Massachusetts has no self-drive safari park. The closest thing is New England’s largest zoo, where a train rolls through an elk forest and you can hand-feed free-roaming deer. For a true drive-it-yourself wildlife loop, head to the coastal refuge road on Plum Island.
- Southwick’s Zoo (Mendon)
- Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (Newburyport / Plum Island)
SOUTHWICK’S ZOO
Type: Family-owned ZAA-accredited zoo. It’s walk-through, with a train ride through an elk forest and a 35-acre walk-in deer forest. There’s no drive-thru.
Location: 2 Southwick St, Mendon, MA 01756 (Blackstone River Valley, minutes from Routes 495 and 146, about 1 hour from Boston)
Phone: 1-800-258-9182
Email: guestservices@southwickszoo.com
Website: southwickszoo.com · Visitor Info & Tickets · Buy Tickets · Rides & Attractions · Animal Encounters · Jack O’Lantern Journey
Social Media:
Size: 200+ acres
Animals: 900+ animals of 150+ species, including lions, giraffes, white rhinos, and tigers. You can hand-feed fallow deer in the Deer Forest, and the train passes through the Elk Forest.
Online Admission (date & time specific; saves $5 vs. the gate):
- Without rides: Adults $33, Children (3–12) & Seniors (62+) $27
- With Skyfari & Train: Adults $43, Children & Seniors $37
Online Flex Tickets (any day this season):
- Without rides: Adults $40, Children & Seniors $35
- With rides: Adults $50, Children & Seniors $45
Gate Prices:
- Without rides: Adults $38, Children & Seniors $32
- With Skyfari & Train: Adults $48, Children & Seniors $42
- Senior Saver Days (Mon–Wed, gate only, excludes holidays): $25
- Ages 2 & under: Free
Military (at the gate with ID; rides not included):
- Active duty: Free
- Dependents of active duty: $25
- Veterans: $20
Hours:
- Starting October 5: daily 10 AM – 4 PM, rain or shine, including holidays
- The season ends October 31. The zoo is open mid-April through October only.
- The Great Jack O’Lantern Journey (separate ticket) runs Thursday – Sunday from 5 PM through November 1.
Extras:
- Deer Forest feed machines cost extra.
- Giraffe, rhino, and sloth encounters are available.
- The Skyfari requires riders to be 42″ or taller.
- 12-visit Value Pass: $289 ($408 with rides).
Rules & Tips:
- No coolers, backpacks, or full outside meals. Small snacks and drinks are OK.
- Rides and shows run weather permitting.
- Parking is free in the lot across the street.
PARKER RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Type: USFWS national wildlife refuge with a self-drive refuge road along a barrier island
Location: Visitor Center: 6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA 01950. The refuge gate is on Plum Island, about ½ mile down Sunset Drive after crossing the bridge.
Phone: (978) 465-5753
Email: parkerriver@fws.gov
Website: fws.gov/refuge/parker-river · Visit Us · FAQ · Rules & Policies · Buy Passes (Rec Access)
Social Media: Facebook
Size: About 4,700 acres. The refuge road runs about 6.4 miles: the first 3.5 miles are paved, then gravel to the southern tip at Sandy Point State Reservation.
Animals: 300+ bird species, making it one of the top birding spots in the Northeast. Fall brings migrating hawks, falcons, shorebirds, and waterfowl. You may also see white-tailed deer, foxes, coyotes, and harbor seals in winter.
Admission:
- Car day pass: $5
- Walk or bike: Free
- Annual refuge pass: $20
- Federal Duck Stamp: $25
- America the Beautiful, Access, Military, and 4th Grade passes are accepted.
- At the gatehouse you can pay with cash, check, credit, or debit. The visitor center takes cash or check only.
Hours:
- Refuge: Sunrise to sunset daily
- Visitor Center: Tuesday – Saturday, 9 AM – 4 PM, depending on volunteer availability
Rules:
- No dogs or other pets, ever, including in your car (service animals excepted).
- Stay on the road, trails, and boardwalks.
- Most of the beach is closed April 1 into August for nesting piping plovers.
Tips:
- Fall is ideal, since summer crowds are gone.
- On busy summer weekends the road closes to new cars once the lots fill.
- There’s no food or fuel past the gate, so stock up in Newburyport.
- The Hellcat boardwalk trail is wheelchair accessible.
Explore Drive-Thru Wildlife Parks in Neighboring States:
New York · Vermont · New Hampshire · Connecticut · Rhode Island