Many elk!
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Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park

4.6
·2k reviews·Ashland, United States

Experience a 4-mile drive-thru safari with bison, elk, and wolves, plus seasonal dinosaur and Ice Age adventures!

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more active animals

CrowdLow
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Many elk!

Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more active animals

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Experience a 4-mile drive-thru safari with bison, elk, and wolves, plus seasonal dinosaur and Ice Age adventures!

4.6
(2k reviews)

"It was nice to see the animals in the "wild". Great way to spend 45 minutes in the vehicle."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚗 Drive-Thru Etiquette

Go slow! Cars behind you might rush. Enjoy the view, don't just pass by.

⏰ Beat the Rush

Weekday mornings are best for fewer cars and more animal sightings.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.6 · 2,140 reviews

Type

Park

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Drive-Thru Safari

The Drive-Thru Safari

Experience a 4-mile journey through prairie landscapes, spotting bison, elk, and wolves roaming freely. It's like a real safari!

Jurassic Adventure / Ice Age Adventure

Jurassic Adventure / Ice Age Adventure

Encounter life-size animatronic dinosaurs or Ice Age mammals scattered throughout the park, adding a prehistoric thrill.

Walking Trails & Exhibits

Walking Trails & Exhibits

Explore walking trails for closer views of animals like bears and wolves, plus discover insect and spider exhibits.

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Planning Your Visit

Timing is Key for Animal Sightings

Early mornings or late afternoons often offer the best chances to see animals active and visible. Avoid midday heat when many creatures rest. Check the park's schedule for special events or feeding times to maximize your experience.

Navigate the Drive-Thru Wisely

The 4-mile drive-thru is a highlight, but be prepared for slower traffic, especially on busy days. Consider visiting on weekdays to avoid crowds. Rolling down windows is encouraged for a true safari feel, but keep a close eye on children.

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, more active animals
Crowd
Low
When
Late afternoon
Why
Animals emerge for cooler temps
Crowd
Medium
When
May - October
Why
Jurassic/Ice Age Adventures
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Wildlife Safari Park Drive through this outdoor animal park near Ashland and spot bison, elk, and wolves. Roll down your windows and turn the car into a safari adventure. #MWTravel #Nebraska #VisitNebraska #ashlandnebraska #WildlifeSafariPark
@peytonsmommaofficial
0 likes • 210 views

🚗 Drive-Thru Etiquette

Go slow! Cars behind you might rush. Enjoy the view, don't just pass by. TikTokReddit

⏰ Beat the Rush

Weekday mornings are best for fewer cars and more animal sightings. TikTok

wildlife safari park Ashland#Nebraska
@evakatwal
27 likes • 708 views
Our second stop for #internationalcheetahday takes us to the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park! With one of the biggest threats to cheetahs being genetic diversity, the Wildlife Safari Park’s cheetah breeding facility is vital in helping promote a healthy and genetically diverse population of cheetahs. Ways you can join us and advocate for our favorite speedsters? 🌍 Reduce, reuse and recycle...
theomahazoo
425 likes • 12.3K views

🦖 Dino/Ice Age Fun

Check for seasonal exhibits like Jurassic Adventure or Ice Age Adventure! Instagram+1

🚶‍♀️ Explore on Foot

Don't miss the walking trails for closer animal encounters. TikTok

Ice Age Adventure at @simmonswildlifesafari is a lot of fun! The kids loved searching for the 38 prehistoric animals as we drove through the park. Thank you to Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park for hosting us. #FamilyFunInOmaha #OmahaFamilyFun #Omaha
familyfuninomaha
6 likes • 1K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚗 Drive-Thru Etiquette

Go slow! Cars behind you might rush. Enjoy the view, don't just pass by. TikTokReddit

⏰ Beat the Rush

Weekday mornings are best for fewer cars and more animal sightings. TikTok

🦖 Dino/Ice Age Fun

Check for seasonal exhibits like Jurassic Adventure or Ice Age Adventure! Instagram+1

🚶‍♀️ Explore on Foot

Don't miss the walking trails for closer animal encounters. TikTok

💰 Discount Hunting

Look for discounts via Visit Omaha or similar local guides. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.6
(2k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors generally praise the Wildlife Safari Park for its unique drive-thru experience and the opportunity to see animals up close. The seasonal dinosaur and Ice Age exhibits are a big hit with families. Some reviews mention issues with fast drivers in the drive-thru and a desire for more engaging exhibits in certain years.

"This was a really interesting experience. To be honest, the places was great but the people driving was not. We had toddlers in the car and we were from out of town so we followed the rules. We drove the 7 mph like we were told but the cars behind us were driving so fast! We had to drive to the side so they can pass us. We were very fortunate that bad we were able to see most of the animals. We saw the wolves and bear. One of the guests who has a pass, came all summer and this was the first time they ever saw the wolf. That made us feel very lucky. But the kids had fun looking for the animals in the car ride and hiking up to see the bears and wolf. I'm glad we decided to visit last minute. We used visitomaha to get discounts and look at attractions the kids might enjoy. Definitely look into it to visit things in Omaha."

Jillian Vue

"We love this place and typically visit multiple times over the summer, but the insect animatronics this year were a swing and a miss.

The staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating of my very curious toddler trio and answered every question, even the ones on repeat. We love the park, but it didn't hold their interest this year. We'll see what next year brings!"

Anthony Marr

"I loved the drive through the park. It was nice to see the animals in the "wild". There are fences but they still did a nice job creating space for many animals. I was on business, would love to bring my family back next time to see the park. Great way to spend 45 minutes in the vehicle seeing many animals."

Larry Manz

What People Like

Close animal encounters
Drive-thru safari experience
Seasonal exhibits (dinosaurs/Ice Age)

What People Dislike

Fast drivers in drive-thru
Exhibit engagement varies

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The park is located in Ashland, Nebraska, a short drive from Omaha. Most visitors drive their own vehicles. It's easily accessible via Highway 31. TikTok+1

Public transportation options are limited for reaching the park directly. Driving your own car or using a ride-sharing service is the most common method. TikTok

The drive-thru portion typically takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic and how often you stop to view animals. TikTokReddit

No, feeding animals from your car is not permitted in the drive-thru section. The focus is on observing them in a naturalistic setting. Reddit

Yes, ample parking is available for visitors who wish to explore the walking trails and exhibits after their drive-thru experience. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Ticket prices can vary, but generally, admission is around $12 per adult. It's always best to check the official website for the most current pricing. TikTok

While not always mandatory, booking tickets in advance, especially during peak season or for special events, is recommended to secure your spot and potentially save time. Instagram

The park is typically open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but hours can change seasonally. Always verify the current operating hours on their website before your visit. TikTok

Yes, visitors can often find discounts through local tourism sites like Visit Omaha. It's worth checking these resources before your trip. Reddit

Yes, seasonal exhibits like the Jurassic Adventure (dinosaurs) and Ice Age Adventure are generally included with regular park admission. Instagram+1

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

You can see a variety of native North American animals, including bison, elk, wolves, bears, eagles, pelicans, swans, sandhill cranes, and white-tailed deer. TikTok+2

The drive-thru allows you to see animals like bison and elk from your car on a 4-mile route. The walking trails offer closer views of animals like bears and wolves, and access to exhibits. TikTok

Yes, there's a playground area halfway through the park that's great for kids to get out and stretch their legs. Reddit

The park features seasonal attractions like the Jurassic Adventure with animatronic dinosaurs and the Ice Age Adventure with prehistoric mammals. TikTokInstagram+1

In the drive-thru, you can be very close, sometimes just feet away. On walking trails, you can get closer to specific exhibits like bears and wolves. TikTok

📸 📸 Photography

The drive-thru offers unique opportunities to photograph animals in a natural setting. Look for clear shots of bison, elk, and other prairie inhabitants. TikTok+1

Absolutely! The animatronic dinosaurs and Ice Age mammals make for fun and memorable photo opportunities. TikTokInstagram

Generally, photography for personal use is allowed. However, always be mindful of other visitors and avoid using flash photography that might disturb the animals. TikTok

Early morning or late afternoon light provides softer, more flattering light for animal photography and often results in more active animals. TikTok

A zoom lens can be very helpful for capturing clear, detailed shots of animals from a distance, especially in the drive-thru section. TikTok

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Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Travel Guide