Goats
Mr. Gold, our famous fainting goat, and Phil are first to the fence every morning. If you have a scoop of food, you have their full attention.
A Relaxing Morning Outing Near Dover
Just 15 minutes north of the State Capital — an authentic animal sanctuary.
- Petting zoo included — hand-feed the rescued Farm Friends
- Delaware’s only live alligator exhibit
- A rescue zoo — every animal here has a story
$6per person · infants under 12 months are free
Petting zoo food $1 a scoop · bamboo stems $1
Petting zoo food $1 a scoop · bamboo stems $1
SORRY, WE'RE
CURRENTLY CLOSED OPENS THURSDAY AT 9:00 AM
CURRENTLY CLOSED OPENS THURSDAY AT 9:00 AM
Tomorrow:
9 am - 3 pm
Tickets:
$6.00 Admission
☀️
64°F (Tomorrow: High 68° / Low 49°)
⛅
While we're open tomorrow: Temps will climb from 52°F to a high of 68°F. Expect overcast skies with winds up to 8 mph and a 1% chance of precipitation.
"Our Muscovy duck crew always brings plenty of quack-factor to the sanctuary! Why do ducks make terrible secret agents? Plan a visit to meet the flock!"
👆 Tap to reveal answer!
They always quack under pressure!
If you live in Dover or central Kent County, you don't need to drive hours to give your kids an unforgettable morning with animals. 3 Palms Zoo & Education Center is located just 15–20 minutes north of downtown Dover in Townsend.
3 Palms Zoo is a rescue zoo with an open-air farm environment where your family can hand-feed gentle sheep and llamas, observe rescued birds of prey, and visit Mr. Smee at Delaware’s only live American alligator exhibit.
What to Expect: We are proud to be a rugged, authentic rescue sanctuary. You won't find commercialized, paved walkways here. Instead, you'll experience a true farm environment with free-roaming rescued ducks, dirt paths, and incredible up-close encounters with our gentle rescued llamas, sheep, and goats. Dress for the farm, not the city!
Good to Know
Admission: $6 per person · infants under 12 months free
Petting zoo food: $1 a scoop
Bamboo stems: $1 each
Hours: Fall Hours | Open Daily: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM — the live board at the top of this page always has today.
Find us: 1060 Vandyke Greenspring Rd, Townsend, DE 19734 · (302) 715-1326
📍 Central Delaware Morning Plan
- Drive north on US‑13 from Dover through Smyrna to Townsend for a morning at 3 Palms Zoo.
- Visit the animals, feed the goats, and check out the alligator pond.
- Stop by the historic Smyrna downtown area for lunch or pick up farm-fresh produce on your way back toward Dover Green.
🌿 More Good Stops Nearby: First State Heritage Park — Dover's historic Green, the Old State House and Legislative Hall — mostly free and easy to wander. Fifer Orchards — a family orchard in Camden-Wyoming with a farm store, bakery and cider donuts. Killens Pond State Park — millpond trails, a nature center and paddling in Felton.
At just $6.00 per person (infants under 12 months are free), we aren't an exhausting, expensive theme park. Relax for an hour or two without breaking the bank.
🦙 Why Dover Families Love 3 Palms
- 15-Minute Easy Drive: Conveniently located just north of Smyrna and Dover off US‑13.
- Low Stress, Toddler Friendly: Compact enough that little legs won't get exhausted, with plenty of open space to explore.
- Delaware's Exclusive Alligator Habitat: Meet Mr. Smee and learn about American alligator conservation and rescue.
- Budget-Friendly Admission: High-quality family time without the steep prices of commercial amusement parks.
Meet the Farm Friends
Sheep
Rocky and the flock are professional leaners. Find the right scratching spot and they will stay all day.
Llamas
Tall, calm, and extremely photogenic. They supervise the petting zoo with great dignity and zero urgency.
Mini pigs
Toby and the crew. Belly scratches are accepted and encouraged.
Cows
Our rescued Angus herd watches over the pasture — including Baby Jacob, the calf born right here at the zoo in August 2026.
The welcoming committee
Chickens, ducks, a turkey, and Gus have the run of the place. Where you go, they go — especially if you are holding a scoop.
Visiting from Dover? Good questions
How much is admission?
$6.00 per person, and infants under 12 months are free. The petting zoo is included with every visit — the only extras are the treats: petting zoo food is $1 a scoop and bamboo stems are $1 each, and every one helps feed the animals.
When are you open?
Fall Hours | Open Daily: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Check the live status board at the top of this page before you head out — it always has the hours for today.
Where are you located?
1060 Vandyke Greenspring Rd in Townsend, Delaware. Read the GPS warning in the visit panel next to this — your GPS will try to send you down Blackbird Forest Rd, and that is wrong. The entrance is on Vandyke Greenspring Rd.
How long should we plan for a visit?
Most families relax for an hour or two. We aren't an exhausting, expensive theme park — take your time and meet everyone.
Can we feed the animals?
Yes — hand-feeding the rescued Farm Friends is the heart of the visit. Goats, sheep, llamas, mini pigs, and cows, all friendly and all very used to being loved on.
Start your morning adventure now.
Put us directly into your GPS below to start navigating.
⚠️ Critical GPS Warning
GPS units fail here constantly. They often tell you to turn onto (or stay on) "Blackbird Forest Rd." This is wrong. You must turn onto Vandyke Greenspring Rd to find our entrance.
Explore 3 Palms Zoo
Want to see who lives at the sanctuary before making the drive?