The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden traces its roots back to 1902, when a donated white-tailed deer at Wheeler Park sparked what became the first zoo in the American Southwest. After a devastating 1923 flood destroyed much of the original Wheeler Park collection, the zoo relocated to its current site near Northeast 50th Street and Eastern Avenue, later becoming known as Lincoln Park Zoo before adopting its present name.
Today the zoo sits on 130 acres in Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It houses more than 2,000 animals representing over 500 species, spanning immersive habitats like Sanctuary Asia, Expedition Africa, and the Great EscAPE primate exhibit, and welcomes more than a million visitors every year. Below is what you need to know to plan a visit, from current admission and hours to which exhibits to prioritize.
Quick Answer
The Oklahoma City Zoo is open daily (closed only Thanksgiving and Christmas), with general admission around $20 for adults and $17 for children and seniors; parking is free. It covers 130 acres in the city’s Adventure District and is home to over 2,000 animals across more than 500 species, including Sanctuary Asia’s elephants and Expedition Africa’s giraffe savanna.
Hours, Tickets & Prices
The zoo operates seven days a week and closes only for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Hours shift seasonally, with a shorter winter schedule and last entry roughly an hour before closing, so it’s worth checking the current daily hours before you head over.
General admission runs about $20 for adults ages 12-64 and $17 for children ages 3-11 and seniors 65 and up; kids 2 and under get in free. The zoo also offers reduced $10 admission for active military, Oklahoma EBT/SNAP/WIC cardholders, tribal WIC participants, Big Brothers Big Sisters members, and Oklahoma foster families, plus discounted group rates for parties of 15 or more with a week’s advance notice. Annual memberships are available for frequent visitors and typically pay for themselves after two or three visits.
Tickets can be bought online in advance or at the gate, and as of December 2025 the zoo has moved to cashless payment, so bring a credit or debit card. For the exact current hours, ticket prices, and any seasonal specials, check the official Oklahoma City Zoo tickets page.
Parking & Getting There
Parking at the Oklahoma City Zoo is free and located directly outside the main entrance off NE 50th Street, near the Adventure District’s other attractions like Remington Park and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The lot is large but fills up on weekends and during peak spring and summer months, so arriving close to opening gives you the best pick of spots and a head start before crowds build.
The zoo is easy to reach from I-44 and I-35, both a short drive from downtown Oklahoma City, and is also served by EMBARK city bus routes for visitors without a car.
Habitats and Exhibits
The zoo’s grounds are organized into themed habitat zones. Sanctuary Asia, anchored by the Inasmuch Elephant Pavilion, spans about 14.5 acres and houses Asian elephants alongside Indian rhinos, Komodo dragons, red pandas, and Francois’ langurs. Expedition Africa, which opened in 2024, adds a roughly 12-acre savanna habitat for giraffes and other African wildlife, while the Great EscAPE gives gorillas, orangutans, and chimpanzees about 6 acres of naturalistic space.
Other longstanding areas include Cat Forest/Lion Overlook for big cats, Oklahoma Trails for native regional species, and a Children’s Zoo and Herpetarium with more than 80 exhibits, giving visitors a mix of global and local wildlife encounters in a single visit. Seasonal favorites like the sea lion shows and the Zoofari Express train (an extra-cost ride around the grounds) are worth building into your route if you’re visiting with kids.
Best Time to Visit and How Long to Plan
Weekday mornings, especially right at opening, are the quietest time to visit and give animals their most active window before the midday heat sets in. Oklahoma summers get hot fast, so spring and fall generally offer the most comfortable conditions for walking the full 130 acres.
Most visitors budget three to four hours to see the major habitats without rushing; if you want to catch keeper talks, the train, and the Children’s Zoo as well, plan for closer to a full day.
Visitor Tips: Food, Strollers & Accessibility
Outside food and drink, including coolers, are allowed inside (glass containers and alcohol are the main exceptions, and beer/wine can be purchased at select concession spots). Double strollers, wagons, wheelchairs, and electric convenience vehicles are all available to rent near the Entry Plaza on a first-come, first-served basis, which is worth knowing if you’re visiting with young kids or anyone who has trouble with long walks.
Pets aren’t allowed inside the zoo, but there’s a climate-controlled pet holding area at the entry plaza for a small fee if you need to bring one along on the drive.
A Southwest Zoo With Deep Roots
Few American zoos can trace an unbroken lineage back to a single donated deer in a city park. The Oklahoma City Zoo’s 1902 origin at Wheeler Park, its rebuilding after the 1923 flood, and its growth into a 130-acre AZA-accredited institution reflect over a century of community investment.
The zoo also operates as a botanical garden, and its combination of conservation programs, animal collection, and horticultural displays has made it one of the most visited attractions in Oklahoma, drawing more than a million guests annually.
Oklahoma City Zoo visitor guide FAQs
What are the Oklahoma City Zoo’s hours?
The zoo is open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, with seasonal hours and a shorter winter schedule. Check the official tickets page for the exact hours on the day you plan to visit, since last entry is typically about an hour before closing.
How much are Oklahoma City Zoo tickets?
General admission is around $20 for adults ages 12-64 and $17 for children ages 3-11 and seniors 65+, with kids 2 and under free. Discounted $10 admission is available for military, EBT/SNAP/WIC cardholders, and a few other qualifying groups, and group rates apply for parties of 15 or more.
Is parking free at the Oklahoma City Zoo?
Yes, parking in the main lot outside the entrance is free.
How big is the Oklahoma City Zoo?
The zoo covers about 130 acres in Oklahoma City’s Adventure District.
How many animals live at the Oklahoma City Zoo?
It’s home to more than 2,000 animals representing over 500 species.
When was the Oklahoma City Zoo founded?
Its origins date to 1902 at Wheeler Park; it moved to its current site after a 1923 flood and was later known as Lincoln Park Zoo before taking its present name.
How long should I plan to spend at the zoo?
Most visitors spend three to four hours seeing the major habitats; plan closer to a full day if you want to include the train ride, keeper talks, and Children’s Zoo.
Can I bring food into the zoo?
Yes, outside food and drink (including coolers) are allowed; glass containers and alcohol are not, though beer and wine are sold at select concession locations.
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