The Hillcrest Park Zoo is a municipal zoological park located within the 140-acre Hillcrest Park in Clovis, New Mexico. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in April 2026 and reflects the current pricing structure for general admission.
Quick facts
| Category | Details |
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 09:00 to 16:00; Monday: Closed |
| Ticket prices | Adults (12-59): $4; Seniors (60+): $3; Children (3-11): $2; Under 3s: Free |
| Address | 1208 N Norris Street, Clovis, NM 88101 |
| Nearest public transport | On-site visitor car park (no municipal transit routes) |
| Typical time needed | One to two hours |
Hillcrest Park Zoo opening hours
The Hillcrest Park Zoo is open from 09:00 to 16:00 from Tuesday to Sunday. The final entry is permitted before 16:00, and the zoo grounds are fully cleared of all visitors by 17:00.
These core opening hours operate year-round with no seasonal variations, but the facility is completely closed to the public every Monday. The zoo also shuts for major public holidays observed by the City of Clovis, including Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Hillcrest Park Zoo ticket prices
General admission ticket prices for the Hillcrest Park Zoo are $4 for adults aged 12 to 59, $3 for seniors aged 60 and over, and $2 for children aged three to 11. Toddlers and infants aged two and under enter for free. Clovis residents and military personnel receive half-price admission on the second Saturday of each month, while seniors receive half-price entry on the fourth Saturday.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in April 2026. The attraction is not included in commercial city pass schemes such as Go City or CityPASS, meaning visitors cannot bundle entry with other major New Mexico venues such as the ABQ BioPark, the Albuquerque Museum, or the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
How to get to the Hillcrest Park Zoo
The Hillcrest Park Zoo is located within a large park in Clovis, near the eastern border of New Mexico. Because the city lacks a comprehensive public bus network servicing the park, driving or using a local taxi service are the only practical methods for reaching the facility.
For visitors travelling by car, the zoo is situated at the intersection of N Norris Street and E 10th Street. Drivers travelling on U.S. Route 60/84 through central Clovis should turn north onto N Norris Street and continue for approximately one mile to reach the main park entrance.
Parking at the Hillcrest Park Zoo
Free visitor parking is available directly on the Hillcrest Park Zoo grounds. The primary surface car park is located immediately outside the main entrance gates off N Norris Street, providing dedicated spaces for standard passenger vehicles.
There are no strict time limits or parking validation requirements enforced for visitors using this lot during standard operating hours. Large recreational vehicles or school coaches can utilise the overflow parking areas situated within the wider municipal park boundaries.
How long to spend at the Hillcrest Park Zoo
Most people spend between one and two hours at the Hillcrest Park Zoo. This duration provides sufficient time to walk the paved and unpaved pathways, observe the primary animal enclosures, and visit the indoor reptile house at a steady pace.
Visitors intending to participate in one of the guided animal encounters, which typically last for 30 minutes, should allow up to two and a half hours for their visit. Families with young children often extend their stay to use the adjacent public playgrounds or picnic areas located just outside the zoo gates.
Accessibility at the Hillcrest Park Zoo
The Hillcrest Park Zoo is fully accessible for wheelchair users, featuring 100% stair-free grounds and paved or compacted dirt pathways that navigate between the enclosures. Accessible restroom facilities are located near the main entrance.
Complimentary manual wheelchairs are available to borrow from the admissions desk on a first-come, first-served basis. The facility also provides one-seat and two-seat pull wagons for families to rent for a small fee to assist with transporting young children around the site.
Inside / what to see at the Hillcrest Park Zoo
The Hillcrest Park Zoo is the second-largest zoo in New Mexico, housing more than 150 animals representing over 60 species. The zoo is situated within the broader Hillcrest Park and features enclosures for both native and exotic wildlife.
The facility’s primary enclosures contain large mammals, including a Bengal tiger, a North American bison herd, and giraffes. Other notable mammals on display include primates, kangaroos, sloths, capybaras, and native desert species such as the ring-tailed coati and bat-eared foxes.
The reptile exhibits house various snakes, iguanas, tortoises, and invertebrates. The zoo also maintains several avian displays, featuring ostriches and a talking raven.
Visitors can participate in guided animal encounters, which provide opportunities to feed specific species like the Bactrian camels or giraffes under the supervision of zookeepers. These specific encounters operate as add-on experiences beyond standard general admission and must be booked separately.
Beyond the animal exhibits, the zoo grounds feature a gift shop equipped with a penny smasher machine, alongside adjacent access to the public playgrounds and seasonal splash park located within the wider municipal park.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip Category | Practical tip |
| Timing | Arrive when the gates open at 09:00 to observe the animals during their most active morning periods before the afternoon heat. |
| Crowds | Avoid visiting on the second Saturday of the month if you prefer a quieter environment, as this is a designated half-price day for local residents. |
| Layout | Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the dirt and paved pathways span across a large portion of the 140-acre municipal park. |
| Entry process | Purchase your standard admission tickets directly at the entrance gate, but book any specialist animal encounters online in advance. |
| On-site logistics | Pack a lunch to eat at the designated picnic areas, as outside food and drink are permitted inside the zoo grounds. |
Frequently asked questions about the Hillcrest Park Zoo
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Hillcrest Park Zoo suitable for children? | Yes, the zoo features interactive animal feeding experiences, wide pathways for strollers, and adjacent playgrounds. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Hillcrest Park Zoo? | No, general admission walk-up tickets are available at the entrance, though animal encounters must be booked online. |
| Is the Hillcrest Park Zoo open on Sundays? | Yes, the zoo is open on Sundays from 09:00 to 16:00, with grounds completely cleared by 17:00. |
| Are bags allowed at the Hillcrest Park Zoo? | Yes, standard day bags, backpacks, and outside food coolers are permitted inside the facility. |
Things to do near the Hillcrest Park Zoo
- Norman and Vi Petty Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum: Located a short drive away in downtown Clovis, this museum preserves the 1950s recording equipment and history of the local studio that recorded Buddy Holly.
- Clovis-Carver Public Library: Situated in the city centre, this facility houses a dedicated local history and archives section detailing the region’s agricultural and railroad heritage.
- Blackwater Draw Museum: Located on the nearby Eastern New Mexico University campus in Portales, this archaeological museum displays prehistoric tools and fossils from the Clovis Culture.
- Ned Houk Memorial Park: A large recreational area situated north of the city, offering fishing lakes, disc golf courses, and a dedicated archery range.
- Clovis Depot Model Train Museum: Set within a historic railway station, this museum features operational model train layouts and exhibits on the local development of the Santa Fe Railway.
More New Mexico travel
Other New Mexico travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What you need to know before visiting Bandelier National Monument near Los Alamos.
- Plan your visit to Valles Caldera National Preserve and Aztec Ruins National Monument in north-western New Mexico.
- What to know before visiting Explora in Albuquerque.
- Key information for riding the Sandia Peak Tramway in Albuquerque.
- Guide to visiting El Morro National Monument in western New Mexico.
