Blank Park Zoo sits on the south side of Des Moines, Iowa, near the grounds of historic Fort Des Moines. What began in 1963 as a $150,000 gift from philanthropist Abraham Harry Blank grew into the Des Moines Children’s Zoo, which opened its gates on May 8, 1966, with a nursery-rhyme theme built around a castle, a moat, and a miniature Noah’s Ark.
After nearly shutting down in the early 1980s, the zoo was rescued by a newly formed Blank Park Zoo Foundation, which secured a $1.8 million bond referendum plus $1.4 million in community donations. The rebuilt zoo reopened on May 17, 1986, with geography-based exhibits, and earned accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 1987, a status it still holds today.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Des Moines, Iowa
- Opened: May 8, 1966
- Size: About 49 acres
- Species: About 100 species
- Animal count: About 1,500 animals
- Annual visitors: About 500,000
- Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. from April 1 through October 31, and 9 a.m.–4 p.m. from November 1 through March 31; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
- Famous for: Marjorie A. Foster Lion Conservation Center and AZA-accredited conservation programs
What Visitors Can See
Blank Park Zoo’s exhibits are organized by region and theme, including the Jaama Kwa: Connection to Africa habitat, the David Kruidenier Australia Adventure, and the Tom and Jo Ghrist Big Cat Complex. The Hub Harbor Pinniped Pavilion and a tropical aviary add aquatic and avian variety, while the Myron and Jackie Blank Discovery Center anchors the zoo’s hands-on education programming for school groups and families.
The zoo cares for endangered species such as the Eastern black rhinoceros and the snow leopard, and it has participated in international conservation projects since 1997. In 2025, marking its 60th anniversary, the zoo broke ground on the Marjorie A. Foster Lion Conservation Center as part of an $18.1 million expansion, a project set to more than triple the zoo’s African lion habitat when it opens in summer 2026.
Visiting Blank Park Zoo
The zoo is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Peak-season hours run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from April 1 through October 31, while from November 1 through March 31 the zoo operates from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; final admission and the Discovery Center close before the zoo does, so it’s worth checking the day’s exact closing time before arriving.
Blank Park Zoo’s survival is tied directly to Des Moines residents. When the original children’s zoo faced closure in the early 1980s due to funding shortfalls, local advocates formed the Blank Park Zoo Foundation and rallied voters and donors to fund a complete rebuild that reshaped the zoo around continent-themed habitats still used today.
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Rubber-armored for small hands, so kids can find the snow leopard before the adults do.
A field guide that keeps the animal spotting going on the drive home and at home.
Blank Park Zoo FAQs
What are Blank Park Zoo’s hours?
The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April 1 through October 31, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from November 1 through March 31. It’s closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
How many animals live at Blank Park Zoo?
The zoo is home to about 1,500 animals representing roughly 100 species.
Is Blank Park Zoo accredited?
Yes, it has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1987.
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Photo: Lawrence Lansing / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.