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A Day Trip to Northern Arizona Can Make Your Weekend ‘Bear-tastic’

Arizona travel stories

Are you ready to see wildlife up close and personal instead of on your television screen? It’s not too late to take your family on a day trip this weekend to see some beautiful animal herds among the Ponderosa Pines of Northern Arizona.

You can view bears, bison, birds, and bobcats in their natural habitat inside the 160 acres of Bearizona. The park, located along Route 66 in Williams, Arizona, is only a two and a half-hour drive away from the Phoenix area.

But this is more than a trip to the zoo. Bearizona allows visitors to safely interact with animals all year long. There are over three self-guided miles that visitors can drive along and see the wolves and goats that inhabit the grounds.

Though some parts of the park are currently closed, it’s safe for your family to get outside and enjoy some of the fresh mountain air and walk along Bearizona’s scenic paths. You can check out the popular jaguar exhibit or see the goats, chickens, and pigs at the Bearizona Barnyard. There are even some spooky night animals inside the park’s Mine Shaft experience.

Dining Options at Bearizona

If you’re hungry, Bearizona has a convenient concession stand with some tasty treats. And if you’re looking for a warm, hearty meal, there’s a scenic sit-down restaurant with stunning canyon walls that gives the experience an authentic Southwest feel. There is even a spacious gift shop where young ones can check out the state’s largest model train display.

Make it a Weekend Getaway

The park is conveniently located near Flagstaff, Williams, and the Grand Canyon, so there’s plenty to do if your family extends its day trip into a getaway. Rest assured, Bearizona has gone above and beyond state regulations to ensure that families feel safe and secure when visiting. So turn off your television and experience a truly wild trip to Bearizona.

Plan Ahead. Be Prepared

Due to COVID-19, some attractions may have limited offerings or adjusted hours, please be sure to check with each individual attraction before finalizing your travel plans. 

Know Before You Go

Tips & Tricks for a great visit

Visitors can see all the animals inside our spacious park, as well as visit our restaurant, concession stand, and gift shop. The petting zoo, bus tours, and live shows are canceled until further notice.

If you want to have the park more to yourself, stop by during the week as Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are busier. You can always purchase tickets in advance here.

Completely enclosed vehicles with operational windows can drive through Bearizona’s well-maintained gravel roads, so please leave you ATVs, open-top Jeeps, and convertibles in the garage.

The animals inside Bearizona are morning people, but they also get pretty active before dinner time. If you visit before the park opens or a couple of hours before the gates close, you’ll see plenty of wildlife.

You can purchase tickets in advance here.

Bearizona is only a 40-minute drive away from Flagstaff on I-40. If you’re visiting Grand Canyon National Park South Rim, it’s an hour and 15 minutes north on State Route 64.

Domestic pets and service animals can travel with you as you drive through the park. You can also walk them in the parking lot area, but they cannot accompany visitors through the animal exhibits. And please don’t forget to clean up after your pet.

The park’s website recommends setting aside three hours to take full advantage of the attractions.

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