Elk Grove could sell former zoo land to Sky River tribe

An aerial view from 2021 shows the 98-acre Elk Grove property once proposed for the Sacramento Zoo. Elk Grove is now discussing selling a portion of the property to Wilton Rancheria, which operates the nearby Sky River Casino, seen under construction in the distance.

Hector Amezcua

hamezcua@sacbee.com

A portion of the 98-acre Elk Grove property once slated for a $302 million Sacramento Zoo relocation could instead be sold to Wilton Rancheria, the tribe behind the nearby Sky River Casino.

The Elk Grove City Council met in closed session Wednesday to discuss negotiations over a potential sale of the property to the tribe, according to the council agenda. The property is at 8675 Kammerer Road near Lotz Parkway in southeastern Elk Grove.

City officials did not announce any action from the closed-session discussion during the council’s public meeting later Wednesday. A city spokesperson said Elk Grove would not comment on the closed-session item. Wilton Rancheria officials did not respond to a request for comment.

After years of discussion, the Sacramento Zoo was set to relocate to the city-owned site after the City Council voted to approve construction of the 98-acre project in 2024.

Plans were scrapped in 2025 amid economic concerns, when the zoo’s interim CEO announced that the zoo would remain in Land Park, its home since 1927. The Sacramento City Council voted on Sept. 1 to allow the zoo to expand at its current location in William Land Park.

Wilton Rancheria, the only federally recognized tribe in Sacramento County, opened nearby Sky River Casino in 2022. The casino features 120,000 square feet of gaming space with 2,500 slot machines and 81 table games, along with 18 restaurants and bars.

Sky River Casino has continued to expand, breaking ground in April on a new 300-room hotel and resort.

This story was originally published September 9, 2026 at 3:36 PM.

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