Bearizona Wildlife Park

The Basics

The main highlight at Bearizona is a 3-mile (5-kilometer) self-drive safari through the Arizona wilderness, where visitors can see North American animals from the comfort and safety of their own vehicles. If you prefer not to drive, you can opt for the complimentary Wild Ride Bus Tour, which includes a guide. The park also has a walk-through area, which highlights smaller animals, as well as a birds of prey exhibit.

If you are particularly interested in learning about the local wildlife, you can visit the park as part of a custom wildlife adventure tour that also takes you to one or two other animal-themed destinations, like the Out of Africa Wildlife Park, the OdySea Aquarium, or the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Give yourself at least two hours to explore the park.

• Bearizona is fully wheelchair accessible, but the Wild Ride Bus Tour is not.

• Picnic lunches are allowed in designated areas.

How to Get There

Bearizona is located at the intersection of I-40 and US-64 in the town of Williams, Arizona, 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of Flagstaff. It’s possible to visit the park on a day trip from Las Vegas or Kingman City.

When to Get There

The park is open daily from morning through early evening, and the last car is admitted two hours before closing. Birds of prey showtimes vary by season (and the show is closed in January and February), so check the schedule before you go if you don’t want to miss the educational display.

Keeper Chats at Bearizona

To learn more about the animals that call Bearizona home, attend a keeper chat during your visit. These presentations are scheduled throughout the day and offer insight into different species: You can learn how the black bears or bobcats live, help the keepers feed the otters, or watch the staff train some of the animals that live in the park.

Ways to explore

Located in Williams—not far from Flagstaff, Sedona, and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon—Bearizona Wildlife Park makes the ideal half-day excursion for anyone on an outdoorsy trip in Arizona. General admission to the park includes the 3-mile (5-kilometer) self-drive safari, the Fort Bearizona walk-through experience, and shows such as otter feedings and bear encounters. If you’d rather not drive yourself, upgrade to a bus tour for a guided ride through the park and behind-the-scenes experiences, such as wolf training sessions.

For more family-friendly activities nearby, check out Grand Canyon Go-Karts or Canyon Coaster Adventure Park.

Accessibility

Bearizona Wildlife Park is wheelchair accessible and offers wheelchairs on a first-come, first-served basis for use in the walk-through area.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, bottled water, picnic lunch (to consume in designated areas only)

What to wear

Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes for the walk-through portion of the park.

Not allowed

Don’t bring pets into the walk-through area, and don’t open your doors or roll down your windows in the drive-through section. Feeding and touching the animals, along with smoking, are never allowed.

Amenities

Dining options, picnic area, gift shop, restrooms

Address 

Bearizona Wildlife Park is located at the intersection of I-40 and US-64 in the town of Williams, Arizona, 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of Flagstaff. Most visitors drive there while on a road trip through Arizona’s outdoor highlights.

Driving

From Flagstaff, take I-40 west to Exit 165 for Bearizona Wildlife Park. The drive takes about 30 minutes; parking is included with admission. All-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and open-top Jeeps and convertibles are not permitted in the drive-through section.

Public transportation

Public transportation in this part of Arizona is limited. If you are traveling without a car, consider booking a private tour that includes round-trip transportation to and from the park.

Best times to visit

Plan to visit in the morning, when the animals are typically more active. That way, you won’t have to rush—many visitors spend three or more hours in the park.

Best days to visit

Bearizona Wildlife Park is open daily, but it sees the most crowds on weekends; go on a weekday if your schedule allows.

Best months to visit

The Flagstaff area is heavily touristed in the summer and snowy in the winter. For smaller crowds and better driving conditions, visit from September–November.