Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo

Lisa Gifford

2024-04

We stopped in March on a weekend that was 63’. We wanted to walk around a bit, not didn’t want to drive forever.I haven’t been out here since they built the new building and removed the boardwalk. It’s a beautiful building with lots to see and do. I can’t imagine a child who wouldn’t enjoy it, I did as an adult.It’s clean, bright, and accessible to all. There is a donation box at the entrance, please consider a donation. Even a few dollars per person to help keep a park like this free for everyone. We have only $10, just because we appreciated it that much.

Daniel Mueller

2024-04

This is a great place to take kids of all ages. We enjoyed the hiking up into bluffs along the Meadows Trail and of course the animals. We had a bunch of kids who had never been there before so it was exciting. The interactive park was also very fun and the variety of Minnesota animals was impressive. The park and zoo are free but donations are welcome. A great resource in the area for families.

Sugar Laing

2024-04

Wow. I was so surprised by how much we loved this park.Parking was easy and very close to the center. We went to the solar playground. My 2 & 5 year old boys had an amazing time playing. Lots of nature based play equipment. There are park benches in the shade for picnics. There is also a Porta potty nearby. We enjoyed the indoor nature center. There are some reptiles, fish, play area, room rentals, and very nice / clean restrooms. The toliets are automatic flushing for your sensitive / noise sensitive children.The animal exhibits are nice with animals native to our area. You cross the road to see the elk & bison.Highly recommend and we will def be back!

Robert Hawkins

2024-05

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Millie W

2024-03

FREE. ZOO AND PARK: we came on a 40° grey wintery day, and it was not crowded, but also not deserted. Some paths are a bit muddy, but you can walk around on paved and wood chip paths, and stay dry, if you want to.See photos for accessibility accommodations, and that their bison are purely bison, not mixed with cattle! Amazing!Just adding a couple of photos of the new Oxbow Nature Center. This place is amazing! I've been to Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo before, many times: in the great outdoor park with play areas for kids; for picnics, whether as a family or with large groups for fellowship at the bridge picnic areas; and I've looked at the animals outside before, when it was warm. But this new nature center is incredible! Warm and dry of course, but also informative and modern with wonderful amenities. With this indoor space available in rainy and cold weather, we will be coming a lot more often.The natural play area for school the groups and other young visitors is interesting and there are many things to climb in, and a pond with turtles and frogs in warm weather. They have built a scaled model of the solar system, with spheres of different sizes and distances from the "sun", and informative plaques about their similarities and differences.I've been here with children from the age of 2 all the way up to 12 years, and they all think that it's pretty awesome. The otters are amusing and fascinating to watch for half an hour at a time. They have wolf siblings and coyotes. The turkey loves to show off his beautiful feathers. The Lynx and the bobcat are amazing, as well as the beautiful cougar. The Hawks, Eagles and Owls that they have here at Zollman Zoo would never have survived in the wild (whether because of a broken wing, or an injured eye, or whatever) and have a pretty good life here. It's amazing that all the animals here are native to Minnesota (though some are endangered, threatened, or rare).

Elvira Lesmana

2024-04

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MiaMiles Tolbert

2024-05

Absolutely love this zoo! We’ve went here numerous times, the animals have vase amount of room to run and play. The staff interact with them greatly. The dedication put forth by the owners for restoring areas and updating this exhibit is very impressive. They truly show they take good care of the place and the animals. My children love the playground next to the new exhibit they built and it’s a great place to go as a family to spend the day!

Joel Carter

2024-02

Wolves howled (and coyotes too!)! Owls were cool. Eagles were 'Merica. Otters were adorable. Turkey looked delicious. We got to borrow a red wagon for the kiddos. 5 stars.

Alicia Peterson

2023-07

This was our 1st time going here. We were very impressed! The price is great, especially for all the things available to do. There are 2 playgrounds, a zoo, walking trails, a river for fishing(& playing in.*life jackets & close supervision! It is a river! ). Everything was well maintained & pretty clean. My parents were staying the weekend, so we just visited for the day. We are definitely going to consider staying sometime.Playground: There are 2 playgrounds. The bigger park has fun facts posted around the playground. The other one is an old-fashioned wood & metal play set. Yes, it's safe. My children lived playing on it. Lol.Restrooms: There are indoor restrooms & showers by the camp ground & restrooms inside the Nature Center.Dog-friendliness: Dogs are welcome, but I saw several signs around the area saying no dogs allowed, like around the animals & even the trail that crosses the river. I was told, they can request you to leave if your dog barks for 5+ minutes. I wouldn't bring my dog here.Picnic area: There are picnic tables or benches.

Miguel Ramos

2024-03

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Samantha Ross

2023-07

This organization is AMAZING. The animals are well cared for and they work hard to provide for them all the best possible environment they can. Reading each animal's story was super interesting and hits you in the feels. The bison were super cool to see as well since we got to get up close and peer through the fence area at these magnificent creatures. Their new facility/building is really nice too and definitely built with education in mind. Definitely bring the kiddos and if you're feeling adventurous camp there too!Restrooms: The new main building has fantastic bathroom facilities as well as a family/gender neutral bathroom. Otherwise the campgrounds also have bathroom/shower facilities as well as the vault toilets.

Lynn Gillespie

2024-04

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Susan Murrell

2024-03

Loved this nature experience. It was winter and there were not a lot of people and some animals were inside. Nevertheless, we got to see 90% of the animals. Because it wasn't crowded, the children had a lot more freedom in the play areas.The information on the animals and the exhibits was very helpful. I would have enjoyed the hiking trails, but it was cold, and the children were small , so we decided to save that for another day.

Renae Anastasiadis

2024-04

Embarrassingly small and sparse enclosures. The 2 year old black bear paced the front of her cage on a long concrete section of the floor, back and forth as close as she could get to the metal fence, for the entire time I was there. Several animals were sleeping against the metal fencing in the farthest corner of their cages. Two wolves were in an enclosure of less than 50x50ft together. It was depressing. These animals deserve better. It’s nice to have free things, but I wonder if charging even $5 admission would at least start to go towards helping these animals get the environment they deserve.

Carie Cole

2024-05

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Devon Stonerock

2023-05

Oxbow is such a unique spot to get out and and enjoy the outdoors. It is hard to beat the experience and scenery at no cost. My wife and I went for our first time in the winter and tried out the cross country ski trail. Ski rentals included everything we needed and you cannot beat the $5 price. The trail was beautiful and visiting the zoo after was just the cherry on top. Can not say enough good things and can't wait to go back when the new nature center opens in the coming year.

Melissa Boon

2024-04

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Cherise Schultz

2023-05

I've been going to the Oxbow Park and Zoo for over 25 years. The place has come a long way from its humble beginnings, continuously making improvements. Neat hikes and various parks make it a great little outing to connect with nature. Seeing the animals has always been a fun family visit and tradition too!

Lisa Marie

2023-10

My step Mom & I brought my 2 yr old nephew & 7yr old niece here to check out the animals & play. They had a wonderful time feeding the animals, walking around, there was plenty of shade outside, and educational m, fun things things inside as well. The play area was tons of fun for younger kiddos, & there was activities for children a bit older as well. Both kids enjoyed looking at the inside animal’s as well.Restrooms: Very clean & well maintained restrooms.

Robyn Ryan

2024-05

Nice little zoo good for a quick trip.

Virginia VanKeulen

2023-07

A nice county park with a new nature center, a small zoo filled with local animals that wouldn't survive in the wild and an unique play learning park. Perfect for young children. Hiking and picnic shelters are also available.

Lori Warner

2024-04

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LJ Emerick

2018-05

This park & zoo are free to attend. The zoo is entirely outside. It's a smaller zoo, but is still nice for a short trip.There is a park area that has things for little kids to enjoy. The activities are educational, but kids won't realize it. You'd want to visit here only when it's nice weather, as the activities are all outside. One of the activities includes water. My toddler was so muddy due to this. He also kept on slipping on the grass so I had grass stains in addition to the mud.This is located outside of Byron. It was easy to take back roads there.This place allows camping, although I haven't camped here in many years, so I cannot vouch for that.

Abigail Petty-Kuntz

2023-11

It was so cool to see all animals active, they had just been fed!

Jackie W.

2020-05

Visited here this last weekend. We had a picnic with grandpa, checked out the free activities, visited the animals at the zoo and walked a trail too! This place is great for young children and older ones as well! Very well kept and many new additions over the last couple of years.

Dani Hasselquist

2023-08

Absolutely gorgeous! Very well maintained and the kids loved the entire experience from the animals to the park!

Kwesi Dickson

2020-05

I loved it! It captures a diverse range of animals. Coming from Ghana, a place with a wide range of animals, I was seriously looking forward to seeing the kinds I have only seen on TV. Buffaloes, Elks, Bears, Foxes etc were top on my list and I got to see all that.The general environment was serene. Good parking space Is available so parking should not be a problem.The whole area is designed to accommodate wheelchairs as well so no excuse! Get there and move around. Do donate as well. There is no entry fee.

Robin Komay

2022-05

The seals were so sweet, awesome picnic spots. Such an awesome educational place. Please don't ever change!!! Love the fact there wasn't a bunch of commercialized rides toys or games...just Nature!!! Loved it, we will be back!!!!

Brooke Anderson

2023-08

This is a cool little place! The new building is nice. The park has a solar system theme to it mixed in with other things. My kids love the sand pit and the water feature. The zoo is cool because the animals are from Minnesota. We even got to see some Minnesotans in their natural habitat the last time we visited (some workers painting a habitat).

Matthew Eslinger

2024-04

They have really done an amazing job on the park all the way around the new nature center is amazing and the trail system is so well maintained and prepared just can't say enough