Please review the Zoo's current operations before planning your trip.
- Only North Carolina public, private, and registered home schools (K-12) are eligible for free admission benefits at the North Carolina Zoo. To ensure the best and safest possible experience for our guests, we place a daily limit (2,000) on the number of free school entries allowed. If the day you wish to visit has met that limit, you will be asked to choose another date. We are unable to provide exceptions to this rule at this time. Please review the school eligibility and reservation dates below.
- School field trips require one adult chaperone for every ten students. Chaperones must remain with and supervise their students at all times.
- Additional guests, parents, and chaperones can purchase tickets online in advance or at the gate for Zoo entry.
Parking, Lunches, and Bag Policies
Parking
- Parking and unloading buses near the entrance is not permitted.
- Bus parking is in Lot A at Solar Pointe in the North America parking lot and Lot 1 in the Africa parking lot. Buses must park and load/unload in one of these lots.
Bag Policy for Field Trips
- 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
- Lunches are not allowed into the Zoo. Schools that bring lunches can eat outside the Zoo entrance gates at the picnic areas.
- Lunches are available for purchase through the Zoo's Catering Department. Ensure the lunches are ordered and paid for two weeks before the visit.
- If you leave the Zoo to eat during your visit, be sure to see a representative from admissions to receive a hand stamp before exiting. This hand stamp guarantees re-entry.
North Carolina Public and Private School (K-12)
- Reservations must be made at least 1 week before the visit date.
- There’s a limit of 2 free visits per school year per class.
- Eligible dates for the 2025 - 2026 school year are between September 2, 2025 and June 10, 2026. Blackout dates apply for free Public and Private K-12 school visits.
- Reservations can be made for Monday - Friday visits only.
- Reservations can be made by calling Zoo Advance Tickets/Reservations at 336.879.7700 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday.
- 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.
- Educational programs are available depending on availability. More information can be found here.
North Carolina Home Schools (K-12)
- Reservations must be made at least 1 week before the visit date.
- NC home schools must be registered with the state of North Carolina to receive free entry.
- There’s a limit of 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 2025 - 2026 school year are between September 2, 2025 and June 10, 2026. Blackout dates apply for free homeschool visits.
- Reservations can be made for Monday - Friday visits only.
- Reservations can be made by calling Zoo Advance Tickets/Reservations at 336.879.7700 9 a.m. - 4 .p.m Monday - Friday.
- Reservations for free entry are for students in your classes only: siblings and other children are not included in the free admission
- Eligible NC homeschool reservations receive one complimentary adult admission per reservation for the adult listed on the NC homeschool registration.
- Remember to print and bring your confirmation letter received via email for entry on the day of your visit. Your confirmation letter is your ticket.
- Additional guests/parents/chaperones can purchase tickets online in advance for Zoo entry.
- Educational programs are available depending on availability. More information can be found here.
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 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 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.
Attend our virtual or in-person workshops to learn the ins and outs of bringing groups to the Zoo. We offer numerous ways to enhance your school's field trip and make it an effective learning experience. During these workshops, we will explore the Zoo's free and paid educational opportunities and the tips and tricks to ensure you have the best field trip ever! During an in-person workshop, you will get first-hand experience of these educational opportunities. You will also walk through things like checking in your group. If you have any questions about the workshop, please email schoolprograms@nczoo.org.
Please register through SurveyMonkey
Upcoming Dates:
- Virtual September 17, 2025 from 3:30-4:30pm
- Virtual December 10, 2025 from 3:30-4:30pm
School staff can call Zoo Advance Tickets/Reservations at 336.879.7700 with questions or to make a reservation. This line is available 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday. Call today to schedule a unique learning experience for your students.
North Carolina public and private schools can make reservations starting in August. Schools can visit the North Carolina Zoo and enjoy a learning experience for free between September 2, 2025 through June 10, 2026. Blackout dates apply on some holidays and school break periods. School reservations must be made at least 1 week in before the visit date.
Yes, all school reservations are required at least 1 week before the visit date.
No, school reservations are not available for holidays, weekends or certain dates throughout the year that are typically high visitation dates (i.e. Spring Break). These dates are referred to as blackout dates.
Schools are welcome to visit on these dates by purchasing tickets online. Group Ticket rates are available for groups of 15 or more.
No, North Carolina public and private school reservations are for teachers and the students in their class. Free admission does not apply to parents, siblings, other children, clubs, after-school programs, extracurricular activities or summer camps. Free admissions are exclusive for public and private school learning experiences at the Zoo.
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, 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.
Yes, North Carolina registered home schools can access the Zoo free of charge through individual reservations. Home schools can call 336.879.7700 Monday - Friday to make reservations. We will verify that you are a state registered home school to complete your reservation.
Eligible dates for the 2025-2026 school year are between September 2, 2025 through June 10, 2026. Blackout dates apply on some holidays and school break periods.
The Zoo will take reservations starting August 23rd 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.
Free school reservations are not accepted on certain days throughout the year that are typically high visitation dates (i.e. holidays, teacher work days, spring break). These are referred to as blackout dates.
Schools are welcome to visit on these dates by purchasing tickets online. Group Ticket rates are available for groups of 15 or more.
2025 - 2026 school year blackout dates:
- September 16th, 2025
- October 21st, 2025
- November 11th
- November 18th, 2025
- November 25th - 28th, 2025
- December 16th, 2025
- December 22nd - January 2nd, 2026
- January 19th, 2026
- January 20th, 2026
- February 17th, 2026
- March 17th, 2026
- March 30th - April 10th, 2026
- May 19th, 2026
- May 25th, 2026
No, Colleges and Universities do not get free admission to visit the Zoo. Colleges 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.
No, 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.
Yes, bagged lunches are available for order at the Zoo. You must purchase lunches at least 2 weeks before 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.
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.
School Groups that bring their own lunches can use the picnic areas located outside the Zoo entry gates. Lunches are not allowed to be brought inside the Zoo. If you choose to leave the Zoo to eat during your visit be sure to see a representative from admissions to receive a hand stamp before exiting. This hand stamp guarantees re-entry after exiting to the parking lot or picnic areas.
No, 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 picnic areas located outside the Zoo entry gates.
If you choose to leave the Zoo to eat during your visit be sure to see a representative from admissions to receive a hand stamp before exiting. This hand stamp guarantees re-entry after 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 the date of visit.
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. However, you must let the Admission gate staff know about the meal restriction. Admissions staff will place a sticker on the lunch box/bag.
No, students cannot carry backpacks into the Zoo. Students can have a small drawstring 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 an individual snack will be allowed. An individual 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.
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. This will help expedite the check in process for your group.
Students are required to stay with staff/chaperones and must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times during the visit. This helps ensure a safe trip and learning experience.
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 sending your group leader ahead to the entrance to check the group prior to the group. 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.