1 / 2Plumpton Park Zoo
📍 Rising Sun, MD
Community-scale zoo set in the Maryland countryside near Rising Sun. Diverse animal collection spread across a wide area with close cage access. Giraffe feeding available. Purchasable food for smaller animals. Ice cream on-site.
A blink and you’ll miss it type experience. Nestled in the Maryland countryside, this zoo has impressed me time and time again Many different animals are spread throughout a wide radius, and you can get pretty close up to many of the cages. Food can be purchased to feed smaller animals, and ice cream/concessions can also be purchased The enclosures are spread out to the point of difficult walk ability, and the ground will also get your clothes/shoes quite muddy. One animal you cannot get close to is the giraffes Overall, a unique experience compared to the Baltimore zoo
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with kids aged 2 and up who want hands-on animal interaction rather than a large-scale zoo experience. The giraffe feeding and animal food purchases give children genuine participatory moments. The smaller scale means the full visit is manageable for young children without overstimulation.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →2,417 Google reviews
Julie Tollen
“A blink and you’ll miss it type experience. Nestled in the Maryland countryside, this zoo has impressed me time and time again Many different animals are spread throughout a wide radius, and you can get pretty close up to many of the cages. Food can be purchased to feed smaller animals, and ice cream/concessions can also be purchased The enclosures are spread out to the point of difficult walk ability, and the ground will also get your clothes/shoes quite muddy. One animal you cannot get close to is the giraffes Overall, a unique experience compared to the Baltimore zoo”
Krystle Reisler
“Absolutely love visiting this zoo any time we're in the area! My son loved feeding the giraffe and experiencing the wonders of the zoo!”
Kelly Welsh
“Small but terrific zoo with close views of animals”
TRACI WINFREE
“I learned after my visit that most of the animals here are rescues. The Zoo definitely needs funding. Help if you can”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Plumpton Park Zoo is a compact, independently run zoo where visitors get unusually close to a diverse range of animals spread across spacious grounds. Giraffe feeding is a standout activity for children, and purchasable food lets kids interact with smaller animals directly. Ice cream is available on-site. Many of the animals are rescues, giving the visit an additional conservation context.
