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Frank Buck Zoo

1000 W California St, Gainesville, Texas 76240 USA

60 Reviews
$$
Reasonable
Closed Now
Opens Fri 10a
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
  • Outdoor
    Seating
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“Zoo in Gainesville, TX”

Frank Buck Zoo is a small zoo founded in 1930 and located in the 30acre Leonard Park in Gainesville, Texas, USA. The zoo started as the Gainesville Community Circus in 1930. It is home to more than 130 animals.HistoryThe zoo was founded by A. Morton Smith as Gainesville Community Circus, and opened in 1930 at the Cooke County Fair, Fair Park, in Gainesville. A fire at the zoo in 1954 destroyed circus equipment and from 1954 the animals were kept permanently in enclosures. In 1954 the zoo was renamed after the film actor and director (and Gainesville native) Frank Buck, who collected wild animals from all over the world, and who also worked as a ring master at the zoo.The zoo was moved to its current location in Leonard Park in 1962.The Frank Buck Exhibit opened at the zoo in March 2008 showing items donated by Buck's daughter, Barbara Buck, that once belonged to her father including camp tools and media memorabilia.FacilitiesThe handicap and stroller accessible path around the zoo is about a mile long, with an elevated walkway over the kangaroos, giraffes and zebras. Visitors see the giraffes at eye level and can feed them during the public feeding every day.

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Photo of Matthew K.

Reviewed by
Matthew K.

Had a great time with our grandkids!! Animals are so cute and the savannah area with giraffes was really nice. Overall a nice park area with a zoo inside. Will go again. Read more

Photo of Kevin B.

Reviewed by
Kevin B.

Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville Texas is a small but fun zoo to explore. We have been taking our kids and now our grandchildren to this zoo for years. They have plenty of animals from the smallest... Read more

Photo of Maddie S.

Reviewed by
Maddie S.

We called the zoo a day ahead to see if there were capybaras and the zoo confirmed that there were. We drove an hour to see said capybaras, and by the second time of circling the zoo, we realized... Read more

Frank Buck Zoo

1000 W California St
Gainesville, Texas
76240 USA
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Hours

Closed Now
  • Sun - Sat: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

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  • Unavailable
    Pets Allowed
  • Check
    Restrooms
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    Wifi
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    Wheelchair Accessible
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    Credit Cards Accepted
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    Outdoor Seating
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