About Pine Grove Zoo

How We Began, Grew, and Serve Our Community

Learn more about Pine Grove Zoo

Pine Grove Zoo is a welcoming, family-friendly destination where wildlife, education, and conservation come together. Home to over 35 species, the zoo offers engaging experiences, scenic grounds, and meaningful opportunities to connect with animals and nature. Every visit supports exceptional animal care and inspires our community to protect the natural world.

Our Mission

To promote environmental education and conservation while creating a progressive zoological park in central Minnesota.

Our Vision

To have families and individuals live their lives with passionate respect for the entire realm of the natural world.

Then until Now

Zoo History

From its humble beginnings in 1913 to the vibrant, growing destination it is today, Pine Grove Zoo has undergone a remarkable transformation. What started as a simple drive-by experience has evolved into an engaging, education-focused zoo centered on animal well-being, conservation, and community connection.

“The Past”

Many years ago, Pine Grove Zoo was a drive-by zoo that had very little educational impact. The animals were housed in small, concrete cages that provided little exercise and no room for their natural behaviors to be observed. In 1991, a dedicated group of volunteers was formed whose sole purpose was to assist in creating natural, spacious habitats for each Zoo family member. This group’s focus and goals have evolved, but the intent has never faltered. Their steadfast idea that a group of dedicated people, working together as a team, can indeed change a piece of one’s world has become a reality.

“The Present”

The Zoo how hosts over 30,000 visitors each year from all 50 states and 13 different countries. The last few years have been nothing short of FABULOUS with the addition of many new Zoo family members. We have had many adventures…some ups and downs and some just plain sideways! We have welcomed with open arms our sweet and sassy kangaroos, naughty, wildly popular River Otters, prickly but kind North American Porcupines, feisty and incredibly active Capuchin and Squirrel Monkeys, along with various other new family members. Then we slooooweeeedddd way down when Syd, our gentle Sloth, found his way to our Zoo family and won his way into all of our hearts.

“The Future”

The future of Pine Grove Zoo is breathtakingly bright with plans of adding many new family members, creating more life-long memory-making opportunities, and more adventures. Along with these additions, it is our constant priority to continue to provide our entire Zoo family with the highest quality care, compassion, and commitment to ensuring that they are healthy, happy, and safe. The Zoo continues its incredible growth due to our amazing volunteers that continue to be an integral part of the Zoo, the hard-working, dedicated staff, the supportive and incredible board of directors, the great partnership with the City of Little Falls, and last, but certainly not least… this remarkably kind, generous, supportive community! The Zoo continues its incredible growth due to the unwavering commitment from all these groups!!

Make an Impact at the Zoo

Support Pine Grove Zoo through meaningful giving opportunities that make a lasting impact on our animals, education, and conservation. From one-time donations to memorial gifts, every contribution helps provide exceptional care and inspires our community to protect wildlife. Give today and be part of something truly wild and wonderful.

Ready for Your Next Wild Adventure?

Explore engaging habitats that inspire learning. Encounter meaningful experiences with animals. Rediscover the joy of connecting with nature alongside family and community. Purchase your tickets and experience the wonders of the wild at Pine Grove Zoo in Little Falls, Minnesota.

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