Salato Wildlife Education Center
Frankfort, KY
- Admission
- $5
- 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 Salato Wildlife Education Center
6 confirmedMammals4
Feathers & Fangs from visitors
What people who've been to Salato Wildlife Education Center 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 Salato Wildlife Education Center
The Salato Wildlife Education Center is operated by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources at 1 Sportsman's Lane in Frankfort, Kentucky. The department's news release says it is located off U.S. 60 at the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife headquarters and is less than one hour from Lexington and Louisville. The center is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The center's page describes more than 40 native species, including black bears, bald eagles, bobcats and elk.
History
The center's page lists a ribbon cutting on September 28, 2024, for an exhibit called Healthy Hunting Grounds. The department's March 2026 news release calls it the newest addition and says it highlights "hunting's essential role in conservation" and the ways hunting provides food, supports the economy and supports Kentucky's natural resources.
Exhibits and habitats
According to the department's 2026 season news release, the center houses more than 40 native animal species, including a black bear, bald eagle, bison, bobcats, deer and elk. Indoor exhibits feature venomous and non-venomous snakes, frogs, turtles and fish, along with species the release identifies as needing conservation, such as alligator gar and hellbender salamanders.
Other features named in the release include a dragonfly marsh and a pollinator garden, two fishing lakes, four miles of hiking trails and picnic areas with rentable covered shelters. Outdoors, the release lists daily educational programs, live-animal trainings, feedings and up-close encounters with birds of prey.
Conservation and programs
The center's page lists field trips for schools, summer camps, online learning resources, memberships and picnic shelter reservations, as well as volunteer and employment opportunities. The news release says teachers can plan school field trips online and describes them as hands-on learning experiences for students of all ages.
Events. The center's page listed National Hunting and Fishing Day on September 26, 2026, as a free-admission day, and refers to an online events calendar.
Planning your visit
Hours. As listed in the department's news release, the 2026 season opened on March 10, and the center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and is closed on Sundays, Mondays and state holidays. The center's page notes a shortened day on Good Friday, April 3, with regular hours resuming the next day. Hours change by season, so the department's website is the place to confirm current days.
Tickets. According to the news release, tickets can be bought at the door or online up to 30 days in advance, and annual memberships with unlimited visits come in individual, family and friend levels. Current prices are on the department's website.
Contact. The center's page lists the phone number 502-564-7863 and the email address Salato@ky.gov.
What we haven't confirmed
Everything above came from public sources. These specifics we haven't stood behind yet:
- Founding year and history
- Parking
- Accessibility details
- Current year-round hours
- Full species list
Salato Wildlife Education Center compared with nearby zoos
How Salato Wildlife Education Center 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salato Wildlife Education CenterThis zooFrankfort, KY | $5 | Temporary hours: Tuesday – Saturday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; closed Sunday and Monday. Open mid-March through the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Closed on all Kentucky state holidays. | — | No |
| Ararat Ridge ZooWilliamstown, KY | from $54.99 | Zoo is inside Ark Encounter. Ark hours Sep 13 – Oct 24, 2026: Mon–Sat 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Sunday closed. Oct 25, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027: Mon–Sat 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Sunday closed. Eastern Time. Closed Sundays; Thanksgiving (Nov 26, 2026); Dec 24–25, 2026. | — | No |
| Creation ZooPetersburg, KY | $44.99 | Mon–Sat 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday closed (Sept 13 – Oct 24, 2026). Last admission 1 hour before closing. Closed Thanksgiving (Nov 26, 2026), Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. | — | No |
| Kentucky Down Under Adventure ZooHorse Cave, KY | $25.95 | Daily 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Central. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas. | — | No |
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
Salato Wildlife Education Center: common questions
Is the Salato Wildlife Education Center AZA accredited?
No. It is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Who runs the center?
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
What animals are there?
The department says the center houses more than 40 native species, including a black bear, bald eagle, bison, bobcats, deer and elk.
What days is it open?
As listed in the 2026 season release, Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Sundays, Mondays and state holidays.
Are there outdoor activities besides the animals?
The release lists two fishing lakes, four miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, a dragonfly marsh and a pollinator garden.
Can schools book field trips?
Yes. The department says teachers can plan school field trips online.
Something wrong here? Tell us — we correct in place, with a dated note.