Visiting the Zoo | Animals at the National Zoo | Help for Students and Teachers | Working at the Zoo | Making a Donation | Public and Private Events | FONZ Membership
Visiting the Zoo
- What are admission and parking fees?
- Admission to the National Zoo is free! Parking is free for FONZ members. For nonmembers, parking at the Zoo costs $16 for the first three hours, and $22 for more than three hours. Every dollar you spend at the Zoo—for parking, food, and gifts—supports our education, research, and conservation efforts. There is not a lot of street parking in the neighborhood. Get directions by car or find out about public transportation to the Zoo.
- When are keeper talks and animal feedings?
- We have a lot happening at the Zoo every day. Check out the schedule.
- Can I get a wheelchair or stroller?
- Non-motorized wheelchairs are available from the Visitor Center Information Desk (near Lot A) and the Information Stations at Panda Plaza (Lots A/B) and Lion/Tiger Hill (Lot D). There is no charge for wheelchairs. All Zoo exhibits are wheelchair-accessible. However, please be aware that the Zoo is located on hilly terrain in Rock Creek Park.
Visitors can rent a single or double stroller; ask at any information kiosk throughout the park for locations. There is a storage compartment behind the strollers. FONZ members receive a discount on stroller rentals. The member rates are $3 for a single stroller and $4 for a double stroller. The nonmember rate is $9 for a single stroller and $12 for a double stroller. - I really love animals. Can I feed or pet an animal or get a behind-the-scenes tour?
- We're glad that so many animal lovers choose to visit the National Zoo. All of the Zoo's animals are on carefully planned diets so we don't allow visitors to feed them. In general, we do not allow contact with our animals for everyone’s safety, but there are exceptions. The Caring Corral at the Kids' Farm and the touch tank at the Invertebrate Exhibit offer direct encounters with animals; these areas are not always open but we hope you're able to enjoy them during your visit.
We wish every visitor could see every part of the Zoo, but unfortunately, we don't have the staff to take everyone on a tour. Our Snore & Roar sleepovers, which run between June and September, include exciting exhibit tours. Everyone who adopts a species at the $1,000 gets a special guided exhibit tour. - I am coming to visit. How do I find out if the Zoo has a particular animal, such as pandas?
- See a current list of animals in our collection. The Zoo is home to 2,000 animals representing 400 species. We're sorry if we don't have an animal you'd like to see but hope you'll enjoy our fascinating variety of animals during your visit, including animals that are on exhibit at very few U.S. zoos.
- Can you send me a map or brochure?
- You can view our map online and get lots of information to help you plan your visit. You can purchase a map for $2 at the information kiosks located throughout the Zoo.
- Can you help me plan a field trip or group visit?
- We have a wealth of resources to help you plan your field trip, as well as information on packages we offer that include parking, food, and a souvenir. See answers to other frequently asked questions about field trips.
- My guidebook says tickets are required to see the pandas? Do I need tickets?
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Tickets are no longer needed to see our giant pandas. That was a temporary measure that ended in 2006.
To make the most of your visit and help us care for the pandas, we encourage you to join Friends of the National Zoo! Not only would you enjoy benefits every time you visit the National Zoo and more than 100 other zoos and aquariums around the country, but you'd help the Zoo be a worldwide leader in conservation, animal care, education, and sustainability. Find out more. - When do the parking lots open?
- Our parking lots open at 6 a.m. every day. Many of our animals are not on exhibit before 10 a.m. but the Zoo is a very nice park to walk around in the early morning. Animals you may encounter before 10 include the cheetahs, Mexican and maned wolves, giant pandas, Przewalski's horses (which are critically endangered), beavers, cranes, flamingos, and several other birds in our collection, as well as many wild birds that make their home at the Zoo. From April 1 to October 31, parking lots and Zoo grounds close at 8 p.m. From November 1 to March 31, lots and grounds close at 6 p.m.
- Can I bring food, a cooler, or a wagon? How about a tripod?
- Absolutely! There are lots of great spots at the Zoo for a picnic, and there are many opportunities to take beautiful photographs. The Zoo is large and hilly, but if you don't mind carrying a cooler or tripod or pulling a wagon around, you are welcome to bring it. Get more tips on planning your visit. Please note that grills are other cooking devices are not permitted.
- What food do you serve? Do you have gluten-free or vegan food?
- FONZ Food Service offers meals and snacks to suit every appetite, with meal menus ranging from burgers, hot dogs, and pizzas to grilled chicken sandwiches, made-to-order subs, and salads, as well as snack foods like frozen treats and hot pretzels. We do serve gluten-free and vegan food. See our menus.
- Can I bring a pet?
- Please leave your pets at home. Pets of any kind, leashed or unleashed, are not allowed in the Zoo because they may disturb the Zoo's animals. We do not have a place where you can leave your pet. In hot weather, it is dangerous to leave a pet closed up in a vehicle. Service animals are permitted. See other Zoo rules.
- Can I visit the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Frong Royal?
- The National Zoo's Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, is open to the public once a year—the first weekend in October—for the Autumn Conservation Festival. Occasionally, workshops and free lectures are held at SCBI-Front Royal, in addition to other training opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students and professionals.
- I already visited. How do I give my feedback?
- We'd love to hear from you. Please don't hesitate to
send us your praise or criticism. Your message will be forwarded to the appropriate office.
Animals at the National Zoo
- How do I find out more about an animal that lives at the Zoo?
- About 2,000 animals live at the Zoo. Our website has news, updates, and background information about many of them, including giant pandas, Asian elephants, lions, and giant anteaters, as well as fact sheets about many of the 400 species represented at the Zoo. For more information, we encourage you to start here or search our site (see the upper right corner of any page). As you might imagine, our keepers are always busy caring for the animals, but if there’s any news and a keeper has a little time, we will be sure to post an update on our website.
Want to help us care for the animals? Adopt a species! We have many species to choose from, and Adopt a Species packages make great gifts for yourself or a loved one. Learn more. - I am coming to visit. How do I find out if the Zoo has a particular animal, such as flamingos?
- See a current list of animals in our collection. The Zoo is home to 2,000 animals representing 400 species. We're sorry if we don't have an animal you'd like to see but hope you'll enjoy our fascinating variety of animals during your visit, including animals that are on exhibit at very few U.S. zoos.
- Can I donate my pet to the Zoo?
- The National Zoo does not, as a matter of policy, accept donations of pet animals or rescued wild animals. Animals are added to our collections according to a careful plan that meets our education, research, and conservation objectives. For help finding a new home for your pet, please see this
Humane Society web page. - Can you tell me about giant pandas, gorillas, and other species?
- Our website has extensive information about the animals in the Zoo’s collection as well as our many conservation programs. Start here or search our site (see the upper right corner of any page). If you don't find the species information you're looking for, we encourage you to look on the websites of other organizations accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
- Can you tell me some specifics about an animal's exhibit or diet?
- The Zoo’s nutrition staff carefully determines what to feed all 2,000 of our animals. Best animal management practices according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the extensive knowledge of Zoo staff and other professionals determine the details of our animals’ exhibits.
- I was just watching a web cam—how do I find out what the animal was doing?
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Thanks for tuning into one of the Zoo's web cams, which we provide as a window into the world of our animals in the hopes of getting people to care and learn about wildlife. We are happy to know so many people enjoy taking a virtual visit to the National Zoo. We encourage you to read about the animal you were watching by following one of the links below the cam. For naked mole-rat cam viewers, we have additional FAQs.
All of the Zoo’s animals are provided with the best care by our extremely dedicated, knowledgeable staff so if you are worried about something you saw, be assured that keepers regularly monitor all of the animals and take action when necessary.
We welcome support of our wildlife conservation efforts. Caring for and conserving animals costs a lot, as do the operation and maintenance of our web cams. Please consider joining Friends of the National Zoo or making a donation. A FONZ membership will get you great benefits at more than 100 aquariums and zoos around the country. - I was just watching a web cam but couldn't see any animals. Why not?
- Some of our cams are able to show different views, and we have wonderful volunteers who operate those during the day. But some of our cams show a fixed view of an animal's enclosure, and there's not much we can do if an animal chooses to be somewhere out of view. Most of our cams are outdoors and require maintenance now and again. We apologize if a cam you'd like to watch is temporarily unavailable.
- I saw an orphaned or injured animal in my neighborhood? Can I bring it to the Zoo?
- Please contact your local wildlife rehabilitator or nature center.
Help for Students and Teachers
- How do I get answers to questions about a species or an animal at the Zoo?
- Our website has factsheets and background information about many of the 400 species represented by 2,000 animals that live at the Zoo, including giant pandas, Asian elephants, cheetahs, and bald eagles. Start here or search our site (see the upper right corner of any page). If you don't find the information you're looking for, we encourage you to look on the websites of other organizations accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Unfortunately, our staff don't have time to answer each of the many questions we receive each day.
- I'm supposed to interview or shadow someone at the Zoo. Can I?
- Unfortunately, no. The keepers and veterinarians are busy enough taking care of the animals—feeding them, cleaning their enclosures, doing routine checkups, and more. You can read some staff interviews and bios on our website.
- How do you design an animal’s exhibit? And how much does it cost?
- When it's time to design a new exhibit, we start by posing many questions. Best animal management practices according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the extensive knowledge of Zoo staff and other professionals determine the details of our animals’ exhibits. Costs are determined by a whole lot of factors; there's no simple answer. Try your hand at designing an exhibit for giant pandas.
- What is being done save giant pandas or another species from extinction?
- Our website has extensive information about our wildlife conservation programs, including giant pandas and Asian elephants. For other species, start here or search our site (see the upper right corner of any page). If you don't find the information you're looking for, we encourage you to look on the websites of other organizations accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
- I'm a teacher. Can you help me plan a field trip or lesson?
- We have a wealth of resources to help you plan a field trip, including activity guides. We also have lots of classroom resources, including curriculum guides, wildlife explorer kits, and online activities.
See our extensive FAQs to learn about our field-trip resources. - What classes and training does the Zoo offer?
- The Zoo has education opportunities for people of all ages. We have children's classes and camps, adult classes, teacher training, internships and fellowships, professional training, courses for undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals, and more.
Working at the Zoo
- How do I get a job at the Zoo?
- Jobs with the National Zoo are generally through the Smithsonian Institution. See the current listings of Smithsonian jobs. If you are interested in working for Friends of the National Zoo, the Zoo's nonprofit partner, see what jobs are currently available.
- Can I be an intern or fellow at the Zoo?
- See the current internship and fellowship listings. If you do not see an internship in which you're interested or one for which you're qualified, please check back later as we post internships as they become available.
- How do I volunteer at the Zoo?
- Volunteers offer invaluable support to the Zoo. They work with visitors and staff, plants and animals, independently and in groups, on weekdays and weekends. They learn, help the Zoo with education and conservation activities, and have fun! Learn about the volunteer program and find out what volunteer opportunities are open right now.
- What education and experience do I need to get a job helping animals?
- There are many careers involving wild animals, or related to wildlife and conservation. Find out more.
- What education and training does the Zoo offer?
- The Zoo has education opportunities for people of all ages. We have children's classes and camps, adult classes, teacher training, internships and fellowships, professional training, courses for undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals, and more.
- Can I shadow a keeper or vet?
- Unfortunately, no. The keepers and veterinarians are busy enough taking care of the animals—feeding them, cleaning their enclosures, doing routine checkups, and more. You can read some staff interviews and bios on our website.
Making a Donation
- Can I donate a pet to the Zoo?
- The National Zoo does not, as a matter of policy, accept donations of pet animals or rescued wild animals. Animals are added to our collections according to a careful plan that meets our education, research, and conservation objectives. For help finding a new home for your pet, please see this Humane Society web page.
- Can I give the Zoo my bamboo?
- Thank you for offering but we have regular sources of bamboo.
- How do I make a donation to support a special program?
- Thanks for wanting to support the Zoo! You can make a secure online donation here or join Friends of the National Zoo and let us decide where it is most needed, or you can contribute directly to one of the following: Giant Panda Conservation Fund, Elephant Trails: A Campaign to Save Asian Elephants, Cheetah Conservation Program, Clouded Leopard Campaign, Enrichment Fund, Tiger Conservation Fund, or Neighborhood Nestwatch. Find out about other ways to contribute.
- Can I adopt an animal?
- Friends of the National Zoo offers the Adopt a Species program. When you adopt a giant panda, meerkat, cheetah, or another species. you help support the care of 2,000 animals at the Zoo and its Conservation and Research Center. Adopt a Species packages make a great gift for a great cause. Find out more.
- I have already donated and have a question.
- Thank you! You can
send us your question and someone will get back to you.
Public and Private Events
- I want to know more about upcoming events.
- Visit this page to find out all about special events, including fundraisers and free celebrations. If details aren't available, check back later. We also offer free lectures, classes, Snore & Roar overnights, birthday parties, and much more.
- How can I purchase tickets to an event at the Zoo?
- Some of our special events are free but some are fundraisers. The page for each event says whether tickets are required and how you can purchase them. Friends of the National Zoo members get discounts on tickets to popular Zoo events and sometimes get to purchase them before they're available to everyone else. Generally, as long as tickets are available, you can get them at the Zoo's Visitor Center every day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Ticketmaster outlets, over the phone, and online. Please note that some events also require a parking pass (free but limited) if you wish to park at the Zoo. This information will be noted on the event page.
- Do I need to be a young professional to attend a Young Professionals event?
- No. Some FONZ Young Professionals events have an age minimum (21 years old). If you meet the age requirement, you are more than welcome to come! This information will be noted on the event page.
- How do I host my own picnic or party at the Zoo?
- The Zoo offers groups and individuals the extraordinary opportunity to cosponsor an event surrounded by magnificent creatures and endangered wildlife in a beautiful environment. We have lots of information online.
- Can you tell me about your lectures? How do I RSVP?
- All our information on upcoming lectures, including how to RSVP, is posted here.
FONZ Membership
