School Field Trip Information
North Carolina Zoo offers unique and entertaining learning experiences for children in grades K-12, as well as for college and university students. By visiting The Zoo, students get to not only have a fun field trip, but also learn about animals.
- Only North Carolina Public, Private and Registered Home Schools (K-12) are eligible for free admission benefits at the North Carolina Zoo.
- Reservations for the 2022/2023 school year are available for visit dates between September 6, 2022 and June 8, 2023.
- Reservations can be made for visits Monday - Friday only, black out dates apply for certain holidays and school break periods.
- Reservations must be made at least 1 week in advance of visit date.
- Please print and bring your confirmation letter received via email for entry on the day of your visit. This is the ticket for your group.
- Parking and Unloading buses near the entrance is not permitted.
- Bus parking is located in Lot A and Solar Point in the North America parking lot and Lot 1 in the Africa parking lot. Buses must park and unload/load in one of these lots.
- School field trips require one adult chaperone for every 10 students. Chaperones must remain with and supervise their students at all times.
- Please be sure to review the Zoo's current operations before planning your trip.
- Additional guests/parents/chaperones can purchase tickets online in advance or at the gate for Zoo entry.
- Students may not carry backpacks inside the Zoo. Backpacks are allowed for teachers and chaperones only.
- Students may carry a small drawstring bag for their personal belongings if needed. We also encourage the use of refillable water bottles.
- Lunches are not allowed to be brought into the Zoo. Schools that bring their own lunches can eat at the picnic areas located outside the Zoo entrance gates.
- Lunches are available for purchase through the Zoo's Catering Department.
- If you leave the Zoo to eat lunch at one of the picnic areas be sure to see a representative from admissions to receive a hand-stamp for re-entry before exiting to the parking lot or picnic areas.
North Carolina Public and Private School (K-12)
North Carolina Public and Private School (K-12)
- Reservations must be made at least 1 week prior to visit date.
- Limit 2 free visits per school year per class.
- Eligible dates for the 2022-23 school year are between September 6, 2022 through June 8, 2023, black out dates apply.
- Reservations can be made for Monday - Friday visits only.
- Reservations can be made by calling Zoo Advance Tickets/Reservations 336.879.7700 9am - 4pm Monday - Friday starting August 1, 2022.
- Reservations for free entry is for students in your classes only: siblings and other children are not included in the free admission.
- NC Public and Private Schools (K-12) are eligible for one complimentary teacher/staff admission every 10 students in your group.
- Remember to print and bring your confirmation letter received via email for entry on the day of your visit. This is your ticket.
- Additional guests/parents/chaperones can purchase tickets online in advance or at the gate for Zoo entry.
North Carolina Home Schools (K-12)
North Carolina Home Schools (K-12)
- Reservations must be made at least 1 week prior to visit date.
- NC home schools must be registered with the state of North Carolina to receive the free entry.
- Limit 2 free Zoo visits per school year per registered home school.
- NC home schools must make individual school reservations, not as a group.
- Eligible dates for the 2022-23 school year are between September 6, 2022 through June 8, 2023 black out dates apply.
- Reservations can be made for Monday - Friday visits only.
- Reservations can be made by calling Zoo Advance Tickets/Reservations 336.879.7700 9am - 4pm Monday - Friday starting August 22, 2022.
- Reservations for free entry are for students in your classes only: siblings and other children are not included in the free admission
- Eligible NC home school reservations receive one complimentary adult admission per reservation for the adult listed on the NC home school registration.
- Your confirmation email and photo ID are required for entry on the day of your visit.
- Additional guests/parents/chaperones can purchase tickets online in advance for Zoo entry.
Out-of-State Public and Private Schools (K-12)
Out-of-State Public and Private Schools (K-12)
- Out-of-state schools are not eligible for free admission to the Zoo.
- Out of state schools are welcome to visit the Zoo by purchasing tickets online.
- Group Ticket pricing is available for groups of 15 or more.
Out-of-State Home Schools
Out-of-State Home Schools
- Out-of-state home schools are not eligible for free admission to the Zoo.
- Out of state schools are welcome to visit the Zoo during this time by purchasing tickets online.
Colleges and Universities
Colleges and Universities
- Colleges and Universities are not eligible for free admission to the Zoo.
- College and University Groups are welcome to visit the Zoo during this time by purchasing tickets online.
- Group Ticket pricing is available for groups of 15 or more.
FAQ's for School Field Trips
How do North Carolina public and private schools make a reservation to the North Carolina Zoo?
How do North Carolina public and private schools make a reservation to the North Carolina Zoo?
School staff can call Zoo Advance Tickets/Reservations 336.879.7700 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday with questions or to make a reservation to schedule a unique learning experience for their students.
When can North Carolina public and private school groups come to the North Carolina Zoo for free?
When can North Carolina public and private school groups come to the North Carolina Zoo for free?
North Carolina public and private schools can make reservations starting August 1 to visit the North Carolina Zoo and enjoy a learning experience for free between September 6, 2022 through June 8, 2023, black out dates apply on some holidays and school break periods. School reservations must be made at least 1 week in advance of the visit date.
Do North Carolina public and private schools need to make a reservation in order to visit for free?
Do North Carolina public and private schools need to make a reservation in order to visit for free?
Yes, all school reservations are required at least 1 week prior to the visit date.
Can North Carolina public and private schools make a reservation to visit on holidays or weekends?
Can North Carolina public and private schools make a reservation to visit on holidays or weekends?
Free school reservations are not taken for holidays, weekends or certain dates throughout the year that are typically high visitation dates (i.e. Spring Break). These are referred to as black out dates. Schools are welcome to visit on these dates by purchasing tickets online. Group Ticket rates are available for groups of 15 or more.
Can additional adults/seniors/children not part of the school come to the Zoo free-of-charge with our school group?
Can additional adults/seniors/children not part of the school come to the Zoo free-of-charge with our school group?
North Carolina public and private school zoo learning experience reservations are for teachers and the students in their class only. Free admission does not apply to parents, siblings, other children, clubs, after school programs, extracurricular activities or summer camps. When you book a school reservation you are given one adult staff ticket for every 10 children in your class. These adult tickets are for your teachers, chaperones and bus drivers. Any additional adults, seniors or children that you bring can purchase tickets online in advance or at the gate for Zoo entry.
Can North Carolina home schools come to the Zoo free-of-charge?
Can North Carolina home schools come to the Zoo free-of-charge?
Yes, North Carolina registered home schools are required to make individual reservation. Home schools can call 336.879.7700 Monday - Friday 9 a.m - 4 p.m. to make reservations and we will verify that you are a state registered home school and complete your reservation. Eligible dates for the 2022-2023 school year are between September 6, 2022 through June 8, 2023. Black out dates apply on some holidays and school break periods.
Reservations will be taken starting August 22nd for this upcoming school year. The school aged children and one adult registered to the homeschool will be granted free admission. Any additional adults, seniors or children that you bring can purchase tickets online in advance or at the gate for Zoo entry.
What are the black out dates for the 2022-2023 school year?
What are the black out dates for the 2022-2023 school year?
Free school reservations are not accepted on weekends and certain days throughout the year that are typically high visitation dates (i.e. holidays, teacher work days, spring break). These are referred to as black out dates. Schools are welcome to visit on these dates by purchasing tickets online. Group Ticket rates are available for groups of 15 or more.
2022-2023 school year black out dates:
- Friday Nov 11th
- Nov 23rd - 25th
- December 19th - 30th
- Monday Jan 2nd
- Monday Jan 16th
- Monday Feb 20th
- Friday March 31
- April 3rd - 14th
- Monday May 29th
Can North Carolina university/college groups get in free?
Can North Carolina university/college groups get in free?
Colleges and Universities do not get free admission to visit the Zoo. College and Universities are welcome to plan a visit to the Zoo and enjoy its unique learning experience by purchasing tickets online. Group Ticket rates are available for groups of 15 or more.
Can out-of-state schools come to the Zoo for free?
Can out-of-state schools come to the Zoo for free?
Out-of-state public, private and home schools do not get free admission to the Zoo. Out of State Schools are welcome to plan a visit to the Zoo to bask in a new learning experience by purchasing tickets online. Group Ticket rates are available for groups of 15 or more.
Can school groups K-12 order bag lunches?
Can school groups K-12 order bag lunches?
Bagged lunches are available for purchase at the Zoo. Lunches must be purchased at least 2 weeks prior to your visit and you must have already made your field trip reservation. For assistance, please call 336.879.7700 or 1.800.488.0444, ext. 7700.
We pre-ordered lunches from the Zoo, where can they be picked up?
We pre-ordered lunches from the Zoo, where can they be picked up?
School lunches can be picked up at Farm-to-Table Cafe in North America entrance plaza, Junction Springs restaurant in Junction plaza or Billy D's in Akiba Market at the Africa entrance.. Specific pick–up locations and times will be arranged with your group when you submit your order.
Where can school groups go to eat if we bring our own lunches?
Where can school groups go to eat if we bring our own lunches?
School Groups that bring their own lunches can use the public picnic areas located outside the Zoo entry gates. Lunches are not allowed to be brought inside the Zoo. If you exit during your visit for lunch please make sure you see a representative from our admissions department to receive a hand stamp for re-entry prior to exiting to the parking lot or picnic areas.
Can we bring our lunches into the Zoo?
Can we bring our lunches into the Zoo?
We do not allow lunches to be brought inside the Zoo. School Groups that bring their own lunches for their field trip can use the public picnic areas located outside the Zoo entry gates.
If you exit during your visit for lunch please make sure you see a representative from our admissions department to receive a hand stamp for re-entry prior to exiting to the parking lot or picnic areas.
If you wish to plan to eat lunch inside the Zoo you can purchase bagged lunches through the Zoo's catering department when you make your reservation. Orders must be made and paid for 2 weeks prior to date of visit.
If a student has a food allergy/special dietary need, can they bring their own food?
If a student has a food allergy/special dietary need, can they bring their own food?
If your school has pre-purchased bagged lunches from the Zoo and you have a student(s) with food allergies/special dietary needs you may bring his/her own lunch inside the Zoo as long as they make Admissions gate staff aware of the meal restriction. Admissions staff will place a sticker on the lunch box/bag.
Can the school children bring backpacks?
Can the school children bring backpacks?
Students cannot carry backpacks into the Zoo. Students can have a small draw string bag ONLY if it is needed to carry their belongings. Students are not allowed to bring lunches in this string bag. A bottled water and a snack will be allowed. A snack is defined as a single snack size portion such as an apple, a granola bar or a small snack size bag of crackers.
Teachers/Chaperones may carry a backpack with medical needs for the children, etc. but these bags may be checked by Admissions staff at the entrance.
We encourage all guests to bring a refillable water bottle.
Where can the buses unload?
Where can the buses unload?
Buses cannot park, load or unload in front of the Zoo entrances. Please proceed to one of the Bus Parking Areas; Lots A or Solar Pointe in North America and Lot 1 in Africa to park and unload.
You may drop off a group leader at the entrance for check in prior to continuing the bus parking lots to help expedite the check in process for your group.
Do students have to stay with staff/chaperone(s) when entering with their school group?
Do students have to stay with staff/chaperone(s) when entering with their school group?
Students are required to stay with staff/chaperones and must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times during the visit to ensure a safe trip and learning experience.
Can you tell me more about the school group check-in process upon arrival at the Zoo?
Can you tell me more about the school group check-in process upon arrival at the Zoo?
After exiting the bus and arriving at the entrance, the group leader can check in with a zoo admissions team member at the entrance. We highly recommend dropping your group leader off at the entrance to check the group in prior to parking to speed up the entry process. We will ask the group to wait off to the side while we are completing the check in process.
After check in is completed admissions staff will work with your group to get you into the Zoo as quickly as possible. We will send an attachment along with your reservation confirmation with more instructions and tips for a smooth check in process. We ask that all additional parties that are buying tickets do so ahead of time and wait for the group inside the entry gates.