Ellen Trout Park — Attraction in Lufkin

Two of my kids had field trips to this location. It's a nice zoo! The first time I went with my daughter, the concession stand was open, and so was the gift shop. It was costly, but it was available when I went with my Son, both were close, so if you didn’t bring any food or drinks, you just did without eating or drinking until you left. I wish they had a more extensive selection of animals. My son was looking forward to seeing a loin And was disappointed when he learned he wasn't going to see one. There were so many different kinds of birds. The grass and brushes were often overgrown, making it hard to see some animals, especially the giraffe. They need to do a better job of maintaining the vegetation. What’s the point of riding the train when you can’t see...

This park is right by the zoo parking. So even if you don't go to the zoo you can still go to the park. We ate here after the zoo and had a nice picnic lunch at some of their tables all covered. There were men's and women's restrooms nearby and water fountains as well. Now it is by the lake and one would go swimming. However they do advise not to, do to the alligators. We did not see any but it was well marked and we didn't take any chances. The highlight here though is a little train that starts in the parking lot goes around the zoo and across the lake and back. It is separate from the zoo and cost 2 dollars per person and 3 dollars for a whistle, all of this sponsored by the loins club. Overall I think it was the best thing to end our trip and my...

Go there once a week in good weather, I'm giving 4 stars because one corner of the lake has debris, and sometimes there seems to be a lot of green algae on the lake, this may have been resolved by now, theres a floating platform you can walk out on and a one mile jogging / walking trail. Driving, Beware, it seems like you have to come from the east to access the lake and zoo entrance from ellen trout drive. Brought the whole family in one year to watch fireworks, it did not disappoint. I do wish they had bigger enclosures for their animals. ( except for the ones that live in the lake 🐊 they have...