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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Hours
Maps
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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. 

•  Air Hike Ropes Course

•  Kidzone

Female on Air Hike ropes course
Air Hike Ropes Course
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A father plays with his young daughter in the Kidzone Play Stream.
Kidzone
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Plan Your Visit
Today at the Zoo
Feeding Times

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Garden Friends Playground

Open daily

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Air Hike Ropes Course

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

Last entry 3:00 p.m.

Weather Permitting

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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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Kaleidoscope Butterfly Garden

10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

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Treehouse Trek

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

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Hiking Trails

Every day

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streamside-habitat-1
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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It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Pat Simmons, Director and CEO of the North Carolina Zoo, on July 14, 2025. Pat courageously battled cancer for nearly five years. Pat was a highly respected zoo director within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for over 41 years. She was the Director of the Akron Zoo from 1985-2014 before she came to North Carolina as the Director and CEO of the North Carolina Zoo from 2015-2025. She was nationally and internationally recognized in the zoo and aquarium industry, receiving many awards and appointments in support of wildlife conservation, sustainability, and women in leadership roles. Pat was and remains an icon in the industry. To know Pat was to love her. She was a force to be reckoned with and made huge impacts during her time at the Zoo. She was immensely funny, smart, and passionate. Pat loved animals and people with her whole heart. She was a sought-after mentor and counselor, helping many find their true passion. Her legacy in the zoo community will carry on through those she touched throughout her lifetime. We send the Simmons family our sincere and deepest condolences. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all those she knew throughout her life. ❤️
BOOP! 🫵 It's Snake Week!….What is Snake Week?? It is a week to celebrate all things snakes! It encompasses World Snake Day on 16 July and encourages snake awareness, coexistence, and snake safety. This is the first ever Snake Week organized by @‌snake_week 🐍🎉 Check out the website www.SnakeWeek.org to see other organizations participating! 🌐✨ #SnakeWeek2025 #SnakeSunday
Just when you think it can’t get any better…. IT DOES! We don’t just have two adult white deer on Zoo property, now we have a WHITE FAWN! 🤍 🦌✨ Zoo Staff have spotted the white fawn throughout the past several weeks and we have been lucky enough to get some photos to share! 😍 From visual observation, the fawn seems to be doing well, growing just as a baby deer should be. Staff have also spotted it on trail cams with mom, who is the typical light brown color of white tailed deer and another baby deer that is the normal fawn color. Could we have twin fawns?! Both fawns have been seen repeatedly with the same doe, but we can’t be sure. 🤔 It is unlikely that you will spot the white fawn on your Zoo visit. However, we still wanted to share this special sighting with our guests after the love the adult white deer post received last fall! 🫶 As a reminder, these deer are native inhabitants residing on protected land where hunting is strictly prohibited; they are NOT in a human-made habitat designed for public viewing. ‼️ Catching a glimpse of the new baby is unlikely during typical business hours. However, if you do encounter the white fawn (or any native wildlife for that matter), please treat it with respect by observing quietly and from a distance (like any animal in our care). We appreciate your partnership in ensuring their safety and tranquility. 📍
🚨UPDATED INFORMATION🚨 The graphic information has been updated. See below for information regarding guests of Zoo Members pricing, which will be a flat rate year round: ➡️ Adults: $13 ➡️ Senior: $11 ➡️ Child: $9 Beginning on Monday, July 14 the North Carolina Zoo is implementing an updated gate admission fee structure. This is the first gate increase in a decade! Over the past ten years, the cost of caring for wildlife has steadily increased, from food and veterinary care to habitat maintenance and essential utilities. The Zoo's updated admission structure ensures that every dollar continues to support its pillars of animal welfare, conservation, and providing an exceptional guest experience. 🎟️ This change ensures your visit continues to support what matters most: ✔️ World-class animal care ✔️ Global conservation work ✔️ An exceptional, family-friendly experience “The updated pricing helps ensure that the Zoo can meet rising operational costs while remaining one of the most affordable, family-friendly destinations in the heart of North Carolina,” says Diane Villa, Deputy Director. We encourages guests to take advantage of the following perks to enhance their visit: 💧 Free refill stations - located throughout the Zoo. Be sure to hold the water fountain button for five seconds to start the flow. 🚋 Free transportation - trams and shuttles help guests move comfortably across the Zoo's sprawling geography. 🧺 Free picnic areas - located just outside the Zoo gates, these shaded areas allow families and adventurers to enjoy meals together before or after their visit. The Zoo will continue to offer discounted admission for groups, online purchases, seniors, military personnel, and guests using NC EBT benefits. In addition, discounted admission will now be extended to college students and children under age 3.
Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
A Commitment to Excellence
Five Zoo volunteers posing for the camera in Africa Plaza.
Volunteer

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

A father plays with his young daughter in the Kidzone Play Stream.
Kidzone

Nature Play Area for families to explore, get wet, get muddy, meet Animal Ambassadors, build a survival shelter, walk the Treetop Trail and more! Our play areas feature a stream, a fort making zone, a mud cafe, and more. Available year-round and free with admission.

 

A group of eight young ladies standing next to a wire fence next to an animal habitat. A Rhinoceros stands with its side facing them on the other side of the fence, as they reach through and touch its back. A dusty lot and a line of trees stand in the background.
Zoo Tours: Family Activities for All

Join a behind-the-scenes tour of our animal habitats and have a close animal encounter with the North Carolina Zoo Society!