Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
Essex County Executive

A Message from the County Executive

From our smallest spider to the half-ton North American Bison in our Great Plains Exhibit, Essex County’s Turtle Back Zoo offers a look at more than 100 different species of native and exotic animals from five continents. Get up close and personal with our animals at our Essex Farm Petting Zoo, and don’t forget to take a tranquil ride through South Mountain Reservation on our miniature train. Come back often as we constantly are adding new and exciting natural habitat exhibits for our animals. Whether you spend a day or an afternoon, Turtle Back Zoo is a special place where children and their families can learn about animals and gain appreciation for nature. I invite you to Experience Essex and Turtle Back Zoo.

Sincerely,

Turtle Back Zoo

Our Shores of Africa penguin exhibit will be closed from February 20 - March 17 for maintenance. Zoo OPEN from 10am - 4pm daily.