Event and Picnic
Host your next special occasion at the North Carolina Zoo! Our picnic areas' beautiful, natural settings enhance gatherings from 15 to 3,000 people. In addition to being a spectacular tourist attraction, the Zoo is an excellent place to host a group activity or event. Our picnic and other Zoo areas are perfect for everything from birthday parties to company outings to family reunions. The picnic areas are available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis.
Call 800.488.0444, ext 7700 or 336.879.7700 for more information. Zoo staff can assist you Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.
Enhance your event or group activity with our many catering options. Check out our catering menus or school lunches for guests of all ages and organize an unforgettable event at our Zoo’s picnic areas.
Picnic Areas Available to Rent
Africa picnic areas
Hippo Beach
Overlooking Africa Lake and close to Africa entrance and parking lots, this peaceful, natural area showcases nearby hippo statues and accommodates as many as 75 guests. Half-day rentals (11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) or full-day rentals (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) are available. Picnic tables and restrooms (ADA compliant) on site. Additional table and chair rentals available. Minimum 15 guests are required for on-site catering.
Lakeside
Also overlooking Africa Lake and near the entrance to Africa, is the Lakeside picnic area. Lakeside provides gorgeous, tranquil lake views as a beautiful backdrop to your event. This location can accommodate up to 150 guests. It has 14 large picnic tables, seven of which are covered. Half-day rentals (11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) or full-day rentals (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) are available. Restrooms (ADA compliant) are a short walk away. Additional table and chair rentals are available. A minimum of 15 guests are required for on-site catering.
Oak Hill
Once an old homestead, Oak Hill offers the perfect setting for an old-fashioned picnic, large enough to comfortably host as many as 3,000 guests. Only full-day rentals (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) are available. Tents, tables and chairs may also be rented. Restrooms (ADA compliant) are nearby.
North America picnic areas
Solar Pointe
Beautifully landscaped and an eco-friendly tourist attraction, Solar Pointe rests at the south end of the North America parking lot, easily accessible to the North America Plaza and parking lots. It consists of three pavilions -- Green, Yellow, and Blue -- named for the color pad on each pavilion's roof that holds solar panels. This rental location has a smoke-free designation and is versatile in its use and setup. The pavilions can be rented for $500 each, or the entire complex for a daily rental of $1,250. Each pad has at least ten picnic tables and additional table and chair rentals upon request. A minimum of 15 guests are required for on-site catering. The nearby restrooms are ADA-compliant.
