Popcorn Park Zoo
Popcorn Park Animal Refuge is a small non-profit 7-acre (2.8 ha) animal refuge and sanctuary located in Forked River, New Jersey, within Lacey Township. It was established in 1977. Add Six Flags Great Adventure, 17 mi away, to a visit.
A zoo & aquarium inside Lacey Township
You can stay in Lacey Township
Popcorn Park Zoo is inside Lacey Township, which has 5 places to stay, so you won’t need a base farther out. Where to stay ↓
A day trip from Philadelphia
Philadelphia is about 43 miles west and New York City is about 56 miles north (straight-line). Where to stay ↓
Best months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep and Oct
April, May, June, September and October are the mild months, with highs of 63–81°. When to go ↓
Established in 1977
Popcorn Park Zoo dates from 1977. About ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures, Wikidata and Wikipedia.
Warm months and cold ones
This is the year’s weather near Popcorn Park Zoo.
Popcorn Park Zoo
Popcorn Park Animal Refuge is a small non-profit 7-acre (2.8 ha) animal refuge and sanctuary located in Forked River, New Jersey, within Lacey Township. According to the Associated Humane Societies, the refuge is "a sanctuary for abandoned, injured, ill, exploited, abused or elderly wildlife, exotic and farm animals, and birds." The refuge has programs to educate visitors about animals and their environments and offers hundreds of rescued dogs and cats for adoption, in their separate adoption building. The name "Popcorn Park" was adopted due to the small fee visitors pay to the entrance which grants them entry. No feeding of the animals is allowed since 2022.
- Type
- Zoo & aquarium
- Animals
- 200 animals
- Area
- 7 acres
- Established
- 1977
Towns to stay in near Popcorn Park Zoo
Close by, places to stay are in Lacey Township (5) and Seaside Heights (43).
Compare 8 towns
| Town | From Popcorn Park Zoo | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lacey Township | in town | — | 5 1 hotel · 2 motels · 1 inn or B&B · 1 lodge or cabins | 30,297 | $409K | B+ |
| Seaside Heights 51% vacation homes | 13 mi east | 20 min | 43 18 hotels · 22 motels · 2 inns & B&Bs · 1 RV park | 2,549 | $408K | D− |
| Toms River Township | 10 mi northeast | 15 min | 20 12 hotels · 4 motels · 2 inns & B&Bs · 2 lodges & cabins | 100,899 | $417K | B |
| Manchester Township | 4 mi northwest | 5 min | 5 2 hotels · 1 lodge or cabins · 2 campgrounds | 46,556 | $219K | A |
| Jackson Township | 13 mi north | 20 min | 8 1 hotel · 1 inn or B&B · 1 lodge or cabins · 4 campgrounds · 1 RV park | 61,281 | $486K | A |
| Neptune Township | 26 mi northeast | 40 min | 37 16 hotels · 2 motels · 17 inns & B&Bs · 2 lodges & cabins | 28,273 | $456K | D |
| Barnegat Township | 10 mi south | 15 min | 5 2 hotels · 2 motels · 1 RV park | 26,151 | $399K | A |
| Ocean Township | 10 mi southeast | 15 min | 5 1 hotel · 4 campgrounds | 9,314 | $475K | A+ |
Day trip from
Straight-line miles.
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
Also near Popcorn Park Zoo
All of these are within 64 miles.
Big draw61 mi Stadium & arenaMadison Square Garden
Big draw63 mi City parkCentral Park40.0M visitors a year
Big draw64 mi Stadium & arenaMetLife Stadium
Big draw62 mi TheatreStudio 54
Big draw49 mi BeachConey Island
Big draw63 mi MuseumMetropolitan Museum of Art2.0M visitors a year
Big draw117 mi Theme parkSix Flags Great Adventure2.2M visitors a year
Big draw225 mi Park & preservePine BarrensPhoto credits
Madison Square Garden: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA, CC BY 2.0 · Central Park: Ed Yourdon from New York City, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · MetLife Stadium: babyknight, CC BY 2.0 · Studio 54: Americasroof (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · Coney Island: OptimumPx, Public domain · Metropolitan Museum of Art: Hugo Schneider, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Six Flags Great Adventure: Unknown, CC BY-SA 2.5 · Pine Barrens: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Questions about Popcorn Park Zoo
Is Popcorn Park Zoo in Lacey Township?
Yes. It’s inside Lacey Township, NJ.
When is the best time to visit Popcorn Park Zoo?
April, May, June, September and October, with highs of 63–81°.
How far is Popcorn Park Zoo from Philadelphia and New York City?
About 43 miles west of Philadelphia and about 56 miles north of New York City, as the crow flies.
What is the closest airport to Popcorn Park Zoo?
Atlantic City (ACY), about 34 miles away. The nearest big hub is Philadelphia (PHL), about 49 miles.
Where should I stay near Popcorn Park Zoo?
Seaside Heights (13 mi, 43 places to stay), Toms River Township (10 mi, 20 places to stay) and Lacey Township (in town, 5 places to stay).
Local know-how from Lacey Township
There are no tips yet, so start one in Lacey Township’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.