Photo courtesy of http://www.livingdesert.org website.
The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens is a zoo and desert botanical garden located right in the heart of Palm Desert. Originally called the Living Desert Museum, the family-friendly attraction is one of Palm Desert’s most popular attractions.
The sprawling attraction boasts over 1,200 protected acres that represent various desert environments found throughout North America and Africa. It is home to more than 450 wild animals, an incredible variety of native desert plants, beautiful nature trails, and other amazing features, which makes it an ideal place to visit for nature lovers of all ages.
There are plenty of unforgettable destinations and activities to enjoy at The Living Zoo & Gardens that it may be difficult to figure out where to begin.
Here are some of our favorite areas to visit:
North American Desert
The North American Desert section showcases desert wildlife found in all four deserts of North America. This exhibit gives visitors the chance to see even the most elusive creatures up close, as many of them avoid extreme temperatures, choosing to hunt only during the nighttime.
African Desert
Africa is home to some of the most dramatic desert landscapes in the world. The Living Desert’s African section gives visitors a rare opportunity to see it up close. Here, you’ll find remarkable species such as slender-horned gazelles, African antelopes, rock hyraxes, weaver finches, sand cats, cheetahs, and over 30 species of exotic and rare African plants.
Hiking Trails
What makes The Living Desert unique is it’s more than just a collection of nature exhibits – it’s an actual nature preserve that contains more than 1,000 acres of undisturbed Sonoran Desert. For visitors looking for an unforgettable adventure across breathtaking desert landscapes, there are three different trails that can suit any desired experience.
Coachella Valley Attractions
Take a look at this page for more information about other great attractions in the Coachella Valley.