Parking & Directions

Located a few miles north of the National Mall, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is in the heart of Washington, D.C.  

You can enter the Smithsonian’s National Zoo from two different entrances: 

Parking at the Zoo

Purchasing a Parking Pass

Parking Passes are available for purchase for $30 per vehicle at least a day ahead of your visit.

Effective Oct. 1, 2025, the price of daily Parking Passes purchased on the same date as your visit — either online or onsite — is $40. Save $10 by purchasing your Parking Pass online at least a day in advance!

At entry, visitors will be asked to show their pre-purchased Parking Pass or purchase one from the attendant using credit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay.

Parking spots often sell out during busy periods, such as weekends and holidays. And drivers without Parking Passes may be turned away due to limited space.

Parking for Zoo Members 

A certain number of free Parking Passes are available as a benefit for Premier level Zoo members and higher. To use your membership benefits, parking must be reserved in advance of your visit. See all Member benefits. 

Wheelchair-accessible parking 

Each parking lot at the zoo includes wheelchair-accessible spaces, available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Parking FAQ

No. Access to the Zoo via Beach Drive is not permitted. All visitor cars must enter through the main vehicle entrance on Connecticut Ave. 

Our parking pass policy requires vehicles to fit inside a standard parking space. Contact our Guest Services team at 202-633-2614 for additional guidance. 

No, we do not currently offer public EV charging in our visitor parking lots. 

Yes. Wheelchair-accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. More about Zoo accessibility. 

After you purchase your Parking Pass, you’ll receive a confirmation email from the Zoo and a separate email containing your pass. Or, view your Parking Pass by signing into your account and clicking the ‘Access Your Passes’ tab in the top right corner of the page. 

Refunds for Parking Passes are not available. A Parking Pass can be exchanged online for one on a later date if there are parking spots available on your new visit date. Exchanges must be made at least 48 hours in advance.

Yes. Parking spots at the Zoo are limited, so reserve ahead of time to secure a spot on your preferred date. Visit our Membership page to learn more about Member parking benefits.

Members can exchange their Parking Pass up to 24 hours before their reservation by emailing the Zoo membership team at zoomembership@si.edu. 

Buses and School Groups

Parking for group buses is available. Advance registration is strongly recommended. See the Groups page for more information. 

If arriving by school or charter bus, book a bus drop-off pass or a bus parking pass on our website before arrival.  

No idling/parking on Connecticut Avenue — fines are enforced by the Metropolitan Police Department. 

Public Transportation

By Metro  

The Zoo is located near two Metro Rail stations.  

  • The Zoo is about halfway between the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan and Cleveland Park stations. Both stations are accessible and located about a half mile away from the Zoo. However, there is a moderate uphill walk from the Woodley Park-Zoo stop. For the best accessibility, we recommend visitors with mobility issues travel via the Cleveland Park stop. 
  • Use the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Trip Planner for the latest information on arrival times, route changes, or delays.  

By Bus  

The D70 bus (formerly the L2) Metrobus stops directly in front of the Zoo's main entrance on Connecticut Avenue.  

Taxis & Rideshares  

Pick-ups and drop-offs should be directed to the Zoo's main entrance (3001 Connecticut Ave., NW).  

Capital Bikeshare  

Rental stations are located near the entrances to the Zoo. Check their website for location and availability.  

For the safety of our animals and staff, visitors may not ride bikes, scooters, hoverboards and other personal transport vehicles inside the Zoo. Mobility scooters, wheelchairs and accessibility devices are allowed. 

Bike Racks 

Bike racks are located near the Visitor Center and at Lion-Tiger Hill. Check out the Zoo Map for exact locations.  

Walk-In Entry

Visitors who arrive on foot can enter at the main entrance at 3001 Connecticut Ave, NW or the Harvard Street Bridge entrance. 

'Zoo Loop' in Rock Creek Park

Rock Creek Park includes a ½ mile section of recreational trail known as the ‘Zoo Loop’. This paved pathway extends along the edge of the Zoo property.  

The loop is open during Zoo hours but closes one hour before the Zoo closes.  

The loop may be closed without advance notice in the event of an emergency, inclement weather or as determined by Zoo management.