Open Today: 9 A.M. - 4 P.M.
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For Over Fifty Years

Saving Wildlife and Wild Places

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What we do
The North Carolina Zoo protects wildlife and wild places and inspires people to join us in conserving the natural world.
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Hours
Maps
Events

Giraffe

Giraffa camelopardalis

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What's New at the Zoo

Something NEW and exciting is always happening at the world's largest natural habitat zoo. 

• Legacy of C'sar

• Summer Camps

• Join Our Team!

Elephant Csar standing in front of a pod with a large beautiful green field with trees . Three female elephants gathered behind him and one near the water behind the pond
Legacy of C'sar
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A group of young campers holding green personal fans stand together, posing in front of a large brass statue of a Bison in a wooded area.
School Grade Summer Camps
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A woman wearing an Iron Hen Cafe hat and uniform leans casually on a wooden restaurant counter next to a cash register. There are food items, kitchen machinery, and kitchen visible behind her. A menu hangs on the wall behind her head.
Seasonal Jobs
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Plan Your Visit
Today at the Zoo
Feeding Times

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Garden Friends Playground

Open daily

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Kidzone

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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A fuzzy brown otter with small, rounded ears, lanky body, and long tail, perches on a small rocky ledge next to a pond.
Connect with us
Instagram @NCZoo

Stay in touch with the Zoo! Follow us on social media for updates on everything from our wildlife conservation efforts to your favorite animals. Share your photos, stories, and videos with us as we celebrate 50 WILD years in 2024.

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It's time to run wild for conservation! Mark your calendars and join us for the 2026 Run Wild 5K on June 13th, 2026, at the North Carolina Zoo. 🎉 This annual event invites participants to embrace the scenic beauty of the Zoo while making a personal impact on wildlife conservation. Together, we can make strides - literally and figuratively. 💚 Here’s what you get when you join us: ✨ A chance to run through the beautiful Zoo grounds ✨ A race t-shirt to remember the day ✨ A FREE Zoo ticket for future visits 🎟️ ✨ A commemorative sticker ✨ Prizes for top finishers in various age categories! 🏆 Registration is now OPEN! Adults (18+): $45 | Youth (under 18): $40 Rain or shine, we're racing for a cause! 🌧️☀️ https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Asheboro/NCZooRunWild5K Registration fees will directly support regional conservation efforts for the North Carolina native salamanders! 🦎💧
Little zebra hooves in the icy snow from last weekend that we saved for today, International Zebra Day! 🦓🖤🤍 Thank you to the ZOG team for capturing this perfect video! ❄️
🚨 OPERATIONS UPDATE: The North Carolina Zoo will be closed to the public and members Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1. This closure includes walking trails and the Wildlife Rehab Center. We will continue post updates about Zoo operations for the rest of the week. For the fastest updates, check back here on social media! Our website will also be updated with operations information. Stay safe, everyone! ❄️
We let the animals name the months of the year in 2026…here’s what they came up with… Which month is your favorite? 🤔🗓️
Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
A Commitment to Excellence
Large group of Zoo Volunteers
Volunteer

There are many rewarding ways to volunteer your time at our park. Opportunities range from gardening to greeting to helping guests feed giraffes!

An aerial view of the Akiba Bridge, a long wooden bridge with colorful designs and a pergola in the middle that leads from the parking lot, through dense trees, over a lake and ending at the African entrance of the NC Zoo.
Land Acknowledgement

The state of North Carolina is situated on the ancestral homelands of many American Indian tribes who have lived in this place, cared for these lands, and traveled throughout the region for thousands of years. 

A woman with long dark hair, wearing a red shirt and seen from the back, holding a small child with curly hair on her hip, as they interact with a giraffe. The woman is holding a piece of green foliage which the giraffe is gently eating. The giraffe's spotted head and neck dominate the left side of the frame, and the scene takes place at a low wooden fence.

Outreach and Engagement

Our park serves and welcomes everyone, and it is our promise to value equity, respect, inclusivity, and kindness. Everyone can enjoy an unforgettable day trip here.