The Dallas Zoo is Texas’s oldest and largest zoological park, sitting on 106 acres in Marsalis Park just three miles south of downtown Dallas. Founded in 1888, the zoo has grown from a small municipal menagerie into a major AZA-accredited institution that draws more than a million visitors every year.
Today the zoo is home to over 2,000 animals representing 406 species, with signature habitats like the 11-acre Giants of the Savanna, the Gorilla Research Center, and Penguin Cove. Managed by the nonprofit Dallas Zoo since 2009, the zoo also plays an active role in wildlife conservation through more than 40 Species Survival Plans.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Marsalis Park, Dallas, Texas
- Opened: 1888
- Size: 106 acres
- Species: 406 species, over 2,000 animals
- Annual visitors: 1 million+
- Operator: Dallas Zoo (nonprofit)
- Hours: Open 364 days a year (closed Christmas Day); typically 9am-5pm spring/fall and 9am-4pm summer/winter
- Famous for: Oldest and largest zoo in Texas
The Zoo Experience
Visitors to the Dallas Zoo can explore habitats spanning several continents, anchored by the sprawling Giants of the Savanna exhibit, an 11-acre expansion that lets elephants, giraffes, lions, and other African wildlife roam across shared, naturalistic terrain. Other highlights include the Chimpanzee Forest, the Endangered Tiger Habitat, and Penguin Cove, along with the zoo’s dedicated Gorilla Research Center.
The zoo is accessible by DART light rail, with a station that opened in 1996 bringing the zoo within easy reach of downtown Dallas without a car. The Dallas Zoo welcomes guests 364 days a year, closing only for Christmas Day, with gates typically open from 9 a.m. to either 4 or 5 p.m. depending on the season.
History and Conservation
Founded in 1888, the Dallas Zoo is the oldest zoological park in Texas. In 2009 the Dallas City Council voted to transfer its operation to the nonprofit now known as the Dallas Zoo, which has since expanded the zoo’s exhibits and conservation programs.
As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Dallas Zoo participates in over 40 Species Survival Plans aimed at protecting endangered species both on-site and in the wild.
Explore more: Explore more top zoos and aquariums.
Dallas Zoo FAQs
What are the Dallas Zoo’s hours?
The Dallas Zoo is open 364 days a year, closed only on Christmas Day. Hours are typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in spring and fall, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in summer and winter, so it’s best to check the official schedule before visiting.
How big is the Dallas Zoo?
The Dallas Zoo covers 106 acres in Marsalis Park, just south of downtown Dallas, making it the largest zoo in Texas.
How many animals live at the Dallas Zoo?
The zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals representing 406 species.
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Photo: Kevin1086 / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.