Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary: A Family Guide
If you’ve been to the Sacramento Zoo more times than you can count, the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary makes a fun and low-key animal experience for kids near Sacramento. One appealing factor about this zoo is that it won’t take a lot of time. It’s located in Folsom City Lions Park, a park with other fun things to do with kids in Folsom (more on that later), and it’s an affordable outing.
The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary is one of the best things to do with kids in Sacramento. Kids will love seeing the various animals, many of which are not at the Sacramento Zoo.
What to Know Before You Go
The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary is not a typical zoo. It’s an animal sanctuary where all the animals have been rescued. Kids will learn about conservation through educational panels throughout the zoo.
An outing at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary will likely not take more than an hour.
Where to Park
The zoo shares a parking lot with the Folsom Public Library and Folsom City Lions Park. Parking is free. There is ample parking. However, spots fill up quickly for popular seasonal events.
What Animals Can You See?
Some of the most popular animals at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary include:
- Black Bears
- Eurasian Brown Bear
- Mountain Lion
- Wolf-Hybrid
- Squirrel Monkey
- Bobcats
- Serval
- Avians like Parrots and Ravens
- Farm animals in the barn
Bears at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary
The bears are probably the best and most beloved animals to see at the zoo. Plus, there are no bears at the Sacramento Zoo. I will say that they can sometimes be shy and stay in the indoor portion of their habitat. If that’s the case, you can view them on digital real-time screens above their habitat to see what they’re up to.
The zoo recently acquired an Eurasian brown bear. She has a lovely habitat next to the black bears. She’s very active and frequently takes dips in her pool.
To make sure you see the bears, visit during Black Bear Awareness Weekend. The event typically occurs on the last weekend in May. Mock campsites are set up in the bear habitats with honey and food tossed all over.
The weekend raises awareness about how to be bear-aware by camping safely, storing food properly, and disposing of garbage in bear-resistant containers without attracting bears to your campsite. Bears at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary have tested bear canisters for the National Park Service. These bear-resistant canisters are across national parks today. You can see one of their previous test containers in the bear habitat area at the zoo, on the walkway across from the Eurasian brown bear habitat.
Dining Options at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary
There are no food options inside the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary. However, Fisher’s Beastro is a small snack shop outside the zoo entrance in Folsom City Lions Park. They serve items such as hot dogs, nachos, ice cream, cold drinks, hot chocolate (perfect for Folsom Zoo’s Wild Nights and Holiday Lights), pretzels, and other snacks.
Fisher’s Beastro has limited operating hours:
- Fall & Winter: Thursday – Sunday from 10:30am to 3:30pm
- Spring & Summer: 10:30am to 2:30pm
While a closing time is listed, the website indicates that closing times at Fisher’s Beastro may vary.
If you’re looking for more of a sit-down restaurant experience in Folsom after a fun zoo outing, there are plenty of kid-friendly restaurants in the Sacramento area.
There are no picnic tables inside the zoo. There are shaded picnic tables in Folsom City Lions Park. You may need to wait to eat until after you exit the zoo.
Best Seasonal Events
While this zoo is small, it has some fantastic family-friendly seasonal events. Be sure to check the Sactown Supermom Events Calendar for upcoming zoo events.
There are several special events throughout the year at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, but these are the best two:
Wild Howl-O-Ween
Kids will love dressing up in Halloween costumes and collecting candy at the various candy stations throughout the zoo. There are many interactive Halloween-themed and educational tables for children of all ages to engage with.
If it times out right, this event may fall on the same day as the free Folsom Police and Fire Trunk-or-Treat event, which is just a short walk to the zoo and adjacent to Folsom City Lions Park. Kids who love candy can potentially do two major Folsom Halloween events for kids in one day!
Wild Nights & Holiday Lights
During multiple weekends in December, the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary gets into the holiday spirit during the evenings. It’s a bit disappointing that the Sacramento Zoo doesn’t do holiday zoo lights, but luckily, the Folsom Zoo does. Our family loves this event, and it’s one of the must-do winter activities for kids in Sacramento.
An interesting tidbit about this event is that you walk through the zoo backward, starting at the exit and ending at the entrance. The zoo does a fantastic job of decorating the grounds with twinkling holiday lights, which volunteers help with. This event can get busy, and it can be challenging to see some of the animals, but it’s a lovely family holiday activity.
Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates recently opened a new store in Folsom, so I recommend grabbing one of their famous hot chocolates to take with you for Wild Nights & Holiday Lights.
Other Fun Things to Do in Folsom City Lions Park
Kids of all ages will love having a fun day in Folsom City Lions Park. While the park is home to the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, there are additional attractions for children in this Folsom jewel that will keep children entertained before or after a zoo visit.
1. Playground
There are a few play structures for kids at Folsom City Lions Park. There’s a traditional playground with slides and climbing elements.
Additionally, a Western-themed play area brings a whole other element of enjoyment to this park. An interactive covered pioneer wagon is the centerpiece of this play area. There are Western-themed buildings for kids to explore, such as a stagecoach depot and hotel, all with different engaging features like tunnels, windows, and knobs to twist.
The exit to the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary leads directly to the playground.
2. Folsom Valley Railway Train
A mini live steam train chugs through Folsom City Lions Park. This cherished Folsom Valley Railway takes passengers on a 10-minute train ride that circles the park. The train gets a holiday lights makeover and operates during Wild Nights & Holiday Lights.
Check the Folsom Valley Railway Facebook page for the most updated operating days and times. Train rides are $5 per person. Purchase tickets in person. The train will not run in inclement weather or when temperatures exceed 95 degrees.
3. Folsom Public Library
If a zoo, multiple playgrounds, and a train ride weren’t already fun enough, the Folsom Public Library also calls Folsom City Lions Park home. They host a children’s storytime at the library on Saturdays at 10:30am.
Helpful Tips for Visiting the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary
Walking Paths
The paths are easy to walk, spacious, and include navigational signage. It’s easy to walk through the zoo with a stroller. There are some mild hills here and there, but overall, it’s a relaxing stroll through the zoo.
Restrooms
Family restrooms with changing tables are inside the barn. There are two available restrooms.
Rest Areas
There are several benches in shady spots throughout the zoo. Most benches are near the mountain lion habitat and across from the wolf-hybrid habitat.
Gift Shop
There is a small gift shop near the entrance of the zoo. The gift shop is open from 9:30am to 2:30pm in the summer and 10:30am to 3:30pm in the winter.
Zoo Admission & Hours
Ticket Prices
Zoo tickets are $10 per person for adults and children ages two and up. Children under two years old receive free admission and do not require a ticket.
Zoo Hours
The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary is open from Thursday to Sunday. The zoo is closed Monday – Wednesday. The operating hours vary by season.
Spring/Summer Hours
May 1 – September 30 – 9am to 3pm; Last admission is at 2:30pm
Fall/Winter
October 1 – April 30 – 10am to 4pm; Last admission is at 3:30pm
Location: Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, 403 Stafford St, Folsom, CA 95630
