A baby sloth can nibble cucumber and apple slices straight from your fingers at one family-run zoo in Missouri. Yes, a real sloth, moving at full sloth speed toward your snack.
The best part is the calendar, honestly. Animal encounters here run all year, so a chilly January morning can still end with a fuzzy armful of slow-motion charm.
I like how small this place feels, which keeps the focus on the animals instead of crowds or flashy rides. The walk-through petting zoo stretches from alpacas to a zedonk, and yes, that’s a zebra and donkey mix in one striped package.
I can’t imagine a better excuse for a slow-paced lake-country detour. Still, how do you choose between a sloth, the baby animal encounters, and a pony ride?
Maybe you don’t have to.
Your Snack Hand Is About To Become A Sloth’s Favorite Place
Cucumber slices have never felt this important. At Sunrise Beach Safari, the star of the show is a baby sloth that eats right out of your hand.
The sloth encounter gives you a 15-minute time slot to hold and feed your new slow-moving friend. Snacks on the menu are cucumber and apple slices, which is about as healthy as dinner guests get.
Fifteen minutes might sound short on paper. With a sloth, though, every reach for an apple slice is a tiny event worth watching closely.
Sloths do almost everything at a relaxed pace, and feeding time is no exception. That means you get plenty of chances to snap photos without anyone blurring the shot.
I believe this encounter works so well because it’s personal. You’re not peering at an animal through glass from across a crowded room.
Instead, you’re close enough to see those famous curved claws and that permanent sleepy smile. Few animals look this calm while eating a piece of fruit.
Plan ahead and book your slot before you arrive. A little planning is a small price for a memory that moves this slowly and lasts this long.
Snow On The Ground Won’t Cancel Your Sloth Date
Most outdoor animal stops in Missouri slow down when the weather turns cold. Sunrise Beach Safari’s website advertises year-round animal encounters, but current availability requires verification following the USDA’s 2025 license termination order.
The walk-through petting zoo runs seasonally, typically from May through November. The encounters, including the sloth meeting, stay available year-round.
Outside the summer season, encounters are by appointment only. So a quick message or call ahead is the key that unlocks your winter visit.
That setup opens up some clever options for the off-season. A December birthday, a spring break trip, or a quiet weekend at the lake can all include a sloth.
Think about how rare that is around a lake area known for summer fun. Plenty of attractions close up, while this one simply switches to scheduled visits.
Booking ahead also helps you plan the rest of your day around a set time. You won’t be guessing about whether something is open when you pull in.
My advice is simple and practical. Pick your date, reach out early, and confirm your time slot before you start the drive.
Cold weather outside, warm fuzzy sloth inside. That’s a pretty good trade for one quick phone call.
The Sloth Has Some Very Cute Coworkers
Sloths get the headlines, but they aren’t the only babies on the schedule. Sunrise Beach Safari also offers other baby encounters for animal lovers who want more snuggle time.
These encounters follow the same idea as the sloth visit. You get a scheduled, up-close moment with young animals instead of a quick look from a distance.
The lineup of babies can change, which makes sense for any place raising young animals. What’s available on one visit might look different a few months later.
That’s honestly part of the fun. Every trip could bring a new face, a new set of tiny paws, or a new reason to grin.
Families often split up who gets to do what, so everyone leaves happy. One person might choose the sloth while another picks a different baby animal.
Ask which babies are currently part of the encounters when you book. That way nobody gets their heart set on an animal that isn’t there that week.
Small hands and big feelings can collide at moments like these. A little expectation-setting before the visit keeps the day sweet from start to finish.
Bring a camera with plenty of storage. You’ll need it.
Alpaca To Zedonk Covers A Surprising Amount Of Alphabet
A zedonk is exactly what it sounds like, a cross between a zebra and a donkey. You can meet one in the walk-through petting zoo at Sunrise Beach Safari.
The animal list here stretches from alpaca to zedonk. That’s a range that covers fluffy, striped, and a whole lot of curious in between.
Visitors can pet and feed the exotic animals as they stroll through. It’s a hands-on setup that feels more like a friendly farm visit than a formal zoo trip.
Kids especially love the feeding part, since animals suddenly become very interested in them. Nothing builds confidence like an alpaca deciding you’re the most important person around.
The zedonk deserves a moment of its own, though. Those striped legs paired with a donkey-like body make it one of the more memorable faces you’ll see.
Remember that the petting zoo is seasonal, typically open from May through November. Plan a warm-weather trip if this part matters most to your crew.
Wear shoes you don’t mind getting a little dusty. Animal parks and fancy sneakers rarely become best friends.
Then grab some feed and let the animals guide the tour. They usually know where the good stuff is.
Little Cowpokes Can Saddle Up For A Pony Ride
Every kid deserves at least one moment of feeling like a real cowboy. Sunrise Beach Safari makes that happen with pony rides for children.
Pony rides add a nice change of pace to the day. After petting and feeding, kids get to climb up and see the world from a slightly taller angle.
For many young riders, this might be their very first time on horseback. Even a gentle loop can feel like a grand adventure when you’re small.
Parents will appreciate how easy this is to add to a visit. It fits right in between the petting zoo and any scheduled encounter you’ve booked.
Here’s a tip that saves some tears later. Talk with your kids beforehand about taking turns, especially if you have more than one eager rider.
Comfortable clothes help too, along with closed-toe shoes. Sandals and stirrups aren’t the best combination for little feet.
Have your camera ready before the ride begins. Those proud grins tend to show up fast and vanish into chatter right after.
Honestly, the pony ride might end up as the story your kids tell all week. Don’t be surprised if the sloth has to share the spotlight.
A Petting Zoo That Used To Travel Finally Put Down Roots
Before it had a permanent home, this operation rolled from place to place as a mobile petting zoo. That road-tested history shaped what Sunrise Beach Safari became.
The owners, husband and wife Jerry Aswegan and Tonia Haddix, married in 2021 and opened the stationary safari in August 2023. Together, they bring more than 50 years of combined experience raising animals.
Their stated goal is pretty simple. They want visitors to connect with animals in a way that feels personal and hands-on.
That goal explains a lot about the layout and the activities. Feeding, holding, and petting take center stage over big shows or long walking paths.
Going from a traveling setup to a fixed location changes things in a big way. Animals get a steady home, and visitors get a place they can return to again and again.
It also makes booking encounters much easier. A permanent spot means you know exactly where to go and when to show up.
Small family-run places often carry the personality of the people behind them. Here, that personality leans heavily toward animals and hands-on moments.
Not bad for a zoo that started out on wheels.
Twenty-Eight Acres Of Room To Grow Near The Lake
Twenty-eight acres is a lot of space for a small zoo to stretch out. Sunrise Beach Safari sits on exactly that much land, with plans to develop it in stages.
The attraction’s current website lists its address as 1831 State Road TT, Sunrise Beach, MO. It’s between Sunrise Beach and Osage Beach, near the intersection of TT and MM.
That location puts it right in the Lake of the Ozarks area, one of Missouri’s favorite vacation regions. Boating trips and lake weekends can easily include an animal stop.
The staged development plan means the property could keep changing over time. Returning visitors might notice new areas as the owners build out the land.
For now, the appeal is the small, close-up feel. You won’t need a map, a tram, or a full day to see everything.
That makes it a smart pick for a half-day outing. Pair it with lunch, a lake view, or some shopping, and you’ve got a well-rounded day.
Use the TT and MM intersection as your landmark when driving in. Country roads can be tricky if you rely only on memory.
Once you spot the animals, you’ll know you’ve arrived.
Bring The Stroller, The Wagon, And The Whole Crew
Getting everyone out the door is hard enough without worrying about access. Sunrise Beach Safari says it’s wheelchair accessible and welcomes strollers and wagons.
That’s great news for families with toddlers, grandparents, or anyone who prefers wheels to walking. Nobody has to sit out the fun or wait in the car.
Wagons are especially handy at an animal park. They hold snacks, water bottles, jackets, and sometimes a very tired kid on the way out.
Hours can shift by season, so check the schedule before you go. Recent listings show weekend hours, with Saturday and Sunday running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Weekend mornings can be a nice window for little ones. Kids are usually fresh, and the day is still cool during warmer months.
Pack sunscreen, hats, and refillable water for summer visits. Missouri heat sneaks up fast, even when you’re busy admiring a zedonk.
Hand wipes or sanitizer belong in your bag too. Feeding animals is wonderful, but sticky fingers don’t stay charming for long.
A little preparation keeps everyone in good spirits. Then the only meltdown you’ll deal with is the one when it’s time to leave.
Make One Quick Check Before You Gas Up The Car
One last tip might be the most important one in this whole list. Sunrise Beach Safari has faced federal licensing action, so confirm its status before you go.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a license revocation order against owner Tonia Haddix and the park, pending any appeals.
That kind of order could affect whether the zoo can legally operate or offer encounters.
The situation connects to ongoing legal disputes with the animal rights group PETA. Those cases drew wider attention through the HBO series Chimp Crazy.
Status can change as appeals and legal steps move forward. That’s why calling ahead matters more here than at most attractions.
Ask directly whether encounters, including the sloth experience, are currently available. Also confirm the petting zoo and pony rides before making any travel plans.
Nobody wants a long drive that ends with a locked gate. A short conversation keeps the whole day from going sideways.
The Lake of the Ozarks area has plenty to enjoy either way in Missouri. Have a backup plan ready, just in case.
Do your homework, then decide what feels right for your family. Informed visitors always make the best plans.
