FAQs

Are there bathrooms onsite?

Yes, there are restrooms available in the main building in the Trailside Grill (lower ground level) and in The Lodge (upper level in walking distance from the main-arrival parking area).

What types of vehicles are allowed?

All guests must be in a completely enclosed vehicle. Convertibles are allowed ONLY if the top remains up. Jeeps with no doors or roof are NOT allowed. Motorcycles are not allowed. Please note, riding in a truck bed is NOT allowed.

Do I need to make a reservation for the guided safari bus tour?

Bus seating is limited. We recommend that you book your tickets in advance online to reserve your seat(s). Tickets for safari bus tours can be purchased onsite at Guest Services based on available seating. Online purchases are non-refundable. If you are unable to keep your booked tour date and time, please refer to your confirmation email and select "cancel booking." Follow instructions to receive an HVAA e-gift card for future use at HVAA. Changes may be made up to 24 hours before the tour date and time. Guests who purchase Trip Protection can cancel up to 72 hours prior to their visit for a full refund. All guests may re-schedule their date up to 24 hours in advance of their tour date and time.

Do I need to make reservations for the self-drive thru?

Self-drive thru admission may be purchased onsite at the Admission Shed prior to entering the Safari Park, but we recommend purchasing tickets in advance online. Online purchases are non-refundable. If you are unable to keep your scheduled tour date, please refer to your confirmation email and select "cancel booking."  Follow instructions to receive an HVAA e-gift card for future use at HVAA. Changes may be made up to 24 hours before the tour date. Guests who purchase Trip Protection can cancel up to 72 hours prior to their visit for a full refund. All guests may re-schedule their date up to 24 hours in advance of their tour date.

How long do the park tours take?

Guided Safari Bus Tours take approximately 1 hour. The length varies based on how long the bus stops in each area to feed the animals.

The time it takes to complete a Self-Drive Thru tour depends on how long you stop at any of the eight pull-off areas to observe, feed, and take pictures at your own pace. We encourage you to take advantage of the pull-off areas so other vehicles may easily pass to move through the park. Allow at least an hour to drive through the park.

When is the best time to visit?

The animals should enjoy your visit at all times of the day. However, they may seek more shade on hot days. They move throughout the park at their leisure, making no two visits the same. If touring the park later in the day, be sure to leave enough time to visit the Small Animal Adventure, which opens at 10:30 am and closes at 5 pm.

Where do the animals go in the winter?

Many of the larger animals remain in the Park. Those requiring a warmer environment are moved nearby to offsite winter housing.

Can I bring my pet/service animal to Hidden Valley?

No, in order to maintain a safe environment for all, absolutely no pets, or service animals, are allowed in the Safari Park or the Small Animal Adventure walk-thru.

Are you wheelchair accessible?

Both upper and lower levels of The Lodge and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Our buses may accommodate one wheelchair per bus (we apologize, no securement for mobility devices is available). The Small Animal Adventure is on a hill. The dirt and stone footing and path leading to it may be difficult for some to navigate.


My child is allergic to peanuts. Are they used in your feed?

No tree nuts or peanuts are in the animal feed.

How long are annual membership passes good for?

Annual membership passes are good for 12 months from the date of purchase. 

What can I feed the animals?

Animals can only be fed using Hidden Valley feed to maintain the health of the animals. Feed is available for purchase on-site or online when you make your reservations. For bus tours, on-site, feed may be purchased by credit/debit card or cash at the Trading Post Gift Shop and Guest Services, while on the bus tour, feed may be purchased on the bus using cash only.

For self-drive thru tours, feed buckets may be purchased at the admission shed or in advance with an online reservation. In the park, extra feed may be purchased with cash only from one of our roving Safari Farari UTVs.

Animals in our Small Animal Adventure may only be fed Hidden Valley-provided carrots or pelleted feed purchased at the Watering Hole located outside of the Small Animal Adventure entrance.

How do I feed the animals?

To feed our animals, you should hold the cup up and pour the animal feed into the animal’s mouth and onto their tongue when possible.

Hang on to your cup tightly! Always keep your fingers and hand on the back of the cup/bucket, away from the animal.

For the best self-drive thru experience, if you choose to feed the animals, we recommend you bring (or purchase) a hard, unbreakable plastic cup to use for scooping feed out of the Safari feed bucket.

The safest way to feed carrots is with a flat, open-palm hand.