Want to…
- feed giraffes?
- see adorable meerkats up close?
- walk through a shady oasis of palm trees?
- watch a miniature train chug through a tiny replica of Palm Springs?
Then you need to visit the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, California.
This unique desert zoo beautifully showcases the magic of desert landscapes and the animals that thrive in them. From interactive animal encounters to peaceful walking trails, it’s one of the best family-friendly things to do near Palm Springs.
First Impressions at The Living Desert Zoo
The moment we walked into the Living Desert Zoo, I was already fascinated.
Right at the entrance stood a tree with completely green bark — the exact same shade as its leaves. I had never seen anything like it before.
This was the Palo Verde tree, a tree commonly found throughout the California desert.
“Palo Verde” means green stick in Spanish, and the tree actually contains chlorophyll in its bark. That means even during extremely dry weather, when it loses its leaves, the bark can still continue photosynthesis. Desert plants are honestly incredible.
Naked Mole Rats
Before reaching the giraffes, we walked through a tunnel with little windows looking into the naked mole rat habitat.
Inside were tiny underground rooms connected by tunnels, packed with baby naked mole rats cuddling, sleeping in little piles, digging nonstop, and zooming around.
I won’t lie — they look slightly like wrinkly tiny potatoes with teeth.
But somehow… still adorable.
Feed the Giraffes
One of the most popular experiences at the Living Desert Zoo is feeding the giraffes — and yes, it absolutely lives up to the hype.
As soon as we headed right from the entrance toward the giraffe exhibit, the excitement started building.
On the way there, we passed a tunnel with little viewing windows built into the walls. Inside were colonies of naked mole rats digging tunnels, cuddling together, and scurrying around. Funny-looking? Definitely. Weirdly adorable? Also yes.
And then… the giraffes.
“Feed the giraffes, tuppence a bag…” instantly started playing in my head.
For around $10, visitors can feed lettuce directly to these towering animals. The zoo staff explained that the extra lettuce also helps keep the giraffes hydrated in the desert climate.
We got up close to the male giraffe who has fathered all the baby giraffes at the zoo, along with one especially determined female giraffe who clearly knew exactly where the snacks were.
Even if there’s a line, it’s entertaining just watching everyone interact with them.
Meerkats, Camels, and Desert Wildlife
The Living Desert Zoo has a surprisingly wide variety of animals.
The camels were especially entertaining. One of them kept striking poses like absolute royalty, and honestly, I felt a connection.
The meerkats completely stole the show though.
At first, one tiny meerkat slowly peeked out of its burrow and stared up at us with the cutest little face. Then suddenly several more popped out to explore. If you stay quiet and patient, they become incredibly active.
Behind-the-Scenes Animal Care
One of the coolest parts of the Living Desert Zoo is that you can sometimes watch animal care procedures through the zoo’s veterinary services area.
During our visit, we were able to see into the rhino enclosure while zookeepers worked with one of the rhinos. One keeper distracted him with treats while another appeared to clean or examine his hoof.
It was fascinating getting a glimpse into how much care goes into keeping these massive animals healthy.
The Beautiful Palm Oasis
One of my favorite areas in the zoo was what I can only describe as a shaggy palm tree oasis.
This peaceful section combines towering palms with a bird exhibit woven throughout the landscape. It felt cool, quiet, and relaxing compared to the desert heat.
We sat on a bench there to eat lunch, and honestly, it was one of the prettiest spots in the entire zoo.
Well… until a nearby bird suddenly started eating a mouse directly in front of us.
Nature keeps things interesting.
Bighorn Sheep & Desert Trails
The Living Desert Zoo also features a Bighorn Mountain habitat designed to mimic the rocky terrain these animals naturally live in.
The bighorn sheep roam freely across the rocky hillsides, and spotting them feels a little like a scavenger hunt. You have to look carefully among the rocks.
The zoo also includes exhibits inspired by the Chihuahuan Desert, the second-largest desert in North America, helping visitors experience desert ecosystems beyond California.
If you enjoy walking, there are also hiking and nature trails connected to the zoo grounds.
Miniature Palm Springs Train
Another unexpectedly fun highlight was the miniature train exhibit.
The tiny train travels through a detailed miniature replica of Palm Springs and the surrounding desert landscapes. It’s charming, detailed, and fun for both kids and adults.
Final Thoughts on The Living Desert Zoo
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is truly a gem in the middle of the desert.
It’s family-friendly, fun for adults, and filled with unique experiences you don’t find at most zoos. Between feeding giraffes, watching playful meerkats, exploring desert habitats, and relaxing in the palm oasis, it turned out to be one of our favorite activities near Palm Springs.
If you’re planning a desert getaway, this zoo is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.
And if you’re looking for more ideas, check out our guide to the best things to do in Palm Springs.
