The 43-acre (17 ha) is situated northwest of the Brown County Reforestation Camp, 11 miles (18 km), which together cover 1,560 acres (6.3 km2) and have over a half million visitors each year.

[3] The area where the zoo is located was covered with pine and oak forests when European settlers began arriving in the 1800s.

[1] In 1948, sparks from a passing train set fire to 80 acres (32 ha) of county land and destroyed what was left of the forest.

Since then, all new animal exhibits and major improvements have been financed by the NEW Zoological Society, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, and by private donations.

[5] For example, the historic fire tower, built in 1955, is now the starting point for the dual "racing" zip lines.

The exhibit has two observing areas, one of which is a bridge overlooking the entire enclosure, and the other allows visitors to watch the penguins swim underwater.

[3] Species of reptiles include bearded dragon, red-tailed boa, ball python, blue-tongued skink, and European glass lizard.

[3] Located in the northeastern corner of the zoo, visitors can travel up to the Riley Building to view animals on the Northern Trail, including mammals such as the black-footed ferret, the cotton-top tamarin, and the moose,[3] as well as birds such as the burrowing owl and the black-necked stilt.

[3] The North American Aviary houses birds that are found locally or in other areas of the United States.

[3] On the eastern side of the zoo animals typically found in the Great Plains of the United States are contained in two enclosures.

Located adjacent to the zoo, the park consists of a zip line, rock climbing wall, and ropes course.

[5] Attached to the Reforestation Camp's historic fire tower, participants will travel down 1,000 feet of cable to a platform near the entrance of the zoo.