Plumpton Park Zoo
Rising Sun, MD · 1 hour 21 minutes from Reading · $20 to $50 a person

Plan the day
Plumpton Park Zoo is a zoo in Rising Sun, MD, with giraffes, white lions, tigers, bears, wolves, sloths, zebras and camels on the grounds.
The giraffe feeding station puts you eye to eye with the tallest animals on the grounds, and the zoo counts more than 200 animals across mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, from white lions and tigers to sloths and siamang gibbons. Kids can pan for gemstones and fossils at the Jeremiah Brown Mining Company sluice. It is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Before you go
Parking is free. Get a hand stamp on the way out for same-day re-entry. You can bring your own food and a cooler; there are picnic tables and a snack bar. Groups of 15 or more get $2 off per person. Tickets can be bought online in advance.
Coming up
Boo at the Zoo runs Saturdays October 17, 24 and 31 from 11 AM to 3 PM: costumes, a hay ride and a maze, with trick-or-treating free with admission for ages 2 to 12. Hay ride or maze $5 per person, both for $7.
Checked October 8, 2026 on the official site. Hours, prices and seasons change, so confirm there before a long drive.





