The Minnesota Zoo opened on May 22, 1978, in Apple Valley, as one of only two state-supported zoos in the country (the other is the North Carolina Zoo). Spread across 485 acres, it was among the first American zoos to organize exhibits by habitat rather than by species, grouping animals along trails like the Northern Trail and Tropics Trail instead of in traditional houses.
Today the zoo holds hundreds of species, from Amur tigers to Hawaiian monk seals, and draws roughly a million-plus visitors a year. Its biggest recent addition is the Treetop Trail, a 1.25-mile elevated walkway built atop the zoo’s original 1979 monorail track. Below, everything you need to plan a visit: hours, tickets, parking, what’s changed at Discovery Bay, and how to make the most of a day on 485 acres.
Quick Answer
The Minnesota Zoo is open daily, year-round, in Apple Valley, about 20 miles south of Minneapolis-St. Paul, typically from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with earlier entry for members. Online tickets must be reserved in advance for a specific date and time, general admission runs roughly $20-$26 depending on age, and standard car parking costs about $10 (free for members). The zoo’s headline attraction is the 1.25-mile elevated Treetop Trail, built on the old monorail track.
Hours & Best Time to Visit
The zoo is open seven days a week year-round, including winter, with standard hours generally running 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; members get early access starting at 9 a.m. Hours shift seasonally — expect shorter winter days and occasional extended evenings for special events like Zoo After Hours — so it’s worth checking the current schedule on the official Minnesota Zoo site before you go.
Because the grounds cover 485 acres, plan on a half-day to full day to see everything. Mornings tend to be quieter and cooler, which also means more active animals on outdoor trails. Winter is a legitimate option, too: Discovery Bay, the Tropics Trail, and several other exhibits are indoors or climate-controlled, and the Treetop Trail stays open (bundle up) for a different, less crowded perspective on the zoo.
Tickets & Admission Prices
General admission is tiered by age: adults, seniors, and children each pay a different rate, with children under 2 admitted free. As of this writing, adult (13-64) admission runs around $25.95, children ages 3-12 around $19.95, and seniors 65+ around $23.95 — but zoos adjust pricing seasonally, so treat these as ballpark figures and confirm current rates before you visit.
The zoo currently requires guests to reserve tickets online in advance for a specific date, rather than selling walk-up admission at the gate, so buy ahead rather than assuming you can pay on arrival. Frequent visitors can also buy an annual membership, which includes unlimited admission and free parking and typically pays for itself in two or three visits. For the exact current prices, discount days, and membership tiers, see the official ticketing page.
Parking
Standard car and van parking costs about $10 per vehicle; larger vehicles like buses and motor coaches pay a higher rate. Parking is free for zoo members, and the main lot sits right at the entrance, so there’s no separate shuttle to plan for. As with admission, confirm the current rate on the official site since parking fees are adjusted from time to time.
Zoo Layout: Trails, Habitats & Where to Start
The zoo is organized around habitat-based trails rather than a species-by-species layout. The Northern Trail showcases animals suited to cold climates — caribou, an Amur tiger, and other winter-hardy species — while the Tropics Trail recreates an indoor rainforest with gibbons and a walk-through aviary. Russia’s Grizzly Coast focuses on Far Eastern Russian wildlife, including brown bears, leopards, otters, and boars, and the Medtronic Minnesota Trail highlights animals native to the state itself.
Families often start near the south entrance, where snow monkeys (Japanese macaques) and the 3M Penguins of the African Coast exhibit are among the first things visitors see. The Wells Fargo Family Farm rounds things out with hands-on encounters for younger kids. Since the grounds are large and the old monorail no longer runs, most visitors get around on foot via the trail network — the free MNZoo4All app has maps and sensory-friendly trip planning if you want a layout in hand before you arrive.
The Treetop Trail
Opened July 28, 2023, the Treetop Trail repurposes the elevated track of the zoo’s original monorail, which operated from 1979 until its retirement in 2013. The 1.25-mile loop rises up to 32 feet above ground, giving visitors a bird’s-eye view of tigers, moose, bison, and camels below, plus unusually good bird-watching along the way.
Planning for the trail began in 2018, with a ceremonial groundbreaking in April 2022. Since opening, the project has won architecture and design awards for reusing existing monorail infrastructure instead of building new — and it’s routinely cited as the world’s longest elevated pedestrian loop of its kind.
Discovery Bay & the Zoo’s Marine Life
Discovery Bay is the zoo’s aquarium and marine complex, built around roughly 1.1 million gallons of water, including the 218,000-gallon Shark Reef exhibit with sharks, rays, and coral-reef fish. An interactive touch pool lets visitors handle sea stars and sea anemones on a limited, supervised basis.
One thing worth updating if you remember Discovery Bay from years past: it’s no longer a dolphin habitat. The zoo’s original dolphin exhibit closed in 2012, and a temporary group of dolphins on loan from Brookfield Zoo left in spring 2024 once their home habitat was ready. In their place, Discovery Bay is now home to Hawaiian monk seals — the Minnesota Zoo is the only place outside Hawaii where the public can see this endangered species — along with sea lions, sea turtles, and other marine animals. Sea Lion Discovery presentations run several times daily.
Minnesota Zoo FAQs
What are the Minnesota Zoo’s hours?
The zoo is open daily, year-round, typically from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with earlier 9 a.m. entry for members. Hours vary seasonally, so check the official site before visiting.
How much are tickets to the Minnesota Zoo?
General admission is age-tiered, roughly $20-$26 for most visitors as of this writing, with children under 2 free. Prices change periodically, so confirm current rates on the official ticketing page.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
Yes. The zoo currently requires guests to reserve general admission tickets online for a specific date rather than selling walk-up tickets at the gate.
Is parking free at the Minnesota Zoo?
Parking costs about $10 per car (more for buses), but it’s free for zoo members.
Are there still dolphins at the Minnesota Zoo?
No. The original dolphin exhibit closed in 2012, and a temporary group of loaned dolphins departed in spring 2024. Discovery Bay now houses Hawaiian monk seals, sea lions, sharks, and other marine animals instead.
How long does it take to see the whole Minnesota Zoo?
Plan for at least half a day, and a full day if you want to walk every trail — the grounds cover 485 acres, and the Treetop Trail alone is a 1.25-mile loop.
Where is the Minnesota Zoo located?
The Minnesota Zoo is in Apple Valley, Minnesota, about 20 miles south of Minneapolis-St. Paul.
What is the Treetop Trail at the Minnesota Zoo?
The Treetop Trail is a 1.25-mile elevated pedestrian loop built on the zoo’s former monorail track, opened in July 2023 and considered the world’s longest walkway of its kind.
Get More from Minnesota Zoo
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Minnesota Zoo, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Want the day’s theme park news in your inbox? Subscribe to ThrillZing Daily — free.