Visit Us
We are open 7 days a week, 363 days a year.
(Closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day)
Opening Hours
Winter: 10am - 4pm
(Thanksgiving to Victoria Day)
Summer: 9am - 5pm
(Victoria Day to Thanksgiving)
Admission
General admission to the Polar Bear Habitat may be purchased on arrival at the Welcome Centre. Taking a self guided journey, you will have access to view the bears in their expansive enclosures, as well as the vintage snowmobile museum and the heritage village. General admission provides access to the Habitat for the whole day of purchase. We recommend guests arrive earlier in the day to allow the most opportunities to experience everything we have to offer.
Day Pass
Daily admission provides access to the Polar Bear Habitat, Heritage Village and Snowmobile Museum for the day of purchase.
Adults ............................................. $17.60
Seniors (65+) ............................... $13.20
Children (5-18) ........................... $13.20
Children (under 4) ..................... Free
Family Pass ................................. $55.00
(2 Adults, 2 Children between 5-18)
Yearly Membership
Yearly membership allows unlimited access to all amenities and events for 1 calendar year from the time of purchase.
Adults ............................................. $35.00
Seniors (65+) ............................... $26.00
Children (5-18) ........................... $26.00
Children (under 4) ..................... Free
Family Pass ................................. $99.00
(2 Adults, 2 Children between 5-18)
We also offer additional Tour Experiences and Group/School Tours.
If you are a snowmobile enthusiast and wish to only visit the snowmobile museum, separate admission may be purchased for the museum only.
Directions
1 Drury Park Road, Cochrane, Ontario, P0L1C0
Driving
Located directly off highway 11 south, just before entering the town of Cochrane, ON, it couldn't be easier to find us!
COMING FROM HIGHWAY 11 SOUTH
Turn right at the OPP station then follow the road until you see a large polar bear statue (named Chimo). Stay left of Chimo then take the first right to the Welcome Centre.
COMING FROM HIGHWAY 11 WEST
Turn left onto highway 11 south then right at the OPP station. Follow the road until you see a large polar bear statue (named Chimo). Stay left of Chimo then take the first right to the Welcome Centre.
COMING FROM TOWN
Go through the roundabout onto highway 11 south then turn left before the OPP station. Follow the road until you see a large polar bear statue (named Chimo). Stay left of Chimo then take the first right to the Welcome Centre.
Flying
The closest public airport is located in Timmins, about a 1.5 hour drive from Cochrane.
Car rental is available from the Timmins airport but supply can be limited, so we would recommend booking ahead.
Highway 655 will bring you north to highway 11 west, where you will turn right and follow it straight into Cochrane.
Plan Your Visit
WHEN TO ARRIVE
We recommend arriving early in the day, as the bears are often most active at this time. While we cannot guarantee you will see a bear, visitors are encouraged to allow themselves time to explore our expansive grounds, learn about polar bears through the interactive displays in the Viewer's Building, and attend the educational talk presented by our animal care staff.
Our bears experience seasonal weather changes similar to that of their wild counterparts. In the heat of the summer, the bears are less active. They prefer to stay cool by sleeping in the air-conditioned holding building or resting in a shaded part of their enclosure. With the arrival of cooler weather in the fall, the bears tend to be more active, showing increased interactions with enrichment items and each other.
GETTING AROUND
All pathways and buildings are wheelchair and stroller accessible, with hard gravel pathways connecting all areas of The Habitat. Please note that in the winter time the roads become packed with snow making wheelchair accessibility quite challenging. Sleds may be used in place of strollers. Private vehicles and bicycles are not permitted within the grounds. Anyone requiring mobility assistance is encouraged to call ahead.
FEEDING TIMES
For the bears’ welfare, there are no pre-scheduled feeding times. The bears are fed on a variable schedule which is based on their needs and behaviour each day. They are typically 2-5 times a day and we encourage visitors to be patient if they wish to view a feeding.
KID'S PADDLE POOL – "Swim With the Bears" – CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
The kid's paddle pool is outdoors and is only open for the summer season. Weather permitting, it is set to open each year from early July to the end of August, pending required approval from the the health unit.
The kid's paddle pool allows guests the opportunity to cool off on a hot day, while being separated from the bears' pool by thick sheet of glass. We cannot guarantee if or when a bear will swim in their adjoining pool, but we can guarantee a unique experience for the whole family. There is no additional fee to use the pool, it is covered in the cost of your admission.
BEAR TALKS
The animal care team hosts daily bear talks at the Viewer's Building, where they present information on our bears and the work we do, wild bears, climate change and what you can do to help. Please call ahead for the daily schedule, as this changes seasonally.
OTHER THINGS TO SEE
Adjacent to the Polar Bear Habitat is the Heritage Village, a walk through exhibit depicting life in Cochrane in the early 1900's. The Heritage Village is a great place to explore if the bears are out of sight at any point during your visit.
Whether you want to stop in when you arrive, on before you leave, the Vintage Snow Mobile Museum is located in the Welcome Centre. Featuring the largest collection of vintage snow mobiles in Ontario, this exhibit will delight anyone interested in this popular winter sport.
DOGS
For the safety and welfare of our bears and guests, dogs are not permitted within the grounds under any circumstances. This includes service animals and small dogs in bags. We offer kennels within our Welcome Centre free of charge, and ask that you do not leave your dog in your vehicle during your visit. Those visitors with service dogs are strongly encouraged to call ahead in order for us to make arrangements for your visit.
CAMPING
We offer on-site camping just steps from the Welcome Centre front doors. We offer a number of sites suitable for tents, campers and RV's. Click here for rates and information.
Looking for other things to do in Cochrane?
Check out the Tourism Cochrane website for more information on places to stay, see, and eat!
