Delaware's Hands-On Petting Zoo
Pet, feed, and fall for the rescued Farm Friends of 3 Palms Zoo in Townsend — the welcoming committee roams free, and the goats are waiting at the fence.
CURRENTLY CLOSED OPENS THURSDAY AT 9:00 AM
If you are looking for a petting zoo in Delaware, this is the real thing — not a fence with animals behind it. At 3 Palms Zoo in Townsend, you don't watch the Farm Friends from a path — you walk in with them. Chickens, ducks, a turkey, and Gus roam free in there. The goats, sheep, llamas, mini pigs, and cows hold court from their pens, and every one of them knows exactly what a food scoop sounds like.
Every one of them is a rescue. They came to us from surrenders and situations where they had nowhere else to go, and they landed in a pretty good life — fed, cared for, and loved on by visitors every single day. Your admission, and every $1 scoop of petting zoo food, goes straight to their feed, shelter, and veterinary care.
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!
🌟 Fall Pro-Tip: Autumn is the perfect time to visit! The weather is crisp, the animals are highly active, and the farm looks beautiful. Dress in layers for the perfect morning.
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.
How a Morning at the Petting Zoo Goes
🕐 9:00 AM — Gates open. The Farm Friends are awake, hungry, and ready to meet you.
🧴 Grab a scoop — Petting zoo food is $1 a scoop. The goats know that sound, and they'll be lined up at the fence waiting on you. Down at your feet, the welcoming committee roams free: chickens, ducks, a turkey, and Gus, every one of them very interested in what you're holding.
📸 Then explore — The petting zoo is just the warm-up. The whole zoo works this way: the foxes, the alligators, the tortoises — every one of them is a rescue, most of them somebody's pet once, and all of them just as awesome. You can't climb in with the alligators (they'd object), but every one of them has a story, and we love telling those.
Explore 3 Palms Zoo
Want to see who lives at the sanctuary before making the drive?
Meet the Farm Friends
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.
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 roam the Farm Friends area free. Where you go, they go — especially if you are holding a scoop.
Petting Zoo FAQs
Where is there a petting zoo in Delaware?
Right here in Townsend, in central Delaware — an easy drive from Dover, Middletown, Smyrna, Newark, and Wilmington.
What animals can I pet and feed?
Goats, sheep, llamas, mini pigs, and cows — all rescued, all friendly, and all very used to being loved on.
Is the petting zoo included with admission?
Yes — the Farm Friends area is part of every visit. The only extra is the food itself, $1 a scoop, and every scoop helps feed the animals.
When is the petting zoo open?
Every day the zoo is open, weather permitting. 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.
Plan your petting zoo visit
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.