Lehigh Valley Zoo | Allentown

Lehigh Valley Zoo – Schnecksville, Pennsylvania

Lehigh Valley Zoo sits inside Trexler Nature Preserve, about 15 miles northwest of Allentown. What began in 1906 as General Harry C. Trexler’s game preserve is today a 29-acre accredited zoo that welcomes roughly 200,000 guests each year and cares for more than 300 animals representing 100 species.

Habitats & Signature Animals

African Savannah – Grevy’s zebras, scimitar-horned oryx (part of international re-introduction efforts), ostriches, and dwarf goats in an adjacent contact yard.

North American Trail – Mexican gray wolves, American elk, North American river otters, bobcats, and bald eagles undergoing rehabilitation.

Jordan Creek Penguins – A lively colony of African penguins with underwater viewing; keeper talks highlight the zoo’s role in Species Survival Plans.

Reptile & Amphibian Discover Center – Poison-dart frogs, axolotls, eastern box turtles, and a 10-foot American alligator named Albert.

Australian Walk-About (summer) – Interactive yard where guests can stroll among red kangaroos and emus.

Barnyard & Prairie – Domestic alpacas, miniature horses, and a mob of black-tailed prairie dogs that pop in and out of sculpted burrows.

Experiences & Programs

Animal Encounters – Feed a giraffe, meet a sloth or penguin up-close, and hand-target rhino Chopper during supervised sessions (advance booking required).

Keeper Chats & Training Demos – Scheduled daily; learn how wolves respond to enrichment or watch otters paint during positive-reinforcement training.

Zoosnooze Overnight – Sleep in the zoo after hours, tour behind the scenes, and help prepare morning diets.

Conservation Education – Traveling outreach vans visit regional schools; onsite classes align with Pennsylvania STEM standards and emphasize habitat protection.

Seasonal Events – Ottertoberfest (September), Winter Light Spectacular (mid-Nov – Jan), and Eggstravaganza (spring) transform the zoo with themed décor and activities.

Visitor Essentials

Location 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, PA 18078
Hours Daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (extended summer & holiday lights hours)
Admission (2025) Adults $18.50, Children (2-11) $15.50, Seniors/Military $17.50; under 2 free. Online advance purchase recommended for discounts and faster entry.
Amenities Free parking; indoor Nature Store gift shop; Geakers Tacos café and seasonal snack stands; stroller and wheelchair rentals; shaded picnic grove just outside the gate.
Accessibility Paved, mostly level pathways; sensory bags and quiet zones available; service-animal friendly.

Conservation Impact

Lehigh Valley Zoo participates in 30+ Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plans, including programs for African penguins, Mexican gray wolves, and eastern hellbenders. Its veterinary team also treats injured Pennsylvania raptors and releases them when possible. By visiting, guests support field projects from monarch-butterfly tagging to funding anti-poaching units in Namibia.

Getting There

From Allentown, follow PA-309 N for 8 miles to the Schnecksville / PA-873 exit, then west on Game Preserve Road. The scenic drive climbs through Trexler’s rolling hills and bison pastures before reaching the zoo parking lots.

Lehigh Valley Zoo blends intimate wildlife encounters with a strong conservation mission, all set against the wooded ridges of Trexler Nature Preserve—an easy, fun day trip for families and animal lovers exploring Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley.