Hemker Park & Zoo

About Hemker Park & Zoo

Hemker Park & Zoo is a seasonal, family-owned zoo in Freeport, Minnesota, founded in 1977 by Mark and Joan Hemker. It began as the Hemker Game Farm with a first collection of waterfowl, and today spans 20 acres of walkable exhibits open May 1 through October 31 each year, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The zoo is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It describes itself as home to more than 200 animals across more than 50 species from around the globe, including Tio, described as the only rhinoceros in the state of Minnesota.

Now operated by Joan Hemker and the couple's children and grandchildren following Mark Hemker's death in 2006, the zoo calls itself female-owned and describes its mission as highlighting and enhancing species conservation through partnerships and practical wildlife management. Visitors can hand-feed several animals, including giraffes and the zoo's rhino, and the grounds include a café, a farmyard petting area, and a guided tram tour. The zoo sits just off Interstate 94, about 90 minutes northwest of Minneapolis, 40 minutes northwest of St. Cloud, and 35 minutes from Alexandria, Minnesota.

History

The zoo began in 1977 when Mark and Joan Hemker acquired their first collection of waterfowl in Freeport, Minnesota, under the name Hemker Game Farm. In 1980 the farm added its first white-tailed deer and a black bear, and in 1985 it grew further with a pronghorn antelope and a pair of reindeer. The operation was rebranded the Hemker Wildlife Park in 1992, the same year it added six black-footed penguins, and in 1994 it opened to the public for the first time.

The turn of the century brought new exhibits such as the African Safari. After Mark Hemker's death in 2006, the family continued operating the park in his memory. It became Hemker Park & Zoo in 2008, when a picnic area and farm petting zoo were added. The penguins returned in 2010, and in 2012 the zoo added two New Guinea singing dogs, Gus and Lucy. The zoo has also been voted Best of Central Minnesota for Family Recreation eight years in a row.

Exhibits and habitats

Hemker Park & Zoo spans 20 acres of walkable exhibits. Visitors can stand face-to-face with the zoo's rhino, Tio — described as the only rhinoceros in Minnesota — look up at a giraffe, or feed an otter. A Giraffe Feeding Experience runs at set times daily, with fast-pass access available through the Zoo It All Day Pass, and visitors can also hand-feed the zoo's koi and budgies and toss fish to the otters. A farmyard feeding area and a mobile petting zoo round out the hands-on offerings.

The Discovery Safari Tram gives a more relaxed, guided tour of the grounds at 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m., running 25 to 30 minutes with wheelchair-accessible seating, though it cannot accommodate strollers or motorized scooters. Zoo Beans Café overlooks the flamingo exhibit. The zoo's animal collection, drawn from around the globe, includes giraffes, a rhinoceros, red pandas, zebras, takin, lemurs, gibbons, and an assortment of birds and reptiles, with seasonal event days such as Summer Party Day, Fall Zoo Fest, and Boo at the Zoo held throughout the operating season.

Animal highlights

Hemker Park & Zoo lists at least 20 species on its website and describes its total collection as more than 50 species and over 200 individual animals. Named animals and species include Tio the rhinoceros, giraffes, zebras, a takin, buff-cheeked gibbons, lemurs, red pandas, otters, penguins, flamingos, alligators, bighorn sheep, and a boa constrictor, alongside cranes, parrots, parakeets, and budgerigars. New Guinea singing dogs Gus and Lucy, added in 2012, and black-footed penguins, first introduced in 1992 and reintroduced in 2010, are among the zoo's longer-running residents. The zoo emphasizes hands-on encounters over static viewing, offering feeding experiences with several of its larger species, including its giraffes and its rhino.

Conservation and programs

Hemker Park & Zoo partners with Guardians of Conservation (GOC), described as its nonprofit conservation partner, dedicated to protecting endangered species and supporting animal welfare both at the zoo and internationally. GOC has funded international programs for rhinos, tigers, and Amur leopards through partners including the International Rhino Foundation, Worth Wild Africa, and the West Texas Wildlife Preserve, and has supported projects for pangolins in South Africa, lemurs in Madagascar, black rhinos in South Africa, cheetahs in Namibia and South Africa, elephants in Mozambique, and an addax project. Locally, GOC has funded a portable X-ray machine for the zoo and nearby veterinary clinics, a multi-level community play system, and improvements to the zoo's koi pond and educational materials. GOC also hosts its own "Brew at the Zoo" event as part of its fundraising.

Planning your visit

As listed on the zoo's website, Hemker Park & Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from May 1 through October 31; it is closed the rest of the year. Some warm-climate animals may not be out for viewing in cold or rainy weather, particularly in early May and in late September and October.

Guests may bring their own food and beverages, though alcohol is prohibited; Hungry Paw Concessions and a food shack with vending machines are also available on site. Pathways are packed gravel, and restrooms are handicap accessible; the zoo does not offer transportation once inside beyond its paid Discovery Safari Tram, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Service animals are welcome, but pets are not permitted, and there is no kennel service. Guests may exit and re-enter the park the same day with a hand stamp. The zoo accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express, with a 4% fee added to card transactions; personal checks are not accepted. Season passes and memberships, which include perks like discounts on feeding encounters and a Members Only Breakfast, are also available. Because hours, admission options, and seasonal animal availability can change, confirm current details on the zoo's official website before visiting.