If you’re planning a visit to Brainerd or looking for an unforgettable Minnesota getaway, Safari North Wildlife Park deserves a spot on your itinerary. 

My teens and I went to Safari North for the first time this past weekend. My teens have always loved animals, and this sounded like a fun day trip. We left around 10:00am, arrived midday, stayed all afternoon and then headed home. 

Before our visit, I thought I knew what to expect. I was wrong.

The first thing that surprised us was just how large the park really is. At 43 acres, Safari North is much bigger than it appears from the road. Once you’re inside, you’ll quickly realize this isn’t a place where you’ll spend an hour or two before heading home. We spent about four hours exploring and easily could have stayed even longer.

Disclosure: Our family was hosted by Safari North Wildlife Park for this visit, but all opinions are my own.

43 Acres of Fun

Home to more than 120 species of animals, Safari North offers a chance to see wildlife from around the world without leaving Minnesota.

As we wandered through the park, we saw everything from giraffes, zebras, and lions to monkeys, reptiles, birds, and many other fascinating animals. Every turn seemed to bring another surprise, making the experience exciting for both kids and adults. We were surprised to see so many animals we haven’t seen elsewhere, like cheetahs, sloth bears and giant anteaters! There are quite a variety of animals that you won’t find at many other Midwest zoos.

Making Memories

One of our family’s favorite moments was feeding carrots to a giraffe. He was incredibly calm and gentle, making for an unforgettable encounter.

Another highlight was stepping into the parakeet aviary, where colorful birds happily landed on our heads, shoulders, and even our feet while we fed them. The parakeets were very friendly with us, though they squabbled a bit with each other as they fought over the seed sticks we offered them. One even enjoyed exploring my daughter’s hair!

“Safari Wild” Kiddie Carnival

Safari North isn’t just about animals. One area of the park is dedicated to younger visitors with the Safari Wild Kiddie Carnival, making this feel more like a full family destination than a traditional zoo.

Kids can enjoy rides like the giant slide and several other carnival-style rides and attractions, and one of the best values is that unlimited rides are just $10 for the day. Your kids will love being able to jump from the animals to the rides without ever getting bored.

Nearby you’ll also find the petting zoo, where little ones can get even closer to friendly farm animals, along with gem mining, which adds another interactive activity between animal exhibits. It was a nice mix of wildlife experiences and good old-fashioned family fun.

Don’t Miss the Train Ride

One attraction you absolutely shouldn’t skip is the narrated train ride.

The train winds through a section of the park where you’ll get a unique perspective on several of Safari North’s larger African animals, including lions, zebras, and other wildlife. Some are wild, like the zebras, while some are in cages or behind fences, including the lions, but you do get close to them all! There is narration which adds educational insights along the way, making it both entertaining and informative for visitors of all ages.

It’s a relaxing break from walking while still offering plenty to see.

Take Your Time in the Woods

There isn’t a map and I’m not sure it’s called the “woods” area but that’s what I would call it. Near the giraffes, there’s a path that leads to a whole area in the woods that we honestly almost missed. It’s a bit tucked away but honestly it may have been the highlight for us! There are bald eagles, macaws, otters, monkeys, black bears, foxes, and so many other species back here.

My daughter’s favorite animal is the otter so she was especially excited to see them playing and swimming around together! My son’s favorite animal is the fox so he enjoyed seeing especially the grey foxes – at the end of the trail, he even wanted to walk back to see them again.

So many surprises too! There are about 30 alligators in one area that even has an overlook. While it was safe to view them, it is one viewing area you definitely want to watch your child a bit closely (and hang onto your phone).

Some of the alligators were swimming, some chilling out on the land. 

We continued to see many unique animals walking through this area – and one thing I liked was that the animals were clearly well-cared for. There was plenty of space and fresh air for them, as well as shelter for bad weather.

Refuel During Your Visit

You won’t have to leave the park when you or a family member gets hungry!

We were pleasantly surprised by the food options available. Whether you’re craving pizza, pulled chicken sandwiches, fries, ice cream, or fresh mini donuts, there are plenty of choices to keep everyone fueled for a full day of exploring. There is a snack shack and a treat vendor. We enjoyed chicken strips, pulled chicken with BBQ sauce, fries, and even ice cream!

Great Value for Families

One thing that really stood out during our visit was how reasonably priced everything was. In a time when many family attractions can become expensive once you add extras, Safari North offers plenty of opportunities to make your visit memorable without stretching your budget.

Kids can enjoy unlimited rides in the kiddie area for just $10, making it easy to let them ride as much as they’d like. Animal experiences and the narrated train ride are also very affordable, with most activities costing between $3 and $5.

We were also pleasantly surprised by the food prices. We found the prices to be lower than many restaurants or amusement parks. A lot of menu items are $5-6 or close to that range. The food was freshly made and satisfying, which made it easy to spend the entire day at the park without leaving for lunch.

And it’s fun for both kids and teens!

Conservation Matters

One thing we appreciated during our visit is that Safari North’s mission extends beyond fun and entertainment.

Their mission is to promote conservation and preservation through safe, affordable, and memorable experiences while providing quality wildlife care and educational opportunities. Throughout the park, it’s clear that education and conservation are important parts of the visitor experience.

Safari North is also accredited by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA) and holds certifications and permits through the USDA, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and several federal wildlife programs. These affiliations reflect the park’s commitment to responsible animal care and conservation.

Owners Kevin and Kelly Vogel bring more than 60 years of combined experience working with exotic animals. After spending decades traveling throughout the Midwest with educational wildlife shows, petting zoos, camel rides, pony rides, and other animal experiences, they created Safari North Wildlife Park as a permanent home dedicated to both exceptional animal care and meaningful guest experiences. I talked with Kevin a bit – he even drove the train! They really devote themselves to these animals. 

Safari North opened in 2014 and is truly a hidden gem!

Don’t Leave Without Visiting the Gift Shop

Before heading home, be sure to stop by the gift shop.

It’s filled with fun souvenirs, plush animals, apparel, toys, mugs, and keepsakes that make it easy to bring home a reminder of your visit. It’s the perfect final stop before wrapping up your adventure.

Plan Your Visit for Kids Weekend

If you’re looking for an extra reason to visit, mark your calendar for Kids Weekend & Enrichment Workshop on July 11–12, 2026.

This annual event is included with regular zoo admission and offers even more family-friendly fun throughout the weekend. Kids can enjoy strolling magic shows by DonB, whose mix of comedy, juggling, and magic is designed to entertain audiences of all ages. New this year is Dazzling Dave, a National Yo-Yo Master whose high-energy performance combines incredible yo-yo tricks with interactive tips and lessons about the sport of professional yo-yoing.

Returning favorites include face painting by The Painted Turtles, along with the popular Junior Zookeeper & Enrichment Workshop. Kids are encouraged to dress as their best junior zookeeper and work alongside Safari North’s animal care team to create enrichment items for the animals. It’s a fun, hands-on way for children to learn more about animal care while participating in activities that directly benefit the park’s residents.

There is no additional charge to participate in Kids Weekend activities beyond regular park admission, all workshop supplies are provided, and season pass holders receive free admission, making it an excellent value for families looking for a memorable summer outing.

Worth the Drive

Whether you’re visiting from the Twin Cities, Duluth, or anywhere else in Minnesota, Safari North Wildlife Park is well worth the trip.

Located right in the middle of the state and with 43 acres to explore, more than 120 animal species, unforgettable up-close encounters, educational experiences, family-friendly attractions, great food, and a commitment to wildlife conservation, it’s easy to see why many families return year after year.

We arrived expecting a fun afternoon and left with wonderful memories, hundreds of photos and videos (literally!), and a list of reasons to come back again.

If you’re planning a Minnesota family road trip this summer, Safari North Wildlife Park deserves a spot on your itinerary.

Dates and Price

Safari North is open seasonally from specific dates in May to October. They are open from 9:00am – 6:00pm daily. The last admission is at 4:30pm, but you don’t want to enter that late – you won’t see the whole thing.

Prices are reasonable:

• Adult Tickets: $21.99 plus tax
• Children 2 – 12 years old: $16.99 plus tax

Feedings and specific attractions are an added cost. For example, the train is $5.00 for nonmembers, $4.00 for members.

They also have season passes.

And parking is FREE!

Tips

From our visit I have a few tips to share.

• You can bring your own water, but no outside food. I suggest bringing your own refillable water bottle.
• Strollers are allowed. However, they don’t rent them, and they don’t rent wheelchairs or scooters. It’s certainly wheelchair and scooter friendly – you just have to bring your own.
• You can get in a lot of steps here! Wear good walking shoes.
• It can get hot with no shade in some areas. I recommend wearing sunscreen and even a hat. They do have cool running water by the petting zoo area, which is nice not just for washing hands but for also cooling off. A portable fan can be nice to have here too.
• There are restrooms in the main building, but only porta-potties on the other side, by the kiddie area. 

Location

Safari North Wildlife Park is located at: