On weekends, the Zoo may experience high attendance. For your safety and guest experience, the Zoo may need to limit parking once the lots are full. We typically reopen the parking lots once guests start leaving and spaces open. Check on our social media or website for up-to-date information on parking status. Read our tips for visiting.
Kidzone is closed for maintenance.
We have something for everyone! Check out our free and paid programming opportunities below.
The North Carolina Zoo offers a wide variety of different educational programs for schools, groups, and individuals, preschool through adult, many featuring our animal ambassadors or hands-on activities. If you are looking for something to enrich your visit to the Zoo or to add a Zoo experience closer to you, please check out the information on each of our programs to see what might work best for you.
Become a Zoo Trekker by completing six activities during your visit and earn a souvenir pin. The Zoo’s outdoor recreation activities also serve as a fun competition.
Check out our single day camps (virtual & in-person options) and week-long day camps (in-person) for rising 1-8 graders.
Join a Zoo naturalist for a guided hike or paddle on one of the Zoo's natural areas.
Check out our Facebook live, Zoo Classroom and activities you can do from home.
Check out our single day camps (virtual & in-person options) and week-long day camps (in-person) for rising 1-8 graders.
Wild Animal Science Camp engages middle and high school students with techniques and equipment that field biologists use every day.
Experience the Zoo at our overnight family (for families with children aged 6-18), adult-only (18+), and private group (10 or more people) camping adventures.
Become a Zoo Trekker by completing six activities during your visit and earn a souvenir pin. The Zoo’s outdoor recreation activities also serve as a fun competition.
Join a Zoo naturalist for a guided hike or paddle on one of the Zoo's natural areas.
Experience the Zoo at our overnight family (for families with children aged 6-18), adult-only (18+), and private group (10 or more people) camping adventures.
Bring a zoo animal virtually to your classroom, business or family event.
Dig out your craft paper and glue. It is time to make something new. On Wednesdays, we will bring you a new craft or activity inspired by Zoo EDventures.
We provide unique and fun learning opportunities for non-school groups and organizations through our Ed-Zoo-Cation programs.
Bring North Carolina Zoo Educators to your library this summer! As always, the program is designed to excite and inspire children of all ages about the wonders of our natural world.
Are you missing your North Carolina Zoo fieldtrip this year? Don't worry we are bringing many of our education programs right into your home.
A live Facebook series with fun, educational presentations about animals and nature every Wednesday at 10 a.m. EST.
Register for an exciting program to learn about Zoo jobs, offered to high school and college age students.
Living with Nature is our free distance learning event series.
Are you missing your North Carolina Zoo fieldtrip this year? Don't worry we are bringing many of our education programs right into your home.
Looking for a educational experience for your students at the Zoo? These programs have differing themes depending on group size.
Dig out your craft paper and glue. It is time to make something new. On Wednesdays, we will bring you a new craft or activity inspired by Zoo EDventures.
Educational Programs for multi-grade home school groups at the Zoo and brought to your location.
A live Facebook series with fun, educational presentations about animals and nature every Wednesday at 10 a.m. EST.
Register for an exciting program to learn about Zoo jobs, offered to high school and college age students.
Educational Programs for classrooms or assemblies that are brought to your location within 100-mile radius of the Zoo.
We offer developmentally-appropriate programs for preschool classrooms, which include meeting an Animal Ambassador, listening to a story, and looking at various animal artifacts.
Experience the Zoo at our overnight family (for families with children aged 6-18), adult-only (18+), and private group (10 or more people) camping adventures.
Join a Zoo naturalist for a guided hike or paddle on one of the Zoo's natural areas.
Playing Out is a series of trainings on the value of play, practical applications for playwork, refining existing outdoor spaces for play, and playful approaches to inquiry.
Professional development opportunities offered at the North Carolina Zoo.
Playful Pedagogy supports the Zoo’s Nature Play programs and provides Professional Development for professionals who work with children in outdoor play and learning environments.
Our educator resources have ideas for both classroom and Zoo field trip activities for students of all ages focusing on wildlife, plants, and their natural habitats.
Much of our virtual visit programming is still going on even with the Zoo back open. Check out what we have to offer to you at home.
