MILL MOUNTAIN ZOO Reviews

Good variety of animals.... beautiful vistas..... but not good for handicap people.... gift shop was empty... no food... disappointing... far from parking lot

Small zoo but cheap entry fee. Lots of shade so it's not bad even on really hot days. Great for kids

We love our visits to the zoo. It's on the small side, but it has so much personality.

Very nice little zoo! I've seen tafted deer for the first time. They have a small aviary with funny birds, also a snow leopard and a raccoon.

Yes it is small but, on our visit the animals all seemed very well cared for and playful or active. In fact a keeper happened to be cleaning the red panda cage and it was very obvious he liked his keeper as he kept trying to play with her and jump on her an such. My child loved it and it wasn't too big for her to walk the whole zoo. She highly enjoyed the train ride and over all the place is very clean and pleasant. A huge plus for me is the staff. They are very friendly and courteous. There happened to have been a mix up when I bought my membership and when I finally got around to checking on it (months later) they handled it quickly and courteously. Definitely a fun little place to stop.

My daughter is 5 and we enjoyed it despite reptile center and discovery center being closed due to Covid-19. We maintained distance and used masks in the gift shop. She was excited about the bald eagles, racoons, and snow leopard. She also enjoyed the red panda, lynx, porcupine, red wolf, otter, crane, tufted deer, and turtles.

There was only like 7 animals that we saw and they looked sad and looked like they weren't fed very well

In this modern world where anyone can readily find professional quality photos and videos of wild animals in their natural habitat, along with detailed descriptions of how the animals live in the wild, what they eat, how many miles they roam, etc., it is very sad and anachronistic to see the animals in the tiny Mill Mountain Zoo locked up in their cramped, dirty, and barren enclosures. The animals all look weary and bleak and none display the vigor and liveliness of their wild brethren that we all seem to cherish. They are unlucky prisoners in their dusty jails put there only for humans' selfish pleasure. In the 21st century, there is no longer a need to imprison proud animals for our small entertainment. The animals already there are doomed, they can not be released back into the wild, lest they die within a few days. But we can do something to prevent future enslavement of nature's beautiful animals. Stop supporting the zoo and pray that the zoo will close forever.

Very cool little zoo, clean and good variety of animals.

My son loved the train ride that went around the zoo. There are not many animals, but for what it is, it's okay.

Awesome day too relax and have some fun up on mill mountain

Worst zoo I have been to. They take terrible care of their animals and there was even trash in the cages. There was no water in the water bowls, the animals looked absolutely miserable. There were no staff readily available. There were cages with electric wiring to zap the animals. It was overall just a terrible and sad experience. These animals deserve so much better. This zoo does not deserve to be running.

Nice Variety of Animals but a large quantity of the exhibits were closed. :(

This is such a cute place! I did a hike up Mill Mountain and got to see the zoo at the top and was pleasantly surprised! They have a lot of animals you don t usually see. My favorite was the Red Panda and the Cougar, but they have all sorts of things. The staff is very nice and there are a lot of things to do at the top of the mountain as well such as taking a picture of the star. I would go here again and had a great time.

The staff was extremely friendly . Great visit for our family only downside was my car being broken into.

Small zoo, but has plenty of opportunities for interaction. Last time we got to go in when they fed a red panda, this time we got to help feed the birds in the aviary! We always have a good time when we go here! :)

Not very big, but the admission isn't expensive and I felt it was worth the time and money. We went early, right after they opened, and zoo staff was friendly and interactive. Parking by the visitor's center and walking through the wildflower garden is a great way to start and end the visit.

Needs a little TLC and extra exhibits to boost admission.

The Star is great but the Zoo needs some serious work, for the price its a joke the animals are kept in very small enclosures I am surprised PETA hasn't gotten involved. Seems like the money they charge for admission would go toward the animals care.

Five Star Plus rating I Mill Mountain Zoo it was a very enjoyable trip got to see the big star on top of the mountain very educational and learning experience my family and I had an excellent time couldn't have been better I will definitely return again tell other people about my experience thank you Mill Mountain Zoo management employee staff for making a very enjoyable trip for my family.

A really nice zoo to spend about 2 hours of your day. Staff is very nice and willing to chat. Highlights include the red panda the snow leopard for me since I've never seen them before. It is a smaller zoo but it's cute and worth the admission price. I got to see almost every animal there was except the lynx.

Horrible experience. My kids did not like this zoo at all there is hardly any animals and every where you go is says new exhibit coming soon.

15 bucks for 15 mins of sights. Not many animals, and most are so far away or hidden away in covers, you dont even get to see the cool animals. All 2 of them. Boring place. Not worth it.

They are adding more animals which I cant wait to see. Nice train ride for the family and the Zoo staff was very friendly.

The free trails are awesome but the zoo was lacking.. WAAYY too expensive for what it is.. just go to big star and enjoy the view

Beautiful setting in the mountains Need a few more animals- I remember when Ruby was there.

The worst excuse for a zoo that I have ever experienced. I regret having spent the money on it.

This is a wonderful activity for families in the Roanoke area! Our daughter and her friends have a fantastic time here when we visit. There is a snow leopard!!! The animals seem well cared for and the staff is very friendly.

This is my hometown but I still appreciate all this zoo has to offer, the different types of animals are unique in itself. They also a good variety for children with play structures. Please support this zoo!!!

This is a very small "zoo" I think it should be considered a wild life center as apposed to a zoo.

My son had his birthday party here; reasonable rate, nice venue, and accommodating staff. Good amount of things to see and do. The shelter is out of the way, yet close you the aviary and otter/porcupine exhibit, so it's easy to see some "critters". Big shout out to the Zoo Choo for opening up to us, and giving all our birthday party people a nice ride around the zoo. We'll definitely go back, and you should think about taking a day to visit!

Really not worth the time or money. Very small. The animals seem well cared for and the grounds are clean.

It's a small zoo, but they have some great animals. They're constantly trying to change things up and add on more. Every time we go it's a different experience. The animals look in good shape too, nice and healthy.

A little disappointed some of the very few animals weren't even there. Very small zoo than the ones I'm use to.

What a great little zoo! The have a snow leopard! A snow leopard! All the animals were out and walking around. We came too late in the season for the train but we will be back!

This place was a lot better than we expected. We went to a similar size zoo in Austin, TX that was awful. This place seemed well maintained with a good selection of animals and cool atmosphere being on the mountain. It is also right next to the Mill Mountain star so you are able to check both out in the same trip. Looks like they have a little train that goes around the zoo but it wasn't running when we were there in early Feb.

We live in roanoke co and take our grand children to the zoo and have a picnic, great place to spend the day and enjoy the animals and the park. Awesome trails for mtn biking or hiking, views of the area are great year round.

Cute zoo for a 2 or 3 yr old. Nothing to brag about. No more than approximately 10-20 animals. Staff was considerate and helpful with accommodating my broken leg and recent surgery. Wheelchairs are available, if needed and the view overlooking the valley is breathtaking. Their train is free but more of a view of the maintenance department than any real animals. It will carry adults but kids seem to have been the main consideration when building it. If you plan to go, just remember you get out of it what you expect, (Don't expect a lot and you'll be happy. Just enjoy the day)

Small zoo, perfect for young children and short visits.

There were 5 animals to see also a bald eagle and some snakes- maybe because it's winter. The playground in the zoo was a big disappointment... a sand area full of leaves, a climbing frame with no slide, and a wooden xylophone. No train running. Very Disappointed.

Love this place used to go as a kid now i take my kids

It was a cute little zoo that could be so much more. I'm not complaining because it was a fair price but I'd pay much more happily if they just added a bit and polished it up some.

Small zoo that's a little run down but has some cool animals and definitely set in a beautiful location on top the mountain.

Staff was very friendly. BUT...We arrived at 1:30 and were told since we didn t prebook we had to pay and wait until 2 to come in. (I saw nothing about prebooking on website). Not easy to explain to a 3 year old. Upon arrival there was no one hardly even in the zoo and no line. Having to wait until 2 was so dumb bc then we had to enter with a ton of other people. So staggering come in times does nothing to help COVID. We saw like 3 animals. It was pretty disappointing after driving an hour and a half.

Great little zoo, lot's of activities for the children

Cute lil zoo nestled on Mill Mountain. It's a little worn around the edges but has a surprising variety of animals to see. Pretty walk through a wildflower garden from the parking to the zoo entrance (paved path available for those with mobility issues or just prefer not to "hike"). It's priced well. But the exhibits are a bit worn and could use some TLC. We visited at noon on a hot day and all the animals were hiding in their shade so they were difficult to see, except the racoon who seemed to be trying to find a way out of his cage. Didn't get a chance to ride or see the train. It's worth a visit if you're in the area and have an hour to kill, but wouldn't go out of my way to go back.

Took a field trip here with special ed and wheelchair kids. Great place. Cool exhibits.

This zoo made me sad. The cages are too small for the animals and there is no companionship for many of them. The poor raccoon kept pacing back and forth. Also, if you have to stoop to having a raccoon in a zoo, maybe you shouldn't have a zoo. Also, the prices were somewhat expensive for a 20 minute walk. With the nature channel and Youtube, zoos like this should be a thing of the past.

You actually passed the zoo heading to the top of the mountain of the Roanoke star. I did decide one day to go ahead and take my daughter to the zoo. I felt it was a waste of time and money. And they have like one of every animal which they only have like 10 animals. They all of the very sad and depressed and they should just be let go or be brought to a better place where they can be happier and not locked up in cages. Do not get me wrong I enjoy zoos, I go to Animal Kingdom and other places and enjoy looking at the animals, however this place they all just seemed absolutely miserable.

I came to this place because they have red pandas. I was impressed with the amount of space certain animals got. However some animals got less than seems adequate. The red panda looked a little lonely but I enjoyed watching Novas feeding! Their price was half off for the zoos birthday which was very fun and they had cake! I m not sure why they breed in captivity when this is not necessarily red panda climate.

A go to spot for kids and to kill time. I love walking around here and helping fund the animals.

Why did mill mountain zoo get rid of the ostriches?

Absolutely a waste of time and money. Most of the animals that were there are in my backyard and the ones that were different weren't on display. Not very accessible for strollers or wheel hairs. Hugely disappointed.

Small zoo but great place to take the kids. Really nice even on hot days because there is lots of shade. They have a really cool 67 year old little train that kids can ride around the zoo. They have some beautiful animals including endangered red wolves ,a lynx, and a gorgeous snow leopard. Great events for the kids especially on the weekends. Plus they do really cool outreach like visiting local schools to teach the kids about the animals.

We drove 2 hours to take our daughter to her first zoo and they had 5 animals.... we paid 20 dollars, it took us 5 minutes to walk around the WHOLE ZOO! Don't get me wrong if you live 5 minutes away it might be worth it. It still wouldn't be worth 20 dollars to look at 5 animals if you live close it should cost 5 bucks per person maybe. I so badly wanted to ask for our money back but the animals they did have looked kinda sad so i figured they could use it.

Zoo was good for the area, most of animals asleep around 11:30..

Great staff ok selection of animals just dont reccomend going in the coled weater alot of animals were hiding or moved because of the weather.

Over the past ten years of my career as a teacher, I've had the privilege of having the zoo visit on of my school's for one reason or another. Bambi had been the instructor many of the times. Regardless of who comes, the person is calm, patient, and incredibly knowlegable. The children have ranged from toddlers to 12 year olds.
I have also visited the zoo itself a handful of times. It is quaint, but we learn so much about the animals. I have found all of the personnel that I have encountered to be knowledgeable!

Lovely little zoo. Very clean and staff very friendly. Animals are well taken care of. It is a small zoo but it is still worth the visit. Glad I found this little gem.

Too many animals show boredom behaviors. There are also often only one animal in each enclosure. All in all it looks nice but knowing animal behavior the are issues that could be corrected.

I remember it being much larger, but then I was last there back in the mid 70s. I guess everything was bigger back then. I still enjoyed it. And, my great nephews, the main reason why I went, were really happy, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, even though we didn't get to ride the train. All in all, a good day at the zoo.

We love the zoo on Mill Mountain for its simple, non commercial atmosphere. During this 'time' many animals were missing and reptile house & refreshment stand both closed. We still go and support them until this snafu is over.

Located near the top of a mountain the view from this small zoo is awesome. My kids were pleased with the diversity of animals, and especially loved the marmoset and wolverine as they had not ever seen either before in a zoo setting. A cute little train ride circles the zoo, ideal for kids.

Brought my daughter and grandson. It's a nice little zoo. Just wish the wolves and cougar and eagle we're available to see. As far as the price it's reasonable I'm sure the cost goes toward the up keep and care of animals. If your looking for a big zoo this isn't for you. This is more for lil ones learning about animals. Staff is super friendly and location is great just up the road from where I live. We had a blast making memories. As far as the enclosures I did not see any that seemed to be too small for the animals

A small zoo with small exhibits, but it makes it easy to take your time and see everything. No concession stand, but drinks and snacks are in the gift shop.

It was alright.. wasnt much going on. Kinda small. Came at lunch hours which was my mistake.. all animals were sleeping. The view of the city along the side was a nice touch!

Nice zoo but it's very small and you can finish it in 1 hour, it's a little pricey for what's it's worth

The animals were depressed, the zoo was small and none of the animals had water in their ponds. Would rather spend the extra $12 for Natural Bridge than spend $50 to see the animals depressed.

Loved it. Lauren was awesome as a guide. Fun, interactive. Definitely recommend.

I like mill mountain zoo. Im giving it 3 stars because a lot of the animal's were not out but it is winter time. I hope to see the wolf's and foxes in the spring and summer.

Cute zoo but is on the smaller side. Wasn't crowded at all!

Good for young children because you can see everything in under an hour plus get a little train ride.

Great place to spend an afternoon. The is very well run and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable.

This is not a zoo. Don't go with any expectations of what you expect from a zoo. Super small and a very limited selection of animals. Was in and out in 20 minutes and it was not worth the $9 admission. Save your money and go somewhere else.