There’s A Wildlife Park In Nebraska That’s Perfect For A Family Day Trip

This time of year, we're all looking to spend more and more time outdoors in the beautiful weather. If you've been to all of your favorite places already or just need to break out of the ordinary, this awesome wildlife safari park is the perfect place for a fun family day trip.

Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari is located in Ashland, Saunders County. Visitors have been enjoying this unique attraction since it opened in 1998.

The most popular section of the park - and the feature that draws in the most visitors - is the four-mile drive-through safari.

On the drive you'll see elk, bison, deer, and a wide variety of birds. The animals are free to roam within their habitats, so you may get a close-up look like these lucky visitors.

The free-roaming bison, elk, and deer each have their own sections of the park.

As you drive through each section, you can see the way the animals interact with each other and with the environment.

Visiting when there are young ones in the herds is always a special treat.

There's a whole lot to do here outside of your car, too. Stretch your legs and climb to the top of the 28-foot-tall Crane Viewing Platform for an exceptional view.

The wetlands habitats provide a terrific place for cranes, swans, pelicans, and ducks. Plenty of other birds make their homes here, too, including bald eagles which reside in the Eagle Aviary.

Head for Wolf Canyon to see some of North America's most elusive, majestic creatures. The grey wolves that live here can be heard letting out their classic howls in the late evenings.

Two female American Black Bears live here as well. You can watch these lovable giants amble around their habitat looking for treats and sunning themselves.

There's also a section called the Hands-On Corral where visitors of all ages can interact with animal friends like chickens and pygmy goats. This is the perfect place for kids to get all of their wiggles out before you get back into the car for the drive home.

If you want to prolong your stay a bit, head out on the two miles of walking trails. There's an easy trail and a slightly more advanced route so everyone in the family can get out and stretch their legs.

Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari is located at 16406 N 292nd St., Ashland. If you're traveling on I-80 you'll find it at Exit 426 (Ashland).

Most of the park is accessible. There are special events and learning opportunities happening all the time; click here for the events calendar. The park is open from April through October, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $8 for adults (12 and over), $6 for children (ages 3-11), and $7 for seniors (65 and over). Children 2 and under are free, and military families get a discount of $1 per person. Learn more about this unforgettable attraction right here.

Did you know that the Wildlife Safari is affiliated with the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium? It's true! Read more about that iconic attraction here.