San Antonio Zoo has occupied a corner of Brackenridge Park since 1914, growing from an early collection of a few hundred specimens into one of the more species-dense zoos in the country. Built partly into a former limestone quarry, the zoo used the site’s natural rock walls to create some of the first cageless exhibits in the United States back in 1929, a design choice that still shapes how visitors experience the grounds today.
Now spread across roughly 57 acres, San Antonio Zoo combines historic architecture with modern conservation work, including breeding programs for critically endangered species and a dedicated research center. The Richard Friedrich Aquarium, added in 1948, and the vintage San Antonio Zoo Train, running since 1956, remain two of the park’s longest-standing attractions alongside newer additions like the Naylor Savanna.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, Texas
- Opened: 1914
- Size: About 57 acres (23 ha)
- Species/Animal Count: Over 3,500 animals across about 750 species
- Annual Visitors: More than 1.1 million
- Famous For: Among the first cageless zoo exhibits in the U.S. (1929)
The Zoo Experience
Visitors move through a mix of historic quarry-carved habitats and updated exhibits, including the Richard Friedrich Aquarium and the Naylor Savanna, which opened in October 2024 as the largest single habitat expansion in the zoo’s history. The San Antonio Zoo Train, in operation since 1956, still loops guests through Brackenridge Park.
The zoo’s density of species in a relatively compact footprint makes it a popular stop for families, with an emphasis on close-up wildlife viewing that traces back to its early cageless exhibit design.
Conservation and History
San Antonio Zoo has long paired public exhibits with conservation work through its Center for Conservation and Research, which runs breeding programs for endangered species and reintroduction efforts such as the Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project. The zoo was also known for housing the first captive herd of addra gazelle in 1969.
The Richard Friedrich Aquarium, opened in 1948, served as San Antonio’s only aquarium for four decades until SeaWorld San Antonio opened in 1988, cementing the zoo’s early role in the city’s animal attractions.
Explore more: Explore more zoos and aquariums.
San Antonio Zoo FAQs
When did San Antonio Zoo open?
A permanent zoo was established in Brackenridge Park in 1914.
How big is San Antonio Zoo?
The zoo covers about 57 acres and is home to over 3,500 animals representing roughly 750 species.
How many people visit San Antonio Zoo each year?
The zoo draws more than 1.1 million visitors annually.
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Photo: Dave Stone / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.