Your Next Wild Adventure

Tickets and Hours

Other Services

Welcome

Sharkarosa Zoo is self-guided with informational signs and staff to help you along the way. There are also educational presentations every 30 minutes throughout the day in various locations. While you are here please be sure to enjoy our petting zoo and covered picnic areas.

Lizard and handler with little girl

Creatures Great and Small

"It's been a unique experience every time we go there." JULIE H.

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Let's Explore

HOURS: Friday, Saturday & Sunday 9 A.M – 4 P.M

Family at ruffed lemur encounter

Experience

Our mission is to provide the North Texas community with the opportunity to experience rare, endangered and exotic wildlife in a unique and personal setting. What better way to learn about conservation than by seeing it up close and hands on?

So Much to See

Our facility sits on a beautiful 126 acre ranch and offers field trips, private tours, a walk-thru petting zoo, an outdoor dining areas and snack bar to help make Sharkarosa Zoo your next wild adventure!

Skunk and handler with family.
Boy saying wow with snake around shoulders

Always Growing

Our facility is always growing! On a typical day Sharkarosa is home to 180+ animals. We are not by definition a “rescue” organization. However, we do assist with exotic animal rescues by lending experience, needed supplies or housing. Please see the Donations page to find out how you can help us with these ongoing projects.

Open To Public

Open to the Public Days are every Friday, Saturday and Sunday as long as the weather permits. All other events require an advanced reservation. Please browse our Visitor’s Guide for information on how to book a private tour, field trip or party. 

Want to have a birthday party at Sharkarosa Zoo? We can make that happen. Contact us for information.

Baby camel and mom.

Stay Up to Date

Our Facebook page is the best place to keep up with what’s going on here at the zoo.

You can find information about early closures due to weather, special hours, and exclusive deals.

We are always working hard to care for our animals so there isn’t always someone available to answer the phone.

Our Facebook page has the most up-to-date information.

Enjoy Sharkarosa Today

We Love Our Animals

Lady with two Ruffed Lemurs

Stop by for a visit today! Our Animals love to see NEW people.

Sharkarosa Zoo is a 501(c)(3) non-profit ranch licensed and regulated by the USDA.

About Sharkarosa

Sharkarosa Zoo is self-guided with informational signs and staff to help you along the way. There are also educational presentations every 30 minutes throughout the day in various locations. While you are here please be sure to enjoy our petting zoo and covered picnic areas.

The Bear’s Den Snack Bar and Gift Shop is open from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

(We accept CASH, VISA, MASTERCARD & DISCOVER)

Private Tours, Animal Encounters, Field Trips, A Petting Zoo, Food, An Amazing Gift Shop And More

Ruffed Lemur hanging on fence
Scott with Bear at Sharkarosa Zoo

Dear Guests…

The Sharkarosa Zoo was built to raise funds for the preservation of exotic wildlife and to work closely with charitable and educational groups.

The Zoo was also created to say Thank You to all the people throughout the years who believed in me and made this dream possible.

Especially, my family & those special friends whose loyalty and devotion helped me make it through the hard times.

No matter who you are, it’s the people who believe in you that make the difference.

So, my thank you to those special people is the Sharkarosa Zoo.  I hope you enjoy it and what it stands for.

Thank you for your faith,

Scott Edwards
Owner, Sharkarosa Ranch

Zoo Fun

Private Tours, Animal Encounters, Field Trips, A Petting Zoo, Food, An Amazing Gift Shop And More

Dining

Check out our outdoor dining areas and snack bar.

Tiger pattern background
Turtle and Lemur eating veggies on a tray

Petting Zoo

Get a chance to pet and feed some of your favorite animals.

Tiger pattern background
Little girl feeding donkeys

Ticket Prices

HOURS: Friday, Saturday & Sunday 9 A.M - 4 P.M

Adult (13yrs+)

Children (3-12)

Children (2 & Under)

Seniors (65+)

*Military/First Responders FREE

*Parking $5

Season Passes

*Season passes are good for 1 year from date of purchase

Adult (13yrs+)

Children (3-12)

Seniors (65+)

Pack Pass (Family of 4)

(2 adults, 2 children) *Each additional family member added $35.00

Travel the World

White Tiger scratching back on the ground
Guide at Sharkarosa Zoo with megaphone talking about animals.

Private Tours

Includes a walking tour of the facility for up to 15 individuals.

Schedule a private tour with us and take your family on an adventure that includes the animals of Madagascar, Africa, Asia, North and South America, China, and Australia to name a few! 

***Private Tours are only available Monday through Thursday.***

Pricing

$300 for 1-15 people • $10 per person over that.
*This includes anyone age 3 and older.
$100 deposit due at time of booking

Field Trips

Our field trips can be scheduled Mon-Thurs with start times of 9:30, 10:30, or 11:30.  Each field trip starts with a sixty-minute walk-thru tour of our facilities with one of our expert staff members.

During the second hour, free time is given to enjoy your picnic lunch in our front courtyard, visit our petting zoo where the kids have an opportunity to brush some of our residents, visit the playground, or, should you choose to, visit the gift shop for that souvenir for the day.

Pricing

Students $8 each
Teachers/Staff: $8 each *we comp one teacher for every 20 students.
Bus Drivers: Free
Chaperones: $15 per person

All field trips require a $300 non-refundable deposit to confirm your reservation. All payments must be collected before you arrive. We do not accept personal checks. Parents CANNOT pay at the gate the morning of the field trip. Sharkarosa is not open to the public during field trips therefore the ticket window is not open and there is no employee scheduled to take individual ticket sales. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Perfect for group outings.

People looking at Lions at Sharkarosa Zoo
Many students looking at the bear exhibit

Visit Sharkarosa and discover a different world.

Zoo Rules

Please take a moment to read the following:

  • Absolutely NO throwing or kicking rocks.

  • Children under the age of 13 must be with an adult at all times.

  • No smoking or vaping on ranch property.

  • Feeding  animals is to be done in designated areas and the animals may only be fed animal feed provided by Sharkarosa.

  • Shirt and Shoes required at all times.

  • No pets allowed.  Service dogs, as defined by the ADA, are permissible.

    • Service Animal Defined by Title II and Title III of the ADAA service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.

  • Absolutely NO climbing fencing, exhibits or equipment.  

  • No littering, please use trash cans provided.

  • We ask that all guests to our park be respectful of the animals.  Please do not chase, pick up, poke, yell at or in any way taunt any of our animals.  

PROHIBITED ITEMS:

Bubble gum, balloons, firearms, weapons of any kind, glass containers, alcoholic beverages.

Failure to follow any of the above rules WILL result in immediate removal from Sharkarosa.

**Prices subject to change without notice.

Our animals can't wait to see you!

Lemur looking at camera
Rambo the Lizard at the Sharkarosa Zoo

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

Porcupine at Sharkarosa Zoo

We make every effort to stay open despite the weather. Light rain will not affect our being open. Cancellations are made only when it becomes unsafe for guests to park in or move about Sharkarosa Zoo.

We are Open to the Public Friday, Saturday and Sunday year-round, weather permitting. Open to the public days require no reservation. The entrance gates open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m. Upon your arrival, you will be shown the schedule of presentations and notified which events or activities are about to start.  Stay until you've seen everything you wanted to see or stop to have a picnic lunch in our front courtyard. If you're coming at the end of the day, we suggest arriving no later than 2 pm to ensure you get at least a taste of everything. 

We always recommend bringing: sunscreen, bug spray, and comfortable shoes.  Open toed shoes are not recommended. On Open to the Public Days and Field Trips, our gift shop will be open with items to purchase. If it looks like rain, please bring the appropriate attire (rain coats, rubber boots & umbrellas)

Unfortunately, no.  Our field trips and private tours are held during the week and must be booked in advance with the office.  

Yes!  Children ages 2 and under are free admission.  However, please be mindful that are still included in your headcounts when making arrangements with us.  

Unfortunately, no. Guests arriving late forfeit any portion of the tour they might have missed.

The use of dining areas is restricted to field trips, events and Open to the Public Days. If you would like to book an event in which you can bring a lunch, please browse through the rest of the Visitor Section. No exceptions will be made.

No. For the safety of our animals, all feed is provided by the ranch and their diet is strictly regulated by our veterinarian. 

Yes, we do provide very full service bathroom, porta potties, a full hand-washing station and water fountain. The bears den has a diaper changing station and there is another restroom next to the playground.

We want your time with us to be an incredible adventure! Guests that are unable to cooperate with the guidelines set forth by the Sharkarosa staff will be asked to leave and, if necessary, will be escorted from the premises.

Visit Sharkarosa and discover your next wild adventure!

Map of Sharkarosa Zoo

📣Attention guests!📣

With this winter weather and freezing temperatures we will be focusing all of our attention on our animals during this critical time. We will be closed this weekend and on Monday. We will not be open for Martin Luther King day. Thank you for your support during this time. 

Black Friday Sale

Saturday, Oct. 21

Guest Appreciation Day

FREE admission. Just pay $5 for parking!

Haunted Hay Ride

Gates open at 7:30pm, general admission is $5, parking is $5/vehicle, wear a costume to receive a free bag of feed! Haunted hay ride is $20/person, limited to first 135 registrants, must sign up at ticket window, rides leave a 8pm, 8:30pm, and 9:00pm. Please arrive on time to departure location. Haunted hay ride lasts approximately 30 minutes, traveling through our safari area, and camels.

Riders will experience many frights along the ride that will thrill all ages, each rider will be provided with a flashlight to use during the ride. Feed bags are available to purchase, $3/each, before and during the ride. Parental caution advised for hay ride participants, children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets MUST be purchased in person ONLY.

Sharkarosa Zoo Logo
Thursday, September 21, we will be open from 9am-4pm!

$10 per person entry, no parking fee! Bring your homeschool group and come learn about the amazing animals that call Sharkarosa home! 
 
 👀 bounce house obstacle course ✨ face painter and glitter bar 🐊 Ray from @crocodilecreek guest speakers 🌯 Good to Geaux food truck 🍧 TJ’s snow cones 🎉 prize wheel when spend $25 in gift shop 🐅 keeper talks every 30 mins 🦎 animal encounters 👾 games 🎁 gift basket raffle
 
Stay tuned to our updated keeper talk schedule for this special day! 
Sharkarosa Zoo Logo

We will be closing early on Saturday, August 19, and Sunday, August 20 due to the extreme heat to focus on our animal care. We will be selling our last ticket at 1pm and gates will close at 2pm. Thank you all for understanding.

Take a Monkey to lunch day
Homeschool Day Sept. 26th

We are closed today due to severe storms.
Come see us tomorrow!

We are excited to see what happens when the sun disappears! Come find out how the animals will behave with us! Gates open at 12pm, the estimated time of total darkness is around 1:45pm, the park will close at 3pm. During peak eclipse hour we will be feeding our Lions Tigers Bears (oh my) and our Hyena! Predator feedings are at 1:30pm (lion tiger), 1:45pm (bear), and 2:00pm (hyena)

🐰🥚 Join us for an egg-citing Egg hunt in our open field across from the zebras.  Tickets are just $5, and there are 9 special eggs hidden with tickets that will send you to our Carrot Pull station at 1:30 PM! 🥕✨ Pull a carrot from the bin and discover what you’ve won—it could be a season pass! 👀🙌🏼 

Closed This Holiday Weekend

We will be closed this weekend to focus on the care of our animals. Thank you to all of our guests and supporters that have gifted the animals enrichment. Stay tuned to see them opening their gifts! 
 
We can’t wait to see you and your family next weekend when the weather will be nice and sunny!!