Edmonton 
Discovery Wildlife Park offers a secure haven for orphaned animals, allowing visitors to observe native wildlife and beyond.
Credit: Discovery Wildlife Park
Discovery Wildlife Park in Innisfail, a family-run establishment, is dedicated to providing a lifelong sanctuary for orphaned animals, imparting wildlife awareness to the public, and creating a family experience through daily animal presentations. The park’s commitment is particularly important, as the orphans it houses are unfit for reintegration into the wild, making the park their lifelong refuge.
Discover Wildlife Park and Campground have a large outdoor facility that houses a wide range of wildlife. A visit to Discovery is an outdoor experience that lets visitors walk past numerous enclosures. The Park also dedicates time to educating its visitors with displays and shows centred on animal and wildlife safety. Discover Wildlife Park and Campground are close to Highway 2 and create a simple roadside stop where you can even stay the night.
Things to Do: Wildlife and More
The first thing you will want to do on your visit to the Discovery Wildlife Park is walk the grounds! And for those with limited or no mobility, the park can offer golf carts. Your trip will take you through an outdoor area of 30 different types of animals. Kids can also make a stop at the playground.
- Daily animal presentations at Discovery Wildlife Park feature bears, wolves, lions, cougars, and others showcasing their natural abilities while understanding their wild challenges. These include bear safety presentations, wolf and lion presentations, and an animal of the day presentation.
Credit: Discovery Wildlife Park
- Join a 15-minute walk with a Timber Wolf, capturing photos, engaging with keepers, and briefly becoming part of their world; participants must be at least 52″ tall.
- The Discovery Wildlife Campground includes access to powered campsites and cabins. The campsites are open to RVs and tents, with options for 30- or 50-amp connections. The cabins have beds (BYO-bedding), a mini fridge, and power outlets. Campers can also access Evening Wildlife Encounters!
- Winter Experiences include Winter Wolf Walks and Light the Night. Light the Night is a drive-thru holiday experience. The zoo will be decorated with thousands of LEDs for visitors to enjoy from their cars.
- During a stay or a day visit, the Honey Bear Concession can provide all the light snacks, such as hot dogs, nachos, or popcorn.
Credit: Discovery Wildlife Park
Things to See Around Innisfail
A visit to the area will bring you to the town of Innisfail, which has a great local food and brewing scene to discover. The culture, history, and heritage of central Alberta are easy to discover around Innisfail. For the natural side of the fun, the area boasts a beautiful section of the Red Deer River and the Glennifer Lake Reservoir.
- The Innisfail Historical Village is open until the September long weekend each year. The outdoor museum offers an authentic look into central Alberta’s history, and ice cream for sale at the end of your tour.
- Check out the local breweries of Innisfail, each within walking distance of one another: Dark Woods Brewing & Coffee Roasting and Field & Forge Brewing Co.
- Glennifer Lake and the Dickson Dam are about 20 minutes west of Innisfail. The expansive prairie lake is great for powerboats, tubing, and waterskiing. FCFS camping is available, and the park offers three-day use areas on either side of the lake.
- Also west of town is the Historic Markerville Creamery Museum. Markerville is a scenic town on the banks of the Red Deer River. The museum will also host live outdoor music each Thursday evening this August.
Planning your Trip – Discovery Wildlife Park
What: Discovery Wildlife Park, a family-owned sanctuary and campground, offers lifelong refuge to orphaned animals while educating the public about wildlife challenges. Conservation and education stand as vital tools for future wildlife preservation. The park distinguishes itself by providing permanent homes for orphaned and zoo animals. Witness daily captivating animal presentations featuring bears, wolves, lions, and cougars, fostering an understanding of their struggles.
Credit: Discovery Wildlife Park
Best time to go: May 1st – Sept 30, 2026; October – Early January 1 for winter programs
Location and how to get there: 5400 42 Ave, Innisfail (About 30 minutes from Red Deer and 75 minutes from Calgary).
Use Highway 2A to access 42 Ave and go north on 42nd.
Cost: day passes $17 – $25; camping $40-$125 per night (Campground open May 1, 2026 – September 6, 2026)
For more information
Discovery Wildlife Park & Campground
