Riverside Discovery Center

Riverside Discovery Center is a small zoo and wildlife center in Scottsbluff, set along the North Platte River and home to more than 150 animals. Its collection spans wildlife from around the world alongside native species, giving the center a varied character despite its modest scale. Education, conservation, and hands-on learning are central to its mission and visitor programs.

Notable residents include a troop of chimpanzees in the remodeled Chimp Outpost, a grizzly bear, spotted hyenas, a tiger, and several smaller primates. The collection also extends to hoofed animals, reptiles, macaws, and native birds of prey that cannot be released into the wild because of injuries. This mix provides plenty of variety without the extensive grounds of a major metropolitan zoo, making Riverside Discovery Center a practical choice for travelers seeking an approachable wildlife stop while exploring western Nebraska.