Lion Country Safari and the Southern Boulevard Corridor
Florida’s long-running drive-through wildlife park, and the road that leads to it.
See top-rated activities »Visiting Lion Country Safari
Lion Country Safari opened in 1967 on what was then remote ranch land west of West Palm Beach, and it is still the reason most people first hear the name Loxahatchee. The idea is simple: instead of walking past enclosures, you drive your own car slowly along a route through open habitats where large herds share the landscape. Rhinos graze beside the pavement, zebras cross in front of the bumper and giraffes lean over to inspect the traffic. The park describes more than 300 acres of natural area and hundreds of animals.
The preserve route is about four miles long. The park suggests allowing an hour and a half or more for the drive, longer on busy days, and several more hours for the walk-through side, where the giraffe-feeding encounter, lorikeet feeding and petting zoo are the only places visitors may feed animals. Pets are not allowed anywhere in the park, even inside your car. Rules are posted at the entrance; follow them, because the animals are close and not tame. Weekday mornings are the quietest, and the animals are often livelier on cool or rainy days.
The park has been in a period of change. The property was bought in late 2025, and in early 2026 the walk-through area, now called The Gardens, dropped its rides and water-play features to make room for future habitats and programs. Annual passes were paused and the KOA campground beside the park closed. A park spokesperson has said the park will remain open and committed to wildlife and education. Treat any older review or map with caution and check the official site before you set out.
Southern Boulevard itself is the spine of this part of the county. Heading east from the safari entrance you pass the town of Loxahatchee Groves, the Palms West and Groves Commons shopping plazas, and then the South Florida Fairgrounds, home of the winter fair and the Yesteryear Village living-history park. It is an easy pairing for a day out: safari in the morning, lunch at one of the places listed in our dining guide, and an afternoon at the fairgrounds when an event is on.
Don’t Miss
A drive-through safari through open habitats with rhinos, zebras, giraffes and antelope, plus a walk-through area called The Gardens that is being reshaped in 2026.
Home of the South Florida Fair each winter and a calendar of shows and festivals the rest of the year, a few miles east of the safari park.
Historic Florida buildings moved to the fairgrounds, opened for the fair, school groups and seasonal events such as Spookyville and the Christmas village.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Lion Country Safari
Bookable tours for Lion Country Safari are limited right now — ask a travel specialist to arrange activities for your dates.
Plan your time in Lion Country Safari
Tell us when you are coming and what you enjoy. A travel specialist will put together hotel, activity and travel options for you — free, with no obligation.
Get free trip quotes »Lion Country Safari — FAQ
How long does Lion Country Safari take?
The park recommends four to six hours for a full visit: an hour and a half or more on the four-mile drive-through and the rest in the walk-through area. Arrive well before the last-car cutoff posted on the park’s site.
Can I bring my dog to Lion Country Safari?
No. Pets are not allowed in the park, including inside your vehicle on the drive-through route.
Is the Lion Country Safari campground open?
No. The KOA campground beside the park stopped taking reservations in January 2026 and has closed.
More of Loxahatchee
