York's Wild Kingdom Zoo

About York's Wild Kingdom Zoo

York's Wild Kingdom combines a zoo and an amusement park at 1 Animal Park Road in York, Maine, with a mailing address in York Beach. The park says it has operated since 1980 and is privately owned, with no state or federal funding. It states that it attracts over 200,000 visitors annually. The zoo is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Exhibits and habitats

The park's animal list includes African lions, Bengal tigers, Grant's zebras, black-and-white ruffed lemurs, ring-tailed lemurs, golden-headed lion tamarins, Asian small-clawed otters, emerald tree boas, red-tailed boas, milk and corn snakes, blue-and-gold macaws, green-winged macaws and parakeets. Its FAQ refers to a fallow deer feeding area, a petting zoo, big cat pens and an aviary.

The Butterfly Kingdom is a 5,500 square foot exhibit with many species of South and Central American butterflies. The park says it opened in 2005. It is included with zoo admission, has a display showing new butterflies emerging from the chrysalis, and also houses other birds and small mammals.

A budgie feeding encounter lets visitors feed free-flying budgies under the supervision of a zoo team member; the website also describes the Parakeet Encounter as having over 300 parakeets.

Other attractions

The park pairs the zoo with amusement attractions. Its website lists camel and pony rides, token-based amusement rides including go karts, bumper cars, a scrambler, a merry-go-round and a train, kiddie rides such as kiddie boats and kiddie bumper boats, and an 18-hole miniature golf course. Midway games, fried dough, a gift shop and concession stands are also listed. The park notes that Short Sands Beach is a short walk away. Age and weight limits apply to camel and pony rides, which the website listed as ending for 2026 on September 13.

Planning your visit

The website shows the 2026 season with hours of 10 AM to 5 PM, and a banner states the park closed for the season beginning Saturday, September 26, due to weather conditions. Tickets can be bought online through FareHarbor or in person at the zoo.

According to the FAQ, wristbands let guests leave and return during the day, and visitors may bring picnic lunches to designated areas. Pets are not allowed in the zoo but are allowed on a leash in the amusement park. Parking is listed as free at the Route 1 entrance, with a metered lot at Route 1A. Service dogs are allowed with an animal keeper accompanying them, but are restricted from the fallow deer feeding area, petting zoo, big cat pens and aviary. Strollers and wheelchairs are available to rent at the Pony/Camel Stroller booth to the left of the zoo entrance; electric wheelchairs and scooters are not rented.

The park can be reached at 207-363-4911.