Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo
Nashville, IL
- Admission
- $15
- Accreditation
- None listed
not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Everything below is directory information drawn from public sources and the zoo's own site.
Animals at Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo
We haven't confirmed this zoo's animal list yet.
Feathers & Fangs from visitors
What people who've been to Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo say
A Feather is something this zoo does well; a Fang is something it gets wrong. Left by people who've been, and read by us before they appear.
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About Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo
Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo is a family-owned farm at 9906 Route 15 in Nashville, Illinois, 45 minutes east of St. Louis, according to its website. The site describes it as a 170-year-old family-owned farm that serves as both a petting zoo and an event space. The owner is listed as Alan Blumhorst. The zoo is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Exhibits and habitats
The website lists llamas, alpacas, donkeys, sheep, goats, fallow deer, pot-belly pigs, peacocks, ducks, chickens, emus, swans, cows, horses, a zebra, a zedonk, camels, and kangaroos. Regional tourism listings add that visitors can bottle-feed kids, lambs, and calves, and Enjoy Illinois ties the bottle-feeding to the spring Baby Bonanza.
Conservation and programs
The site lists personal guided petting zoo tours and a mobile traveling zoo; groups and traveling zoo bookings are scheduled in advance. The farm is also offered as a wedding venue for up to 250 people. Seasonal events named on the website are Baby Bonanza in April and May, a Pumpkin Patch in September and October, and Christmas in the Barn on November and December weekends. A regional tourism listing shows a Fall Festival on October 3 and 4, 2026, with bouncy houses, live music, and food trucks.
Planning your visit
As listed on the zoo's website, the ranch is open Wednesday through Sunday from April through October, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on weekends in November and December by appointment. The zoo can be reached at 618-424-7979. Admission details are on the zoo's website. The Enjoy Illinois listing describes the site as family-friendly, pet-friendly, and accessible.
What we haven't confirmed
Everything above came from public sources. These specifics we haven't stood behind yet:
- Parking
- Admission details
- Opening year and history
Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo compared with nearby zoos
How Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo lines up against other zoos in the same state. We don't have coordinates for it yet, so these aren't ranked by distance.
| Zoo | Admission | Hours | Size | AZA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Ranch Petting ZooThis zooNashville, IL | $15 | Apr 1 – Oct 31: Wed–Sun 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Nov–Dec: Sat & Sun 10 AM – 4 PM (weekends only / by appointment). | — | No |
| Aikman Wildlife AdventureArcola, IL | $10 | October hours: Friday 10 AM – 3 PM; Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM; Sunday 12 – 4 PM; closed Monday–Thursday. Drive-thru Sat & Sun only in fall; closes 30 min before park close. | — | No |
| Brookfield Zoo ChicagoBrookfield, IL | from $32.95 | 10 am – 5 pm | 216 acres | Yes |
| Cosley ZooWheaton, IL | $12 | April 1 – October 31: daily 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last admission 4:15 PM). Closed January 1, Thanksgiving Day, December 25. | 5 acres | Yes |
Distances are straight-line. A dash means we haven't confirmed that detail yet, not that the zoo lacks it.
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo: common questions
Is Rainbow Ranch AZA accredited?
No. It is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Where is it?
The zoo's website gives the address as 9906 Route 15, Nashville, Illinois 62263.
Which animals are there?
The website lists species including camels, a zebra, kangaroos, llamas, alpacas, and farm animals.
Does it host events?
Yes. The website lists seasonal events and wedding and outdoor event rentals.
Is there a traveling zoo?
The website lists a mobile traveling zoo.
Something wrong here? Tell us — we correct in place, with a dated note.