Bailey Badillo
Bearizona Wildlife Park
They say drinking doesn’t mix well with wildlife, but this is a place where beer and bears pair perfectly. Bearizona is a wildlife park that is all about educational encounters. Located in Williams, about a half hour drive from Flagstaff, you can drive through and watch black bears, bison and wolves roam throughout the park as they climb trees, sleep in the sun and play.
For a more personal encounter, Bearizona now offers a VIP tour. With this ticket, you begin behind-the-scenes where you’ll meet rescue animals like raccoons, opossums and porcupines up close and personal, with a guided tour giving you backstories and fun facts. From there, the fun begins. Your ticket includes up to two complimentary drinks with sodas, coffee and cocktails available at a stand near the bus loading station. Grab the drink of your choice and climb aboard the VIP bus to drive through wildlife habitats in a way that goes beyond the self-driving option. On the tour, you’ll stop at select points to view the black bears and wolves up close. As you drive through to the bison, you’ll get an apple to throw and watch them gather excitedly near you waiting for the expected snack.
To purchase tickets and get more information, visit bearizona.com. To plan your trip to Williams, head to experiencewilliams.com.