On April 16, Purgatory Mountain Hiking Trails will be closed to the public for a controlled burn starting at 9 a.m. Zoo guests may see smoke in the area. We do not anticipate any adverse reactions from the animals due to the smoke.
We are excited to welcome you to the Zoo! The North Carolina Zoo serves and welcomes everyone, and it is our promise to value equity, respect, inclusivity, and kindness. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the gate on the day of your visit.
The Zoo is open year round, closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
April - October 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
November - March 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Last entry is one hour before closing.
North Carolina Zoo Members: Free.
Become a member today and visit all year.
General Admission: Tickets are available for purchase online, or pay for admission at the gate the day of your visit. Online tickets are valid for one visit within 30 days of the purchase date. We do not offer rain checks, refunds or exchanges for weather or animal visibility.
Adults (ages 13 - 61): $15
Seniors (ages 62+): $13
Military (with ID): $13
Children (ages 2 - 12): $11
Under 2: Free
NC EBT Rate: Individuals and families enrolled in North Carolina Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) are eligible for up to six $5.00 general admissions by presenting an NC EBT card and matching photo ID. This discount is only available for in-person, same-day purchases. Not valid for group visits, attractions, or any Zoo special events. Pandemic-EBT cards are not accepted.
AZA Reciprocity Discounts: Reciprocal memberships for participating Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) organizations will be accepted provided the member follows the following guidelines:
• You must have your membership card with you.
• The membership card must be in your name.
• You must present a photo ID.
• The expiration date on the membership card must be valid.
Current list of participating organizations
Historically, this is a busy time of year! To ensure a safe and quality guest experience, the Zoo is implementing measures for days with high attendance (typically sunny Saturdays in the spring).
In the interest of safety and preserving a positive guest experience, the Zoo will limit access to the Zoo property once parking is full. Admission/ticketing gates will remain open during our regular business hours.
If you arrive when parking is full, you may be asked to return within an hour or so to try again. This will help with crowd management and provide a more relaxed and enjoyable visit for guests and their loved ones inside the Zoo.
We strongly encourage you to plan your visit carefully and arrive early to secure parking. If there is an extended wait for parking spaces later in the morning, consider driving into nearby Asheboro or Seagrove to enjoy a quick shopping or dining experience before returning to the Zoo.
Explore other parts of Randolph County: https://www.heartofnorthcarolina.com/things-to-do/Parks-and-Recreation
Located seven miles south of Asheboro in the heart of North Carolina and open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, the Zoo is easily driveable from many areas of the state.
The North Carolina Zoo
4401 Zoo Pkwy
Asheboro, NC
27205
Approx. 105 mins
Approx. 45 mins
Approx. 90 mins
Have questions about your upcoming visit?
1.800.488.0444
Parking is Free
The North America Parking Lot and Entrance is open year-round.
The Africa Parking Lot and Entrance is open April - October.
The entire Zoo is accessible from both entrances.
View Current Zoo Map for reference.
Just a reminder… this is the world’s largest natural habitat zoo. With roughly 5 miles of walking trails to navigate, make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a refillable water bottle. Animals are only visible from the walking paths.
Tram Service is available daily between the North America Entrance, Junction Plaza (the center of the Zoo) and Africa Entrance. Parking Lot shuttles with transportation between the North America and Africa parking lots is available April - October starting at 11am daily.
Strollers, Manual Wheelchairs and Electric Convenience vehicles (ECVs) are available for rent from the Gift Shop at the entrance.
Golf Cart Tours of the Zoo and Behind the Scenes Experiences are available by reservation only.
On occasion the Zoo or production companies authorized by the Zoo will photograph or video Zoo guests for the Zoo’s educational or promotional use or for use in programming about the Zoo. Guest entry into the Zoo grants the Zoo and authorized production companies permission to use these images for these uses throughout the world in all media in perpetuity.
Our park serves and welcomes everyone, and it is our promise to value equity, respect, inclusivity, and kindness. Everyone can enjoy an unforgettable day trip here.