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Zoos

Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo

Name: Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo
Address: 400 Mickey Mantle Wy, Independence, KS 67301, Independence, KS, US
Telephone: (620) 332-2512
Rating: 4.6

★★★★☆ 4.6 (1162 reviews)

📍 400 Mickey Mantle Wy, Independence, KS 67301

📞 (620) 332-2512

🌐 independenceks.gov/199/Park-Zoo

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	9 AM–5 PM
Tuesday	9 AM–5 PM
Wednesday	9 AM–5 PM
Thursday	9 AM–5 PM
Friday	9 AM–5 PM
Saturday	9 AM–5 PM
Sunday	9 AM–5 PM

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About Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo

Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo is a zoo in Independence, KS. Monkey Island is the birthplace of Miss Able, a rhesus monkey who traveled to space, making this zoo historically significant in space exploration history. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,162 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Zoo
Founded: 1925 (park established 1914)
Best For: All ages
Notable Attractions: Monkey Island (home of space-traveling monkey Miss Able), carousel, miniature train, steam locomotive
Accessibility: ADA accessible facilities, Sensory Garden for children with disabilities

💡 Did You Know?

⭐Monkey Island is the birthplace of Miss Able, a rhesus monkey who traveled to space, making this zoo historically significant in space exploration history
⭐The zoo features a Corythosaurus dinosaur specimen from the 1964 World's Fair, combining paleontological and historical artifacts in the exhibit
⭐Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo offers free admission, making it one of the few completely free zoos in the region as noted in 51+ visitor reviews
⭐A Sensory Garden designed specifically for children with mental disabilities is under construction, representing specialized accessibility and inclusion programming

💬 What Visitors Say

💬Take advantage of the completely free admission to explore at your own pace. With multiple attractions included (zoo, walking trails, carousel, train ride), plan for 2-3 hours to experience everything without feeling rushed.
💡The miniature train ride is a visitor favorite and worth experiencing early in your visit. It's one of the most mentioned attractions, so arriving earlier in the day may mean shorter wait times.
💡Combine the free zoo with the affordable mini golf ($2) and playground areas on the east side of the park for a full day of family activities. This makes for an excellent budget-friendly outing for families with children.
💡Ask about the ZooMobile inquiry form or school field trip programs when visiting. These educational programs can enhance your experience with guided learning opportunities about the animals and park.
💬Be aware that some animal enclosures may be empty or smaller than expected based on visitor feedback. Focus on actively displayed animals like the cougar, sloth, bears, peacocks, and swans for the best viewing experience.