Oregon Zoo is a 64-acre zoological park located in Washington Park in Portland, Oregon. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in March 2026 to reflect the current $26.00 adult admission price and the requirement to purchase all general admission tickets in advance online.
Quick facts about Oregon Zoo
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | Open daily, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (last entry at 4:00 pm). |
| Ticket prices | Adults (12+) $26.00, Children (2–11) $21.00, Under 2 go free. |
| Address | 4001 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR 97221, USA. |
| Nearest public transport | Washington Park MAX Light Rail Station (Red and Blue lines). |
| Typical time needed | 3 to 4 hours. |
Oregon Zoo opening hours
Oregon Zoo opens at 9:00 am every day of the year, closing at 5:00 pm.
The last entry to the park is enforced at 4:00 pm daily. The zoo maintains these standard daytime hours year-round, though it occasionally hosts separately ticketed evening events, such as ZooLights in the winter or ZooNights in the summer, which operate outside of the regular schedule.
5 great Portland experiences to book
- 🌊 See the best beaches and views on a full day Oregon coast tour.
- 🏞️ Get a work out on a half day hiking tour to Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge.
- 🚢 Enjoy a dinner cruise on the Willamette River.
- 👻 Hear ghost stories on an underground tour of the haunted Shanghai tunnels – with beer tastings.
- 🍽️ Taste 6 local and global dishes on a downtown food tour.
Oregon Zoo ticket prices
Standard general admission tickets cost $26.00 for adults aged 12 and over, and $21.00 for children aged 2 to 11. Infants under two years old receive free entry, while military personnel with valid identification can purchase discounted tickets for $23.00, and those on qualifying income-assistance programs pay $13.00.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026.
Oregon Zoo is not currently included in any multi-attraction city pass scheme (such as Go City or CityPASS), meaning separate tickets are required for other regional attractions such as the Portland Japanese Garden, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), and the Pittock Mansion.
Why book the Portland Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour?
- 🚍 Pink Trolley Sightseeing: Experience the city in style aboard a vintage-style trolley that follows a comprehensive 13-stop loop through Portland’s most famous districts.
- 🌹 Washington Park & Rose Garden: Enjoy easy access to the International Rose Test Garden and the Japanese Garden, two of the city’s most beautiful and iconic outdoor spaces.
- 🎤 Live Local Narration: Learn about Portland’s “Keep It Weird” culture, its unique history, and its world-class food scene from expert guides providing live commentary.
- 📚 Iconic Downtown Stops: Hop off to explore legendary locations like Powell’s City of Books, the Pearl District, and the historic Old Town area at your own pace.
- ⏱️ Choose Your Pace: Select between a 1-day or 2-day pass, giving you the flexibility to spend as much time as you like at each attraction without the stress of driving or parking.
How to get to Oregon Zoo
The direct way to reach the attraction is by taking the TriMet MAX Light Rail (Red or Blue lines) directly to the Washington Park station. This underground transit stop features lifts that deliver passengers to the surface level just steps from the main zoo entrance.
For visitors driving, the zoo is located off U.S. Highway 26, approximately five minutes west of downtown Portland.
Parking at Oregon Zoo
There is a paid visitor car park located adjacent to the zoo within Washington Park, where parking fees are managed via physical pay stations or the Parking Kitty mobile app.
Because spaces in this primary lot regularly reach capacity by 10:30 am on weekends and holidays, visitors arriving later are directed to use the free Park & Ride facility at the Sunset Transit Center (two exits west on Highway 26) and take the MAX train back to the zoo.
How long to spend at Oregon Zoo
Most visitors spend between three and four hours exploring Oregon Zoo.
The 64-acre site is built on a hillside with winding, wooded pathways, meaning covering all the major habitats requires a moderate amount of walking. Visitors planning to ride the narrow-gauge zoo train or eat at the on-site restaurants generally allocate a full half-day for their trip.
Accessibility at Oregon Zoo
Oregon Zoo features paved pathways connecting the animal habitats, restaurants, and restrooms, though the site’s south-facing hillside location includes a 150-foot elevation change that creates steep inclines in certain areas.
Visitors can rent manual wheelchairs and electric mobility scooters from the gift shop on a first-come, first-served basis. The zoo is also a KultureCity Certified Sensory Inclusive Venue, offering free sensory bags containing noise-cancelling headphones and fidget tools at the main entrance. Adult changing tables are available in select restrooms.
Inside Oregon Zoo
The zoo is divided into several major bioclimatic zones. The Elephant Lands habitat spans six acres and allows the resident Asian elephant herd to roam across varied terrain featuring deep wading pools and multiple visitor viewing areas.
Polar Passage and Primate Forest are habitats designed to replicate natural environments for polar bears and chimpanzees. The Predators of the Serengeti area houses African lions and cheetahs, while the Rhino Ridge provides viewing of eastern black rhinos.
The Great Northwest section focuses on native regional wildlife, including black bears, cougars, and river otters. The site also features a Family Farm area and a large walk-through Cascade Aviary.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip category | Practical advice |
| Timing | Arrive exactly at 9:00 am to secure on-site parking and view the animals in the cooler morning air. |
| Crowds | Visit on a weekday to avoid the significantly higher visitor numbers present on weekends and school holidays. |
| Layout | Start your visit by heading down the hill to the furthest exhibits first, then work your way back up toward the entrance. |
| Entry process | Purchase all admission tickets in advance online, as walk-up ticket sales are not guaranteed and entry requires a reserved time slot. |
| On-site logistics | Bring a refillable water bottle to use at the accessible drinking fountains located throughout the park. |
Frequently asked questions about Oregon Zoo
| Search query | Answer |
| Is Oregon Zoo suitable for children? | Yes, the zoo features wide pushchair-friendly paths, a carousel, a train ride, and a Family Farm. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Oregon Zoo? | Yes, all general admission tickets must be purchased online in advance to reserve a specific entry time. |
| Is Oregon Zoo open on Sundays? | Yes, the zoo is open daily year-round, including Sundays. |
| Are bags allowed at Oregon Zoo? | Yes, standard day bags and backpacks are permitted, and visitors can bring outside food and non-alcoholic drinks. |
Things to do near Oregon Zoo
- World Forestry Center Discovery Museum: An interactive museum dedicated to forests and trees, located immediately adjacent to the zoo entrance plaza.
- Portland Japanese Garden: A traditional 12-acre garden located within Washington Park, a short distance from the zoo.
- Hoyt Arboretum: A free-to-enter tree museum featuring 12 miles of wooded trails, situated just up the hill from the zoo.
- International Rose Test Garden: A terraced garden displaying over 10,000 rose bushes, also located nearby in Washington Park.
- Pittock Mansion: A historic French Renaissance-style château offering expansive views of the Portland skyline and Mount Hood.
