This serves as our North Star – our guiding force and the source of our continual motivation to achieve our vision of Creating a Better World for Animals. By providing our guests with real-world opportunities to make memorable connections with wildlife and supplementing their experience with conservation messaging, the Dallas Zoo aims to inspire and empower visitors to take action on behalf of wildlife in Texas and around the world.
The nonprofit Dallas Zoo is open 364 days a year and welcomes more than one million guests yearly. Our more than 350 employees and 750 volunteers are dedicated to providing unparalleled care, educational experiences, and supporting local and global conservation efforts. We invite you to join us for a memorable day at the Zoo. Or, if you share our passion and vision, please become a member or donor so our animals and staff can continue their work on behalf of wild animals and wild places around the world.
Located three miles south of downtown Dallas, the 106-acre Dallas Zoo is the oldest and largest zoo in Texas. Founded with just two deer and two mountain lions in 1888 as the first zoo in the Southwest, this City of Dallas-owned but privately managed zoo is a thriving example of a successful public-private partnership. As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) for 35 years, the Zoo provides a home for more than 2,000 animals representing over 400 species.
The Zoo is open 364 days a year! Closed Christmas Day (Dec. 25).
Oct. 1 – Feb. 28
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March 1 – Sept. 30
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Zoo is located three miles south of downtown Dallas, just off I-35E at the Ewing Ave. / Marsalis Ave. exit.
The Zoo is open every day except December 25. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during spring and summer and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during fall and winter.
We are located at 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway in Dallas.
Via car: Exit at Marsalis Avenue from Interstate 35E. Our main entrance is located by the tall giraffe statue, on the northbound access road of I-35E.
Via DART: Take the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) RED LINE to the Dallas Zoo Station.
Starting April 1, 2021, ticket prices will range from $8 to $22 based on seasonal attendance at the Zoo. This gives you the freedom to plan your Zoo day around your schedule and budget! Please note that this new ticketing model does NOT mean an overall price increase.
Parking: $10 per car; FREE for Dallas Zoo members. The Zoo accepts cash and credit/debit cards with a matching photo ID.
You may bring your own strollers and wheelchairs, but they also are available to rent. Our costs:
Single stroller: $9
Double stroller: $13
Manual Wheelchair: $15
ECV: $27
ECV w/ canopy: $35
Rentals are subject to availability and are rented on a first-come, first-served basis at the Gift Shop, located just inside the front gate. Call 469.554.7462 for more information.