The Saint Louis Zoo is a free, AZA-accredited zoo in Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri. This American zoo is home to more than 12,000 animals across over 500 species, many of them endangered. This guide covers opening hours, parking costs, paid attractions, transport, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
Last updated: June 2026. This guide is based on the official Saint Louis Zoo website, with hours confirmed from the Summer 2026 schedule. Key changes from older guides: parking increased to $20 per car from 27 February 2026 (up from $15), and the zoo is now fully cashless from June 2026. Prepaid debit card kiosks are available on site for visitors with cash. The Zoo’s hours vary significantly by season — check below carefully before visiting.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Government Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110 |
| Summer hours (May 26–Aug 23) | Sun–Thu 8am–5pm; Fri–Sat 8am–6pm |
| General summer hours (Aug 24–Sep 4) | 9am–5pm daily |
| Fall/winter hours (Oct 8–Dec 31) | 9am–4pm daily |
| General admission | Free |
| Parking | $20 per car (non-members); cashless only |
| Phone | (314) 781-0900 |
| Nearest transit | MetroBus #90 Hampton to the North Entrance; MetroLink to Forest Park–DeBaliviere then connecting bus |
| Typical visit length | 3–5 hours; a full day is possible |
Saint Louis Zoo opening hours
The zoo is open every day of the year but hours change significantly by season. Last entry is 15 minutes before closing.
| Period | Hours |
|---|---|
| May 26–Aug 23 (summer) | Sun–Thu 8am–5pm; Fri–Sat 8am–6pm |
| Aug 24–Sep 4 | 9am–5pm daily |
| Labor Day weekend (Sep 5–7) | 8am–6pm |
| Sep 8–Oct 7 | 9am–5pm daily |
| Oct 8–Dec 31 | 9am–4pm daily |
Special hours and closures in summer 2026:
- Fri 12 June — 8am–noon (closes early for ZOOFARI)
- Fri–Sat 3–4 July — 8am–5pm
- Sun 19 July — Sensory-Friendly Morning 8–11am (free, reservation required); general opening 11am–5pm
- Tue 4 Aug — 8am–3pm
- Sat 8 and 15 Aug — 8am–8pm (extended)
- Fri 21 Aug — 8am–3pm
Holiday hours (2026): Thanksgiving Day 9am–2pm; Christmas Eve 9am–2pm; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Eve 9am–3pm; New Year’s Day 2027 closed.
Hours and prices were checked on the official zoo website and last updated in June 2026.
5 great St Louis experiences to book
- 🌆 Take a small group tour of the Gateway Arch – including tickets to the top.
- 🚢 Combine a visit to the Gateway Arch with a river cruise.
- 📸 At the Museum of Illusions, get reels of cool social media photos.
- 👻 Discover the dark side of St Louis on an evening ghost tour.
- 🍽️ On a food and history walking tour, learn about the flavours and stories of St Louis.
Saint Louis Zoo ticket prices
General admission to the zoo is free, funded by the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District.
Paid attractions — including the 4D Theater, Conservation Carousel, Sea Lion Show, Stingrays at Caribbean Cove, Zooline Railroad, and Wild Explorer Virtual Reality — can be purchased individually or bundled as an Adventure Pass for unlimited same-day access to all operating attractions. The Adventure Pass price changes seasonally; buy online in advance for a discount over the in-person price. The official website has current pricing.
Children under 2 are free for all paid attractions. Stingrays at Caribbean Cove and the Sea Lion Show do not operate in late autumn and winter.
AZA reciprocal members receive a 50% discount on up to four Adventure Passes — in-person purchase only at Welcome Desks.
The Saint Louis Zoo is not included in any commercial city pass scheme.
How to get to Saint Louis Zoo
By car: The zoo is in Forest Park, next to US 40/I-64. Use 1 Government Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110 for navigation.
By MetroBus: Route #90 Hampton stops within short walking distance of the North Entrance at the intersection of Fine Arts Drive and Government Drive.
By MetroLink: Take the Red or Blue Line to Forest Park–DeBaliviere station, then connect with MetroBus #90 Hampton southbound. Check metrostlouis.org for current schedules.
Parking at Saint Louis Zoo
Parking costs $20 per car for non-members (effective 27 February 2026). The zoo is now fully cashless — payment is by card or mobile pay only. Prepaid debit card kiosks are available on site at no fee for visitors with cash only.
Zoo members: Explorer, Navigator, and Protector level members receive $5 parking. Champion, Benefactor, and Marlin Perkins Society members receive free unlimited parking.
Oversized vehicles (over 24 feet) are not permitted in zoo parking lots. Buses and RVs must obtain a Forest Park parking permit — call (314) 289-5330 or apply online via forestparkforever.org at least two weeks before your visit.
Free EV charging: Two free charging stations are available in the South Parking Lot.
Street parking: Limited free street parking is available in Forest Park, though it may be unavailable during park events. Check forestparkforever.org for current road closures.
How long to spend at Saint Louis Zoo
Allow a minimum of 3 hours; a full day is easy to fill. The zoo covers 90 acres across six zones. Visitors with an Adventure Pass who want to take the Zooline Railroad, watch the Sea Lion Show, visit the 4D Theater, and touch stingrays should plan at least 5 hours.
Accessibility at Saint Louis Zoo
Wheelchairs, push wheelchairs, and electric scooters are available for rental at the North and South Rentals locations. Wheelchair-accessible trams are available on the Zooline Railroad. For full accessibility details, visit the accessibility and rentals page on the official zoo website.
Maps are available in Arabic, Bosnian, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese — at the entrances and downloadable from the website. A Sensory-Friendly Morning runs periodically — free but reservation required via the zoo’s eStore.
What to see at Saint Louis Zoo
The zoo is organised into six zones:
Discovery Corner — penguins, puffins, and marine birds. Home to the Sea Lion Arena and Conservation Carousel.
The Wild — large mammals including cheetahs, African wild dogs, and black-footed cats. The 4D Theater and Wild Explorer Virtual Reality are here.
River’s Edge — elephants, hippos, chimpanzees, and black rhinos in naturalistic habitats designed around water features.
Red Rocks — lions, tigers, polar bears, giraffes, and Grizzly bears on a rocky landscape. Giraffe feedings are available here (additional cost; $2 discount with Adventure Pass).
Historic Hill — the original 1904 World’s Fair Bird Cage (one of the world’s largest free-flight aviaries), a sea lion pool, and the Zooline Railroad terminus.
Lakeside Crossing — the Sea Lion Show arena, Stingrays at Caribbean Cove, and the Wild Explorer VR experience.
Zooline Railroad — a 1.5-mile narrated train ride around the zoo grounds. Included in the Adventure Pass.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Check hours before you go | Zoo hours change multiple times per year. Summer and winter closing times differ by up to two hours. The hours table above reflects 2026 confirmed dates. |
| The zoo is fully cashless from June 2026 | Bring a card or use the on-site prepaid debit kiosks. Parking, attractions, food, and shops all require card or mobile payment. |
| Parking is $20 — not included with admission | The zoo is free to enter, but parking is charged separately. Budget for this if driving. |
| Buy the Adventure Pass online in advance | Online purchase is discounted over the in-person price. Buy before arriving to save money and time. |
| Special event closures can happen mid-day | ZOOFARI on 12 June closes the zoo at noon. Check the official special hours list if visiting on a Friday in summer. |
Frequently asked questions about Saint Louis Zoo
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Saint Louis Zoo really free? | Yes, general admission is always free. Paid attractions (4D Theater, Sea Lion Show, Zooline Railroad, etc.) require separate tickets or an Adventure Pass. Parking is $20 per car for non-members. |
| Is the zoo open on Sundays? | Yes, open daily. Summer Sunday hours are 8am–5pm. |
| Do you need to book in advance? | No booking needed for general admission. The Adventure Pass can be purchased at the zoo or online (cheaper online). The Sensory-Friendly Morning on 19 July 2026 requires a free reservation. |
| Is parking free? | No. Parking is $20 per car for non-members (as of February 2026). Zoo members receive reduced or free parking depending on membership level. |
| Are dogs allowed? | Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome in most outdoor areas of the zoo. They are not permitted inside buildings. |
Things to do near Saint Louis Zoo
- Missouri History Museum (Forest Park, ~0.5 miles) — Free permanent collection covering St. Louis history from the Mississippian era to the present. Open Tue–Sun.
- Saint Louis Art Museum (Forest Park, ~0.8 miles) — Free permanent collection; special exhibitions free on Fridays. Open Tue–Sun, late on Fridays.
- The Muny (~0.5 miles, Forest Park) — America’s oldest outdoor musical theatre. Free seats available in the top rows for every performance. Summer season June–August.
- Steinberg Skating Rink / Boathouse (~0.5 miles, Forest Park) — Seasonal facilities in Forest Park: ice rink in winter, paddle boats and kayaks in summer.
- Forest Park (~surrounding) — 1,371 acres of free parkland with cycling paths, the Grand Basin, and views across the hill to Art Museum.
What to visit tomorrow: similar zoos and wildlife attractions nearby
- Endangered Wolf Center, Eureka, MO (~40 minutes southwest) — A conservation centre for Mexican wolves and red wolves offering guided walking tours. Admission charged; advance booking essential.
- Wild Bird Sanctuary, Maryland Heights, MO (~20 minutes northwest) — A rehabilitation centre for injured birds of prey, with viewing areas open to the public. Free admission.
- St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station (~4 miles east) — A privately operated aquarium in the historic Union Station building, with over 13,000 sea creatures. Admission charged.
- Dickerson Park Zoo, Springfield, MO (~3 hours southwest) — A small, free municipal zoo in Springfield with African elephants as its centrepiece.
- Kansas City Zoo, Kansas City, MO (~4 hours west) — A major regional zoo with over 1,700 animals on 200 acres.
