Frequently Asked Questions

Denver Zoo is not equipped for native wildlife rehabilitation, but we do know some organizations that can help! If you find a wild animal in need of care, you can reach out to any of these resources for help: 

Denver Urban Wildlife 

Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center 

Colorado Parks and Wildlife: Reporting Wildlife Concerns 

There are benches along the pathway for guests to rest.  

Made-to-order and grab-and-go food and beverage options are available throughout campus with easy online ordering at DenverZoo.org/eat. 

The following restaurants are open: 

Cup & Cone 

Samburu Grille 

Brown Bear BBQ 

Dippin’ Dots 

Kamala Café 

Kamala Snacks and Sips Cart 

Scratch Food Truck – Returning Soon 

Simply Pizza Food Truck 

Café Costa 

Stingray Cove™ Snack Cart 

Puff Puff Mini-Donuts 

Yes! You are welcome to bring your own food into Denver Zoo and enjoy a picnic at any of the locations mentioned above. Please do not break or rest in the flow of traffic. 

Denver Zoo has multiple gift outlets open onsite including Kibongi Market. Guests can also purchase from our online gift shop anytime and have purchases shipped. 

General admission tickets for Denver Zoo are: 

Adults (Ages 16-64): $25.20 

Seniors (Ages 65+): $22.05 

Youth (Ages 3-15): $18.90 

Youth 2 and Under: Free 

Children under 16 must be accompanied by a person 18 years or older. 

It depends on the type of membership you’ve purchased. Visit our Membership page here to learn more about your benefits. 

We have restrooms at the Main Gate, Gates Center, Primate Panorama, Tropical Discovery, Giraffes, and near the McGrath Family Amphitheater near Kamala Café. See our map for locations. Full-service restroom facilities that accommodate the physically challenged are available in Tropical Discovery, Gates Center and near the Kamala Café. Baby changing stations are available at all locations. View our digital map or download the Denver Zoo app to find restroom locations. 

Yes, family restrooms are available at the Main Entrance and near Kamala Café in Toyota Elephant Passage. We also have one Mamava Pods available for nursing located at our Gates Building Garden level restrooms. To locate and unlock the Mamava Pod during your visit, download the Mamava Pod app for APPLE or GOOGLE. View our digital map or download the Denver Zoo app to find restroom locations.  

Smoking is not allowed inside Denver Zoo. Guests may exit the Main Entrance, smoke in the designated smoking area outside of the Zoo and re-enter the Zoo when finished. 

Parking at Denver Zoo is free for our guests! You may park in any of the parking lots adjacent to Denver Zoo or in our four-level parking garage. Access to these parking lots is along 23rd Avenue between York Street and Colorado Boulevard near the Denver Zoo main entrance. 

In an effort to reduce our environmental footprint, Denver Zoo encourages carpooling, using public transportation, biking and walking. 

Denver Zoo offers seven Community Free Days throughout the year. Tickets are limited and will be issued through an online lottery system. Click here for more information and dates for Denver Zoo Free Days.  

Yes! We strongly encourage you to reserve your wheelchair and/or wagon in advance of your visit. Click here to make your selection and we’ll have it ready for you when you arrive. Rentals can be picked up from the Zoo Concierge just inside the main entrance. 

No, for the safety of our guests, self-propelled or motorized riding conveyances such as skateboards, skates, “Heelys” brand shoes or similar shoes with built-in wheels (wheels must be removed), rollerblades, scooters, cycles, big wheels and electric powered toys/riding toys are not allowed. 

No, for safety of our guests and animals, pets of any kind are not allowed on Denver Zoo campus. Service animals are allowed with some restrictions. 

What is a Service Animal? 

Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog or miniature horse that has been trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. 

Are emotional support, therapy, comfort or companion animals considered service animals under the ADA and permitted at Denver Zoo? 

No. Because these animals have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and are not permitted at Denver Zoo. 

Please check-in with security upon entry if you plan on bringing a service animal into the zoo. 

Yes, for the safety of our animals Denver Zoo reserves the right to refuse any items that animal staff advises may cause distress. 

Click here for more information on what is not permitted at Denver Zoo 

Feeding, chasing and teasing the animals is strictly prohibited. This includes the free roaming animals that call Denver Zoo home. Observe these animals from a distance and do not approach, chase or feed them. Please do not tap on glass or shout at animals. Violation of this rule is subject to removal from the zoo grounds and/or prosecution. 

Guests who are interested in feeding an animal should visit Lorikeet Adventure or Stingray Cove™ where they can feed these beautiful species with specially created foods designed for their dietary needs. Food items are available for purchase at each location. Both habitats are open seasonally and weather dependent. 

Lost something during your visit? We’ll do our best to help you find it. Stop by the Concierge on your way out to see if your item has been found or file a claim here to report the lost item. 

Please ask any security officer or employee to assist you. If needed, paramedic service is available. 

Denver Zoo is a casual, family-oriented organization. Footwear is required at all times. We suggest you dress comfortably, wear good walking shoes and check the local weather report before you leave for the Zoo. In Colorado, it‘s often a good idea to bring an extra layer just in case. Ensuring that Denver Zoo is family friendly is an important part of the Zoo experience. In that spirit, we ask you to use discretion and common sense in choosing your attire. 

No, Denver Zoo does not generally accept animal donations from private individuals. Many animals in our collection are carefully managed by a Species Survival Plan (SSP) and we coordinate the management of these populations by working with other Zoos and accredited organizations. This helps us make sure that we have a healthy animal population and know as much as possible about each individual animal before they arrive. 

If you have an animal you want to find a new home for, please contact our Call Center at 720-337-1400 for information about specific animal rescue organizations. 

Many Denver Zoo visitors spend an average of one to three hours at the zoo, but how long you stay is up to you! We offer food, restaurants and activities that can provide an entire day’s worth of fun and memories for you and your family. 

Please keep in mind Denver Zoo will close one hour and 45 minutes after the last ticket entry time. Timed tickets are required for entry. 

We recommend guests arrive early in the day, ideally when gates open or in the early afternoon, as mid-morning to noon is often our busiest time. 

Please be aware that animals may choose to stay in the shade or behind the scenes when temperatures rise. 

Denver Zoo is committed to providing an environment that is safe and secure for guests, employees, volunteers, contractors, vendors and the animals in its care. Denver Zoo prohibits any person from using, possessing, carrying, displaying or distributing any weapon on, at or within the Denver Zoo campus, except as otherwise stated within our Weapons Policy. Please view Denver Zoo’s Weapons Policy here. 

Denver Zoo provides My Denver youth cardholders (ages 5-18) free admission for themselves and one adult. This is good for unlimited visits to the Zoo and can be used year-round. Online timed reservations are required for entry, which can be made here.