🎅 Santa Visits the Zoo!
Bring your Christmas cheer and visit Santa and a few of his animal friends — November 22, 28 & 29 from 10 AM – 2 PM!
✨ Meet Santa, snap festive photos, enjoy winter treats, and celebrate the season with the animals!
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Hemker Park and Zoo, located in Freeport, Minnesota, is a family owned and operated zoo home to over 200 animals. The mission of Hemker Park & Zoo is to highlight and enhance animals’ species and encourage environmental conservation through integrated...
In the age of so much technology, this new play system will allow children of all ages to engage in outdoor play while letting their imaginations run wild. Children of all ages will be excited to explore the new larger play system opening May 1,...
For the Love of Rhino Gala: A Masquerade Adventure! 🎭✨ The Guardians of Conservation invite you to don your finest mask and join us for the 4th Annual "For the Love of Rhino" Gala, an enchanting Masquerade Evening dedicated to wildlife conservation! 📅 Date:...
Saturday, September 27th, 2025 12 pm - 5 pm Hemker Park & Zoo along with the Guardians of Conservation is excited to announce a brand-new way to celebrate October. Zootoberfest will bring some German flair to central Minnesota. It will take place on Saturday,...
We are excited to welcome a new Red Panda Experience to Hemker Park & Zoo! Guests can now get up-close and personal with our bamboo-loving red pandas during our one-of-a-kind close encounter experience. Spend time with the Animal Care team and learn about the...
Conservation Research: Hemker Park & Zoo Contributes to Turtle and Tortoise Study Challenging Evolutionary Theories of Aging Even though humans live longer lives compared to their historical counterparts, we cannot escape the inevitability of aging. However,...
Now's the time to see how Hemker Park & Zoo shines! Come for the day and experience the many animals that call our place home, including a Rhino of course, as well as Red Pandas, Penguins, Giraffes, Camels, and so much more. Watch our Spring 2022 videos to...
Hemker Park & Zoo is otterly excited to be opening the North American Otter Exhibit, come see two different types of otters at Hemker Park & Zoo. Coming in June.
New Bush Baby and Owl Monkey Exhibit in the Rhino Building opening May 1, 2022. They get their name from their strange call, which sounds like a human baby crying. Bushbabies are active at night, so they have sensitive ears and large eyes to find their prey in the...
Don’t miss your chance to encounter a cold-blooded marvel! (And be startled by those eyes — we’re partial to the sparkle.) Now open at Hemker Park & Zoo, guests can see American Alligators! It’s an unforgettable experience — especially if you’re lucky enough to...
New Gnome Garden coming at the beginning of May 2022! There's Gnome Place like Hemker Park & Zoo! There will be some 6 feet tall gnomes for guests to take pictures with!
Santa Visits the Zoo Day at Hemker Park & Zoo Ho, ho, ho! Santa is making a special stop at Hemker Park & Zoo this holiday season! Join us on Saturday, November 22nd, 28th, and 29th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM for a festive, family-friendly event you won’t...