For Over Fifty Years

Saving Wildlife and Wild Places

What we do

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

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.

• Pumpkin Palooza

• Military Appreciation Week

• Brown Pelicans

A pumpkin with a surprised face sits on top of a rock. A large Polar Bear stands beside it with the stem and top of the pumpkin hanging from its mouth.

Pumpkin Palooza

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A group of dark brown Bison is grazing on a dry, golden field. The background features a forest with trees displaying the green, orange, and brown leaves of autumn.

Military Appreciation Week

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Brown Pelican

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Plan Your Visit

Today at the Zoo

Feeding Times

View Full Schedule

Prairie Geyser

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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

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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

Every day

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.

Visit the Zoo's Instagram

Our outstanding volunteer program at the Zoo thrives thanks to the dedicated leadership that coordinates and communicates with countless volunteers each year! These leaders work diligently to ensure that all volunteers feel welcomed, supported, and valued. Our Volunteer management staff are committed to helping new volunteers succeed by providing the necessary tools, resources, and training. Give a big thank you to our volunteer coordinators in the comments below! 🧡
Learn more about our volunteer program at the Zoo on our website: https://www.nczoo.org/volunteer
#InternationalVolunteerManagersDay

The Beloved Pet Ofrenda is underway here at the Zoo and you still have time to participate in this free event! The Ofrenda is open daily in the North America Plaza, 9 am - 3 pm through Saturday, November 8. We invite you to bring a 4”x 6” photo of your pet that has passed to place on the altar. We provide frames and markers for decorating! 🎨 🖼️
There are also native wildflower packets available to take home and plant to encourage native pollinators to stop by, like the Monarch Butterfly!
The Beloved Pet Ofrenda reminds us that by keeping their memory alive, the ones who love us never really leave us. 🐾 🤍
Thank you to everyone that has participated so far this year! 🧡

Ronan the grizzly bear has picked THE best nap spot for a sunny autumn day! 🐻 💤💛🍂 #mondaymood

🐍 Did you know? The sidewinder travels by anchoring part of its body against the sand and pushing from that point to propel itself forward? This helps keep much of the snake’s body off the hot sand and leaves behind a telltale track resembling the letter “j.” 🌵✨
Desert Dome will be closed due to maintenance this week from Nov 3rd - 7th. Don't fret, you're not deserted! 👀 You can see our desert friends on our social media! Our slithery friend the sidewinder says “hellooo!” on this #snakesunday 💛

Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums

A Commitment to Excellence

Five Zoo volunteers wearing yellow shirts and black lanyards posing, arms around each other, for the camera in the lush Africa Plaza.

Volunteer Homepage

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.