Get a wild start to 2025 with Schools Out Day Camps, discounts days for first responders, and fun volunteer opportunities.

 

NOW THROUGH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2025: WINTER HOURS FOR OKC ZOO 

Spring is on the way, so the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is bidding farewell to its winter hours soon. The Zoo is closed to visitors Tuesdays and Wednesdays through February 5—historically some of the Zoo’s least-attended days—which gives Zoo staff time to perform maintenance and make updates that will make 2025 an even better year for guests. Even when the temps are low, there are still plenty of activities to enjoy at the Zoo. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at http://www.okczoo.org/tickets or in the park. All rides and attractions are operational weather permitting and schedules are subject to change without notice. 

  • Children’s Zoo Barnyard: Free! Open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
  • Elephant Presentation (Sanctuary Asia): These engaging presentations are a BIG hit and free to attend. Presentations occur Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.
  • Endangered Species Carousel: Rides available Fri./Sat./Sun. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $4/person.
  • Explorikeet Feedings (Children’s Zoo): Open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $4/person.
  • Flamingo Mingle: Flamingo Mingle feedings occur daily in the Children’s Zoo habitat from 11 – 11:30 a.m. daily and additional feeding Saturdays and Sundays from 3:30-4 p.m. Cost is $5/person. Children age 2 and under are not permitted.
  • Giraffe Feeding Platform: Greet the Zoo’s gentle giants! 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. feedings daily. Cost is $5 per person.
  • Gorilla Trek VR Experience and The Great Migration VR Experience (Great EscApe): View gorillas in the wild with the OKC Zoo’s all-new Gorilla Trek Virtual Reality (VR) experience featuring a 360-degree live action film with motion platform seating or immerse yourself in The Great Migration experience with more than two million animals as they move between Tanzania’s Serengeti and the Maasai Mara reserves in Kenya. Weekday hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Cost is $8 per person. Age and height requirements apply.
  • OKC Zoo Tram: Rides offered daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $6/person. Children two and under free.
  • Rhino Feedings: Feedings occur from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Sanctuary Asia. Cost is $10/person. Children age 2 and under are not permitted.
  • Stingray Bay: Stingray Bay provides up-close encounters and feeding opportunities with one of the most majestic creatures of the sea, stingrays! Open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $4/person to enter. Feeding opportunities are available from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Fri./Sat./Sun., while supplies last, for an additional $3/person.
  • Zoo Keys: Available at Guest Services, stroller window (Entry Plaza) and Explorikeet. Cost: $4/key
  • Scooter Pals! Take a ride on the wild side with the OKC Zoo’s Scooter Pals. This mobile entertainment opportunity is a fun way for guests 18 and older to explore the park. Scooter Pals are animal themed and available to rent daily weather permitting, located in the Zoo’s entry plaza. Cost is $5 activation fee, $0.35/minute.  

 

ENROLLMENT OPEN FOR NATURE EXPLORERS

OKC Zoo’s Nature Explorers Preschool is accepting new students for the spring semester in its brand-new center with added classrooms, common areas, and a nature-based outdoor learning area where students will spend most of their days. The new preschool center is located adjacent to the Zoo's administration building. Nature Explorers Preschool is currently enrolling students 2–5 years old for full- and half-day classes. Students in the nature-based preschool program spend 75 percent of their time outdoors with curriculum blending classroom learning with experiences in nature so children can learn about animals, habitats, and the important work of conservation. Preschool hours are Monday- Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (full-day) or 8 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (half-day). Visit www.okczoo.org/preschool to learn more and sign up.

 

ENROLLMENT OPEN FOR OKC ZOO’S SCHOOLS OUT DAY CAMP FOR SPRING BREAK 2025

Turn Spring Break from boring to ROARING this year and sign your kids up for a week of animal enrichment, learning, and togetherness during the OKC Zoo’s Spring Break Camp 2025. Enrollment is already open for this week-long camp experience. The OKC Zoo’s education department offers students a week packed full of educational activities, in-park exploration, up-close animal ambassador visits and more. Spring break camps are set for Monday, March 17, through Friday, March 21, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (pick up goes to 4:30 p.m.) each day at the Rosser Conservation Education Center. Spring Break camp is for children ages 5–12. The cost is $300 per camper (or $270 per camper for ZOOfriends members). Campers must bring their lunch and snacks. Space is limited and advance registration is required. To register, visit okczoo.org/spring-break or call (405) 425-0218.

 

OKC ZOO FREE DAILY CARETAKER CHATS

Learn more about the Oklahoma City Zoo’s animal family from the people who know them best, the caretakers. These free daily caretaker chats highlight a variety of animals and are a great way to connect with the Zoo’s animal experts. The schedule includes:

• African Hoofstock* (Rotates among giraffe, red river hog, and other hoofstock at Expedition Africa), Thursday-Monday, 10 a.m.

• Dwarf Mongoose (Inside Love’s Pachyderm Building), Friday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.

• Lungfish (Inside Love’s Pachyderm Building at Expedition Africa), Thursday-Monday, 1:30 p.m.

• Flamingos* (Children’s Zoo presented by Primrose Schools), Thursday-Monday, 3 p.m.

• Gorillas (Inside Great EscApe Building), Thursday-Monday, 3:30 p.m.

*These chats are outdoors and will occur if temps are 45 degrees or warmer.

 

ONGOING: GORILLAS ON THE LINE CELL PHONE CHALLENGE

Have you recently upgraded to a new phone? Clean out those old tech toys and make a huge impact by donating cell phones and other small electronics to help save gorillas. Support the Oklahoma City Zoo in its efforts to protect wild gorillas and their habitat by donating to the Gorillas on the Line Cell Phone Challenge now through Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Donate a cellphone or small electronic and receive a free general Zoo admission ticket! Recycling old cellphones and electronics raises funds to directly support gorilla conservation initiatives through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Gorilla SAFE: Saving Animals from Extinction programs. Schools, organizations, businesses and individuals are encouraged to collect as many cell phones and electronics as they can in support of gorilla conservation. Donated items can be dropped off for recycling in the Zoo’s Guest Services office located in the entry plaza during regular park hours.

 

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 THROUGH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14: HEALTHCARE WORKERS & EMERGENCY RESPONDERS DISCOUNT DAYS

The Oklahoma City Zoo is giving back to the people who take care of us all and honoring all healthcare workers and emergency responders with free general Zoo admission and 50% off general admission for up to four guests (on date of visit) Saturday, February 1 through Friday, February 14, 2025. Qualifying guests must present a valid work ID or badge at the OKC Zoo’s ticket windows upon arrival to receive complimentary admission for themselves and discounts for up to four accompanying guests. Advance reservations are not required. Healthcare workers and emergency responders will enjoy additional discounts while in the park, with proof of a valid work ID or badge, including 10% off concessions at Zoo restaurants and cafés, 10% off merchandise at the Zoo’s Safari Gifts, and even $10 off an annual ZOOfriends membership so they can enjoy the fun all year round. Learn more at www.okczoo.org.

 

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025: VOLUNTEER INFORMATION SESSION

Take your love for the OKC Zoo to the next level and join us for a Volunteer Information Session on Tuesday, February 25 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium at the Rosser Conservation Education Center. This quarterly recruitment event is open to the public, giving new and returning volunteers a chance to learn more about which opportunities are available and complete placement forms for next steps. Visit this link for more information.

 

Make the holidays wild with OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS, open nightly through January 1, 2025. Reserve your tickets to OKC’s newest winter tradition at okczoo.org/safari-lights.

 

The Oklahoma City Zoo’s daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry at 4 p.m. The Zoo will be closed to the public during the daytime on Christmas Day as well as Tuesdays and Wednesdays through February 5, 2025. Purchase advance Zoo admission tickets at okczoo.org/tickets and avoid the entry lines. Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner.

 

Stay connected with the Zoo on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, Linktree and TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. Looking for holiday gift ideas? Consider a 12-month, ZOOfriends Membership Passport to the OKC Zoo for everyone on your list. Recipients enjoy general admission year-round to the Zoo plus exclusive offers. There’s more! Purchase a membership before the end of the year and receive a voucher for a free plush. Choose from over 40 plush animals at the Zoo’s Safari Gifts! Memberships can be purchased in person at the Zoo or online at okczoo.org/membership.