For a little slice of Midwestern heaven, you really have to look no further than the potato-loving state of Idaho – Gem State.
Idaho is recognized to be a Rocky Mountain state in the northwestern part of the United States.
Idaho borders six states and Canada to its north.
Its landscape is rugged and diverse and is home to some of the most unspoiled natural areas in the nation.
The topography of Idaho includes marshes, mountains, rivers, canyons, and farmlands, which is why it is home to quite a diverse wildlife and animal population.
It is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise that offers great variety – from wildlife preserves to lava-heated springs to various zoos and aquariums for kids of all ages.
More than three hundred species of animals live in the forests of Idaho, and approximately 100 species of fish inhabit the state’s streams, rivers, and other waterways.
To see some of these critters and creatures upfront and personally, check out the following zoos and aquariums when visiting Idaho.
The 8 Best Zoos & Aquariums in Idaho
Zoo Boise
355 Julia Davis Dr, Boise, ID 83702
Zoo Boise, in the state’s capital, is one of the best zoos.
Zoo Boise is owned by the city but managed by the city’s recreation department and a private non-profit group.
A visit to Zoo Boise gives you the opportunity to see wild animals living in their natural habitats.
The zoo’s attractions are designed to educate and help inspire everyone to get involved in the conservation of wildlife.
Zoo Boise is home to animals from six continents and includes six specialized attractions that include Conservation Cruises, the Carousel, the Sloth Bear Encounter, Zoo Chats, butterflies in bloom, and the giraffe attraction.
Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park
2940 Carnival Way, Idaho Falls, ID 83402
Home to approximately 130 exotic species of animals, the Idaho Falls Zoo is situated on ten acres near Idaho Falls’ Tautpaus Park.
This accredited zoo has been recognized as the Best Little Zoo in the West by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and offers six exhibits – Africa, Australia/New Guinea, Asia, the Children’s Zoo, North American, and South America.
While this zoo closes for the winter when it opens, nearly 150,000 visitors come to see more than 300 animals in their habitats, which include flamingos, African lions, tigers, camels, penguins, and even flamingos from Chile and macaws from the rainforest.
Zoo Idaho in Pocatello
2900 S 2nd Ave, Pocatello, ID 83204
Established in 1932 with two animal attractions in a trailer park, the Zoo Idaho in Pocatello is one of only two specialized zoos in the country that cater to animals that are native to the Intermountain West region, which is defined as the area between the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada and the Cascade Range mountains.
This zoo in Pocatello has more than 30 exhibits, including a 900-square-foot tree house & and a teepee that is 30 feet high.
The zoo is located on 25 acres and serves more than 31,000 visitors annually.
Nearly 100 animals call Zoo Idaho home.
These animals, which are often injured or orphaned, include cougars, elk, grizzly bears, bison, owls, eagles, and coyotes.
Big Red Barn
7397 N Government Way, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815
The Big Red Barn is located in Coeur d’Alene, the largest city in North Idaho.
Coeur d’Alene is known as a satellite city of Spokane, WA, and is situated along Lake Coeur d’Alene.
It offers a hands-on indoor zoo experience.
Within this facility is the opportunity to learn and better understand the various animals living at Big Red’s Barn.
The Big Red Barn is a licensed facility where you can meet Louisa the otter, Senator the dog, Elroy the llama, reptiles, cows, sheep, and the zoo’s famous Slow-Mo – the photogenic sloth.
Idaho Reptile Zoo
7397 N Government Way, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815
The Idaho Reptile Zoo in Boise is home to hundreds of rescue reptiles that are often available for adoption.
This Boise-based zoo was established in 2019, runs entirely from volunteers’ efforts, and works closely with the Idaho Fish and Game Division, the federal Department of Agriculture, and local veterinary clinics to keep all its animals safe and happy.
The staff offers education opportunities on some of its attractions – the blue tegu, Burmese pythons, or Harriet the zoo’s Birdeater tarantula.
The Peregrine Fund (World Center for Birds of Prey)
668 W Flying Hawk Ln, Boise, ID 83709
The Peregrine Fund’s (PF) World Center for Birds of Prey in the state capital of Boise was established in 1984.
This bird sanctuary/zoo also performs as the international headquarters of the Peregrine Fund – a worldwide leader and non-profit founded at Cornell University in the early 1970s.
The fund is dedicated to assisting endangered raptors across the globe.
By 1999, the Idaho Peregrine Raptor, which was once facing extinction due to the use of DDT (a pesticide), was no longer on the endangered list.
Visitors can follow a self-guided tour or experience a more up-close nose-to-beak encounter.
Other birds of prey at the zoo include hawks, owls, vultures, and eagles – from all over the world.
Aquarium of Boise
4 N Cole Rd, Boise, ID 83704
The Aquarium of Boise is a non-profit organization that opened in 2011.
It offers 10,000 square feet of renovated warehouse space in Boise.
This aquatic attraction draws approximately 25,000 visitors monthly.
The exhibits at the Aquarium of Boise have been explicitly designed with interactive touch tanks.
The largest tank maintained by the Aquarium of Boise holds 17,000 gallons – although that is one of more than 30 total attractions that include 250 species of marine and animal life.
This aquarium in the capital city is open daily with exhibits that include sharks, puffers, rays, reptiles, a bird aviary, a shark nursery, and rainforest exhibits.
East Idaho Aquarium
570 E Anderson St, Idaho Falls, ID 83401
Founded as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the East Idaho Aquarium was established in 2013 to serve as an opportunity to inspire and educate visitors about the importance of saving and maintaining water ecosystems throughout the globe.
The East Idaho Aquarium, located in Idaho Falls, is run mainly by volunteers and is a gem in the eastern part of the state.
The exhibits at the East Idaho Aquarium are both hands-on and interactive and a great place for family fun.
8 Best Zoos & Aquariums in Idaho – Summary Table
| Zoos & Aquariums | Address |
|---|---|
| Zoo Boise | 355 Julia Davis Dr, Boise, ID 83702 |
| Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park | 2940 Carnival Way, Idaho Falls, ID 83402 |
| Zoo Idaho in Pocatello | 2900 S 2nd Ave, Pocatello, ID 83204 |
| Big Red Barn | 7397 N Government Way, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815 |
| Idaho Reptile Zoo | 7397 N Government Way, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815 |
| The Peregrine Fund (World Center for Birds of Prey) | 668 W Flying Hawk Ln, Boise, ID 83709 |
| Aquarium of Boise | 4 N Cole Rd, Boise, ID 83704 |
| East Idaho Aquarium | 570 E Anderson St, Idaho Falls, ID 83401 |
Idaho Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Idaho Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any new zoos or aquariums planning to open in Idaho in the near future?
The Blue Zoo, which is an interactive aquarium open in other cities, is set to open in Boise in 2022-2023.
The founder, who found comfort and inspiration in an aquarium when recovering from an injury, became inspired to share what he had learned and experienced.
For aquarium lovers, Blue Zoo will be offering daily and annual passes to see (and touch) angelfish, starfish, rays, sharks, birds, and reptiles.
And, as the zoos and aquariums noted above, Blue Zoo will also have facilities for celebrations and parties.
What state agency is responsible for wildlife animals in Idaho?
The Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office is a member agency of the federal U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ecological Services program and the Department of Interior’s Columbia Pacific Northwest Area – one of twelve defined by the DOI.
The Idaho Fish & Wildlife Office is headquartered in Boise, with several field offices throughout the state.
Their mission is to help conserve Idaho’s natural resources while balancing the state’s population and wildlife needs.
Can you volunteer at one of Idaho’s zoos and aquariums?
Fortunately, many zoos not only seek but depend on the volunteers’ efforts and donor contributions just to meet their bills.
Each zoo’s volunteer policy will differ, but the following are links to each Idaho zoo’s volunteer policies – should they have a posted statement regarding them.
Which zoo in Idaho is the largest?
The Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park is the largest in the state.
It is located in Rexburg, which is the largest city in the micropolitan statistical area of eastern Idaho.
The city of Rexburg sits at an elevation that nears 5,000 and is also home to a satellite campus of Brigham Young University and is not too far from the Teton Range and Yellowstone National Park.
Idaho is a great state for outdoor adventures and offers a diverse landscape, including mountains, rivers, and farmlands, which is home to a diverse wildlife population.
Zoo Boise’s conservation-focused exhibits and the hands-on experience at Big Red Barn make for a perfect family day out, while the unique native species at Zoo Idaho in Pocatello offer an authentic taste of our state’s diverse wildlife.