I Visited An Abandoned Florida Zoo Overrun By Nature: Crandon Park

The first thing I noticed was a sign at the entrance warning visitors that crocodiles were present.

The entrance to the zoo runs — The entrance to the zoo ruins.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

According to Atlas Obscura, the ruins are also home to wild alligators, iguanas, and peacocks.

The walkways through the park made me feel as if I were in a zoo — one where the animals were free.

Birds on a fence in the zoo ruins — Birds perch on a fence in the park.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Parts of the park were paved, while others felt wild. Some of the land was once a coconut plantation, according to the Miami Herald.

In one shaded area, I spotted what appeared to be an abandoned animal cage embedded in the rocks.

A cage in the zoo ruins — An abandoned enclosure in the park.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I thought it looked like it could have been a unique, immersive attraction and wondered what animals may have lived there decades ago.

Some of the abandoned structures were fenced off and covered in graffiti.

Abandoned structures beyond a fence — A fence blocks access to an abandoned structure.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I peered over high, chain-linked fences and spotted remnants of vandalized structures.

But one large structure remained accessible.

It appeared to once house multiple cages.

Around the back, I noticed caged doors that looked as if they were used to feed the animals inside.

Inside cages at the abandoned zoo — The cages were locked.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I was able to see inside a few of the animals’ quarters, which were now empty aside from some leaves, branches, and overgrown vines. The doors were still locked.

The view inside the structures was somewhat haunting.

Peering inside made me think about the animals that might have gotten stuck inside as hurricane waters filled their enclosures.

I tried to imagine what kind of animals could live in these spaces. Based on their size, maybe monkeys, I thought.

I left the park thinking it’s probably a better home now for the wildlife that has taken over.

trees in the zoo ruins — Trees inside the park.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

After my visit, the zoo celebrated its 75th anniversary of serving the community in November 2022.

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I Visited an Abandoned Florida Zoo Overrun by Nature: Crandon Park

The first thing I noticed was a sign at the entrance warning visitors that crocodiles were present.

The walkways through the park made me feel as if I were in a zoo — one where the animals were free.

In one shaded area, I spotted what appeared to be an abandoned animal cage embedded in the rocks.

Some of the abandoned structures were fenced off and covered in graffiti.

But one large structure remained accessible.

Around the back, I noticed caged doors that looked as if they were used to feed the animals inside.

The view inside the structures was somewhat haunting.

I left the park thinking it’s probably a better home now for the wildlife that has taken over.

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The first thing I noticed was a sign at the entrance warning visitors that crocodiles were present.

The walkways through the park made me feel as if I were in a zoo — one where the animals were free.

In one shaded area, I spotted what appeared to be an abandoned animal cage embedded in the rocks.

Some of the abandoned structures were fenced off and covered in graffiti.

But one large structure remained accessible.

Around the back, I noticed caged doors that looked as if they were used to feed the animals inside.

The view inside the structures was somewhat haunting.

I left the park thinking it’s probably a better home now for the wildlife that has taken over.

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