If you have a family of animal lovers, then a quick road trip to Wahpeton’s Chahinkapa Zoo is in order!
Chahinkapa Zoo derived its name from the early Native Americans who settled in the area. The word “Chahinkapa” means “end of the woods” and describes the area in which the Minnesota woods meet the North Dakota prairie.
It’s been operating since 1933. I have fond memories of visiting this zoo when I was a child, and I love going back with my own family!
The zoo is open during the spring and summer months. In addition to seasonal zoo visits, guests can enjoy special events, classroom opportunities, and field trips.
Chahinkapa Zoo
The zoo’s mission focuses on wildlife conservation, environmental education, and family recreation.
The Animals
Over 200 animals reside at Chahinkapa Zoo. These animals represent 70 different species spanning across six continents.
Near the admissions gate, you’ll find the Roger Ehnstrom Nature Center. Be sure to stop in and check out the various exhibits. This space is the hub of all zoo education and a great place to begin or end your visit!
There are several species of apes at Chahinkapa Zoo, including gibbons, spider monkeys, and lemurs. But we look forward to visiting the resident orangutan, Tal, the most!
My daughter is a cat lover, so she was thrilled to see all the big cats residing at the zoo such as cheetahs, snow leopards, cougars, bobcats, and even tigers!
Over at Grandpa’s Petting Zoo, guests can feed and pet several farm animals including donkeys, horses, goats, and cows. This is a great area for little ones to safely interact with the animals.
Tortoise Town is another great spot where guests can step into the exhibit and feed the tortoises!
Chahinkapa Zoo also has free roaming peacocks across the grounds, which was very exciting for the kids whenever we encountered one.
Amenities
Chahinkapa Zoo offers several amenities to help you enjoy your visit.
You will find a cozy nursing station near the rhino and zebra exhibits which offers a quiet place to care for little ones. Inside, there are comfy chairs and rockers, a changing table, and even a coloring table for older children.
Margie’s Gift Shop is where you’ll find souvenirs, post cards, and concessions.
And if your kiddos need to burn some energy, the Treasure Dig is a great pit stop for them to enjoy creative play. You’ll find this area located across from the zoo’s education stage.
READ: Day Trip from Fargo: Things to Do in Wahpeton
Prairie Rose Carousel
No visit to Chahinkapa Zoo is complete without a stop to the carousel!
The Prairie Rose Carousel was originally built in New York in 1926, and later restored at Chahinkapa Zoo in 1988.
Taking a spin on the carousel was always the highlight of my childhood trips to the zoo. Now, it’s such a cool experience seeing my daughter ride the very same horse I did as a child.
Special Events
Special events are held throughout the year and include running events, chalk parties, trick-or-treating during ZooBoo, and a visit from Santa!
For the latest updates, check out Chahinkapa Zoo’s events calendar.
Visiting Chahinkapa Zoo
Chahinkapa Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Seasonal open and close dates are dependent on weather, so check out the zoo’s website for the most up-to-date information!
The cost of admission is $10.75 for guests ages three to 12, and $14.75 for guests ages 13 and up. Kids two and under are free!
The Chahinkapa Zoo also offers zoo memberships starting at $75. With a zoo membership, you can enjoy reciprocity to 42 zoos across the country!
We really enjoyed our quick trip to Wahpeton to visit the Chahinkapa Zoo. It was a great opportunity for the kids to learn more about the animals and conservation. And we created plenty of fun memories in the process!
Looking for more fun zoos to visit? Check out our post on Zoos Near Fargo That Are Worth the Drive!
