Stuck in that soul-crushing I-35 traffic, you can feel your energy just draining away. But imagine locking eyes with a majestic Sumatran tiger, suddenly, that energy comes roaring back. It’s time to escape the concrete grid of Oklahoma City and step into a world where the rhythm of life is set by nature, not by the relentless pace of rush hour.
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden offers a genuine escape from the daily grind, bringing you face-to-face with incredible wildlife from every corner of the globe. This is more than just a zoo, it’s a sanctuary for animals and a much-needed playground for humans who need a break from the ordinary.
Main Points
- The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is a sprawling 14.5-acre Asian sanctuary, where generations of majestic elephants live and thrive together.
- Discover the wild side of our home state on the Oklahoma Trails, showcasing over 800 native animals across 11 distinct, beautifully recreated life zones.
- A little planning goes a long way, buying your tickets online beforehand saves you time at the gate, and a membership often pays for itself in just two visits.
- You can feel good about your visit, knowing the zoo holds a prestigious AZA accreditation, a gold standard for animal care that fewer than 10% of animal exhibitors ever achieve.
- Your small change makes a huge difference, the “Round Up for Conservation” program has raised millions of dollars to help protect wildlife all over the world.
Encountering Giants at Sanctuary Asia and Exploring Oklahoma Trails
Once you step through the gates, you can almost feel a pull toward something massive. You’re headed for Sanctuary Asia, which stands as the zoo’s breathtaking crown jewel. This incredible habitat stretches across 14.5 acres, all dedicated to the amazing wildlife of the East.
It’s here you’ll find Asian elephants, Indian rhinos, and red pandas roaming in spaces designed to feel like home. The layout isn’t just about giving the animals a place to live, it’s about creating a world that truly engages them.
You’ll see multiple yards, sprawling pools, and even a waterfall, all designed to encourage the animals to behave as they would in the wild. Watching the multi-generational Asian elephant herd bathe and forage together, you get a beautiful glimpse into their natural lives.
The entire design philosophy is built around prioritizing the well-being of the animals. The massive 9,500-square-foot elephant barn provides plenty of comfortable shelter, while the vast outdoor spaces give the herd the freedom to roam and socialize as they please.
After you’ve spent time with these exotic giants, it’s time to shift your focus closer to home. Oklahoma Trails offers a completely different, yet equally captivating, kind of discovery. This 8-acre exhibit brings our state’s incredibly diverse ecosystem into sharp focus.
You might think you know Oklahoma’s wildlife, but this journey will reveal a depth and richness to our local biodiversity that will surprise you. It features over 800 animals living across 11 distinct life zones.
As you wander the paths, you’ll come across grizzly bears and playful river otters, getting a sense of the magnificent creatures that once ruled the plains and waterways of this very region. With over 100 species calling Oklahoma Trails home, it’s a powerful reminder that our own backyard is just as wild and wonderful as any jungle.
Journey Through World-Class Animal Habitats
The zoo’s wonders extend far beyond elephants and local bears. The Great EscApe habitat immerses you in a lush, green world where gorillas, orangutans, and chimpanzees live and play. The vegetation is so thick and the sightlines so cleverly designed that you feel less like a spectator at a show and more like a quiet observer who has stumbled into their territory.
Next, the predators await at the Cat Forest/Lion Overlook. Here, powerful Sumatran tigers and magnificent African lions patrol their domains. The viewing points are designed to allow for incredibly close encounters while ensuring everyone stays safe. You can find yourself mesmerized watching a snow leopard navigate the rocky terrain with a silent, graceful precision that will take your breath away.
For those who love reptiles, the Herpetarium is a must-see. It houses one of the most comprehensive and impressive reptile collections in the entire nation. And if you’re looking for a more hands-on experience, the Children’s Zoo warmly invites interaction.
The Barnyard area lets kids, and let’s be honest, adults too, get up close with friendly goats and sheep. It’s a wonderful way to bridge the gap between just seeing animals and beginning to understand their nature through gentle touch.
Planning Your Perfect Day at the Oklahoma City Zoo
A little bit of planning can turn a good day at the zoo into a truly great one. It’s important to know that ticket prices and operating hours can change with the seasons. Your best bet is to always check the official zoo website before you head out the door.
Generally, you can expect general admission to be around $16 for adults and $13 for children (ages 3-11) and seniors (over 65). Just keep in mind that prices at the gate might be different, so it’s always smart to verify first.
Buying your tickets online in advance is the way to go. It lets you skip the ticket line and guarantees your entry, especially on busy days. If you think you’ll visit more than once a year, you should definitely look into a ZOOfriends membership. These memberships are a fantastic value and usually pay for themselves within just two visits.
The perks go beyond the front gate, too. You get free admission for a whole year, plus discounts on food and gifts. The value even travels with you, as your pass grants you reciprocal admission to over 150 other AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums across the country.
Unforgettable Add-On Experiences
Your general admission ticket is your key to the park, but the add-on experiences are what unlock those truly unforgettable, up-close moments. The Giraffe Feeding platform completely changes your perspective.
For a small fee, usually around $5, you can stand eye-to-eye with these gentle giants. You’ll never forget the feeling of a giraffe’s surprisingly gentle, long, purple tongue taking a piece of lettuce right from your hand.
Stingray Bay offers a chance for an amazing aquatic interaction. You can reach in and touch and even feed the cownose and southern stingrays as they gracefully glide through the water. The Sea Lion Presentations are a perfect blend of entertainment and education, where charming California sea lions show off their incredible intelligence and agility in shows that are always a crowd favorite.
If you have little ones, you know that a long day of walking can be tough. The Endangered Species Carousel is a great way to keep the fun going without tiring out little legs. The Centennial Choo Choo Train is another beloved classic. It offers a relaxing ride around the park and a completely different vantage point of the beautiful zoo grounds.
Why the OKC Zoo Ranks Among North America's Elite
This is so much more than a simple roadside attraction. The Oklahoma City Zoo holds full accreditation from both the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). And that’s a distinction that truly matters.
AZA accreditation is an incredibly rigorous standard to meet. In fact, fewer than 10% of all USDA-licensed animal exhibitors achieve it. It’s a sign that the institution meets the absolute highest benchmarks for animal care, conservation, and safety.
When you visit, you’re not just having fun, you’re supporting a facility that is deeply committed to the physical and psychological well-being of every animal that lives here.
A Sprawling Home for Global Wildlife in the Adventure District
The first thing you might notice is the incredible sense of space. The entire facility spans a massive 130 acres. To put that in perspective, we’re talking about an area larger than 98 football fields.
This sheer size allows the zoo to create expansive habitats that mimic natural environments, a far cry from the cramped cages of the past. It’s perfectly located in the Adventure District, a vibrant hub of culture and entertainment right here in OKC. Founded way back in 1902, the zoo has grown and evolved right alongside our city.
Today, it is home to over 1,900 animals, representing more than 500 different species from all over the world. When you walk these grounds, you’re walking through a place of living history and modern science all at once. Its prime location also puts you right next to other major attractions like Science Museum Oklahoma and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, making it easy to build an entire weekend itinerary within just a few square miles.
Protecting Species at Home and Abroad
When you walk through these gates, you’re doing more than just visiting, you’re helping to fund survival. The OKC Zoo is an active participant in over 88 AZA Species Survival Plans (SSPs). These are critically important cooperative breeding programs designed to save threatened and endangered species.
The continued existence of animals like the Asian elephant and the Sumatran tiger relies on these coordinated global efforts to pull them back from the brink of extinction.
And the zoo makes it incredibly easy for you to become part of the solution. The “Round Up for Conservation” initiative is a simple yet powerful way to help. When you make a purchase, you’ll be asked if you want to round up to the nearest dollar.
It might seem like a small gesture at the register, but together, those pennies and dimes add up to bring about massive change. Best of all, 100% of these funds go directly to conservation partners working in the field.
Making a Global Impact Through Local Support
It’s amazing how a little bit of spare change can create such big ripples of hope across the globe. Since it began in 2011, the “Round Up for Conservation” program has raised over $2 million for wildlife. In total, the zoo has contributed more than $4 million to vital conservation efforts over the past decade.
This money provides direct support to boots-on-the-ground organizations that are making a real difference. The International Elephant Foundation uses these funds to protect herds in Asia and Africa.
The Red Panda Network is fighting to stop habitat loss. Orangutan Foundation International and our own Oklahoma Black Bear Project also receive the critical support they need to continue their work. You buy a souvenir for your family, and that small act helps a ranger in a faraway forest get the equipment they need to protect animals from poachers.
We know a day at the zoo is all about making wonderful family memories. But nothing puts a damper on a great outing faster than coming back to the parking lot to find a dead battery or a flat tire.
If your car won’t start after a long day of exploring, you need help, and you need it fast. Five Star Towing provides reliable towing and roadside assistance all across Oklahoma City. We know the Adventure District well. Just give Five Star Towing a call, and we’ll handle the trouble so you can hold on to all the good memories you just made.
Frequently Asked Questions
The price for a general admission ticket can vary depending on the season and even the day of the week. As a general guide, adults usually pay around $16, and children (ages 3-11) and seniors (65+) pay about $13. Because these prices can change, it's always a good idea to check the zoo's official ticketing website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
The money from ticket sales is what keeps the zoo running! It directly funds the high-quality care for the animals and the maintenance of their beautiful habitats, as well as supporting the zoo's important conservation missions.
Checking the prices online before you come helps you budget for your day and often lets you secure your spot during busy times, which is a nice bonus!
Typically, the zoo is open every day from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. They usually let the last guests in at 4:00 PM to give everyone enough time to enjoy the park before closing. Be aware, though, that special seasonal events or even extreme weather can sometimes change this schedule.
These hours are carefully planned to align with when the animals are most active and to make the most of the daylight. The staff also needs time before the zoo opens and after it closes to care for the animals and get the grounds ready for guests.
To be safe, it's always smart to double-check the hours on the zoo's official website or social media on the morning of your visit. That way, you won’t have to worry about arriving to a closed gate.
Yes, you absolutely can! Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks. The only rules are that you can't bring in glass containers or any alcoholic beverages. You can even bring a cooler, though it might be checked by staff when you enter.
This policy is great because it makes a zoo day much more accessible for families on a budget or for anyone with specific dietary needs or allergies. It helps make it easier for large groups to plan a fun day out together.
Packing your own lunch can really help with the cost of your visit, freeing up some fun money for special experiences like feeding the giraffes or taking a ride on the carousel.
Most people find that they spend a good three to four hours exploring the zoo. If you're someone who loves to see every single exhibit in detail, you could easily make a full day of it. The grounds are huge, covering 130 acres!
How long you spend really depends on your own pace and how many of the "add-on" experiences you decide to do. Families with young children often find they move a bit slower and take more breaks throughout the day.
A good rule of thumb is to plan for at least four hours. This should give you enough time to see the major highlights like Sanctuary Asia and the Cat Forest without feeling rushed.
Nope! Parking is generally free for all guests in the main zoo lot. On days when it's extremely busy, like during big events or holidays, they may use an overflow parking area, but that's also typically free.
Free parking is a really nice perk compared to many other major city zoos. It's one less cost and one less hassle for you to worry about on your family fun day.
If you can, try to arrive early, especially before 10:30 AM on weekends. The lot fills up surprisingly fast, and getting there early helps you snag a good spot close to the entrance.
If you're looking for a more relaxed experience with smaller crowds, weekdays are your best bet, especially Tuesday through Thursday. Mornings are also a great time to visit because the weather is usually cooler and the animals tend to be more active.
You'll notice that the crowd levels really jump up on weekends and during school holidays. Also, many animals like to nap or find a shady spot during the hottest part of the afternoon, so they can be harder to see.
If your schedule allows for it, a Wednesday morning visit is often the sweet spot. You'll get to enjoy clear, unobstructed views of popular exhibits like the gorillas and tigers.
You'll get to see an amazing variety of wildlife! The zoo is home to over 1,900 animals, including majestic Asian elephants, powerful Indian rhinos, stunning Sumatran tigers, incredible gorillas, and impressive grizzly bears. The collection features species from all around the globe, as well as many animals that are native to Oklahoma.
This incredible diversity is a core part of the zoo's educational mission. It gives visitors a chance to learn about and connect with biodiversity from all over the world, serving as a kind of living library of the natural world.
Check the daily schedule for keeper chats or feeding times. Going to these can be a great way to see specific animals when they are most active and visible.
Yes, they do! The zoo hosts a bunch of fun, seasonal events throughout the year. These include things like "Sip & Stroll" evenings for adults and the super popular "Haunt the Zoo" event for families around Halloween in October. These special events often have extended evening hours.
These events are a blast, and they also help generate additional funding for the zoo's conservation programs. They offer unique and fun ways for the community to connect with the zoo and its mission.
It's a good idea to check the events calendar on the zoo's website when you're planning your trip. Tickets for the most popular evening events can sell out weeks in advance, so you'll want to grab them early!
You sure can. The zoo offers rentals for single and double strollers, as well as manual wheelchairs and ECVs (electric convenience vehicles). You can find the rental station near the main entrance, and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
These rentals are a lifesaver for guests with mobility challenges and for families with young kids who might get tired. The zoo is a sprawling 130 acres, so having that mobility assistance can make a huge difference in your day.
If you know you'll need an electric scooter, it's a good idea to arrive right when the zoo opens. They have a limited number of them, and they can't be reserved ahead of time over the phone.
A ZOOfriends membership is a fantastic way to support the zoo. It gives you unlimited admission for an entire year and typically pays for itself after about two visits. As a member, you also get great discounts on food, merchandise in the gift shops, and tickets to special events.
The membership program is designed to build a community of loyal supporters who feel truly invested in the zoo's success and mission. It encourages people to visit often and become long-term partners in conservation.
Honestly, if you live within about a 45-minute drive of the Adventure District, a membership is easily the most cost-effective and rewarding way to enjoy everything the zoo has to offer.
For the safety and health of the animals, public feeding is strictly not allowed. The only exceptions are in specially designated areas where you are supervised by staff, like the Giraffe Feeding Platform, Stingray Bay, and the Lorikeet exhibit.
The animals are on carefully managed and nutritionally balanced diets. Unregulated feeding, even with good intentions, can pose serious health risks to them.
If you want to interact with the animals, please take advantage of these official feeding experiences! They are designed to be safe and fun for both you and the animals.
Yes, the zoo is open rain or shine! Some of the outdoor animals might decide to take cover in their indoor shelters during a downpour, but there's still plenty to see. For safety reasons, certain rides or outdoor attractions might close temporarily if there's lightning or a very heavy storm.
It can actually be really interesting to see how animals behave in the rain, some seem to enjoy it, while others prefer to stay dry. The zoo is open 364 days a year, only closing for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Our advice? Bring an umbrella or a poncho. Rainy days often have the smallest crowds, which can feel like you have the place to yourself, especially in the fantastic indoor habitats like the Herpetarium.
The Adventure District is a really cool entertainment zone in northeast OKC. It's a hub where you'll find the Zoo, Science Museum Oklahoma, Remington Park (for horse racing and the casino), and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, all clustered together.
The idea was to concentrate tourism and fun activities in one area, creating an economic and cultural hotspot for the city. It makes it super convenient for visitors to plan a trip with multiple activities.
You could easily plan a multi-day trip just to the Adventure District to fully experience all the diverse and fun attractions without feeling rushed or exhausted.
Driving Directions From Oklahoma City Zoo, 2000 Remington Pl, Oklahoma City, OK 73111, United States to 5-Star Towing OKC, 2800 SW 25th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73108, United States - 17 min (12.4 miles) via I-35 S, I-40 W and S May Ave
Oklahoma City Zoo, 2000 Remington Pl, Oklahoma City, OK 73111, United States
Get on I-35 S from NE Grand Blvd/Remington Pl and NE 50th St - 4 min (1.2 mi)
Drive along I-40 W. Take exit 148A from I-40 W - 10 min (9.5 mi)
Continue on S May Ave to your destination - 4 min (1.7 mi)
5-Star Towing OKC, 2800 SW 25th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73108, United States
We also offer towing and roadside assistance near Oklahoma City Zoo. Learn more about our next location National Cowboy Western Heritage Museum OKC.
