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
Events

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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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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We have exciting news to share with you! 🎉 Our North Carolina Zoo app is officially launched! 🚀 The app is available on the Apple and Android app stores, in English AND Spanish! Simply search for “North Carolina Zoo”! 🚨Take our advice and download ahead of your visit.🚨 The app was created with the support of a $1M grant to the Zoo from the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation. The app provides: 📍 Educational videos 🎓 📍 K-12 activities integrated with the North Carolina standard course of study 📚 📍 Interactive augmented reality games that allow visitors to explore zoo careers 🎮 📍 Features like audio descriptions to improve accessibility for vision-impaired guests 🎧 📍 A live map of the Zoo for way-finding 🗺️ So, come to the Zoo, and get ready to explore the wild side of learning! Stay tuned as we share more about the app in the coming weeks! 🦓 🌿
🦔 Did you know that porcupines are the second largest rodents in North America, right after the beaver? 🦫 Next time you visit the Zoo, don’t miss the chance to see Griddle, the North American Porcupine! 🎉 Griddle joined the Zoo last year at 5 months old, and is growing up fast! If you don't see him, look again, as he is often napping in his tree trunk. 😴 #WorldPorcupineDay 📷 Shoutout to Keeper Melissa for the pics!
Bull elk Tommy is here to tell you that we will be OPEN on July 4th!! ❤️🤍💙 Come visit the World’s Largest Natural Habitat Zoo! 🇺🇸 🦌
You asked and we've delivered! The outpouring of support and curiosity surrounding Annie the Bison’s fly mask called for a behind-the-scenes look! 🦬✨ Watch as keeper Robin puts on Annie’s fly mask, a process that has taken countless hours of training to perfect. 🎥
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!