The Oregon Zoo sits in Portland’s Washington Park, just two miles southwest of downtown, and holds the distinction of being the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi River, tracing its roots back to 1888. Owned and operated by the regional government Metro since 1976, the zoo has grown from a small menagerie into one of the Pacific Northwest’s most visited attractions, drawing over a million guests annually.
Spread across 64 acres, the zoo is home to over 1,800 animals representing more than 230 species, including nearly two dozen endangered and threatened species. It gained international fame in 1962 with the birth of Packy, the first elephant born in the Western Hemisphere in 44 years, launching what became one of the most prolific zoo elephant breeding programs in North America. Below is everything you need to plan a visit, from hours and ticket prices to parking and the best exhibits to see.
Quick Answer
The Oregon Zoo is open most days of the year in Washington Park, Portland, closing only for three annual closure days: Oct. 1, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Summer hours run roughly 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and cooler-season hours are shorter, with last entry about an hour before close. General admission runs around $26 for guests 12 and up and $21 for children 2-11, with cheaper $13 tickets sold during scheduled fall and winter discount days. Parking costs $2 per hour or $8 per day and fills up fast, so taking MAX light rail to the Washington Park station is the easiest way in.
Hours & Best Time to Visit
The Oregon Zoo is open most days of the year, closing only for three set dates: Oct. 1, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. During the summer stretch from roughly late May through early September, it typically opens at 9 a.m. and stays open until 6 p.m., with last entry an hour before closing. In the cooler months the zoo generally opens later, around 10 a.m., and closes earlier, often by 4 p.m. Gates close about 30 minutes after last entry, and grounds close roughly 90 minutes after that, so don’t cut it too close.
Because exact opening and closing times shift with the calendar and holidays, always confirm the day-of schedule and current-year closure dates on the official Oregon Zoo hours and tickets page before you go. For the calmest visit, arrive at opening on a weekday; weekends and warm-weather afternoons draw the biggest crowds and the tightest parking.
Tickets & Prices
General admission is tiered by age, with a full-price ticket for guests 12 and older running around $26 and children ages 2-11 around $21; kids under 2 are typically free. Tickets are timed and sold up to 30 days in advance through the zoo’s online system, and buying ahead is the safest way to guarantee entry on busy days since daily capacity can sell out.
The zoo also runs scheduled fall and winter discount days when admission drops to a flat, deeply reduced rate for everyone, plus year-round discounts for veterans and active-duty military, and reduced-rate tickets for Oregon and Washington residents who qualify for income-assistance programs. Members of other AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums can usually get a reciprocal discounted rate for up to four people with proof of membership. Because pricing tiers and promotional dates change from year to year, check the official ticket page for the current rates and any active discount-day calendar.
Parking & Getting There
Zoo parking is metered at roughly $2 per hour or $8 for the day, and the lots are notoriously tight on warm days and weekends. If the main lot fills, overflow options in Washington Park can add a longer walk, so arriving early or using transit is the more reliable plan.
TriMet’s MAX light rail Red and Blue lines have served a Washington Park station right at the zoo since 1998, making it the easiest car-free option from downtown Portland. Washington Park’s free shuttle also loops between the MAX station and the park’s major attractions, including the zoo, the Portland Japanese Garden, and the International Rose Test Garden, running about every 15-30 minutes. Inside the zoo, the historic Washington Park & Zoo Railway, a narrow-gauge line dating to the late 1950s, now runs a scenic half-mile loop within the zoo grounds rather than shuttling between park attractions as it once did.
Top Exhibits & Animals to See
The zoo’s habitats are organized by region. Africa Savanna and Africa Rainforest hold giraffes, zebras, hippos, and tropical birds, while Predators of the Serengeti brings visitors nose-to-whisker with lions, cheetahs, and African wild dogs. The Great Northwest complex covers Pacific Northwest wildlife across several linked exhibits: Cascade Crest for mountain goats, Black Bear Ridge, Eagle Canyon for bald eagles, Cascade Stream and Pond for beavers and river otters, and Cougar Crossing.
Primate Forest showcases chimpanzees and mandrills, Pacific Shores is home to polar bears, sea otters, penguins, and harbor seals, and Condors of the Columbia houses critically endangered California condors as part of the zoo’s condor recovery program. The largest single habitat is Elephant Lands, a roughly 6-acre complex with pools, varied terrain, and one of the largest indoor elephant facilities in the country, built to give the herd far more space and choice than older elephant exhibits typically allow.
A Legacy of Elephants
The zoo’s elephant program put it on the map after Packy’s birth in 1962 made national headlines as the first elephant born in the Western Hemisphere in 44 years. Over the following decades, the breeding program produced 28 calves, an achievement unmatched by most North American zoos and central to the institution’s identity to this day. Elephant Lands, which opened in 2015, was built specifically to give that herd a more naturalistic, active environment with room to roam, forage, and swim.
History & Conservation
The zoo traces its origins to 1888 and has operated under several names over the decades, including Portland Zoo and Washington Park Zoo, before officially becoming the Oregon Zoo in 1998. Metro, the regional government of the Portland metropolitan area, has owned and operated the zoo since 1976.
Beyond exhibits, the Oregon Zoo is an active conservation partner, most visibly through its role in the California condor recovery program housed at Condors of the Columbia, working to return the species to the wild in the Pacific Northwest. The zoo also participates in breeding and habitat programs for other threatened and endangered species among its roughly 230 represented species.
Oregon Zoo visitor guide FAQs
What are the Oregon Zoo’s hours?
Hours vary by season. In summer (roughly late May through early September) the zoo is typically open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last entry about an hour before close. During the rest of the year it generally opens around 10 a.m. and closes earlier, often by 4 p.m. Check the official hours and tickets page for the exact schedule on your visit date.
How much are Oregon Zoo tickets?
General admission runs around $26 for guests 12 and older and $21 for children ages 2-11, with discounts for veterans, active-duty military, and income-qualified residents. The zoo also holds scheduled fall and winter discount days with a flat, reduced admission rate. Tickets are timed and sold online up to 30 days ahead.
How much is parking at the Oregon Zoo, and is it hard to find?
Zoo parking is metered at roughly $2 per hour or $8 per day. Lots fill up quickly on weekends and warm days, so arriving early or taking MAX light rail to the Washington Park station is recommended, especially during peak season.
When did the Oregon Zoo open?
The Oregon Zoo traces its origins to 1888, making it the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi River. It operated under several names, including Portland Zoo and Washington Park Zoo, before becoming the Oregon Zoo in 1998.
Who owns the Oregon Zoo?
The Oregon Zoo has been owned and operated by Metro, the regional government of the Portland metropolitan area, since 1976.
What is the Oregon Zoo best known for?
The Oregon Zoo is best known for its elephant program, launched by the 1962 birth of Packy, the first elephant born in the Western Hemisphere in 44 years. The zoo’s breeding program went on to produce 28 calves, and the Elephant Lands habitat remains one of its signature exhibits.
How do you get to the Oregon Zoo without a car?
TriMet’s MAX light rail Red and Blue lines stop directly at the zoo’s Washington Park station. From there, Washington Park’s free shuttle also connects the zoo to other park attractions like the Japanese Garden and the International Rose Test Garden.
Is the Oregon Zoo open every day of the year?
No. The Oregon Zoo is open most days but closes for three set dates each year: Oct. 1, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Confirm the current year’s closure dates on the official hours and tickets page before planning a visit.
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