Tyler State Park

A non-profit sanctuary caring for rescued tigers, lions, and other animals. Offers guided tours and volunteer opportunities.

Site of the largest prisoner of war camp west of the Mississippi River during the American Civil War. This camp held up to 5,300 prisoners at one point in time, especially following the Red River Campaign of 1864. The camp did not close until May 1865, over a month after Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to U.S. General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox in Virginia. Contains educational kiosks, panels, and a walking trail around the site. Special events held annually.

More than 2000 animals from 250 species from Africa, North and South America live in natural habitats at the 85-acre park. The zoo includes a children's petting pen, two aquariums, picnic areas, a café that overlooks an African savannah and gift shops with original African items. The zoo also has seasonal presentations including: a bird show, alligator feedings, giraffe feedings, and elephant demonstrations.

Hands-on family fun for kids of all ages. View bats in the bat cave, trigger an earthquake into motion under your feet, snake your way through mysterious tunnels and explore the depths of a limestone cavern. Investigate the bones of "Big Ethel", the triceratops dinosaur. The Discovery Science Place offers three exhibit halls where kids of all ages are free to move around and explore.

Fourteen acres and 400 rose varieties testify to Tyler's standing as the "Rose Capital of the World".