Sight guide · Palm Springs · United States
Visiting Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
This zoo and botanic garden focuses on desert animals and plants from North America and Africa, with giraffes, cheetahs, rhinos, Mexican wolves and bighorn sheep spread across a large desert site.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Palm Springs · Photo: Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a zoo in Palm Desert, Palm Springs. Allow 3–4 hours; it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Zoo
- Area
- Palm Desert
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- kids, nature and outdoors
- Best months
- February–March and November
Plan a trip to Palm Springs
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
About Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
This zoo and botanic garden focuses on desert animals and plants from North America and Africa, with giraffes, cheetahs, rhinos, Mexican wolves and bighorn sheep spread across a large desert site. Children can feed giraffes, and the gardens show which plants survive the Colorado Desert.
Tip: Arrive at opening in spring or autumn; the animals are most active and the paths are long and exposed by midday.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 3–4 hours.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Palm Desert, el Paseo boutiques, the Living Desert zoo and family-friendly mid-range hotels.
Best time to visit Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- November: 25°C (77°F) highs, about 1 rainy days, busy crowds.
- February: 23°C (73°F) highs, about 4 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- March: 27°C (81°F) highs, about 2 rainy days, very busy crowds.
When to visit Palm Springs has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Mid-century modern homes drive.
- No. 12 of the 16 sights in our Palm Springs things-to-do list.
- Day 5 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Palm Springs.
- A family favourite in Palm Springs with kids.
If you like Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway — Chino Canyon, Half a day
- Mount San Jacinto State Park — San Jacinto Mountains, 2 hours to a full day
- Indian Canyons — Agua Caliente Reservation, 2–4 hours
- Tahquitz Canyon — South of downtown, 2 hours
Staying near Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Stay in Palm Desert ($$) to walk here: el Paseo boutiques, the Living Desert zoo and family-friendly mid-range hotels. All areas to stay in Palm Springs.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Living Desert Zoo and Gardens?
Plan 3–4 hours.
+Is Living Desert Zoo and Gardens free?
No, it is mid-priced. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Living Desert Zoo and Gardens?
February–March and November for the most comfortable weather. Arrive at opening in spring or autumn; the animals are most active and the paths are long and exposed by midday.
+Do I need to book Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Living Desert Zoo and Gardens good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Palm Springs. Palm Springs works well for families who rent a house with a pool or stay at a family-friendly resort, with the tramway, the Living Desert zoo and easy canyon walks as highlights.