Boulder Ridge Zoo: Wild Animal Park & Safari Walkthrough

Boulder Ridge Zoo Trip Planner
Boulder Ridge Zoo (Wild Animal Park)
8313 Pratt Lake SE, Alto, MI 49302

Boulder Ridge Zoo is a Wild Animal Park

One of the coolest local places to get close to animals is Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park in Alto MI. This zoo is located 30 minutes southwest of downtown Grand Rapids.

Park owners Dave and Dawn Hoekstra began collecting and breeding animals in the 90s and have been slowly building enclosures and attractions ever since.

Their Boulder Ridge Zoo opened to the public in 2011.

That’s great because one of my favorite things to do in the spring and summer is visiting the zoo. My kids love watching animals, too, and it’s a big bonus when they can get up close and personal with them. This is where Boulder Ridge shines. There are so many animal interactions here.

In fact, many of my friends were surprised to hear that Boulder Ridge has giraffes – and that you can feed them!

Another Boulder Ridge Zoo bonus is that the walkways are paved and on mostly flat ground.

This makes it easy to maneuver strollers and wheelchairs. There are also several covered picnic areas so you can easily pack lunches and eat them there.

boulder ridge zoo
Boulder Ridge Zoo has spacious, flat walkways

Boulder Ridge Animals

Boulder Ridge has a wide variety of unique animals. (Some animals here also can be found at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, but actually, each of these zoos is quite different from the other.)

I’ve seen some animals here that I haven’t seen in other places like lovebirds, kookaburras, hyenas, and blue-tongued skinks.

In fact, Boulder Ridge has over 1,500 animals on-site, representing 180 species.

And yes, Boulder Ridge does have giraffes that you can feed!

New for the 2022 season: penguins and two rhino sisters.

Boulder Ridge rhinos
Rhino sisters joined Boulder Ridge in 2022

They also have camels, monkeys, zebras, ostriches, alligators and crocodiles, snakes, lizards, kangaroo, wildebeest, a wide variety of birds, and a petting zoo.

Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park cares for many threatened animal species, too. The park protects them from predators, habitat loss, and human threats.

Look here to see a complete list of the 1500+ animals at Boulder Ridge Zoo.

And read on to see some of our favorite animals:

Squirrel Monkeys
You can feed the alligators at Boulder Ridge
boulder ridge kangaroos

Boulder Ridge Attractions & Activities

As mentioned, you can feed some of the animals here. But there are many other ways to stay occupied on your visit.

Some attractions are free, others require a fee.

Gem Mining


Another extra activity the kids can do is “mine” for gemstones. The day that we went, gem mining was included with admission as an extra perk.

Otherwise, kids will purchase the large bag containing a mixture of sand, pea gravel, and gems.

They take it over to the “river” and pan it like miners to find the hidden treasures inside of it.

Each bag is guaranteed to have a few treasures, but contents (and the amount of treasures) vary by bag.

After the mining is over, kids can use the gem identification card to ID their new treasures.

boulder ridge feed the animals
boulder ridge gem mining

Safari


Beginning with the 2022 season, the safari ride is discontinued. But visitors now get to walk through the back of the zoo.

The safari area has now been converted to a paved walkthrough safari. Plus a 12 ft high elevated and paved walking trail through the woods!

Now you can experience the wild like never before, at your own pace, and from above the animals. Benches along the pathway allow for frequent breaks.

The safari is the only way to see the rest of the property and all the animals who live out there like bison, buffalo, antelope, wildebeest, hyenas and zebras.

The walkthrough safari is still being constructed for the 2022 season and may not be fully accessible on your visit.

The new paved safari walkway allows guests to visit the animals at their own pace
View the animals from above on the elevated walkway
Boulder Ridge has quite a few Zebras. You may even see a baby zebra.

Feeding the Animals


*Note that you are NOT allowed to feed the animals any of your own food or concessions. It is only safe for them to eat animal food sold at the zoo.

Petting Zoo: Lettuce and carrots are available for purchase in order to feed the giraffes, camels, goats, and more.

Giraffes: My favorite is feeding the giraffes. They come right up to the chain-link gate so they are literally right there. You will have to lift your small children up in order for the giraffes to be able to reach the lettuce.

Camels: The camels are feisty and will compete with each other to get your handouts.

Alligators: Bring quarters so you can buy pellet food to toss to the gators from the bridge.

The giraffes love lettuce leaves
boulder ridge zoo petting farm
boulder ridge zoo camels
boulder ridge zoo activity prices

Kids Train


Along with feed for the animals, there are a few other extras you can purchase.

Kids can ride the kiddie train for $4 each.

This ride lasts a few minutes and takes the passengers in a small circle.

boulder ridge kids train

Aviary


As mentioned, one of the best features of the park is the ability to feed many of the animals.

Purchase a seed stick (3 for $5) and go into the parakeet aviary and feed the birds.

They are not shy and will literally swarm you!

It is free to enter the aviary. There is only a charge if you’d like to feed the birds.

Boulder Ridge Zoo Aviary

Keeper Talks

Boulder Ridge Zoo keeper talks are scheduled weekly and posted on their website.

Listen to the keepers talk about their animals’ care, diets, and lifestyles. You can ask them questions about the animals, too.

Playground(s)


On our visit in late July 2021, there was one playground open (see photo below) and another larger playground for bigger kids under construction.

boulder ridge playground

Boulder Ridge Zoo Map

This zoo is walkable and small compared to a place like the Detroit Zoo.

The yellow path on the map below shows the old safari route.

How long does it take to go through Boulder Ridge Zoo? It depends on how long you spend at each activity, and which activities you choose to do. Many families that do everything will spend 3 or more hours at the zoo. Plan at least 90 minutes to be able to see all of the exhibits in the main area and do a couple of feeding stations.

Map of Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park

Boulder Ridge Halloween

Park Before Dark at Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park

The Park Before Dark is Boulder Ridge’s end-of-year Halloween Event.

It typically runs for several days in the middle of October.

Check their events calendar for up-to-date information.

Park Before Dark is Boulder Ridge Zoo’s Halloween Event. Photo: Boulder Ridge

Picnic Areas, Concessions & Gift Shop

You are welcome to bring a picnic or snacks from home, or purchase food at the concession stand in the park.

There are several covered eating areas for you to enjoy.

boulder ridge picnic and concessions

There is also a gift store with candy, stuffed animals, t-shirts, and other souvenirs.

boulder ridge gift shop

Admission & Hours

The park is open spring through fall (consult their website for specific opening and closing days).

Open Hours

  • Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Last admission is at 5 pm.

How much does it cost to get into Boulder Ridge Zoo? Admission rates for 2022 are as follows:

  • Ages 2 & under: FREE
  • Ages 3-11: $14.00
  • Adults 12 & over: $18.00
  • Seniors 62 & over: $16.00

Memberships are also available. Build a membership: $50 per adult, $30 per child ages 3-17.

boulder ridge wild animal park sign

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3 thoughts on “Boulder Ridge Zoo: Wild Animal Park & Safari Walkthrough”

  1. Pingback: Ultimate Kalamazoo Summer Fun Guide - 101 Ideas for Families - Michigan Family Fun

  2. I recently viewed a Michigan Destination program featuring your park that I did not know existed. It certainly looks like a great place to visit. I assume if one uses your address, can put it in the Garmin to get direction there sometime after early May. We live in the Brighton area so it would be a nice day.

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