Open Today: 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.
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A serene campsite consisting of a small green, red and blue tent, a fire pit and two camping chairs that has been set up amidst the trees, next to a calm lake.

Family & Group Programs

A group of children and adults sitting in a circle on a patch of dirt outdoors, possibly for a class or nature program. The people are dressed in various brightly colored jackets and shirts (including blues, reds, and pinks). The setting is a wooded area with green foliage in the background. A few people in the foreground have their backs to the camera, and some backpacks are visible.

Ed-Zoo-Cation Group Programs

We provide unique and fun learning opportunities for non-school groups and  organizations through our Ed-Zoo-Cation programs.

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A woman with a blonde bun and navy NC Zoo uniform shirt stands in front of a group of children holding a large skull. A wall of bookshelves filled with books fills the wall beside her, giving the impression of an educational presentation at a school library.

Library 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.

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Four young people appear to be gathered around a table outdoors. They are wearing tan boy scout uniforms that are covered with patches and appear to be listening to another individual who is not visible to the viewer. On the table are various objects, including what appear to be drawings and graphs. The setting looks like a covered outdoor area with stone pillars or walls in the background.

Scouts

Explore our resources designed specifically for scout groups for scout leaders.
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A woman with a long, blonde braid, wearing a blue collared shirt is standing next to a lake in the woods. She is smiling at the camera and holding a very long, black snake in both hands as it wraps around her hands and forearms.

Snorin' Safari

Experience the Zoo at our overnight family (for families with children age 6 and older), adult-only (18+), sensory-friendly family, and private group (groups with 10-30 people) camping adventures.  

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A woman with short blonde hair, wearing a blue NC Zoo uniform, stands in a wooden area next to a natural wooden fence holding a medium sized brown turtle in her gloved hands. She is looking into an Ipad that seems to be recording a video of her teaching about the turtle.

Virtual Species Spotlight

Bring a zoo animal virtually to your classroom, business or family event.

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A woman with a blonde braid and blue shirt stands holding and a cellphone facing and seemingly recording an older man in a blue shirt that is holding a small, brown and tan baby Alligator. They are on a wooden deck in front of a green sign with an image of an Alligator and text that reads "Alligator Overlook".

Zoo EDventures Online Series

A live Facebook series with fun, educational presentations about animals and nature on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 10 A.M. EST.

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A mother helps her son with a Zoo Trekker activity at the alligator habitat.

Zoo Trekker

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. Also available in Spanish!
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Resources For Families

Craft made of leaves in the shape of an owl on a branch with a moon over its head on a dark blue background.
Arts & More

Dig out your craft paper and glue. It is time to make something new. 

A young girl holding hands with a toddler as they climb barefoot up a steep, rocky hill. They are surrounded by trees and large rocks.
Wild About Nature

Looking for fun new activities for your family? Our Wild About Nature gives you the tools to make nature play.

A female zookeeper stands next to a man who appears to be filming her interacting with an animal habitat. There is a large rock wall in front of them, overlooking a grassy field that is sprinkled with trees and boulders throughout the background.
Untamed Science

Bite size video series with activities!  Join Rob Nelson from Untamed Science as he learns more about the North Carolina Zoo.

A young girl holding hands with a toddler as they climb barefoot up a steep, rocky hill. They are surrounded by trees and large rocks.
Wild About Nature

Looking for fun new activities for your family? Our Wild About Nature gives you the tools to make nature play.

A woman with short blonde hair, wearing a blue NC Zoo uniform, stands in a wooden area next to a natural wooden fence holding a medium sized brown turtle in her gloved hands. She is looking into an Ipad that seems to be recording a video of her teaching about the turtle.
Digital Discovery

Digital Discovery is the North Carolina Zoo's virtual program experience designed with school groups in mind!  Whether you are interested in seeing details up close before or after a visit or are interested in logging in from hours away, we are one click away from your students learning about all the powerful work we do here at the Zoo to protect wildlife and wild places.

A young female nature or zoo educator, wearing a dark blue polo shirt and blue nitrile gloves, is holding a small, dark amphibian or reptile in her hands. She has her hair pulled back and is smiling while presenting the animal to an unseen audience. She is standing in front of a concrete wall with lush green foliage in the background.
Zoo Science

Come explore the scientific world with us. We will present a new science experiment you can try at home. We will have lots of fun and you may even learn something.