Bearizona: Arizona's North American Wildlife Park

Bearizona - Arizona's North American wildlife park.  Located just minutes from Williams, Arizona, Bearizona is a unique Arizona adventure.  Enjoy seeing wolves, black bears, bison, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats from the comforts of your own vehicle.  We loaded up our girls, paid the admission, tuned our radio to the guided tour station and were off.  It felt very Jurrasic park-ish, without the nerves that I'd actually be eaten alive.  Of course some enclosures you can have windows down and some, you better roll up and be safe.  My girls were in awe and my husband and I were too!  We had never been so close to some of these wild animals. 

I wish I had taken better pictures of the animals, but I was too busy oohing and aweing with my kids to take too many pictures.

Our tour wasn't over with just a drive through.  After our tour we got to get out of the car and watch a "Birds of Prey Show."   This may have been our favorite part of Bearizona.  The birds fly so close to your heads and are so majestic.  Even the trained crows were hilarious.  We spent a few dollars so we could watch the crow put our money in his collection.  Tip:  Bring one dollar bills.  Your children will want to watch the crows take your money, but you don't want to be dishing out 10's or 20's.  And now I want a trained crow! 

Birds of prey shows run every few hours, so if you can, plan your tour time accordingly.  To me, the shows definitely make Bearizona worth the cost.  For other shows and daily adventures, check out their website here.

Finally we enjoyed spending time in the petting zoo.  They even have Justin Beaver on display.  I'd say he looks much cuter in person.  This picture of my daughter, Leta, getting on the level of a goat has always been one of my favorites.     

Bearizona is free for children 3 and under, $10 for children 4-12 years, $20 for 13+ and $18 for 62+.  If you think you might be going more than once a year and if you are going with a group that can cram into one larger vehicle, you may want to consider the annual carload pass for $175.  Enjoy! 

Have you ever been to Bearizona?  Do you have any tips to share? 

(Images and words by Kathryn)