The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens opened on March 9, 1970, as a wilderness preserve founded by trustees of the Palm Springs Desert Museum. Set against the Santa Rosa Mountains in Palm Desert, California, it grew from a small botanical reserve into one of the country’s few privately accredited zoos, blending desert horticulture with wildlife conservation on a sprawling Colorado Desert campus.
Today the nonprofit zoo organizes its exhibits by continent, with African Safari, Wilds of North America, and Australian Adventures sections leading guests past more than 500 animals and roughly 150 species. The grounds pair those habitats with extensive botanical collections showcasing desert plant life from around the world, making it as much a garden destination as a zoo.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Palm Desert, California
- Opened: March 9, 1970
- Size: About 1,200 acres (80 developed for exhibits)
- Species: More than 150
- Annual visitors: About 500,000
- Famous for: Rhino Savanna and continent-themed wildlife habitats
A Zoo Organized by Continent
Rather than grouping animals by species alone, The Living Desert arranges its exhibits geographically. The African Safari section, home to the Rhino Savanna that opened in fall 2021, lets visitors view wide-ranging species across open habitat, while Wilds of North America and Australian Adventures cover the zoo’s remaining continental zones.
The park has been an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1983, reflecting its long-running role in conservation breeding and public education alongside its exhibits.
Gardens Beyond the Animals
True to its name, The Living Desert devotes significant space to botanical collections built around desert-adapted plants, an extension of its original 1970 mission as a wilderness preserve. Walking paths wind through these gardens between animal habitats, giving the site a dual identity as both zoo and arboretum.
A G-scale model railway with thousands of feet of track, including what has been described as the world’s longest wooden trestle in miniature, adds a family-oriented attraction distinct from the wildlife exhibits.
Explore more: Explore more zoos and aquariums.
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.
Zoo days are long and the shade isn't always where the animals are.
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens FAQs
When did The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens open?
It opened on March 9, 1970, originally as a wilderness preserve established by trustees of the Palm Springs Desert Museum.
How big is The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens?
The property spans roughly 1,200 acres, with about 80 acres developed for zoo and garden exhibits.
How many species live at The Living Desert?
The zoo is home to more than 500 animals representing over 150 species, organized into African, North American, and Australian sections.
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Photo: Dsyrengelas at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.