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All the United States Texas Cisco Old Zoo Nature Trails

Old Zoo Nature Trails

Hike the ruins of a zoo that was shut down by an unsolved murder.

Cisco, Texas

Added By
Scott Forsythe
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Artificial cave built as animal shelter   forssa / Atlas Obscura User
Artificial cave built as animal shelter   forssa / Atlas Obscura User
Trail marker indicating direction of the enclosures   forssa / Atlas Obscura User
Trailhead gate   forssa / Atlas Obscura User
Trail from zoo environment   forssa / Atlas Obscura User
Part of the zoo   forssa / Atlas Obscura User
  Nikkfit / Atlas Obscura User
Old Zoo habitats  
The map. An yes do be wary going off track since there is private property..   twizzyw8 / Atlas Obscura User
  Nikkfit / Atlas Obscura User
  Nikkfit / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The Cisco Zoo opened in the 1920s, to the delight of residents in rural central Texas. Situated in the shadow of a dam, this small zoo offered a chance to see flamingos, monkeys, bears, and many other animals. Although its selection of animals would have been quotidian by modern standards, the Cisco Zoo was a thrilling experience to visitors. 

The fun came to a grinding halt when the menagerie became a murder mystery. A bear was poisoned in an unsolved crime, and a deer died under conspicuous circumstances as well. These and other factors saw the zoo fully abandoned in the 1930s. 

Almost a hundred years later, the long-abandoned ruins were repurposed as a hiking trail by the local nonprofit Students, Athletics, Families and Education. Visitors can walk through the rusted enclosures and concrete shelters where the animals were once kept, and even find the remains of what were once offices used by zoo staff. The ruins form an eerie backdrop to an otherwise tranquil 1.5-mile track still in the shadow of the dam. 

Related Tags

Abandoned Murder Animals Zoos

Know Before You Go

The Old Zoo nature trail doesn't have a street address listed on most navigation websites and apps. Admission is free, though donations are accepted. Some of the trails connect to the Lake Cisco Lodge and Campground; visitors should be wary of crossing onto private property. 

Community Contributors

Added By

forssa

Edited By

CTravels, twizzyw8, Nikkfit

  • CTravels
  • twizzyw8
  • Nikkfit

Published

November 23, 2023

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Sources
  • https://www.texasmonthly.com/travel/explore-old-zoo-north-texas-town-cisco/
Old Zoo Nature Trails
4902 Hwy 6
Co Rd 112
Cisco, Texas, 76437
United States
32.444252, -98.980178
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Site of the Santa Claus Bank Robbery

Cisco, Texas

miles away

Old Rip

Eastland, Texas

miles away

Woody’s Classic Cars and Baseball Museum

Cross Plains, Texas

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cisco

Cisco

Texas

Places 2

Nearby Places

Site of the Santa Claus Bank Robbery

Cisco, Texas

miles away

Old Rip

Eastland, Texas

miles away

Woody’s Classic Cars and Baseball Museum

Cross Plains, Texas

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cisco

Cisco

Texas

Places 2

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