Perched on the slopes of Cheyenne Mountain southwest of downtown Colorado Springs, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is the only zoo in the United States built directly into a mountainside — and, at 6,714 feet above sea level, the highest-elevation zoo in the country. Walkways zigzag up terraced exhibits instead of running flat, so almost every turn opens onto a new view of the Front Range or the city below.
This guide covers what you need to plan a trip: current hours and how ticket pricing works, where to park, how much it costs to hand-feed the famous giraffe herd, and why USA Today readers voted it one of the top two zoos in the country in 2026.
Quick Answer
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is open daily, typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round, and requires an advance timed-entry ticket purchased online before you arrive — even for members. Non-peak pricing (weekdays and off-season) runs roughly in the mid-teens per adult, while peak summer weekend mornings from late May through September climb into the mid-$30s; kids and seniors pay less. Parking is free. The zoo sits at 6,714 feet, the highest elevation of any U.S. zoo, and is best known for its elevated giraffe-feeding deck.
Hours, Tickets & Prices
The zoo operates daily, year-round, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Mountaineer Sky Ride runs the same hours with a last ride around 4:30 p.m., and the on-site Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun closes a bit earlier. Hours can shift for after-dark events like the winter Electric Safari light show, so it’s worth double-checking before a visit built around a specific event.
Every guest, including members, needs an advance timed e-ticket — walk-up admission isn’t available. Tickets come with roughly a 30-minute arrival window, but once you’re inside you can stay until close, and tickets are non-refundable once purchased. Pricing runs on a two-tier system: a lower non-peak rate applies on weekdays, in the off-season, and for afternoon entry, while a higher peak rate applies to Friday-through-Sunday mornings during the late-May-to-September high season, with children and seniors discounted off the adult rate at both tiers. Because pricing resets seasonally, buy through the official Cheyenne Mountain Zoo site, which also publishes a season-by-season pricing calendar. Frequent visitors and local families often find a membership pays for itself within a handful of visits per year.
Parking & Getting There
The zoo is located at 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80906, on the mountain’s western side near The Broadmoor resort. From I-25, take exit 138, head west on Lake Avenue toward The Broadmoor, then follow the zoo’s signage up the hill.
Parking is free for zoo guests, but lots are limited and can fill up on busy weekends, holidays, and during peak summer mornings — arriving close to opening improves your odds of a close spot. The zoo also sells separate rideshare drop-off tickets for visitors who’d rather skip parking altogether.
The Giraffe Feeding Overlook
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s signature experience is its elevated giraffe-feeding deck, where visitors stand eye-to-eye with the herd and hand-feed them romaine lettuce. Feeding is available all day, whether the herd is out in the yard or inside the barn, and bundles typically cost a few dollars each, with a small discount for buying two — proceeds support the zoo’s giraffe conservation work.
The zoo’s breeding program has produced more than 200 giraffe calves since 1954, and its current herd of about 13 reticulated giraffes is one of the largest in North America. In 2022 the zoo established the International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe to expand its conservation research, with a larger giraffe barn and yard set to open in 2026.
Mountainside Exhibits and Conservation
Because the zoo is built directly into the mountainside rather than on flat ground, walkways wind through terraced exhibits like African Rift Valley, Encounter Africa, Rocky Mountain Wild, and Asian Highlands, with sweeping views of Colorado Springs below. Expect real elevation change between exhibits — comfortable shoes make a noticeable difference here.
Beyond giraffes, the zoo is a major player in species conservation, having bred hundreds of endangered black-footed ferret kits for reintroduction programs. In USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for 2026, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted the second-best zoo in the country — its tenth consecutive year nominated — trailing only Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday and afternoon visits generally mean lower non-peak pricing and thinner crowds than Friday-through-Sunday summer mornings. Spring and fall offer milder weather and smaller crowds than peak summer, though the zoo operates as an all-weather venue year-round.
Because the zoo sits at nearly 6,700 feet, mornings can be noticeably cooler than you’d expect for a summer day in Colorado Springs, even once afternoons warm up — dressing in layers and bringing sun protection is worth it at this altitude.
Is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Worth Visiting?
Between its one-of-a-kind mountainside setting, hands-on giraffe herd, conservation programs, and a 2026 USA Today ranking as the country’s #2 zoo, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo consistently draws praise well beyond its Colorado Springs home base. For travelers who enjoy scenic hikes as much as animal encounters, the terraced, view-filled layout sets it apart from flat, grid-style zoos elsewhere in the country.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo FAQs
What are Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s hours?
The zoo is open daily, year-round, generally from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though hours can shift for special evening events. Check the official site before you go if your visit is timed around a specific event.
How much are Cheyenne Mountain Zoo tickets, and do I need to book ahead?
Yes — advance timed e-tickets are required for everyone, including members. Non-peak pricing (weekdays, off-season, afternoons) runs roughly in the mid-teens per adult, while peak Friday-through-Sunday summer mornings run into the mid-$30s, with discounts for kids and seniors. Exact rates are published on the zoo’s official pricing calendar.
Is parking free at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo?
Yes, parking is free for guests, but lots can fill up during peak weekends and summer mornings, so arriving early is recommended.
How much does it cost to feed the giraffes at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo?
Feeding is available all day for a few dollars per lettuce bundle, with a small discount for buying two. The elevated deck lets visitors hand-feed the herd, which numbers around 13 animals and is one of North America’s largest giraffe herds thanks to a decades-long breeding program.
Why is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo called the highest zoo in America?
It sits at 6,714 feet above sea level on the slopes of Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, higher in elevation than any other zoo in the United States.
Who founded Cheyenne Mountain Zoo?
Businessman Spencer Penrose founded the zoo in 1926 after building a personal animal collection that began with a bear he received as a gift in 1916.
Is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo worth visiting?
Most visitors say yes: it was voted the #2 best zoo in the country in USA Today’s 2026 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and its mountainside setting, giraffe feeding, and conservation programs set it apart from typical flat-layout zoos.
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