Zoo Rules

Strollers, wagons, and similar Guest conveyances may not exceed 31 inches wide by 52 inches long. These size limits help keep pathways clear and accessible, better accommodate strollers and wagons on Guest transportation, and reduce congestion for a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for all Guests.

Guests may bring food and nonalcoholic beverages into the Zoo, subject to the following restrictions:

• Coolers and rolling bags may not exceed 18 inches long by 14 inches wide by 15 inches high. 
• Glass containers and disposable plastic straws are prohibited.
• Bulk food containers—including cardboard food boxes, beverage cases, multipack cartons, and party trays—are prohibited.
• Grills, cooking appliances, and other food-service equipment are prohibited.
• Outside alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

The following additional items are prohibited unless required because of a disability, expressly permitted by applicable law, or authorized in advance by the Zoo:

• Firearms, ammunition, knives, airguns, bows and arrows, slingshots, and other weapons, subject to exceptions required by law and Zoo regulation
• Fireworks, pyrotechnics, and cap pistols
• Mace, pepper spray, electroshock devices, and similar self-defense devices
• Toys, replicas, or other objects that resemble firearms or weapons
• Balloons and athletic equipment
• Horns, whistles, radios, speakers, megaphones, and similar noise-producing devices
• Paints, aerosols, sprays, liquid art materials, easels, and large art setups; handheld dry art materials may be used if they do not disrupt Guests, animals, or Zoo operations
• Laser pointers, light projectors, strobe lights, spotlights, flashlights, and similar devices
• Lawn chairs and portable seating not required because of a disability
• Skateboards, scooters, hoverboards, rollerblades, skates, bicycles, tricycles, shoes with built-in wheels, and similar recreational devices
• Boats, rafts, surfboards, personal watercraft, canoes, and other floating vessels
• Trailers, towed attachments, add-on cargo carriers, hand trucks, dollies, and similar commercial or industrial conveyances
• Metal detectors, remote-control toys, drones, and other aviation devices; drones and aviation devices require prior written authorization and must support the Zoo’s mission

Animals, Property, and Natural Resources

Do not remove, collect, damage, destroy, or disturb Zoo property or any plant, fungus, mineral, animal, archaeological resource, cultural resource, building, sign, or equipment.

Vehicles and Parking

• Park only in designated spaces.
• Do not park or operate a vehicle in a manner that obstructs traffic.
• Utility vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, and unlicensed motor vehicles require prior written authorization.
• Vehicles may not be left unattended for more than 12 hours or parked overnight without prior written authorization.
• Vehicles parked in violation of these rules may be towed at the owner’s expense.

Trails

• Use trails only during posted hours and for posted activities.
• Bicycles and other wheeled conveyances may be used only on trails designated for that use. Horses may be used only on designated equestrian trails.
• Camping, hunting, and littering are prohibited.
• Use of the Ridges area requires a reservation. Animals are prohibited in the Ridges area except for service animals permitted by law.
• Climbing is allowed only in designated climbing areas and requires the applicable Day-Use Permit.

Commercial and Organized Activities

The following activities require prior written authorization or an applicable written agreement with the Zoo:

• Commercial activity or the sale or display of goods or services
• Solicitation, fundraising, collecting donations, distributing literature, or proselytizing
• Advertising, organized performances, speeches, demonstrations, or events
• Private rental or use of Zoo property
• Commercial photography, filming, or recording
• Research or collection of plants, animals, minerals, archaeological materials, or other resources

Personal photography and recording are permitted when they do not disturb animals, obstruct Guests, enter restricted areas, or interfere with Zoo operations.

Guests must not threaten, intimidate, harass, fight, behave dangerously, or unreasonably disrupt Zoo operations or another Guest’s experience.

Dress Code

• Guests must wear shirts and shoes. Shoes may be removed only at designated water-play areas where posted rules permit and must be put back on before leaving those areas.
• Public nudity is prohibited.
• Clothing and accessories must not create a safety hazard or obstruct pathways or movement.
• Clothing displaying legally obscene material or unlawful threats is prohibited. A Guest may be asked to cover the material or turn the garment inside out.

Costumes

Guests of all ages may wear costumes and seasonal attire without advance approval, provided they comply with these requirements:

• Guests over age 13 may not wear a costume mask, face paint, or a costume that fully covers the face. 
• Guests age 13 and younger may wear costume masks, provided the masks allow unobstructed peripheral vision and leave the Guest’s eyes fully visible.
• Costumes may not include sharp items or anything that resembles or could be used as a weapon or firearm. Toy or replica weapons are prohibited regardless of their material, color, or labeling.
• Costumes must not drag on the ground, obstruct movement, or include components that could strike or injure another person.
• Guests may not represent themselves as law enforcement personnel, Zoo employees, or authorized Zoo entertainers.

The Zoo may inspect costume props as a condition of entry.

• Refunds and rain checks are not provided because of weather conditions or animal availability.
• Advance tickets are valid only for the selected date. Date-change requests must be made at least 72 hours in advance.
• Membership cards, passes, tickets, and other admission entitlements may not be transferred unless their terms expressly permit transfer.
• For same-day re-entry, obtain a hand stamp or other re-entry authorization from the admissions team before exiting.

• Feeding, petting, touching, or otherwise interacting with Zoo animals is permitted only as part of an authorized Zoo program.
• Do not feed, attract, pet, pursue, collect, capture, harass, or harm native wildlife.
• Do not throw objects into animal areas, tap on exhibit glass, or cross animal barriers.
• Animals that are not owned by the Zoo may not enter the Zoo perimeter except for service animals permitted by federal and State law.
• Outside the Zoo perimeter, animals must be physically restrained by a leash or harness and remain under control. An electronic leash or collar is not a substitute for physical restraint.
• Do not leave an animal unattended in a parking area or vehicle.
• A Guest whose animal creates a nuisance, threatens safety, or disrupts Zoo operations must leave when directed by an authorized Zoo employee.
• Service animals must remain under their handler’s control. Additional information, including definitions and area-specific safety restrictions, is available on the Zoo’s Accessibility and Service Animals page.
• The Zoo may temporarily close or restrict access to areas when necessary to protect animals, natural resources, construction areas, or public safety.

• Guests may not bring alcoholic beverages onto Zoo property.
• Alcohol may be purchased only from an authorized Zoo vendor.
• Guests must be at least 21 years old and present valid identification to purchase or consume alcohol.
• Alcohol may be consumed only in permitted areas. Open alcoholic beverages may not be taken into posted no-food-or-drink areas, onto Zoo transportation, or through Zoo exits.
• Vendors may limit or refuse alcohol service as required by law, training, or Zoo policy.
• Intoxication and alcohol-related conduct that threatens safety or disrupts Zoo operations are prohibited.
• Illegal drugs, unlawfully possessed controlled substances, and cannabis products are prohibited.