gene simmons wildlife safari park

Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park

Hours Open April through October.

Admission through May 4, 2023

$9.00 Adults (12 and over) $7.00 Children (3-11) $8.00 Seniors (65 and over) FREE Children 2 and under

$8.00 Military Adult (12 and over) $6.00 Military Child (3-11) $7.00 Military Senior (65 and over)

Admission: May 5 – October 1, 2023 *Jurassic Adventure, an all-new added experience featuring some of the world’s largest and most life-like robotic dinosaurs, opens.

$12.00 Adults (12 and over) $10.00 Children (3-11) $11.00 Seniors (65 and over) FREE Children 2 and under

$11.00 Military Adult (12 and over) $9.00 Military Child (3-11) $10.00 Military Senior (65 and over)

Parking FREE for Wildlife Safari Park guests

Drive. Hike. Explore. Wildlife Safari Park is a four-mile, drive-through North American wildlife adventure. You will feel like you are on an actual safari, coming face-to-face with North American plants and animals such as elk, white-tailed deer, bison and waterfowl.

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Home > Activities > Outdoor & Adventure > Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari

Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari

16406 292nd St., Ashland, NE 68003 (402) 944-9453

The Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari is an affiliate of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium . Located southeast of Ashland near I-80 Exit 426, visitors can drive through areas where herds of elk and bison roam. The park is also home to a pack of wolves, a sedge of sandhill cranes and a bale of turtles.

Two miles of trails await travelers eager to stretch their legs. Telescopes atop Elk Overlook allow for close-up observation of the animals. Wildlife-themed souvenirs and a snack bar make this a fun, quick break from the road, or a great first leg of a Cass County adventure.

County: Cass

City: Ashland

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Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari

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Review Highlights

“ With the exception of the bears, we were able to see all animals - elk , bison, wolves, etc. ” in 14 reviews

“ Making eye contact with a herd of Bison that are built like tanks was a bit nerving since I wasn't driving. ” in 14 reviews

“ The area was clean of goat pellets, the attendant was quick to clean up... .. thank you. ” in 2 reviews

Location & Hours

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16406 292nd St

Ashland, NE 68003

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The safari park has become a favorite of our family the last two years. We always enjoy driving through and seeing a variety of animals in their natural habitat, as well as, a few places to get out and explore. Deer, bison, a variety of birds, and various other animals are spread out throughout the park. We love the owls in the front near the playground too! Midway through you can stop and get out of the car to explore a nature trail, small goat petting area, and even a 3 story lookout over the wetlands. This also includes a nature learning center for educational activities, too. My kids love it! I'd suggest this park for the preschool to maybe middle school age range. Our most recents visits have been extra fun with their dinosaur (last year) and ice age (current) themed drive. Perfect for the dinosaur lover in your family! Don't skip out on this option if you need another spot for the kids.

See all photos from Josh T. for Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari

Nice fun spot to get out of the house and take the family. Drive through safari to check out Elk, Deer, Bison. Check out the Bald Eagle Avery, bears and grey wolves or go pet the goats, there are lots of trails check out also. We've been here several times with the kids and always enjoy the time.

See all photos from Malcolm C. for Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari

For $12 a person (adults) this was a great time! Unfortunately when we went we were unable to see the Black Bear or the Gray Wolves. But you are able to drive through Elk, White Tail Deer, Buffalo, and different bird species. To see the Bear or the wolves you do have to get out and walk. About halfway through the trail there is a little area with a restaurant and different activities for kids. There is also a gift shop and small animal exhibits right as you drive into the entrance. Stumbled upon this by chance and glad we did! If you wanted to do all the activities and walk all of the trails along with the drive through trails I would plan for 4/5 hours at least.

Such a wonderful place to take the family and see wildlife in their natural habitat. We especially enjoyed the dinosaur exhibit. It's also fun to get out of the car and pet the goats. Plenty of places to get out and take photos. Lots of learning experiences.

My daughters have been to the Safari park probably half a dozen times and I finally had the opportunity to join them this past weekend. It was a gorgeous fall day and shockingly the park was not very busy. With the exception of the bears, we were able to see all animals - elk, bison, wolves, etc. It is nice to see these animals roam much more freely than they would be able to in a zoo setting. And the ability to drive through some of the exhibits while walking through others was a nice way to enjoy the day.

See all photos from Christine H. for Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari

This is seriously cool - a whole wildlife sanctuary that you can wander through by car. There are a ton of spots to stop off and hang out with kiddos as well. The day we went was pretty hot, so we didn't get to see too much in the way of animals moving around (a lot of lazing around in the water). The kids loved it and it was a great use of an hour or two in the afternoon.

See all photos from Michaela S. for Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari

A fun alternative to your traditional zoo, a ride through the safari park is a unique way to get up close and personal with nature. There are also several opportunities to get out of your car and hike to see more, as well as a small petting zoo and some basic concessions. Try to avoid the middle of the day, as snarling traffic in the park is not fun.

The drive through the tree lined roads is very scenic and pretty. Property seems to be well maintained. Only giving 3 stars because it is such a small place with very few animals, by far the smallest wildlife park I've visited. I have been to other places that can take hours to drive thru. It is a good family event, as it's a peaceful cruise while checking out some local wildlife critters.

We traveled to this location as a family during COVID, as it's a wonderful activity to do without personal contact. Everyone stays in their vehicles, follows the path, and makes their way through the park. The trail has a decent length with various sights to see. There are many unique animals within the park overall and everything is divided into separate sections.

See all photos from Braedyn B. for Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari

My daughter and I went here for the first time a couple weeks ago. It was a cool experience. The road's are pretty-well maintained. The drive through the park is actually really nice. You get to see deer, birds, big birds, and buffalo, among other animals. There was a decent amount of cars due to COVID-19 so it took about an hour to get through, which was fine. It's a great excursion for the family as you just stay in the car. I would definitely recommend this.

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Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari

16406 292nd St, Ashland , Nebraska 68003 USA

• Independent
• Credit Cards Accepted

Learn more about this business on Yelp .

“drive. hike. explore”

Drive. Hike. Explore. Wildlife Safari Park is a four mile, drive-through North American wildlife adventure. You will feel like you are on an actual safari, coming face-to-face with North American plants and animals such as elk, white-tailed deer, bison and waterfowl.  Four American elk calves and five grey wolf pups are making their debut at Wildlife Safari Park. The elk calves were born toward the end of June and can be seen with their mothers at Bison Plains.

Reviewed by Justin S.

A fun alternative to your traditional zoo, a ride through the safari park is a unique way to get up close and personal with nature. There are also several opportunities to get out of your car and... Read more

Reviewed by Malcolm C.

Nice fun spot to get out of the house and take the family. Drive through safari to check out Elk, Deer, Bison. Check out the Bald Eagle Avery, bears and grey wolves or go pet the goats, there... Read more

Reviewed by Madelyn P.

For $12 a person (adults) this was a great time! Unfortunately when we went we were unable to see the Black Bear or the Gray Wolves. But you are able to drive through Elk, White Tail Deer,... Read more

View 46 reviews on

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Nebraska’s Wildlife Safari With Kids

Think Nebraska’s wildlife is boring? Think again. We recently visited Simmons Wildlife Safari in Ashland, Neb., (about 20 minutes west of Omaha). It was my dad’s first trip to the attraction, so we were excited for him to enjoy it with the kids.

D i sclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari quick facts

Where : 16406 N. 292 St., Ashland, Neb. (take Exit 426 off Interstate 80)

Hours : The wildlife safari is open seasonally, from April through October. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though there are some evening and overnight special events.

Ticket prices : Regular admission is $12 of adults (ages 12+), $11 for seniors (65+), $10 for kids (3-11), and free for children ages 2 and under. There is a $1 off discount for military. You can buy tickets at the gate.

Memberships : Memberships are available and are valid for one year from the date of purchase. They admit up to two adults from one household and up to six dependent children, ages 0-20, at same address OR up to six grandchildren, also ages 0-20, will be covered for each visit. 

Memberships are $80. You can add the Wildlife Safari membership to an existing Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium membership, a value of $65, too! Call the zoo’s guest services department to get that done.

Plan a visit to the safari park

Grab that map they hand at the admission gate of the wildlife safari park . Not because you’ll get lost – the kids love it.

You’ll be driving at a maximum speed of 7 mph, so hang on, partner! You want to go slower, really, to catch all the wildlife. You’ll notice each area is separated by gates akin to the ones you remember from “Jurassic Park.” Scare the kids and put a water glass on your dashboard and recreate the T-Rex scene. Just kidding.

You’ll see deer, elk and an assortment of birds at the start. It’s pretty tranquil. Then you’ll drive around some wetlands, featuring photogenic waterfowl.

You can get out of your car at this point, though the parking areas are small. A lot of people just drive on by, so expect minimal crowds.

Your next stop is shortly after that. Definitely get out, because there’s the Hands-On Corral (AKA petting zoo) your kids will like. There are also trails to animal enclosures you can only see by walking to them.

Near there is a little play area with picnic tables, as well as an old Rosenblatt tower you can climb for a nice view. Venture over to the bald eagles and then double back to walk an inclined trail to see owls, bears, wolves and further afield, toads.

We caught an animal feeding time and the 1:30 p.m. enrichment talk. It was a fortunate accident! These kind of experiences are called Keeper Talks , and they occur daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Tip : Keep Talks are included with admission! The wildlife safari has some other behind-the-scenes experiences that are an added fee and require reservations.

Back in the car, you’ll get to drive past some pretty birds on your way to the big attraction: American bison. These free-roaming creatures get near your car, making for some impressive photos.

Be sure to stop back at the visitor center. There are more animals to see inside and outside, as well as a small playground and a group of sculptures kids seem to like climbing on.

Timing a picnic

There are a couple picnic tables near the petting zoo that aren’t very shaded. More tables are located near the visitor center. If you didn’t bring food, you can purchase snack bar items, ice cream and other goodies at the visitor center.

You may be interested in posts about attractions near the safari park:

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Tuesday 8th of December 2015

These are fantastic photos! I am actually the keeper that fed those animals at that talk and I love the picture you got of Buns! That female wolf was definitely showing herself off to all of you. =)

Thanks, Callie! I love that you found this page, and like the photos. You've got such a fun job!

Alissa Apel

Wednesday 16th of July 2014

I loved visiting there when I went last. You got some great photos. Sometimes the animals like to hide; while other times they are out and about.

We got good photos this time around because we remembered to bring a bigger camera lens. :)

Jill Darling

Monday 14th of July 2014

I can't believe I haven't taken the kids here yet...thanks for the reminder!

It's one that stays off the radar but once you visit, the kids will want to come back.

Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari and Conservation Park

• Post author: Luke Hanna
• Post published: March 18, 2022
• Post category: Sustainability / Travel
• Reading time: 9 mins read

We have traveled I-80 a number of times between Colorado and Indiana. Often, we spend a night in Omaha, while other times we simply travel through Nebraska. When we have time, though, Stephanie and I have found a few gems worth experiencing. One such gem is the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari.

About Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari and Conservation Park

The  Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari  is located along the Platte River between Lincoln and Omaha in Ashland, Nebraska. This park is home to private conservation efforts including Cheetah and Tiger breeding but also offers many experiences where the public can engage with wildlife and conservation efforts. 

The main attraction to the public is the wildlife safari. The safari includes six open area wildlife exhibits designed for viewers to experience from their personal vehicles. The six exhibits include Bison Plains, Lee and Helene Sapp Family Elk Meadows, Deer Woods, Pelican Wetlands, Prairie Dog Town, and Harold and Marian Andersen Crane Meadow. 

Part-way through the safari there are also a couple additional exhibits that can be viewed by parking and walking a short path. These exhibits include an Eagle Aviary, Wolf Canyon, and an area for viewing bears.  

Our Experience at Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari

Overall we definitely enjoyed our experience at Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari. We were there in the heat of the summer so the animals were less active, but accessible, none-the-less. What makes this park such a gem is that it is constructed in such a way that we never felt as if we were nearby the two major metropolitan areas of Nebraska, or one of the most traveled interstates.

The park is well kept and serene. The transitions between various climates are seamless and stunning, and much of the wildlife is accessible without having to leave your own vehicle. 

With that said, here are a few highlights from our experience at Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari.

Extra Exhibits on the Wildlife Safari

There is a small lot to park your car within the wildlife safari area. It is at this point when we got out and explored the extra exhibits. First we went to the Eagle Aviary. We spent some time observing the birds and taking photographs of the enclosed environment equipped with its own algae pond.

We then went down the path toward Wolf Canyon. Within this exhibit there is a wooden path leading toward a wolf display and a black bear display. Along the path are multiple owl enclosures as well. 

At first we did not spot wolves or bears from the designed lookout points. Despite the heat we decided to follow a smaller path around to the backside of the bear enclosure. It was off the beaten path where we got our first glimpse of one of the two bears. She was resting in the shade and after giving us a glance she continued resting.

While we did not see any of the wolves on this day, we did see the other bear from a look out point on our way out. This point was accessible to families and we saw a few children enjoying the view.

Overall these extra exhibits are worth the short walk away from your vehicle.

Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari’s Bison Calf

We were also fortunate to catch a couple photos of this baby bison. I imagine this calf was just a few weeks old. If you look closely you can see the calf’s horns emerging just behind the eyes. Check out this link to Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari for more information about this bison calf.

Non-animal life at Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari

One pleasant surprise in the wildlife park was the “non-animal” life. From blossoms and berries to flowers. The summer sun also brought out the green in the park’s small algae ponds. Whether it was on the walking trail or along the road, we often caught ourselves gazing at the plant-life in Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari.

New Addition –  Bison Overlook and Nature Play Area

When we visited Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari, the Bison Overlook and Nature Play Area was still under construction. It has since opened.

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Lee. g simmons wildlife safari park announces ice age adventure, now open.

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The Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park is now open and ready for visitors with an all-new exhibit.

Related coverage in video above: 2023 exhibit at Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park

The Ice Age Adventure brings 38 prehistoric animals to life.

Guests can drive through and get an interactive experience, learning about mammoths, cave paintings, fossils, and more.

The Henry Doorly Zoo is also offering the chance to adopt your very own mammoth.

The mammoth adoption program offers a stuffed animal, gift tag, and printed photo of the animal for $50.

Click here to adopt a mammoth.

The wildlife safari park will be open through Oct. 6.

Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7

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