The Saint Louis Zoo sits inside historic Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri, and has been a fixture of the city since its founding in 1910, growing out of a flight cage built for the 1904 World’s Fair. Spanning roughly 90 acres, the zoo has become one of the most visited attractions in the region, drawing around 3 million guests annually.
What sets the Saint Louis Zoo apart is that admission is free to the public, funded through a dedicated regional tax district known as the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District. Home to more than 18,000 animals across over 600 species, the zoo has earned repeated recognition as one of the top zoos in the country, including USA Today’s best zoo honors in 2017 and 2018.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri
- Opened: 1910
- Size: About 90 acres
- Species/Animal Count: 600+ species, about 18,700 animals
- Annual Visitors: About 3 million
- Admission: Free (funded by the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District)
- Famous For: The 1904 Flight Cage, one of the world’s largest free-flight aviaries
The Zoo Experience
Visitors move through themed zones including River’s Edge, The Wild, Discovery Corner, and Historic Hill, home to the landmark 1904 Flight Cage, a massive walk-through aviary originally built for the World’s Fair and still in use today. The Emerson Zooline Railroad, a narrow-gauge train, carries guests on a scenic loop around the grounds, offering a relaxed way to see the park between exhibits.
In recent years the zoo has invested heavily in new habitats, including Polar Bear Point, Grizzly Ridge, and Primate Canopy Trails, each designed to give animals more naturalistic space while bringing guests closer to the action through elevated walkways and viewing areas.
A Regional Institution
Because admission is free, the Saint Louis Zoo functions as a genuine community resource rather than a typical paid attraction, making repeat visits easy for local families. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), reflecting its role in conservation, breeding programs, and animal welfare standards.
Looking ahead, the zoo is developing a second campus, the St. Louis Zoo WildCare Park, a roughly 425-acre site planned to focus on conservation breeding for species with shrinking wild populations, expanding the institution’s footprint well beyond Forest Park.
Explore more: Explore more Zoos & Aquariums.
Saint Louis Zoo FAQs
Is the Saint Louis Zoo free to visit?
Yes, general admission is free, supported by a regional tax district called the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District, though some special exhibits and attractions charge a fee.
How many animals live at the Saint Louis Zoo?
The zoo is home to about 18,700 animals representing more than 600 species.
Where is the Saint Louis Zoo located?
It is located within Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri, on roughly 90 acres.
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Photo: Unknown / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.