Bearizona in Spring

Carol Freshley May 25, 2018

Bearizona is a 160 acre Wildlife Park. There are two parts, one being a 3 mile drive where visitors can see bison, wolves, bears, and mountain goats in a replication of their native habitat. The other part is a walk-through area where guests can appreciate smaller animals, including baby and juvenile bears. There is a brand new jaguar exhibit and the otters have a new home. Bearizona also features a raptor show allowing people to experience raptors up close. If you stay long enough you will want to visit the very large and impressive gift shop and the restaurant.

Debra Rohden and Greg Haesloop are our contributing photographers for this trip blog post. A very special thanks to both of them for sharing their day.

Thanks for joining us!

Bearizona Revisited

Carol Freshley April 18, 2016

Can't come to Williams without going to Bearizona. The gift shop is almost complete and the model train is set up. New exhibits, new babies, bison shedding their winter coats (sheep too), and best of all spending time with Steve, Greg and Ann.

A South American armadillo.  Much smaller than its American counterpart. — A South American armadillo. Much smaller than its American counterpart.

This is an African porcupine that is being trained to perform.  She is six months old and is already doing very well.  Her treats are carrots and apples.  Much like the raptor flight, such activities allow animals to show off and the … — This is an African porcupine that is being trained to perform. She is six months old and is already doing very well. Her treats are carrots and apples. Much like the raptor flight, such activities allow animals to show off and the kids love getting up close.

It was very cold yesterday and I bet this sheep was glad that the whole coat had not been shed.

"What?  Me, steal a carrot?" — "What? Me, steal a carrot?"

Napping sitting up.  Or . . . Zen bear! — Napping sitting up. Or . . . Zen bear!

If you are a favorite bear and you die at Bearizona you get to come back and be on display in the gift shop!

A very large miniature train set is on display in the gift shop.  Lots of fun for photographers when they either tire of the animals or get so cold outside that photographing in the gift shop seems like a really good idea. — A very large miniature train set is on display in the gift shop. Lots of fun for photographers when they either tire of the animals or get so cold outside that photographing in the gift shop seems like a really good idea.

Steve practicing his panning technique on a small object!

If you plan on going to the Grand Canyon this summer, please set aside a day to spend at Bearizona. Thanks for stopping by.

Bearizona Revisited

Carol Freshley September 7, 2015

This is one of those sites where you can go again and again and it is never quite the same. Each time it seems better and each time I can add a few keepers to my folder. Plus, this time Tom and I were with my brother, his last photo opportunity before heading back home. That made it even more special. We sent him home tired! A special thanks up front to Greg. He drove us through the drive-through part of Bearizona while we shot away. His camera . . . silent even though the animals were especially active. Now that is a true friend!

Well, it is, sort of, all about the bears. — Well, it is, sort of, all about the bears.

Did you know that black bears can be brown?

A female had just relieved herself and this big bull came over to check out her out.  He withdrew from his sniff and made this face.  We all cracked up in laughter. — A female had just relieved herself and this big bull came over to check out her out. He withdrew from his sniff and made this face. We all cracked up in laughter.

This is Potter, a Dahl sheep. His horns are a full curl and are the size of two 15 pound bowling balls just sitting on top of his head.

Once you are done with the drive through part of Bearizona you can park and take in the rest of the story. Man oh man! This 'theme' park as I call it just keeps getting bigger and better. There is a new gift shop, a new area built for the raptor flight, a new restaurant under construction, more flowers . . . if you have not been there you really should put it on your list. Let Greg know you are coming. He is their best tour guide.

Usually the Red Fox are asleep in some remote corner of their enclosure.  Not this morning!  The were both pacing and then stopping close by and posing.  We took full advantage of their behavior. — Usually the Red Fox are asleep in some remote corner of their enclosure. Not this morning! The were both pacing and then stopping close by and posing. We took full advantage of their behavior.

This is a Swift Fox.  It was also very active. — This is a Swift Fox. It was also very active.

The new gift shop opened in July.  One of the more interesting things, being built right in the middle of all of the merchandise, is a scale model railroad that reflects the historical importance of the railroad in Williams during the 20's and … — The new gift shop opened in July. One of the more interesting things, being built right in the middle of all of the merchandise, is a scale model railroad that reflects the historical importance of the railroad in Williams during the 20's and into the 30's. This exhibit is so detailed and gorgeous that I can hardly wait to go back when it is completed.

For Kati and Cory, my flower loving friends.

If you are looking for a cool (several meanings) place to go up north this would be my recommendation. If you don't dawdle along the way taking photos you can make it up and back in a day from Phoenix.