The Fort Worth Zoo opened in 1909 with a lion, some bear cubs, an alligator, a coyote, a peacock, and a few rabbits housed at Trinity Park. More than a century later, it has grown into one of the most acclaimed zoological facilities in the country, repeatedly named the No. 1 zoo in America by outlets including USA Today and the Los Angeles Times.
Spread across 64 acres in Fort Worth, Texas, the zoo is home to roughly 7,000 native and exotic animals representing 542 species. One of the most common questions visitors have before they go is simple: what time does the zoo open and close on Sunday, and is it different from a weekday? Here’s the full picture, along with everything else you need — ticket prices, parking, and the exhibits and conservation work behind its reputation.
Quick Answer
The Fort Worth Zoo is open 365 days a year, and Sunday hours are the same as every other day of the week — there’s no separate, shorter weekend schedule. As of this writing the zoo runs on one daily opening time of 10 a.m. with closing around 4–5 p.m. depending on the season, so Sunday opens and closes right alongside Monday through Saturday. General admission runs roughly $18–$22 for adults and $16–$18 for children and seniors, plus $5 parking, and Wednesdays offer half-price admission. Because exact hours shift with the season, confirm the current Sunday closing time on the official Fort Worth Zoo site before you go.
Fort Worth Zoo Hours on Sunday (and Every Other Day)
Unlike many attractions that keep shorter hours on weekdays and extend them on weekends, the Fort Worth Zoo operates on a single daily schedule — meaning Sunday’s hours match Saturday’s, and both match the rest of the week. The zoo opens at 10 a.m. every day, including Sunday, with no separate late or early Sunday opening.
Closing time is the variable that shifts seasonally rather than the day of the week. During the main spring-through-fall season the zoo has closed at 5 p.m. daily, while a fall/winter schedule typically shortens that to around 4 p.m. daily, starting in early November. Because this seasonal switch happens on a set calendar date each year rather than varying by day of the week, Sunday visitors see the exact same closing time as every other day that week. Holiday exceptions apply on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, when hours are shortened regardless of what day those fall on. Always check the official Fort Worth Zoo hours page for that week’s exact Sunday closing time before you drive over.
Ticket Prices & How Admission Tiers Work
Admission is tiered by age: adults (13–64) pay the standard rate, children (3–12) and seniors (65+) get a discounted rate, and toddlers 2 and under get in free. As of this writing, adult admission runs around $20–$22 and the discounted tier around $16–$18, though the zoo has priced weekday and weekend/holiday visits slightly differently at times, so the exact total can vary by the day you pick.
Every Wednesday the zoo offers half-price general admission, which is popular with locals but also means those days draw bigger crowds. Zoo members get unlimited visits and free parking, and the zoo notes that a membership typically pays for itself in just a few visits for a family. Tickets can be purchased online in advance through the zoo’s ticketing system (recommended to skip gate lines) or in person at the entrance. Because exact prices change periodically, always confirm current admission rates on the official Fort Worth Zoo admission page before you go.
Parking & Getting There
The zoo sits at 1989 Colonial Parkway in Fort Worth’s Trinity Park/Cultural District area, with an on-site parking lot right at the entrance. Parking runs a flat per-vehicle fee, which as of this writing has been around $5, charged separately from admission unless you’re a zoo member (members park free). On busy days — especially half-price Wednesdays and weekend mornings in spring — arriving close to opening gets you a closer spot before the main lot fills.
Best Time to Visit
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather and moderate crowds, while summer mornings are the move if you’re visiting during peak Texas heat — animals are most active in the cooler early hours, and lines are shorter before mid-morning. Weekdays are generally quieter than weekends, though April and May bring heavy school field-trip traffic on Thursdays and Fridays.
If budget matters more than crowd size, half-price Wednesdays are the best value, but expect a fuller parking lot and busier pathways. Since Sunday hours mirror the rest of the week, there’s no hours-based reason to prefer or avoid Sunday specifically — crowd levels (typically moderate-to-busy, similar to Saturday) are the bigger factor than closing time.
Why Fort Worth Zoo Is Ranked Among America’s Top Zoos
The Fort Worth Zoo has been named the No. 1 zoo in the country in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice poll and has also topped rankings from the Los Angeles Times and other national outlets. The zoo credits this reputation to its combination of immersive, naturalistic habitats, hands-on educational programming, and a strong conservation record.
It’s accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Zoological Association of America (ZAA), and the American Humane Association (AHA) — making it one of only a handful of U.S. facilities to hold all three certifications. The zoo participates in more than 100 AZA Species Survival Plans and provides habitat for dozens of endangered or threatened species, including running one of the most successful breeding colonies of lesser flamingos in the country and serving as a leader in Asian elephant conservation.
Exhibits and Animal Collection
The zoo’s grounds are organized into themed areas including World of Primates, Elephant Springs, Flamingo Bay, Raptor Canyon, the Australian Outback, African Savanna, Predators of Asia & Africa, and Texas Wild!, which focuses on the state’s own native wildlife. A standout is the Museum of Living Art (MOLA), a herpetarium housing thousands of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates — widely regarded as one of the best herpetariums in the country.
Note that individual habitats occasionally close temporarily for maintenance or animal care, so if you’re visiting specifically to see one species — or on a Sunday when certain keeper talks may run on a different schedule than weekdays — it’s worth checking the zoo’s site or calling ahead.
A Century of Growth
The zoo has evolved dramatically since its modest 1909 beginnings. Since the nonprofit Fort Worth Zoological Association took over operations in 1991, it has drawn more than 1 million visitors every year, reflecting steady investment in immersive exhibits and conservation programs.
Looking ahead, the zoo has been in the midst of ‘A Wilder Vision,’ a $100 million capital campaign announced in 2016 that includes a planned Forests & Jungles exhibit area, continuing the zoo’s long pattern of reinvestment.
Cold water for the whole loop around the zoo, with a straw lid that doesn't leak in the bag.
A stick means no greasy hands. Reapply quickly between the penguins and the giraffes.
Let them photograph their own favorite animals — and keep your phone in your pocket.
Fort Worth Zoo hours and tickets FAQs
What are the Fort Worth Zoo’s hours on Sunday?
Sunday hours are the same as the rest of the week — the zoo opens at 10 a.m. daily, with closing time (typically 4 or 5 p.m. depending on the season) also applying equally to Sunday. There’s no special shortened or extended Sunday schedule. Confirm the current closing time on the official site before you go.
Is the zoo open every Sunday of the year, including holidays?
The zoo is open 365 days a year, so yes, it’s open on every Sunday. The main exceptions are Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, which have shortened hours regardless of which day of the week they fall on.
How much are Fort Worth Zoo tickets?
Admission is priced by age tier, with adults paying the highest rate, children and seniors a discounted rate, and toddlers 2 and under free. Parking is a separate flat per-vehicle fee. Wednesdays offer half-price general admission. Check the official site for current exact pricing.
What is the Fort Worth Zoo’s address?
The zoo is located at 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas, in the city’s Cultural District near Trinity Park.
Where should I buy tickets?
Tickets can be bought online in advance through the zoo’s official ticketing system to skip gate lines, or in person at the entrance on the day of your visit.
Why is the Fort Worth Zoo considered one of the best in the U.S.?
It’s been ranked No. 1 by USA Today’s 10Best poll and other national outlets, holds triple accreditation from AZA, ZAA, and AHA, and runs more than 100 species survival programs, including leading conservation work with Asian elephants and lesser flamingos.
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