Open Today: 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.
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For Over Fifty Years

Saving Wildlife and Wild Places

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What we do
The North Carolina Zoo protects wildlife and wild places and inspires people to join us in conserving the natural world.
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Giraffe

Giraffa camelopardalis

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What's New at the Zoo

Something NEW and exciting is always happening at the world's largest natural habitat zoo. 

• Reminder: Warm Weather Tips

• More Opportunities to "Meet the Keeper"

• Join Our Team!

A large group of guests enjoy watching elephant C'sar splashing in the water with his trunk at North Carolina Zoo.
Summer Tips
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A keeper speaking with guests while elephants gather across a pond.
Meet the Keeper
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A woman wearing an Iron Hen Cafe hat and uniform leans casually on a wooden restaurant counter next to a cash register. There are food items, kitchen machinery, and kitchen visible behind her. A menu hangs on the wall behind her head.
Seasonal Jobs
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Plan Your Visit
Today at the Zoo
Meet the Keeper

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Prairie Geyser
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Garden Friends Playground

Open daily

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Carousel

Open every day!

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Kidzone

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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Acacia Station Giraffe Deck

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Weather Permitting

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Treehouse Trek

10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

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A fuzzy brown otter with small, rounded ears, lanky body, and long tail, perches on a small rocky ledge next to a pond.
Connect with us
Instagram @NCZoo

Stay in touch with the Zoo! Follow us on social media for updates on everything from our wildlife conservation efforts to your favorite animals. Share your photos, stories, and videos with us as we celebrate 50 WILD years in 2024.

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Did you know? Here at the North Carolina Zoo, we maintain one of the largest public art collections in the state! 🦓 🎨 At the Zoo, you can appreciate not only the animals but also the diverse art collection that adorns the park. So, come join us in celebrating art and wildlife this World Art Day. Get inspired by the animals and art at the North Carolina Zoo! #WorldArtDay
🔥 It is HOT out here this week! If you plan to come to the Zoo, make sure to stay hydrated and not overexert yourself. We encourage bringing a refillable water bottle and arriving early to beat the afternoon heat. ☀️💧 Stop by any food service location in the Zoo that offers fountain refills, to get your water bottle refilled for free with ice cold water! Snack carts located throughout the park will also provide free ice water cups.🧊 🚨 If you need help don’t hesitate to ask! Reach out to a Zoo Staff member or call ZOOCOM. If you require immediate assistance during your visit, please call ZOOCOM at (336)879-7540 for help.
Today is all about PUFFINS! 🐧 These beautiful birds are highly social, living and nesting in large flocks. Puffins nest in crevices and rocks on cliff faces, which their habitat mirrors perfectly! Both parents participate in nest building, as you can see here! Keepers will provide nesting material for the puffins, allowing them to choose the perfect tuft of moss for their nests! 🪹 #NationalPuffinDay
Hey, you! 🫵Yes, you! Pause! You’ve reached a scrolling checkpoint. This is your sign to take a break from your phone…you’re welcome. 😜
Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
A Commitment to Excellence
Large group of Zoo Volunteers
Volunteer

There are many rewarding ways to volunteer your time at our park. Opportunities range from gardening to greeting to helping guests feed giraffes!

An aerial view of the Akiba Bridge, a long wooden bridge with colorful designs and a pergola in the middle that leads from the parking lot, through dense trees, over a lake and ending at the African entrance of the NC Zoo.
Land Acknowledgement

The state of North Carolina is situated on the ancestral homelands of many American Indian tribes who have lived in this place, cared for these lands, and traveled throughout the region for thousands of years. 

A woman with long dark hair, wearing a red shirt and seen from the back, holding a small child with curly hair on her hip, as they interact with a giraffe. The woman is holding a piece of green foliage which the giraffe is gently eating. The giraffe's spotted head and neck dominate the left side of the frame, and the scene takes place at a low wooden fence.

Outreach and Engagement

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.