Henson Robinson Zoo

What is Henson Robinson Zoo?

This is a city zoo, owned and run by the Springfield Park District as a nonprofit. As of 2018 it held more than 300 animals across more than 80 species, a size that lets you see most of it in a single visit without rushing. The zoo is named for Henson C. Robinson.

For travelers, the appeal is its scale and setting. It is big enough to fill a morning with kids and small enough to fit between other stops, and its spot by Lake Springfield puts it near several of the quieter sights on the edge of the city.

History of Henson Robinson Zoo

The zoo was built between 1968 and 1970 to serve people across central Illinois, and it opened to the public in 1970. Its opening gave families in the region a zoo of their own within easy reach of the capital. The Springfield Park District has owned and operated it from the start of that story to today.

Visiting Henson Robinson Zoo: tips

Expect to pay admission. Plan on one to two hours, longer with young children. Bring water and sun protection on hot days, since most of a zoo visit is spent outdoors. The zoo is wheelchair accessible, and a public restroom is noted about 0.2 mile away.

Nearby, the Strawbridge-Shepherd House is about 1.8 miles off, the Taft Farmstead about 2.1 miles and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden about 2.2 miles, so a zoo visit pairs easily with a walk in the garden.