Stone Zoo is a 26-acre (11-hectare) zoo in Stoneham, Massachusetts, tucked against the Middlesex Fells Reservation just north of Boston. Founded in 1905 as the Middlesex Fells Zoo, it was renamed the Walter D. Stone Memorial Zoo in 1969 in honor of its longtime director and has grown into one of New England’s most-visited animal parks.
Operated by Zoo New England, the same nonprofit behind Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo, Stone Zoo closed in November 1990 due to state budget cuts before reopening in June 1992 under new nonprofit management. Today it’s an AZA-accredited facility known for its boreal-forest Yukon Creek habitat and its elaborate winter ZooLights display.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Stoneham, Massachusetts
- Opened: 1905
- Size: About 26 acres (11 ha)
- Species/Animal Count: About 87 species, around 800 animals
- Operator: Zoo New England
- Accreditation: Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
- Famous For: Yukon Creek habitat and the annual ZooLights holiday event
The Zoo Experience
Stone Zoo is organized into themed habitat areas rather than a single sprawling layout, which suits its compact footprint. The Yukon Creek exhibit recreates a Canadian boreal forest and houses American black bears, Canada lynx, and bald eagles. The Treetops and Riverbeds habitat features northern white-cheeked gibbons and black-and-white colobus monkeys moving through elevated structures above a pair of North American river otters, while the Windows to the Wild exhibit brings together smaller mammals and birds.
Because the zoo is smaller than many regional counterparts, a full visit is manageable in a few hours, making it a popular choice for families with young children looking for an easygoing day trip north of Boston. Hours vary by season, so checking ahead before a visit is recommended.
History and ZooLights
The zoo’s roots trace back to 1905, when it opened as the Middlesex Fells Zoo. After closing in November 1990 due to state budget cuts, the newly formed nonprofit Commonwealth Zoological Corporation reopened the facility in June 1992 and has operated it as part of Zoo New England ever since.
Each winter, Stone Zoo transforms for ZooLights, a seasonal lantern and light display that winds through Yukon Creek and other exhibit areas, drawing visitors well beyond the zoo’s regular daytime crowd.
Explore more: Explore more Zoos & Aquariums.
Clips to a stroller, wagon or backpack strap. Quiet enough that it won't wake a napping toddler.
Cold water for the whole loop around the zoo, with a straw lid that doesn't leak in the bag.
A stick means no greasy hands. Reapply quickly between the penguins and the giraffes.
Stone Zoo FAQs
Where is Stone Zoo located?
Stone Zoo is in Stoneham, Massachusetts, bordering the Middlesex Fells Reservation north of Boston.
How big is Stone Zoo?
The zoo covers about 26 acres and is home to roughly 87 species and around 800 animals.
Who operates Stone Zoo?
Stone Zoo is run by Zoo New England, the nonprofit that also operates Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, and it holds accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
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