The Dallas Zoo is a 106-acre zoological park located three miles south of downtown Dallas, Texas. This 2026 guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking options, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
The zoo is included in the Dallas CityPass scheme, which can offer big savings when visiting multiple attractions.
Updated February 2026. The Dallas Zoo transitions from winter hours (9 a.m.–4 p.m.) to spring hours (9 a.m.–5 p.m.) on 1 March 2026. Guides written before this seasonal change will show winter hours as current; from 1 March, the zoo opens and closes one hour later in the evening.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway (I-35E), Dallas, TX 75203 |
| Current winter hours (until 28 Feb 2026) | Daily: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. |
| Spring hours (1 Mar–30 Jun 2026) | Daily: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Summer hours (1 Jul–29 Aug 2026) | Mon–Fri: 8 a.m.–3 p.m. / Sat–Sun: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. |
| Tickets | From $18, varying by entry date (plan-ahead pricing) |
| Children under 2 | Free |
| Parking | $14 per vehicle (general public); reservable online in advance |
| Nearest public transport | Dallas Zoo station, DART Red Line (on-site) |
| Typical visit duration | 3–4 hours |
| Closed | Christmas Day (25 December) only |
Dallas Zoo opening hours
The Dallas Zoo is open 364 days a year and closes only on Christmas Day. Hours change three times across the year: winter hours run from 30 August to 28 February; spring hours run from 1 March to 30 June; and summer hours, which are shorter on weekdays, run from 1 July to 29 August. On days of extreme weather, hours may be temporarily shortened — check the zoo’s website or social channels on the day for any updates.
Opening hours were checked on the official website and last updated February 2026.
Dallas Zoo ticket prices
Dallas Zoo uses plan-ahead pricing: the price is set at the moment of booking and rises as the visit date gets closer and as demand increases. Booking well in advance on a quieter weekday secures the lowest available price. The minimum published price is $18 per adult, but you’ll be hard-pushed to find tickets at that price. Realistically, you’re likely to pay between $20 and $22.50
| Visitor type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | From a theoretical $18 (varies by date and demand) |
| Child (under 2) | Free |
| All other children | From $17 (varies; check at time of booking) |
Parking costs $14 for the general public and can be reserved online when purchasing admission tickets, or paid at the parking gates on arrival. Tickets are non-refundable but can be exchanged for a different date by contacting Guest Services at 469.554.7501 or [email protected].
The Dallas Zoo is included in the Dallas CityPASS, which bundles admission to four Dallas attractions over nine days at up to 51% savings. CityPASS holders do not need to reserve tickets in advance online — they may present their CityPASS at any guest admission booth at the main or south entrance to receive a timed admission ticket on the day. Other attractions currently included in Dallas CityPASS are the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, and the Reunion Tower GeO-Deck.
A Wild Pass (a bundled add-on available at point of ticket purchase) provides access to the zoo’s top paid attractions and experiences at a saving of more than 40% compared to purchasing individually.
Why book the Dallas CityPASS®?
- 📉 Huge Savings in the Big D: Save up to 50% on admission to Dallas’ premier attractions compared to purchasing individual tickets at the gate.
- 🏙️ Iconic Views & Science: Includes guaranteed entry to the Reunion Tower GeO-Deck for 360-degree city views and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science (with a 3D film).
- 🤠 Tailor Your Trip: Customize your itinerary by choosing two additional attractions from the Dallas Zoo, George W. Bush Presidential Museum, or the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum.
- 📱 Mobile Ticket Convenience: No need to carry paper vouchers; simply present your digital pass on your smartphone for instant, contactless entry at each site.
- ⏱️ Nine Days of Discovery: Your pass is valid for 9 consecutive days starting from the first day of use, giving you plenty of time to explore at a relaxed, stress-free pace.
Ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated February 2026.
How to get to the Dallas Zoo
The Dallas Zoo has a dedicated Dallas Zoo station served by the DART Red Line, located directly at the zoo’s entrance. DART connects the zoo to downtown Dallas, Mockingbird Station, and other major Dallas destinations. Visitors arriving by DART on Mondays or Tuesdays are eligible for a $2 discount on general admission by showing their same-day pass at the ticket booth.
By car, the zoo is located on the northbound I-35E frontage road between Marsalis Avenue and Ewing Avenue. From I-35E southbound, take Exit 426 (Ewing Ave./Marsalis Ave.), go through the light at Ewing Avenue, move into the left lane, and use the U-turn for access to the northbound frontage road. The main entrance is marked by a large giraffe statue. Note that TxDOT’s Southern Gateway construction project may affect road access on some routes; check the zoo’s directions page for current alerts before travelling.
5 great Dallas experiences worth booking
- 🤠 Combine the JFK sites and Southfork Ranch on a half day tour.
- 🏛️ Take comprehensive JFK assassination tour – including the Sixth Floor Museum and Lee Harvey Oswald Rooming House.
- 🚴 Cover Downtown Dallas’ attractions and history on an e-bike tour.
- 🌆 See Dallas from above at the Reunion Tower GeO Deck.
- 🌮 Take a food tour with five tastings in the Deep Ellum area.
Parking at the Dallas Zoo
The Dallas Zoo has its own on-site parking, priced at $14 per vehicle for general visitors. Parking can be reserved in advance when purchasing tickets online, or paid on arrival at the parking gates. On high-traffic days, advance parking reservations may not be available online. Dallas Zoo members park free; parking passes must be reserved through the member portal in advance.
The zoo has two entrance points — the main entrance and a south entrance — both accessible from the I-35E frontage road. Guests may leave their vehicle and re-enter the car park if they need to return to it during their visit, but re-entry to the zoo itself is not guaranteed for all situations; check with Guest Services on the day.
How long to spend at the Dallas Zoo
A visit to the Dallas Zoo covering the key habitats across its 106-acre site typically takes three to four hours. Visitors attending keeper chats, animal feeding experiences, or shows at the Wonders of the Wild Amphitheater should allow additional time. A full day is recommended for families with young children or for those planning to use a Wild Pass to access multiple paid experiences. A digital map is available at map.dallaszoo.com to help plan routes and check scheduled encounter times before and during your visit.
Accessibility at the Dallas Zoo
The Dallas Zoo is accessible throughout. Strollers, wagons, and personal wheelchairs may be brought into the zoo at no charge. Rental options are available on a first-come, first-served basis from the Gift Shop just inside the front gate: single strollers ($11), double strollers ($15), manual wheelchairs ($15), electronic wheelchairs with canopy ($35), and ScooterPals, which are animal-themed motorised scooters ($5 to start, plus $0.35 per minute). Baby-changing stations are located in every set of restrooms, and a Comfort Station for nursing mothers with power outlets for pumping is located in the Guest Services building adjacent to the Gift Shop. Family restrooms are available in ZooNorth at the Wonders of the Wild Amphitheater, and in Simmons Safari Base Camp in the Giants of the Savanna area. ADA-compliant service animals are permitted; pets are not.
Inside the Dallas Zoo: what to see
The Dallas Zoo is the largest zoo in Texas, housing over 2,000 animals across more than 400 species on 106 acres.
Giants of the Savanna is one of the zoo’s flagship areas, covering around 11 acres and designed to replicate an African savanna. It houses African elephants, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, lions, and other savanna species, with multi-species habitats that allow different animals to share space. The Diane and Hal Brierley Giraffe Ridge offers a feeding platform where visitors can feed giraffes throughout the day.
Wilds of Africa is a multi-habitat section covering several African ecosystems, including rainforest, forest, bushveld, and kopje environments, with gorillas, okapis, hippopotamuses, and other African species.
Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo within ZooNorth is designed for younger visitors and includes animal encounters and the Birds Landing aviary, where visitors can purchase feed to attract free-flying birds. The Wild Encounters Stage in this area hosts regular keeper presentations with ambassador animals throughout the day.
Wonders of the Wild Amphitheater hosts the seasonal Birds of the World show (open March through September), in which zoologists present free-flighted birds from around the world. Show times are posted on the zoo website and on the Today at the Zoo board at the entrance.
ZooNorth currently also features a seasonal animatronic dinosaur trail, Dinoroars, with over 100 life-sized dinosaurs across the area. Check dallaszoo.com for the current season’s availability.
The Galapagos tortoise feeding experience is available seasonally, allowing visitors to tong-feed tortoises at the Ocean Giants area. A sea turtle encounter and a range of additional paid animal encounters — including behind-the-scenes tours — are bookable separately through the zoo’s encounters page.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book tickets online in advance | All guests, including members, are asked to reserve tickets before visiting. The zoo recommends online purchase; walk-up ticket availability is not guaranteed. Booking earlier secures a lower price under the plan-ahead pricing system. |
| Hours change seasonally — confirm before visiting | Winter, spring, and summer hours are all different, and the zoo’s website is the only reliable source for the current day’s hours. Opening times can also be shortened on days of extreme weather. |
| Arrive at your ticketed entry time | Entry tickets include a specified arrival window. The zoo will accommodate late same-day arrivals where possible, but contacting Guest Services at 469.554.7501 in advance of a delayed arrival is recommended. |
| Check the Today at the Zoo board on arrival | The board at the entrance lists all keeper chats, animal encounters, and show times scheduled for that day, which vary daily. |
| You can bring your own food | Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks in non-glass containers are permitted. Picnic tables and benches are available throughout the site. Glass items, alcohol, and single-use disposable straws are not permitted. |
| The zoo is open in rain | The Dallas Zoo operates rain or shine. In cases of extreme weather, check social media (@DallasZoo) or the website for any operational changes before setting out. |
| Weapons are not permitted | Under Texas state law, the zoo is classified as both an amusement park and an educational institution. Concealed weapons are not permitted, even for holders of a valid concealed handgun licence. |
Frequently asked questions about the Dallas Zoo
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Dallas Zoo suitable for children? | Yes. The Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo, animal feeding experiences, and keeper presentations are well suited to younger visitors. Children under 2 enter free. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Dallas Zoo? | Yes. All guests are asked to purchase and reserve tickets online before visiting. Walk-up availability cannot be guaranteed. |
| Is the Dallas Zoo open on Sundays? | Yes. Sunday hours follow the current seasonal schedule (winter: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; spring: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; summer: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.). |
| Is the Dallas Zoo open on public holidays? | Yes. The zoo is open 364 days a year and closes only on Christmas Day (25 December). |
| Are bags allowed at the Dallas Zoo? | Yes. There are no published restrictions on bags or backpacks. Personal strollers and wagons are permitted, and rentals are available inside the front gate. |
| Is the Dallas Zoo included in Dallas CityPASS? | Yes. Dallas CityPASS covers four Dallas attractions over nine days, with savings of up to 51%. CityPASS holders do not need to book a timed entry slot in advance — present the pass at the entrance on the day. |
| Is there food available at the Dallas Zoo? | Yes. Several restaurants and food and beverage carts are available throughout the grounds. Visitors may also bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks in non-glass containers. |
| Can I get a refund if I can’t attend? | Tickets are non-refundable. However, they can be exchanged for a different date. Contact Guest Services at 469.554.7501 or [email protected] to arrange an exchange. |
Things to do near the Dallas Zoo
The following attractions are within a short distance and can be combined in the same trip to Dallas:
- Perot Museum of Nature and Science — Located in Victory Park, approximately 3.5 miles from the zoo in downtown Dallas. Covers natural history, science, and engineering across multiple floors. Also included in Dallas CityPASS.
- Reunion Tower GeO-Deck — An observation deck atop the 470-foot Reunion Tower in downtown Dallas, approximately 3 miles from the zoo. Also included in Dallas CityPASS.
- George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum — Located near the Meadows Museum on the Southern Methodist University campus in University Park, approximately 6 miles from the zoo. Also included in Dallas CityPASS.
- Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden — Located on the eastern shore of White Rock Lake, approximately 8 miles from the zoo. Paid admission; gardens, seasonal displays, and children’s adventure garden.
- Fair Park — A National Historic Landmark site approximately 3 miles from the zoo, home to the African American Museum, the Women’s Museum, the Texas Discovery Gardens, and the Cotton Bowl stadium.
More Dallas travel
Other Dallas travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Five reasons to route your flights via Dallas.
- How to combine a visit to Southfork Ranch with the JFK sites in Dallas.
- Tick off the stars of the Dallas Arts District, including the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Crow Museum of Asian Art.
- Visit the Meadows Museum and the George W Bush Presidential Museum on the Southern Methodist University campus in Dallas.
- What to expect when you visit the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.
