Lion Country Safari keeps western Palm Beach County's drive-through story
Lion Country Safari near Loxahatchee keeps a 1960s drive-through animal park story alive in western Palm Beach County.
Lion Country Safari gives western Palm Beach County a very different feel from the ocean side.
The park opened in the summer of 1967 with a simple new idea: guests would see animals from their cars. Lion Country Safari calls itself the country’s first cageless zoo. The claim comes from the park, but the drive-through format is plainly central to its history.
The address says Loxahatchee, yet the park is not inside the Town of Loxahatchee Groves. It sits in unincorporated Palm Beach County. That small map detail points to the right local place and also fits the story. The western county had room for a large animal park.
Today, the visit includes a four-mile drive-through preserve and a walk-through area. The old idea is still there, but the day depends on current rules. Check tickets, hours, vehicle limits, open areas, heat, and storms before going. The 1967 story makes the park stand out. The live visitor page tells you how to see it now.
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Directly covered
Official sources
- Lion Country Safari - About Us
- Lion Country Safari - Current visit information
- Florida Memory - Lion Country Safari
Last checked against these sources: July 30, 2026.
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