Tulsa Zoo is an AZA-accredited zoological park set across 124 acres in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and home to more than 2,000 animals from around the world. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking and transport, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
Last updated: May 2026. Many guides and listing sites continue to describe Tulsa Zoo as an 84-acre zoo. The zoo has significantly expanded and now covers 124 acres, confirmed on the official website. Separately: the zoo has introduced a cashless payment system for admission and behind-the-scenes encounters — cash is no longer accepted at the admissions gate. The main entrance bridge is currently closed due to construction; all visitors must enter and exit via the West Gate. Any guide that does not mention these changes is out of date.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 6421 E 36th St N, Tulsa, OK 74115 |
| GPS/sat-nav address | 4099 Chickasaw Drive, Tulsa, OK 74115 |
| Phone (admissions) | (918) 669-6601 |
| Opening hours | 9am–5pm daily (last admission 4pm) |
| Closed | Some major holidays (check website) |
| Adult admission (ages 12–64) | $22.99 gate / $19.99 online (save $3) |
| Senior admission (ages 65+) | $19.99 |
| Child admission (ages 3–11) | $19.99 |
| Children 2 and under | Free |
| Members | Free |
| Parking (non-members) | $6 |
| Parking (members) | Free |
| Typical visit length | 3–5 hours |
Tulsa Zoo opening hours
Tulsa Zoo is open daily from 9am to 5pm, with last admission at 4pm. The zoo closes on some major public holidays; check the official website or call (918) 669-6601 before travelling to confirm. Individual attractions within the zoo may have different hours: the Arvest Wildlife Carousel and Hardesty Gem Dig & Sluice run from 9am to 4:45pm. The ONEOK Safari Train is currently closed due to ongoing construction.
Hours may also vary during special events. The zoo runs after-hours events including Zoo Nights (21+, on 12 June, 14 August, and 10 October 2026) and ZooLIGHTful (running until 28 June 2026), which have their own separate ticketing.
Tulsa Zoo ticket prices
Adult admission (ages 12–64) is $22.99 at the gate, or $19.99 when purchased online — a saving of $3 per ticket. Senior admission (ages 65 and over) and child admission (ages 3–11) are both $19.99. Children aged 2 and under are free. Members enter free.
Tulsa Zoo now operates a cashless payment system at the admissions gate and for behind-the-scenes animal encounters. Only credit cards, debit cards, and contactless payments are accepted for admission. Cash is still accepted at food vendors and the gift shop.
Tulsa Zoo is not currently included in any Tulsa Go City or CityPass scheme.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official Tulsa Zoo website and last updated in May 2026.
How to get to Tulsa Zoo
Tulsa Zoo is located in Mohawk Park, north of central Tulsa. From Sheridan Road, head north until it dead-ends at 36th Street North, then turn right and follow the signs to the Mohawk Park entrance. Use the GPS address 4099 Chickasaw Drive, Tulsa, OK 74115 for sat-nav, as the street address may not route correctly. The zoo is approximately 15 minutes from downtown Tulsa by car.
Important: The main entrance bridge is currently closed due to ongoing construction. All guests — including members — must enter and exit through the West Gate. Signage at the site directs visitors accordingly.
Tulsa Transit serves the wider Mohawk Park area; check tulsatransit.org for current routes and stops. The zoo is most conveniently reached by car.
Parking at Tulsa Zoo
Parking is free for Tulsa Zoo members and $6 for non-members (inclusive of all taxes and fees). The car park is on-site. During Spring Break and some special events, paid priority parking may be offered as an upgrade. The zoo recommends not leaving pets in vehicles at any time.
How long to spend at Tulsa Zoo
Most visitors spend three to five hours at Tulsa Zoo. The zoo covers 124 acres with more than 2,000 animals across multiple large exhibits, and a thorough visit takes the better part of a day. Families with young children who want to use the Children’s Zoo petting area, watch keeper chats, and ride the carousel should allow at least four hours. Keeper chats are scheduled daily; check Today at the Zoo before your visit for the day’s timetable.
Accessibility at Tulsa Zoo
The zoo’s pathways are ADA-accessible throughout. Mobility equipment — including manual wheelchairs and electric scooters — is available to hire from the Gift Shop at the entrance. Prices (excluding tax): single stroller $8, double stroller $10, wagon $9, manual wheelchair $10, electric scooter $30. Numbers are limited; to reserve equipment in advance call (918) 669-6618 or (918) 669-6616.
Ascension St. John Family Den is located in the Rainforest Plaza and provides a dedicated nursing space, a quiet room for families affected by autism or sensory processing disorders, a family restroom, and a restroom with an adult changing table.
Sensory bags — containing noise-cancelling headphones, marble fidget, noodle fidget, tangle fidget, and ID cards — are available on request at the information window in the Entrance Plaza.
Service animals trained to assist individuals with disabilities are welcome throughout the zoo, with the exception of the gated Contact Yard inside the Children’s Zoo. Check in at the Information Building on arrival to register your service animal and review any specific requirements.
For accessibility queries before visiting, contact Admissions at (918) 669-6601.
Inside Tulsa Zoo: what to see
Africa covers the southern end of the zoo, with exhibits including the Mary K. Chapman Rhino Reserve, the Osage Casino & Hotel Giraffe Barn, and the Mary K. Chapman Giraffe Experience. White rhinos, giraffes, and other African savanna animals are housed here.
Lost Kingdom recreates ancient Asian settings inspired by Angkor Wat and houses some of the zoo’s most notable animals, including Malayan tigers, snow leopards, siamangs, Komodo dragons, binturongs, and red pandas. The Helmerich Tiger exhibit and Hardesty Snow Leopard Habitat are within this area.
The Rainforest is a 15,000 sq ft immersive indoor walk-through exhibit recreating tropical American rainforest environments, maintained year-round at 80% humidity and 72–82°F. It is the zoo’s main indoor space and offers shelter from Oklahoma’s heat or rain.
Helmerich Sea Lion Cove features a 100,000-gallon saltwater pool with a large underwater viewing window, waterfall, and covered seating. Sea lion keeper chats run daily; check Today at the Zoo for times.
Robert J. LaFortune WildLIFE Trek is a four-building complex covering animals adapted to life in cold, desert, forest, and water environments. It is one of the larger sections of the zoo and warrants significant time.
Children’s Zoo is home to guinea hogs, Jacob’s sheep, miniature horses, red kangaroos, a North American river otter, and more. It includes a petting zoo area with small farm animals. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times in this area.
Asian elephants are a highlight of the zoo. Tulsa Zoo has dedicated 17 of its 124 acres to elephant habitat, including a new barn opened in 2024. Two further elephants — Billy (40) and Tina (59) — are due to relocate to Tulsa from Los Angeles Zoo later in 2026, joining the existing herd of six. Check the zoo’s newsroom for the latest updates.
Additional exhibits include African Penguins, Aldabra Atoll (giant tortoises), Chimpanzee Connection, the David G. Zucconi Conservation Center (primates, reptiles, birds, and fish), and The Grottos (lemurs and grizzly bears).
ZooLIGHTful runs until 28 June 2026 as a separately ticketed after-hours event: hundreds of handcrafted Chinese animal lanterns are illuminated along a mile-long trail after dark. Tickets are separate from general admission.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use the GPS address, not the street address | Enter 4099 Chickasaw Drive, Tulsa OK 74115 into sat-nav for the correct route to the zoo. The standard street address may not route correctly. |
| Enter via the West Gate only | The main entrance bridge is closed due to construction. All guests must use the West Gate. Follow on-site signage. |
| Buy tickets online to save $3 per ticket | Online tickets are $3 cheaper per person than gate prices. Admission is cashless; only card and contactless payments are accepted at the admissions gate. |
| Check Today at the Zoo before arriving | Daily keeper chats and animal presentations are scheduled throughout the day. Consulting tulsazoo.org/today-at-the-zoo in advance lets you plan your route around them. |
| Children under 16 must be with an adult | Zoo rules require that anyone under 16 is accompanied by an adult at all times. This is enforced. |
Frequently asked questions about Tulsa Zoo
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Tulsa Zoo suitable for young children? | Yes. Children aged 2 and under enter free. The Children’s Zoo includes a petting area, and keeper chats run daily. The Family Den in Rainforest Plaza provides a nursing room, quiet room, and family restrooms. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Tulsa Zoo? | Advance booking is not required but is recommended to save $3 per ticket. Members do not need to reserve tickets. Admissions accepts card and contactless payments only — cash is not accepted at the gate. |
| Is Tulsa Zoo open on Sundays? | Yes, from 9am to 5pm (last admission 4pm). The zoo is open every day, closing only on some major public holidays. |
| Is there food available at Tulsa Zoo? | Yes. Several concessions stands operate throughout the zoo. Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks in non-glass containers are permitted. Cash is accepted at food vendors. |
| Are dogs allowed at Tulsa Zoo? | Pets are not permitted. Service animals trained to assist individuals with disabilities are allowed throughout the zoo, except in the gated Contact Yard inside the Children’s Zoo. Check in at the Information Building on arrival. |
Things to do near Tulsa Zoo
Mohawk Park – Tulsa Zoo sits within Mohawk Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. The surrounding park includes open green space, Mohawk Lake, and the Mary K. Oxley Nature Center, all accessible from the zoo area.
Tulsa Air and Space Museum – Around 15 minutes south-west of the zoo near Tulsa International Airport, TASM features a collection of aircraft including an F-14 Tomcat and an MD-80 walk-through, plus a full-dome planetarium with shows from 11am daily.
Gathering Place – Around 20 minutes south of the zoo, Gathering Place is a 100-acre free public riverfront park with an adventure playground, boathouse, sports courts, and a café.
Gilcrease Museum – Around 20 minutes south-west of the zoo, Gilcrease holds one of the world’s largest collections of art and artefacts from the American West. Free admission.
Philbrook Museum of Art – Around 20 minutes south of the zoo, Philbrook is a 72-room Italian Renaissance villa set in 25 acres of gardens, with a collection of more than 16,000 art objects. Adult admission $20.
What to visit tomorrow: zoos near Tulsa
Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, Oklahoma City – Around 1 hour 45 minutes south-west of Tulsa, OKC Zoo is an AZA-accredited zoo covering 130 acres and home to more than 2,000 animals of over 500 species. The 2024-opened Expedition Africa is its largest-ever habitat expansion. It receives over a million visitors a year.
Safari Zoological Park, Caney, Kansas – Around one hour north of Tulsa just across the Kansas border, Safari Zoological Park is a smaller private zoo with tigers, bears, primates, and other animals.
Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve, Bartlesville, Oklahoma – Around 50 minutes north of Tulsa, Woolaroc is a 3,700-acre working ranch and wildlife preserve with free-roaming bison, elk, longhorn cattle, waterfowl, and other native wildlife, alongside a museum of Western American art and artefacts.
Arbuckle Wilderness, Davis, Oklahoma – Around two hours south of Tulsa, Arbuckle Wilderness is a drive-through wildlife park where visitors drive their own vehicle through open-range enclosures containing bison, giraffes, zebras, camels, and other animals. A walk-through area and feeding are also available.
Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita, Kansas – Around two and a half hours north of Tulsa, Sedgwick County Zoo is an AZA-accredited zoo on 250 acres, home to nearly 3,000 animals. It is the largest zoo in Kansas. Note: the drive is beyond two hours; confirm journey time before planning a day trip.
More Oklahoma travel guides
Other Oklahoma travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
- What to expect at Gathering Place in Tulsa.
- The best stops on the Oklahoma City to Dallas drive.
- Where to stop on the Houston to Oklahoma City drive.
- The best stops on a Memphis to Oklahoma City road trip.
