Accessibility at Denver Zoo
As one of the Mile High City’s oldest and most beloved cultural institutions, Denver Zoo is passionate about being a Zoo for All—and we’re constantly looking for ways to make our campus more accessible and welcoming to everyone who passes through our gates. For specific information about accessibility at Denver Zoo, click the (+) for more details on each category. Hope to see you soon!
How can we better support you?
If you have a need that is not met by our current offerings or require a resource we don’t currently provide, please let us know by calling 720-337-1400 or via email at guestcare@denverzoo.org! While we can’t guarantee any specific accommodation, we would love to learn how Denver Zoo can better support you during your visit.
Mobility
- Accessible Parking
Accessible parking spaces are available on all four levels of our parking garage, near the elevators—and also in the East lot in front of Kibongi Market and the Main Entrance of the Zoo.
- Mobility Aids
Wheelchairs and Electric Convenience Scooters are available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis. We strongly recommend reserving one at the time you make your ticket reservation.
- Attractions
Conservation Carousel, 4-D Experience and Denver Zoo Railroad have spaces for those with mobility limitations. Let the operator know if you need access to this space. Stingray Cove™ is wheelchair accessible. Please ask a poolside facilitator where the best location is for your group. Lorikeet Adventure is also wheelchair accessible. Check-in with a staff member or volunteer at the experience for more information.
- Automatic Doors
Automatic doors are available at most buildings with the following exceptions:
Samburu Grille
Stingray Cove™
Giraffe Building
Kamala Café Restrooms
Primate Panorama Forest Aviary
Lorikeet Adventure
Primate Panorama Restrooms
Sensory Considerations
- Sensory Kits
Sensory Kits are available to checkout at our Concierge booth, located just inside the Main Entrance of the Zoo. These are free to check out and contain helpful tools to create a sensory-friendly visit with us. We do hold a photo ID during the time you’re using the kit and will return it when you bring your kit back at the end of your visit. Each kit includes ear defenders, sunglasses and fidget tools. Weighted lap blankets, coloring pages and crayons are also available for checkout.
- Quiet Spaces
If you need a quiet place during your visit, our Wellness Room is located near the restrooms in Primate Panorama. If the Wellness Room is unavailable or you need another location, we recommend these quieter spaces at the Zoo:
Woodland Garden by Carousel Meadows
Giraffe Barn (if there are no other visitors)
Nurture Trail (near Primate Panorama exit)
Bench next to Duck Lake viewing area
Congo Basin at the back of Primate Panorama
Zoo Gardens outside of peak lunch times
Pahali Ya Mwana (Maternity Yard near Predator Ridge)
- Low-Sensory Events
Zoo Lights: Low-Sensory Night Presented by Union Pacific Railroad
Each year, we offer a Low-Sensory Zoo Lights experience to bring the magic of Zoo Lights to guests with sensory sensitivities. Tickets for this event will be available in November.
Accommodations include:
Reduced crowds
No strobing effects
Low-volume music (including carousel)
Available Quiet Rooms
Available Sensory Kits
Train + 4D Experience closed
Wild Fall: Low-Sensory Night on October 31, 2024 Presented by Union Pacific Railroad
We now offer a Low-Sensory Wild Fall experience for guests with sensory sensitivities. Tickets for this event will be available in November.
Accommodations include:
Reduced crowds
No strobing effects
Low-volume music (including carousel)
Available Quiet Rooms
Available Sensory Kits
Train + 4D Experience closed
- Social Narrative
Prepare for your visit to Denver Zoo using our Social Narrative. This story will let you familiarize yourself with the Zoo and will highlight what you can expect during your visit with us.
- Sensory Guide
Use our Sensory Guide to plan your visit and decide which areas of the Zoo are best for your group. This map includes noise levels, visual stimulation and tactile components.
Denver Zoo is a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC)
A Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) is a facility or organization in which at least 80% of its staff is highly trained, fully equipped and certified in the field of autism.
Nursing Parents
Looking for a place to nurse? Denver Zoo offers a variety of options!
Family restrooms at Main Entrance
Family restrooms near Kamala Café in Toyota Elephant Passage.
Wellness Room in Primate Panorama and can be used for nursing.
A Mamava Pod is available for nursing and is located at our Gates Building Garden level restrooms.
To locate and unlock the pod during your visit, download the Mamava Pod app for APPLE or GOOGLE.
Restrooms
All-gender restrooms are available at the Main Entrance of the Zoo.
Family restrooms are available at the Main Entrance and at Kamala Café in Toyota Elephant Passage.
An adult changing table is located in the Wellness Room in Primate Panorama. If you require an adult changing facility near the Main Entrance of the Zoo, please let a staff member know. Our First-Aid room is also available to use upon request.
Transportation
RTD Routes
Bus lines 20 and 40 have routes that pass near Denver Zoo. From each bus stop at East 23rd Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, walk west along East 23rd Avenue until you see the Main Entrance of the Zoo at Steele Street. For route information and timetables, click here.
Access-A-Ride
Access-A-Ride provides local bus transportation in the Denver metro area for people with disabilities. This service is available to travel to Denver Zoo. For more information on this service, click here.
Dietary Allergies
For allergen information, check our restaurant menus here. Allergen guides can be found at the bottom of each menu. If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to ask restaurant staff.
Aides, Attendants and Guides
For each person needing assistance, Denver Zoo will admit one aide, attendant or guide for free. To add a free aide ticket to your existing reservation, email guestcare@denverzoo.org or call us at 720-337-1400. Please provide the booking information when you contact us so we can add your ticket to the reservation. We’re also happy to help you make your reservation if you need assistance.
Service Animals
- General Information
Service animals are permitted at Denver Zoo. Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog or miniature horse that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the animal must be directly related to the person’s disability. Guests who bring service animals must check-in with security upon entry.
Service animals are not permitted in certain areas of the Zoo. The animals in these areas are sensitive, and any other animal presents a danger of undue stress and/or injury. For more information on these areas, see below or click here for our Service Animal Map.
- Prohibited Areas
Service Animals are Not Permitted:
In or directly around Zoo Gardens
In or directly around Wildlife Theater Plaza during bird flight times (from 10:00-10:30 a.m. and 1:30–2:00 p.m.)
Inside the Giraffe Building
On the Giraffe Encounter Area (deck)
Anywhere around The Edge tiger habitat
Inside the Lorikeet Adventure structure
Inside the Forest Aviary structure within Primate Panorama
Inside the Village Hall building within Toyota Elephant Passage
- Emotional Support
Emotional support, therapy, comfort or companion animals are not permitted at Denver Zoo. Because these animals have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.
Equitable Access
- Cash Purchases
Denver Zoo accepts cash onsite. You can visit the Box Office on the Plaza to purchase your admission tickets using cash. We do not have an ATM onsite, so please plan accordingly.
- Seniors
For guests ages 65 and older, we offer a $3 discount on general admission tickets. Click here for reservations.
- SNAP/EBT
SNAP/EBT Explorer card holders can get $3 admission for up to 10 guests. We do require reservations ahead of time. You can make your reservation now by clicking here. Please note that this program does not include P-EBT or WIC.
- Community Connections
We offer free admission for those who are a part of My Denver, Five by Five and Ronald McDonald House community programs. If you participate in one of these programs, click below to reserve your tickets. Proof of program participation will be required upon entry.
- Denver Zoo Free Days
Denver Zoo offers seven Community Free Days throughout the year. We offer a limited number of tickets for each Free Day using an online lottery system. If you’re interested in attending a Free Day, you must register online during the open lottery period for a chance to win up to five (5) vouchers for the corresponding Free Day. For more information on Free Days, click here.
Language Accessibility
- Website
Denver Zoo’s website is available in Spanish. Click on the “En español” icon in the top right corner of the page to switch to Spanish. La página del Zoológico de Denver se encuentra disponible en Español. Puede dar clic en la parte superior de la página en el icono “En Español” para cambiar idioma.
- Staff + Volunteers
We have staff members and volunteers who speak Spanish and French. Look for the “I speak Spanish!” or “I speak French!” buttons, or ask any staff member and we’ll do our best to locate a bilingual staff member.
- Maps/Mapas
Denver Zoo maps are available in two languages. English and Spanish.
Blind and Low-Vision Guests
For guests who are blind or low-vision, our 4-D Experience is equipped with accessibility devices. Ask a staff member at the 4-D Experience if you’d like to use these devices during the show.
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Guests
For guests who are deaf or hard of hearing, our 4-D Experience is equipped with accessibility devices. Ask a staff member at the 4-D Experience if you’d like to use these devices during the show.
