Living Desert Zoo Reopens Hiking Trails, Launches New Hours

PALM DESERT, CA — The grounds of The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert will launch its new seasonal hours beginning Oct. 1, opening at 8 a.m., with full zoo amenities starting 9 a.m., and closing at 5 p.m., with the last admission at 4 p.m.

The Living Desert’s three, nature-preserve hiking trails also will reopen to zoo guests and members at 8 a.m. on Oct. 1.

Hikers can select trails of varying degrees: The Discovery Loop, a brief, quarter-mile walk; the Adventure Loop, which rambles for a mile through desert-wash habitat and across a rocky bajada; and the Wilderness Loop, a five-mile hike up and down a boulder-strewn canyon and along a rocky ridgeline.

As the trails are a nature preserve, hikers must observe all posted signage and stay on the designated trails, zoo officials said. The trails, accessible with paid admission or with an annual membership, will be open daily, except Christmas Day, through May 31, 2020.

“It’s going to be an exciting year as The Living Desert celebrates its 50th Anniversary,” said Allen Monroe, The Living Desert's president/CEO. “Not only do we have our annual favorites scheduled, we also have a variety of exciting events and announcements that are coming soon.”

Popular upcoming events at the zoo include:

• La Gran Fiesta: Saturday, Oct. 12
• Howl-O-Ween: Saturday, Oct. 26 & Thursday, Oct. 31

For more information, visit LivingDesert.org or call (760) 346-5694.

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