The ABQ BioPark is a multi-site environmental museum and conservation facility located across central Albuquerque, encompassing a zoo, botanic garden, aquarium, and recreational lakes. 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 recent temporary closure of the facility’s BUGarium for major renovations, alongside the newly introduced sensory guides following its designation as a Certified Autism Center.
Quick facts
| Category | Details |
| Opening hours | Daily: 09:00 to 17:00 |
| Ticket prices | Adults: $19.50; Seniors (65+): $12.50; Youth (3-12): $11; Under 3s: Free |
| Address | 2601 Central Ave NW (Aquarium/Garden) & 903 10th St SW (Zoo), Albuquerque, New Mexico. |
| Nearest public transport | On-site car parks or ABQ RIDE bus stops |
| Typical time needed | Two to three hours per facility |
ABQ BioPark opening hours
The ABQ BioPark is open every day from 09:00 to 17:00 across all its primary facilities, including the zoo, aquarium, and botanic garden. The final entry of the day is permitted at 16:30, thirty minutes before the gates close.
These core opening hours operate year-round, though the zoo facility is traditionally closed on Mondays between Veterans Day and Presidents’ Day during the winter season. The entire complex is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Why book the Best of ABQ City Tour?
- 🚋 Unique Open-Air Trolley: Experience Albuquerque from “Coyote,” a custom-designed, open-air trolley that offers 360-degree views and an immersive way to soak in the high-desert air and sunshine.
- 🌵 Historic Old Town Roots: Explore the city’s birthplace, dating back to 1706, and learn about the Spanish colonial history, traditional adobe architecture, and the iconic San Felipe de Neri Church.
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- 🏙️ Diverse Neighborhood Highlights: Get a comprehensive look at the city’s character, from the vibrant murals of Downtown and the University of New Mexico campus to the trendy, neon-lit Nob Hill district.
ABQ BioPark ticket prices
General admission ticket prices for non-resident visitors to the ABQ BioPark are $19.50 for adults, $12.50 for seniors aged 65 and over, and $11 for youth aged three to 12. Children aged two and under enter for free, while New Mexico residents and military personnel receive heavily discounted rates upon presentation of a valid local identification card.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in April 2026.
How to get to the ABQ BioPark
The ABQ BioPark is divided into distinct sites, meaning visitors must navigate between the zoo on 10th Street SW and the combined aquarium and botanic garden campus on Central Avenue NW. The most direct way to reach the sites using public transport is via the ABQ RIDE bus network, with multiple routes servicing the Central Avenue corridor and the downtown area.
For visitors holding a valid Combo Ticket, the park operates a complimentary electric shuttle service that transfers guests between the zoo and the aquarium/botanic garden campus. This shuttle runs continuously throughout the day but does not operate on Mondays or Tuesdays.
5 great Albuquerque experiences to book
- 🎈 Admire the sunrise on a hot air balloon ride across the desert.
- 🌅 Alternatively, take your balloon ride at sunset.
- 🎬 Get on the trail of Walter White with a Breaking Bad filming locations tour.
- 🚴 Take a bike tour – and see Albuquerque’s top natural sights.
- 👻 Listen to spooky historic tales on an Old Town ghost tour.
Parking at the ABQ BioPark
Free visitor parking is available in dedicated surface car parks located directly outside the main entrances of both the zoo and the aquarium and botanic garden campus. These large lots are equipped to handle standard passenger vehicles, while oversized vehicles and coaches should contact the administration office for designated parking instructions.
Visitors travelling between the facilities on days when the internal shuttle is not running can easily drive and park at the secondary site without incurring additional fees, as there is no time limit or validation required.
How long to spend at the ABQ BioPark
Most people spend between two and three hours exploring an individual facility at the ABQ BioPark. The zoo features approximately 1.5 miles of paved walking trails, while the botanic garden covers 52 acres with meandering paths that take roughly the same amount of time to navigate.
Visitors intending to use a Combo Ticket to see the zoo, aquarium, and botanic garden on the same day should allow a minimum of five to six hours. This extended duration accounts for the required transit time between the two main geographic sites and ensures enough time to view the central habitats.
Accessibility at the ABQ BioPark
The ABQ BioPark is fully accessible for wheelchair users and is a designated Certified Autism Center, providing online sensory guides and designated quiet zones for guests with sensory sensitivities. Paved sidewalks and compacted dirt paths run throughout the zoo and botanic gardens, and elevators are available in multi-level indoor spaces such as the aquarium.
Manual wheelchairs, single strollers, and electronic convenience vehicles (ECVs) are available to rent from the Jungle Wheels desk near the zoo entrance, as well as the botanic garden gift shop. The inter-facility shuttle can accommodate one manual wheelchair per trip, though rented ECVs cannot be taken on the shuttle.
Inside / what to see at the ABQ BioPark
The Zoo section of the ABQ BioPark houses more than 300 species of native and exotic animals. Key habitats include the “Penguin Chill” exhibit, which features three species of penguins in a climate-controlled environment, alongside extensive enclosures for African apes, Asian elephants, and the highly endangered Mexican gray wolf.
The Botanic Garden encompasses 52 acres of cultivated landscapes, anchored by a 10,000-square-foot glass conservatory divided into desert and Mediterranean climate zones. Outdoor spaces include the Sasebo Japanese Garden and a heritage farm recreating a 1930s New Mexico homestead.
The Aquarium focuses on the aquatic life found along the path of the Rio Grande, tracking from the Colorado mountains down to the Gulf of Mexico. Highlights include a 285,000-gallon open ocean shark tank with a 38-foot viewing window, an indoor Pacific coral reef tunnel, and interactive mangrove touchpools.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip Category | Practical tip |
| Timing | Arrive at 09:00 on a weekday to observe the animals when they are most active before the midday heat. |
| Crowds | Check the facility’s schedule for “Sensory-Friendly Mornings” if you require a lower-stimulation environment with reduced crowds. |
| Layout | Consult the maps and visitor guides online to identify steep gradients in the older sections of the zoo. |
| Entry process | Purchase tickets online in advance to bypass the physical box office queues during peak school holiday periods. |
| On-site logistics | Bring a refillable water bottle, as the outdoor paths lack shade in several sections and hydration is essential in the high-altitude climate. |
Frequently asked questions about ABQ BioPark
| Question | Answer |
| Is ABQ BioPark suitable for children? | Yes, the facilities feature flat paths for strollers, baby care lounges, and interactive touchpools. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for ABQ BioPark? | No, walk-up tickets are available at the gates, though advance online booking is recommended. |
| Is ABQ BioPark open on Sundays? | Yes, all primary facilities are open on Sundays from 09:00 to 17:00. |
| Are bags allowed at ABQ BioPark? | Yes, standard day bags and backpacks are permitted, but large items may be restricted on the internal shuttle. |
Things to do near ABQ BioPark
- Tingley Beach: Part of the wider BioPark complex, this free-access recreational area offers fishing ponds, pedal boats, and woodland walking trails just south of the botanic garden.
- Historic Old Town Albuquerque: A cultural district dating back to 1706, featuring traditional adobe architecture, independent boutiques, and the historic San Felipe de Neri Church.
- Albuquerque Museum: Located near Old Town, this facility houses extensive exhibits detailing the art, history, and culture of the American Southwest.
- Explora: A hands-on science and children’s centre offering interactive exhibits focused on physics, engineering, and mathematics.
- New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science: An educational museum featuring dinosaur skeletons, a planetarium, and an interactive replica of an active volcano.
