoos & Animal Encounters in Dallas Fort Worth

Dallas – Fort Worth is home to an array of family friendly activities including some awesome petting zoos! Whether your kids love farm animals or you want to introduce them to exotic wildlife, the DFW area has something for everyone. From family-friendly farms with goats and ponies to wildlife ranches with kangaroos and camels, this list of Dallas petting zoos offers memorable experiences for animal lovers of all ages.

Cathy's Critters mobile petting zoo in Dallas

1. Preston Trail Farms

  • Features: While Preston Trail Farms offers seasonal events and festivals, their petting farm is open year round! You’ll find farm animals like goats, cows, and longhorn cattle. Grab lunch at their onsite cafe open Tuesday-Sunday. Visit during the fall for their big Pumpkin Farm event for a hay maze and the opportunity to pick a pumpkin right off the vine!
  • Address: 15102 TX-289, Gunter, TX 75058
  • Hours: Hardware and feed store is open 8 am-6 pm every day. Cafe is open Tuesday-Sunday 8am-3pm. 
  • Cost: While there is a charge to enter during Pumpkin Farm dates (usually late September through early November), it is free the rest of the year. See site for current cost. 

2. Oak Meadow Ranch

  • Features: Located less than an hour and a half north of the Dallas area, this ranch has some of the most magical and unique animal experiences in the area! Stay the weekend in their giraffe barn, or come for the day to swim with otters! You can also choose to book an animal experience to meet & greet with exotic creatures including red kangaroos, African Serval, African Caracal, Ringtail Lemurs, giraffe , sloth, camels, deer and many more. There is also an upscale restaurant onsite. The whole family will enjoy this magical animal encounter experience! 
  • Address: 440 Red Top Rd, Valley View, TX 76272
  • Hours: Open for Tuesday 5pm–10pm, Thursday 5pm–10pm, Friday 6pm–10pm, Saturday 6pm–10pm, Sunday 12pm–2pm
  • Cost: Animal experiences start at $200 per person for a tour and meet & greet with various animals.

3. Cathy’s Critters

  • Features: This animal farm offers farm visits plus a mobile petting zoo for birthday parties and various events! Open farm days include a petting zoo, outback tour, exotic animals, pony rides, and more. 
  • Address: 7422 Co Rd 466, Princeton, TX 75407
  • Hours: Farm is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays 10am-4pm.
  • Cost: Farm visit admission is $11 for ages 3-14 and $16 for ages 15+. Kids 2 and under are free. Cups of feed are $3 each.

4. Stockyards Barnyard Petting Corral at Fort Worth Stockyards

  • Features: This petting zoo located in the Fort Worth stockyards is open year-round! You’ll find a variety of animals such as a miniature cow, miniature donkey, miniature goats, pigs, and more. Occasionally there are more exotic animals like kangaroos and camels. Feed is available at an additional cost. Even better, this petting zoo is located near a variety of other family friendly activities in the stockyards! On weekends kids can take a train ride through the stockyards, enjoy pony rides, and check out the twice daily cattle drive.
  • Address: 157 E Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164
  • Hours: Monday thru Thursday & Sunday 10:30 am to 6:00 pm, Friday & Saturday 10:30 am to 7:30 pm
  • Cost: Entry to the Petting Zoo is $3 per person (any age). A cup of feed is $3.
Fort Worth Stockyards Petting Zoo
Fort Worth Stockyards Petting Zoo

5. Huddin Homestead Fun Farm

  • Features: This family farm is open seasonally for festivals and events including a pumpkin patch, bluebonnet pictures, and more. You will find goats, llamas, alpacas, tortoises, and smaller mammals like bunnies too. Kids will love the play area, bounce houses, snow cones, and more! This farm also hosts field trips and special events.
  • Address: 1666 FM1141, Rockwall, TX 75087
  • Hours: Open seasonally. Check website for current hours. 
  • Cost: Admission is $12 per person. Kinds under 2 are free.

6. Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch

  • Features: This exotic animal experience offers private tours, animal encounters, field trips, a petting zoo, dining, and more all while educating visitors on the importance of wildlife conservation! Choose a self guided tour and enjoy educational presentations every 30 minutes throughout the day at various locations. There are so many amazing animals here including a tiger, lions, zebras, hyena, sloths, kangaroos, lemurs monkeys, and more. 
  • Address: 11670 Massey Rd, Pilot Point, TX 76258
  • Hours: Friday, Saturday & Sunday 9 am – 4pm
  • Cost: Admission is $10 for ages 3-12 and $15 for ages 13+. Kids 2 and under are free. Seniors age 65+ are $10.

7. Whiskers and Soda Cat Cafe

  • Features: Cat and coffee lovers will really enjoy this opportunity to love on adoptable cats while enjoying a cup of coffee! Whiskers and Soda has partnered with a cat rescue group to provide a safe and loving environment for cats searching for their forever home. This is a great option for kids and adults to interact with feline friends! 
  • Address: 10320 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218
  • Hours: Closed Monday, Tuesday – Friday 10-7, Saturday 9-6, Sunday 12-6
  • Cost: Walk-In rates for adults are $16/hr and $8/hr for kids for the first hour, and half the rate for additional hours when booked at once. If you choose this option, your visit will be subject to open availability.

8. River Ranch at Texas Horse Park

  • Features: If you’re looking for a horse riding experience in Dallas, look no further than River Ranch! River Ranch offers basic trail riding throughout the year to ages 12 and up.  
  • Address: 811 Pemberton Hill Road, Dallas, TX 75217
  • Hours: Standard trail riding days are Tuesdays through Saturdays. Hours will vary. Trail riding services are by appointment. Call 469-804-2660 to book.
  • Cost: $60/Person for a 1 hour guided basic trail ride. 

9. Dallas Zoo

  • Features: The Dallas Zoo offers several great animal encounters and experiences! Visitors can enjoy giraffe feeding, a goat petting zoo, and Bird’s Landing where you can see and interact with a variety of species of birds. You’ll also find Keeper Chats and a Wonders of the Wild show at various times throughout the day.
  • Address: 650 S R.L. Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX 75203
  • Hours: Hours vary by season but are generally 9am-4pm daily.
  • Cost: Tickets range from $8-$24 per person depending on the season. Children under 2 are free.
Goat petting zoo at Dallas Zoo
Goat petting zoo at Dallas Zoo

10. Fort Worth Zoo

  • Features: The Fort Worth Zoo is know as one of the best zoos in Texas! Here, you can feed giraffes, enjoy a goat petting area, enjoy an education presentation at the Outdoor Learning Theater, and even ride a miniature train. 
  • Address: 1989 Colonial Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76110
  • Hours: Hours vary by season but are generally Monday through Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday & Sunday 10am to 6pm.
  • Cost: Admission is $16 for ages 3-12 and $20 for ages 13+. Kids 2 and under are free. Seniors age 65+ are $16.
Goat petting zoo at Fort Worth Zoo
Goat petting zoo at Fort Worth Zoo

11. Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

  • Features: Fossil Rim is located about 1.5 hours south of Dallas, but it is more than worth the drive! You’ll drive along a 7.2 mile road during your self guided tour. Along your tour you’ll see giraffes, rhinos, zebras, ostriches, wolves, deer, cheetahs, and so much more. You can also choose to take a guided tour for a greater learning experience about the different animals onsite. Make it an unforgettable experience by staying overnight at their lodge!
  • Address: 2299 Co Rd 2008, Glen Rose, TX 76043
  • Hours: Open daily 8:30am – 4:30pm
  • Cost: $29.95 for guests age 12 and older and $24.95 for children ages 3 to 11. Children 2 and under are free.

12. Blase Family Farm

  • Features: This family farm is open seasonally for outdoor events including a pumpkin patch and blueberry picking. However, the petting farm is only available during the pumpkin farm. During pumpkin season you can also enjoy a hay ride, straw bale maze, treats, and more.
  • Address: 1232 E Fork Rd, Rockwall, TX 75087
  • Hours: The pumpkin farm is generally open mid-September through October. Visit their website for current dates and hours.
  • Cost: Admission varies by season. Visit their website for current information
Blase Family Farm petting zoo
Blase Family Farm petting zoo

13. In-Sync Exotics

  • Features: This wildlife rescue and educational center is dedicated to the rescue of neglected, abused and unwanted exotic felines. Visitors can go on a self guided tour to view lions, tigers, leopards, cougars, cheetahs, and more. They also host guided tours, birthday parties, and even kid camps! 
  • Address: 3430 Skyview Dr, Wylie, TX 75098
  • Hours: Saturday & Sunday 11am-6pm
  • Cost: Self-paced visits have a requested donation of $10 for ages 4-12 and $15 for ages 13+. Kids 3 and under are free. Seniors age 65+ are $10.

14. Rocky Ridge Drive-Thru Safari

  • Features: Visit this drive through wildlife safari park just an hour east of Dallas! It has over 25 species situated on 200 acres. Animals include zebras, llamas, emus, elk, camels, American Bison, and more!
  • Address: 3350 FM1256, Eustace, TX 75124
  • Hours: Hours vary by season, but they are generally open 10am-3pm. Visit their website for current hours.
  • Cost: $18.95 for guests age 13 and older and $14.95 for children ages 3 to 12. Children 2 and under are free. Seniors age 65+ are $16.95.

15. Urban Alpacas

  • Features: This alpaca farm offers 45 minute farm tours where you can learn about and feed alpacas! They also offer alpacagrams, fiber arts classes, and even birthday party options. 
  • Address: 18492 Farm to Market Rd 2755, Royse City, TX 75189
  • Hours: Tours are by appointment only and can be booked on their website.
  • Cost: Farm tours begin at $30 for two people.

Whether you’re a local or just visiting, the Dallas-Fort Worth area offers a range of incredible petting zoos and animal encounters! These interactive experiences provide unforgettable adventures for visitors of all ages. So if you’re ready for a fun, hands-on, & educational experience, be sure to explore one of the options above on this list of the petting zoos Dallas – Fort Worth!

Looking for more kid friendly activities in DFW? Check out this list of the best parks and playgrounds in Dallas-Fort Worth!

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