You are currently viewing Escape to the Wild at a Charming Small-Town Zoo | Gainesville, TX

Escape to the Wild at a Charming Small-Town Zoo | Gainesville, TX

Why Visit the Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville, Texas?

Explore the picturesque Frank Buck Zoo located in Leonard Park for a perfect day of family fun! The zoo’s walking path is arranged in a loop about 1 mile long, making it a manageable size for younger kids. If you’ve been to big city zoos, you will probably appreciate the more leisurely and serene setting this zoo provides. 

A Great Field Trip for These Topics:

  • Zoology
  • Animals & Habitats

Quick Info:

Frank Buck Zoo

1000 W California St. 
Gainesville, Texas 76240

Daily: 9am – 4:30pm

Adults (13+): $9.00
Children (1-12): $7.50
Seniors (55+): $7.50
Military: $7.50

Need more info? Contact them here.

All information is correct to the best of our knowledge as of the publishing of this article in July 2023. Contact the Frank Buck Zoo for any changes, or to confirm.

What Can You Expect to See & Do at the Frank Buck Zoo?

Explore a looped trail of wildlife exhibits in a beautifully landscaped park setting. Along the trail, you’ll find an African Savannah, as well as an Australian section, a South American section, a petting zoo, and many animals and habitats to view up close. You’ll see bears, wallabies, otters, camels, and more. Click here for listings and info cards on the animals.

Feed the animals! Feed a Giraffe at eye level from a platform over the African Savannah exhibit or stop by the feed vending machines at the petting zoo. The zoo also offers a daily flamingo feeding session for a limited number of visitors.

Before you leave, stop by the gift shop. There is a small exhibit inside about Frank Buck and the history of the zoo and its namesake. A dining deck is just outside the gift shop. Drinks and snacks can be purchased inside. 

Tips for Visitors:

  • Bring quarters for the goat food vending machines located in the petting zoo.
  • Parking is free. 
  • Feeding the animals requires an extra fee. 
  • Outside food is not allowed in the zoo. However, the Frank Buck Zoo is located in Leonard Park which is a great place to have a picnic.
  • Leonard Park also has a seasonal train and swimming pool. The impressive playground is open year-round.

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