Ellen Trout Zoo
Ellen Trout Zoo things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Have you been to the zoo in Lufkin, TX? It's not very big, but there are a lot of less common zoo animals and they all seem happy and healthy. A huge bonus in the hot Texas summer is that the zoo offers alt of shade while you're walking around - always something I appreciate! Right across from the zoo is a small train that goes around the zoo's lake for just $2 per person - a must if you have kids with you! Have you been to the Lufkin area? Are there any other fun attractions we should visit? #texastravel #thingstodotexas #traveltexas #texastravelblogger #texasthingstodo #texaszoo #texaszoos #texasroadtrip #weekendroadtrip #visitlufkin #lufkintx
sweetteawanderersweetteawanderer
392
We had so much fun today! #zooday #springbreak #texasfun
shaexxhsusshaexxhsus
6120
We visited this zoo for the first time recently on a Monday. It was almost completely empty, so it was nice for us to be able to take our time reading all the info plaques, observing the flora, and interacting with the animals instead of fighting crowds. We started with a train ride, which is about 5min long, goes on a track around wooded areas and a lake outside the zoo, and costs $2/pp. We enjoyed this, and saw other families getting on to ride a second time. The zoo looks very small from the outside, but we were able to spend a couple hours walking around once inside. There are rules posted at the entry and they have free maps to take along with you. There's also a small concession stand as you enter; which is the only one available so grab your drinks and snacks before getting started. Some of the animals we saw were kookaburras, sloths, komodo dragons, alligators/crocs, snakes, bats, parrots, emus, a lion, a tiger, and a leopard. There are also a great many peacocks/hens roaming freely all over the grounds. It was fun seeing them up close, strutting their feathers, and calling to one another. Every animal seemed to be healthy and in a clean environment. Don't miss the reptile house! The paths are wide and flat; great for wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers. There are various places to sit and watch the animals, some areas are shaded. There were a couple of areas that also had tables to use (outside food is permitted).
Laura LenauLaura Lenau
00
First time zoo goer, but was surprised by my experience! I always imagined the stereotypical zoo with all the animals in some form of cage or enclosure, so imagine my surprise when the second animal I see is a raccoon in an open air pen! I was partially surprised at how this little guy could easily walk out of his "area" and yet all he wanted to do was relax on his tree trunk. I will preface by saying that it was a cloudy day and there was light rain towards the end of my visit, but unfortunately a few of the more exotic animals were either not in their enclosures or just in areas obscured from view. That said, it was pretty cool to see peacocks just roaming freely around the area, seeing a komodo crossing sign, and the general presence of the other animals there. The day was cloudy, the atmosphere was pretty chill, and though most of what I saw were either turtles or birds, I still enjoyed myself. Admission price was very reasonable and they also have a little train by the parking lot you can ride which was neat. Was told the train went by some exotic animals like giraffes, however those were in the list of animals not present, so the train ride itself felt a little anticlimactic. One star lost simply because of the not all the animals were there that I had hoped to see, but overall it was a fun experience!
Sanaa DumaSanaa Duma
00
A really, really nice little Zoo located on the loop on the North side of Lufkin. They have around 800 animals at this Zoo that are also located by a lake and Park. Also included is a miniature train much similar to the Houston Zoo. Although not at big it more than makes up for it with the beautifully landscaped grounds and amenities. They have a refreshment stand, gift shop, and conveniently located restrooms. It is well laid out and you can complete the tour taking your time in around two hours. Lots of shade trees, fountains, and benches. They have Alligators, Flamingos, a White Rhino, Giraffe's, Hippos, which is why we went because our 6 year old wanted to see Hippo's. The Houston Zoo no longer has them! They have many different kinds of birds, Parrots, Macaws, Emus, Eagle's, King Vulture's, Kookaburra's and other including a healthy population of Peacocks and a couple of Albino Peacock's. They have a reptile house with a lot of snakes, lizards, turtles, poison dart frogs and others. It's a lot to see in a small setting and very well worth your money and time. The prices are very reasonable and your kids will really enjoy it. I've been through Lufkin many times and heard of it, but this is the first time we went just for the Zoo! I highly recommend it!
afgrab55afgrab55
120
Heartbreaking....One of the saddest zoos I've visited. While admission is VERY cheap, walkways are shaded, that doesn't make up for short comings. Enclosures, all of them, are alarmingly small, overgrown, and half-azzed taken care of. A full sized rhino in a yard that looked to be a fraction of an acre and so thick with sweet gum saplings...large alligator keep with a tiny ex-koi pond for laying in 1/4 of his body fit at a time....the only animals that looked healthy alert and not distressed were the peacocks roaming free. I've been to this zoo a couple of times over the years, it's as bad as ever. Exhibts have signage crediting organizations for donations which made Enclosure possible, I wonder if these organizations have seen how they are being represented. Should've saved and chose tyler, Caldwell is larger but layout is not 1st choice. Ft worth makes local zoos look like glorified litter boxes. OH and don't use Coke machines you'll be charged 5$ for 2$ soda and won't dispense, and asked staff for reimbursement, we got a blank stare from them. Morale of the story, save yourself from some tears.
Sarcastic BreadSarcastic Bread
30
Nearby Attractions Of Ellen Trout Zoo
Ellen Trout Park
Ellen Trout Park
4.7
(86)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Ellen Trout Zoo
Double R Brand Foods LLC - Lufkin Manufacturing Headquarters
Double R Brand Foods LLC - Lufkin Manufacturing Headquarters
4.7
(24)Click for details
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
402 Zoo Cir, Lufkin, TX 75904
Map
Phone
(936) 633-0399
Call
Website
ellentroutzoo.com
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.6
(1.3K reviews)
Ratings & Description
outdoor
family friendly
Description
The Ellen Trout Zoo is a small zoo founded by Walter Trout in 1967 and located in Lufkin, Texas, United States. The zoo gets about 150,000 visitors a year.
attractions: Ellen Trout Park, restaurants: Double R Brand Foods LLC - Lufkin Manufacturing Headquarters
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