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Oregon Zoo
Located near downtown Portland in Washington Park, the Oregon Zoo is home to more than 2,600 animals.
Know Before You Go
Zoo capacity is timed and limited. Online advance-purchase tickets are required, which can be purchased on the Oregon Zoo’s website.
The oldest zoo west of the Mississippi is just minutes from downtown Portland via MAX light rail in Washington Park. The Oregon Zoo is home to 2,697 animals from more than 215 species. Over 40 percent of the zoo has been renovated in the last few years, including room for rhinos, primo real estate for primates, and a new elephant expanse.
Explore the Oregon Zoo
How long does it take to see everything at the Oregon Zoo?
How much does it cost to park at the zoo?
View real-time parking availability at the Oregon Zoo and other areas of Washington Park.
How much does it cost to visit the zoo?
$19 for children 2-11 years old
Infants under 1 year old may visit for free
Details are subject to change; please check the Oregon Zoo’s website for current information.
Are advance tickets required?
On rare occasions, the zoo closes due to inclement weather. To confirm if the zoo is open, call 503-226-1561 to hear a recording with up-to-date information.
Are there places to eat at the zoo?
While at the zoo, order online for express pick-up from Aviary Cafe.
Visit the Zoo Food webpage for more information.
Elephants on Parade
The zoo’s herd of six elephants includes a new addition: Samson. In 2015, the Elephant Lands exhibit quadrupled in size, creating a world-class home with new features that include shade structures, hilly berms and corridors, and a 12-foot-deep pond with remote-controlled water jets for playtime. The exhibit’s interactive digital displays allow visitors to identify individual elephants and even log behavior observations to share with zoo staff.
Another major update to the zoo was the new Condors of the Columbia exhibit, which houses critically endangered California condors. Though once native to Oregon and known as “Thunderbirds” that populated the Columbia River during Lewis and Clark’s journey, these pterodactyl-sized scavengers haven’t been seen wild in the region in more than 100 years. The Oregon Zoo hopes to change that; they provide a naturalistic environment for birds from their condor recovery program that cannot be released in the wild. Two covered viewing areas (including an elevated watching post) give visitors the opportunity for a rare face-to-beak encounter with these gregarious giants.
The Polar Passage gives visitors an exciting new look into polar bear behavoir and supports scientific research.
New Polar Bear Exhibit
In 2021, The Oregon Zoo’s polar bears moved into a new space with deep saltwater pools, panoramic views, and a “smell port.” The Polar Passage gives visitors an exciting new look into polar bear behavior and supports scientific research.
The Lay of the Land
Stroll the zoo’s parklike grounds –64 acres (28 ha) in total– as you explore 23 exhibits grouped into geographical areas:
- Great Northwest – Mountain goats, black bears, bobcats, bald eagles, river otters, beavers, waterfowl, cougars, California condors, goats
- Pacific Shores – Sea otters, penguins, harbor seals, tidepool
- Discovery Zone – Insects, zoo train, wildlife garden
- Primate Forest – Apes
- Elephant Lands – Asian elephants
- Africa – Lions, painted dogs, cheetahs, pythons, giraffes, monkeys, fruit bats, crocodiles, flamingos, pythons, tortoises, bontebok, birds
Events and Attractions at the Zoo
The zoo offers special events for every season, from the spring egg hunts of Rabbit Romp to Howloween’s trick-or-treating, but none shines as brightly as ZooLights, the annual holiday light display that runs from Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s Eve. This popular event transforms the zoo into a winter wonderland with more than a million LED lights adorning trees and animated sculptures.
The Zoo Nights Summer Concert Series brings local acts to its outdoor stage from June through August. Visit the animals before staking a spot on the shady lawn and digging into locally sourced food, beer, and wine sold on-site. Every show opens with a chance to get to know some of the animals active during twilight hours.
The narrow-gauge Washington Park and Zoo Railway offers a nostalgic, kid-friendly way to explore the zoo. In addition to carrying passengers, steam-powered trains also transport U.S. mail, making this the last railroad to continuously offer mail service. Just drop your letters or postcards on the locomotives or mailboxes on the zoo grounds to get them hand-canceled with the Washington Park and Zoo Railway stamp.
Explore Events at the Oregon Zoo
From Zoo Nights, Howloween and Zoo Lights, the Oregon Zoo has fun for you!
Zoo Nights
Enjoy magical summer nights in Portland with live music while relaxing among the lush gardens and wildlife at Zoo Nights.
Halloween Events in and Around Portland
From corn mazes to dance performances, half-marathons to haunted houses, Portland provides the perfect Halloween plans for any scare-seeking witch or warlock.
Discounts and Special Offers
- Zoo for All: Check if you qualify for reduced admission here.
- The zoo occasionally offers $1.50 off admission if you ride a TriMet bus or MAX Light Rail to the zoo. Check the Zoo’s discount page for current offers.
Getting to the Oregon Zoo
The Oregon Zoo is served by the MAX light rail Blue and Red lines; the Washington Park MAX station is also close to the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the 4T and Wildwood trailheads.
TriMet bus #63 also goes from Providence Park downtown to Washington Park, with stops near the International Rose Test Garden, Japanese Garden, and the Oregon Zoo and World Forestry Center Discovery Museum.
Washington Park offers a free shuttle for transportation within the park, stopping at all the park’s major attractions and the Washington Park MAX station. The shuttle operates daily from 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
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