Reviews of Howell Nature Center (Zoo)

Nick boss

Awesome place great staff they are friendly summer camp is great recommend for kids and teens looking for a summer camp

Theresa Atkins

I recently hosted my bridal shower in Knoll Lodge at Howell Nature Center and was very impressed with the day as well as all the communication/set-up beforehand! When searching for a venue, I wanted something where the deposit/rental cost would benefit a good cause as well as something unique and affordable. After searching various venues around Lansing that were asking upwards of $500+, I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon HNC and all their lodge rentals. It's probably assumed that they host a number of nature retreats and kids' camps, but I'd highly recommend them for smaller events such as showers, birthday parties, reunions, etc. We were in the newest lodge, Knoll, and it was beautiful! There was a fully equipped kitchen, large living room space where we set-up 4 round tables and one long table for food (about 30 ladies attended), a fireplace, large outdoor deck overlooking the lake with grill (if you wanted to BBQ, wish we would have known this!), and various sleeping rooms/restrooms that we didn't use but came in handy for storage. Plus, all the guests were able to enjoy the trails around the property beforehand/afterwards. I can't recommend this enough, thank you Howell Nature Center and Sally for all your help!

pblosser

Two of us from Metro Detroit hosted a wonderful family reunion with 24 people at the Knoll Lodge at the Howell Nature Center. The venue was exceptional, an air-conditioned lodge with a great view of the lake through the trees, a friendly and accommodating staff. People attending the reunion repeatedly remarked on how wonderful the catered food service was with a wide selection. The wonderful food service ladies even washed the dishes for us! The price was also reasonable, when divided between the members of the reunion. All of us would go there again in a heartbeat.

Deborah Cottone-Todd

Fun and interactive

Alfred Brock

A fine animal shelter, rehabiltation park and zoo. Their work with raptors is remarkable and supported by large industry. The landscaping is enjoyable and meanders between the whimsical to formal and back again. Picnic facilities are available all around. Enjoy the native frogs in the warmer months!

Noah Wilkerson

Great time spent here with family

Sonya Smd

We had a birthday party at the high ropes course today. Every person I spoke to about the event was kind and helpful. When we reached the course there were four people there to work with our group and make the day safe and fun. We were treated with patience, humor and encouragement. We all had a great time and recommend the Howell Nature Center highly! Thank you all :)

Gage Paulsen-Riecks

Loved it

Ashleigh New

This place is really cool, it has animals, a very nice play area, fun activities. This is a kid's outdoor treat! Bring water shoes and a change of clothes. Bring shoes that can get dirty, cause your kids are going to have fun! Great place to bring your kids on a Saturday. And with the Michigan Activity Pass it is free!!

Abigail McMann

They discriminate against physically and emotionally disabled people with SERVICE dogs. I was told multiple times I couldn’t bring my service dog through the trails after staying multiple he was my service animal. Once I brought up the point “So you wouldn’t let a blind person through the trails with their service dog?” She proceeds to go ‘Well yes service dogs are allowed’. I was discriminated against because of how young I am with having a disability. I was treated like a liar and felt beyond discriminated against. My service dog has a vest and an ID bag that I had with me. She proceeded to tell me how I need to handle him through the trails after I had stated that I know how to handle my TRAINED service dog. I Will never be back again. A complete shame those who are disabled are treated so terribly by the employees here.

Calvin Stinson Jr

Just dropped off our clients here(ABC Transportation)

Nanami Monro

Love this place. I come here all the time

Tim Aulph

A beautiful place to go walking the trails; especially on days like this. Howells Nature Center is a great place for kids to check out wildlife, up close and personal, as well as get away from a digital device or two (disregard my recording device

chelsea collins

Always fun

Krystle Arnold

Love taking my son here! They have done some serious updates since I was a kid. Awesome little gem that is super close to home.

Michele McRae

My son attends camp here every summer and he loves it!!!! I as well LOVE this camp for him, everyone at The Howell Nature Center is wonderful with the children.

Adrinne Banks

Super cute set up. A amazing place to gain education about what runs across the road at night that almost causes you to crash your vehicle. Would be the best place for a children's field trip but not a weekend fun place. Half the animals are either away or asleep. Again, runs across the street at night. We are now remaining it as the Living Road Kill Shelter.

Shari Lynn

Horrible ....rooms were not clean before our group came , lakeview is nothing but mold and super unsanitary especially the kitchen . The staff wasnt very enthusiastic !!! Worse Cabin Ever and the Head Guy JC never came in the morning to see our complaints and how nasty the place was. Nit to mention doorknobs were off , light fell from ceiling no blinds in one room & soo much more this is horrible !!!

jackie b

Update your website! Arranged to have my elder parents 81 & 82 meet their great grandchildren for a picnic here. It would be equal distance for everyone. Horrible experience. We could not push wheel chairs or strollers through rocks, hills, grass. They have handicap parking & bathrooms but WHY? You can't get to them. HORRIBLE experience for my parents. We almost needed someone to bring them back from the trail but there wasn't anyone around to help. Won't go back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jackie Lott

Great animals and great teachers

J Curlee

I absolutely love the nature center. Beautiful place and the animals are great and well taken Care of. They do need help with the landscaping

Ted L

For what it is, and how it is funded ... it is fantastic. A surprising variety of animals to view, and a first-rate playscape area. Paths are a little rough around the edges - there would be challenges to walking around with a stroller and/or without full use of strong legs. But overall a great place to take young kids that enjoy animals or the outdoors.

Cyril Wolbert

This place has a lot of potential but there are some issues. We have had scheduling issues for the wall and available buildings. We were kicked off of some parts of our paid for scheduled events. The cooks were smoking while cooking the burgers and they feed geese at the building which encourages them to poop on the patio. The cooking staff the fist 2 days were not helpful or nice at all and wanted to use our vegetarian meals option with another camp if we weren't going to eat it. The environment is in the woods and nice but lends the floors to be messy and they should be scrubbed. Our event is held on a yearly basis and we bring with us the social environment but they could've done a better job facilitating our gathering. Not to mention the potential violations for food preparation. the other camps that were there were allowed to disrupt our activities by walking through our group camp activities they were being loud and gawking. Ultimately our event was great but not due to the staff or buildings. We still have 3 more days.

Jake Almer

Had a great time exploring the nature center with young relatives. Showed up during feeding time by dumb luck and the staff was wonderful about introducing the animals and telling their stories. Even showed us how to howl the coyotes joined in! Great place and I know we'll visit again.

Candice Turner

Only company in 400 miles that would help a bird with a broken wing lots of respect

Caroline Vincent

Our family loves the Howell Nature Center. The kids (4, 2, and 1) really love the animals. The trails are nice, though not paved. They are donation based, so it is an affordable way to spend a few hours reconnecting with Nature. Highly recommended.

Dwayne Deziel

It's great to have a palace like this that's open to the public and so people have an inexpensive way to spend time together. The problem comes when either every animal cage is empty or all they have is birds on display. This specific visit (April 24th) we wanted to visit the new treehouse exhibit. Well it was closed and won't open until spring....... Not sure what season we are in now but I guess I can't wait for spring. So again its free and that means you get your monies worth but if they charged any sort of entry fee or would be far too much.

April Sassin

Horrible day camp!!! Poor staff that pays no attention to kids and what they are doing during the day!!! If your looking for a day camp look elsewhere!!! SMH...

KENDYL FOLEY

Great place to go for the weekend! Amazing variety of activities and many cool animals!

Nicole Heal

Kids had more fun here than at the zoo! Tons of animals. The stream and playscape were awesome. Great time, can’t wait to go back!

Alisha Talbot

I brought an animal there about 2 weeks ago. I was given a sticky note with a phone number and case number and told to call if I wished to receive updates. I have since called 13 times without any answer.

Tyler Epps

Ive gone every year from 9 to 18 and i just gotta say that it was and still is my fav place on earth all my best times were there the best staff ive ever seen been dreaming to be a counselor there my whole life and just amazing people and they take care of the kids always had a blast anyone who says different is crazy bc i know the staff very well well some i know has left but i know the staff and they are great people

Kylee Lary

such a great place! I’m 16, and I’ve been attending the overnight camps here for almost eight years, and it’s always such a great experience. The counselors and staff are the nicest and most friendly people, and the overall experience and feel here is amazing. Would definitely recommend!

Big ChunGus

Awesome experience learned lots and had fun

Amber Keyes

We absolutely loved visiting the Howell nature center. My son has had hours of fun at the play scape and in the treehouse and he always loves to see the animals there. The staff is very helpful and friendly and although they do not require an entry fee I am very very happy to donate to them every time we go to support the work that they do.

Dana Galli

Stayed open to receive abandoned birds. Awesome group of people. Very nice place.

bo beboo

We reserved a lodge for the weekend. When we got there, there was no one there to meet us. The paperwork that they said would be in the lodge was not there, and the teenager in the office could not answer any questions. The lodge was dirty, so we had to clean it ourselves before the event, including washing dishes and picking up garbage after the previous group. There were no instructions on how to operate equipment or explaining where things were. The location was beautiful and serene, and that is the only thing that earned the 2 stars. Take a walk there, enjoy the scenery, but do not stay!

Jake L

canoe, Zipline, animals, bugs, trees

Kaleigh Conly

We had a great time visiting! The playscape was very well done for imaginative play in nature. I would say bring an all terrain stroller or baby carrier for little ones. The paths are steep and rocky in places.

Endeavor

Came here as a child! Great memories and experiences.

Tara Kempert

Love it awesome place

Daniel Frayer

A beautiful educational place, but the wildlife clinic should come with a warning on the door. If you have a bird with a broken leg and care at all about it, DO NOT BRING IT HERE! Before asking any questions, they’ll take it to the back and only later tell you that they have to euthanize it. They can’t give it back, they can’t treat it, they can’t let you see it, nothing. My daughter cared deeply for a wild bird for four days only to have her heart broken after driving an hour to have the bird mended.

Andreas Kanon

A great place to take your kids and let them play and learn about nature. All while helping fund rehabilitation of injured animals, it's a win win

Natalia Joyce

Go to Howell Nature Center! :)

Sheila Prusakiewicz

As probably one of the oldest living chaperones, I can't say enough good about the camp & staff. Phenomenal! I attended with my 4th grade granddaughter & had a blast.

Jeff Pollack

Went here for a bat exibit and was totally amazed. Staff was very knowledgeable and engaging. Never knew about this place before and was amazed at how great it was. Can't wait to go back.

Checkered Flag Interactive

Had a great day out here with UMich and an all day retreat. The staff was kind. The property needs some touch up and there were some safety concerns with a dock there..but outside of that very great day, beautiful property and love the mission of this place.

Sherry Lessor

My Granddaughters found baby squirrels and they took them to help them.

walid azar

My son had a wonderful time he went with his class from the Algonquin Middle School his name is Walid Azar

John Pavelko

Quite places for solitary walks, attractive exhibits of permanently injured birds of prey and animals, fantastic environmental educational facility

Lex Happinessisyou

I love what they do here. They've helped a lot of animals.

Plum Health DPC

This was such a cool place to visit. The Howell Nature Center takes in found, illegally kept, or injured animals and rehabilitates them with the goal of releasing them back to the wild. Some have been domesticated for so long, that they live out their days at the nature center. On our visit, we saw rabbits, foxes, Eagles, owls, a sand hill crane, a coyote, ducks

Renee Amiot

Wonderful opportunity for all ages

Braylon Rosario

I like it

Ivana Chen

We had a corporate offsite at the high ropes course led by Jessa and it was phenomenal, even in the snow. The staff here is super friendly and experienced!