The park offers a chance to get close to animals like bears, wolves, and jaguars in a drive-thru setting, followed by a walk-thru area with more exhibits and shows. While some may consider it a splurge, reviews often state it’s a memorable experience that justifies the expense.  If you are visiting the Grand Canyon Railroad Hotel or RV park this is a MUST-DO just a few miles away.


Unique drive-thru experience: Seeing animals like bears and wolves up close as they pass by your vehicle in a natural setting is a highlight for many. Take your time and go through as many times as you’d like to make sure you see all the animals. We drove through in our motorhome in fact and did so twice. Second time around we saw bears hanging out in a tree and playing with each other.

Well-cared-for animals: Visitors frequently note that the animals appear well cared for and the exhibits are well-done. 

Two-part experience: The park includes both a three-mile drive-thru portion and a separate walk-thru zoo with more exhibits and animal encounters, offering a full day’s worth of activities. Have lunch in their restaurant and visit their large gift shop for a nice souvenir. We purchased a cute Bearizona frame to put our favorite photo in and a huge stuffed snake to take home.

Family-friendly: A great and memorable outing for families. Don’t miss it if you are in town!

Bearizona is a drive-through and walk-through wildlife park located in Williams, Arizona, that features a variety of animals like bears, wolves, and jaguars. It is open year-round, and admission includes both the self-guided drive-thru and the walk-through areas. Visitors should allow approximately three hours to explore the entire park. 

There are plenty of other things to do in the area worth planning a visit to this great animal park. We learned about Bearizona when we visited the Grand Canyon Railway and North Pole Experience:

Experience Williams, Canyon Coaster Adventure Park, The Arboretum at Flagstaff, Arizona Snowbowl, Cliff Castle Casino, Flagstaff Extreme, Grand Canyon Deer Farm, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon Go Karts, Grand Canyon Railway, Grand Canyon Trail Rides, Lowell Observatory, Meteor Crater, North Pole Experience, Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium

To have a successful trip to Bearizona with kids, 

Download the Bearizona App + Map Before You Go

Make your visit smoother by downloading Bearizona’s official map. It helps kids know where you are in the park and what animals are coming up next—which makes everything feel like a scavenger hunt.

📍 Map Download:
https://bearizona.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Bearizona_Map.pdf

plan for a 3-hour visit, pack snacks and drinks, and consider bringing a stroller for the walk-through area. You can also bring your own picnic lunch to enjoy in designated areas. 

Bearizona Travel Gear We’d Bring

Heading out on a Route 66 road trip or exploring Bearizona with the kids? Having the right gear makes all the difference between a stressful drive and an unforgettable family adventure. We’ve rounded up our favorite tried-and-tested travel essentials from our affiliate partners to help you prep for the trip:

🚗 On-the-Road Comfort & Car Setup

• Travel Tray for Kids: Perfect for the drive-thru safari and long road stretches, this keeps snacks, crayons, and toys securely contained in the backseat.
• BubbleBum Inflatable Booster Car Seat: Lightweight, ultra-portable, and safety-certified—ideal if you are renting a car or traveling in a motorhome.
• MiFold Portable Car Seat: A compact booster seat that folds up small enough to fit in a backpack when transitioning from the car to the walk-through zoo.

🎒 Kids’ Gear & Outdoor Exploration

• Mountaintop Kids Backpacks: Let little explorers carry their own water bottles, snacks, and souvenirs in a comfortable, kid-sized pack.
• Hi-Tec Kids Hiking Boots: Great for the dirt trails and rocky exhibits in the walk-through portion of the park.
• Collapsible Silicone Water Bottles: Space-saving and easy to pack away once empty during your picnic lunch.

🗺️ Road Trip Entertainment & Scavenger Hunt Fun

Road Trip Activities and Travel Journal for Kids: A wonderful keepsake for children to document the bears, wolves, and bison they encounter.

Travel Scavenger Hunt Game: Since the blog recommends turning the park map into a scavenger hunt, this card game is a fantastic way to keep kids engaged during the drive-thru.

National Geographic Kids Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas: Keep kids learning and tracking your route across Arizona and Route 66.

Reusable Animal Habitat Sticker Sets: Perfect screen-free entertainment for the road trip leading up to the wildlife park.

During your visit

• Pace yourselves: Allow for a slower travel pace and plan for rest and snack breaks.
• Stay in your vehicle: The drive-through portion of the park requires you to stay in your car. Animals are free to roam, so keep windows rolled up for everyone’s safety.
• Explore the walk-through: After the drive-through, enjoy the walk-through area with its animal exhibits and shows.
• Pay attention to park rules: Alcohol is not permitted, and you should leave umbrella tables for those purchasing food.
• Know the payment options: The park accepts credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, so you don’t need to worry about being cash-only.