GAINESVILLE, Texas — Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and Frank Buck Zoo is one of the best reasons to stay local this season. Gainesville's "Best Little Zoo in Texas" is open daily with a full slate of hands-on animal encounters — and a potential expansion on the horizon that could reshape the zoo's next decade.
Hours and admission
The zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with last admission at 3 p.m. It is located at 1000 W. California Street, just west of downtown Gainesville. Parking is free. Strollers, manual wheelchairs, and motorized scooters are available to rent at the gift shop.
Confirm hours before your visit — summer hours may differ from the regular schedule. Call 940-668-4539 or email giftshop@cogtx.org.
Animal encounters
Four hands-on experiences are available this summer. All encounters are weather-dependent and require closed-toed shoes (except the giraffe encounter).
Giraffe Encounter ($7 per person) — Daily from 10:30 to 11 a.m. No reservation required; pay at the deck. Open to all ages.
Flamingo Encounter ($20 per person) — Daily at 10 a.m., limited to five participants. Ages 8 and up. Reservation required.
Capybara Encounter ($35 per person) — Offered at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., four participants per slot. Ages 8 and up. Reservation required.
Wetland to Woodland ($125 per person) — A private experience combining the flamingo exhibit with a barn owl encounter with ambassador animal Kara. Adults only, maximum two participants. Reservation required.
To reserve a spot for any ticketed encounter, call 940-668-4539 or email giftshop@cogtx.org. Capacity is limited and popular slots fill early on weekends.
What else is there
Beyond the encounters, the zoo features an African Savannah, a reptile house, a petting zoo with quarter-operated goat feeders, and elevated walkways with views of giraffes, kangaroos, and zebras. Birthday party packages and group rates for school field trips are available — contact the zoo for details.
A zoo worth watching
City officials are exploring a potential expansion onto land south of Leonard Park that would grow the zoo's footprint and strengthen its conservation mission. The centerpiece of the proposal is a breeding program for the dama gazelle, a critically endangered species with fewer than 500 individuals remaining in the wild. No construction timeline has been set, but the possibility makes this a good summer to see the zoo as it stands today.
The Frank Buck Zoo is operated by the City of Gainesville. For reservations, current hours, and the event calendar, visit gainesville.tx.us or call 940-668-4539.