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Hours, Prices & Directions

The Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Summer Hours (May 25-September 3, 2012):
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday-Sunday
*Note: Zoo will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 15.

Check out our Calendar of Events for details on what's happening on the days you plan to visit.

Holiday Hours & Early Closings

  • May 28, 2012 (Memorial Day) -- Open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • June 15, 2012 -- Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Zoo will close early for A Zoo Ado fundraiser.
  • July 4, 2012 (Independence Day) -- Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • September 3, 2012 (Labor Day) -- Open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • November 22, 2012 (Thanksgiving Day) -- Open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • December 24, 2012 (Christmas Eve) -- Open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • December 25, 2012 (Christmas Day) -- Zoo closed
  • December 31, 2012 (New Year's Eve) -- Open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • January 1, 2013 (New Year's Day) -- Zoo closed

Attraction Fees

Admission to the Zoo is FREE, although there are fees for some attractions. Attractions are weather dependent and subject to change.

  • Children's Zoo is $4 per person. Free admission the first hour the Zoo is open. Children under 2 are free.
  • Conservation Carousel is $3 per person. Free admission during first hour of operation. Children under 2 are free. All other persons require admission. All proceeds support the Saint Louis Zoo's conservation programs.
  • Zooline Railroad is $5 per person, per round trip ticket. You may leave the train, visit exhibits and re-board. Children under 2 are free.
  • Movie is $3 per person.
  • 4-D Motion Simulator is $3 per person. Children under 2 are free. All other persons require admission.
  • Stingrays at Caribbean Cove featuring Sharks is $3 per person; $1.50 for Zoo Friends members up to Zoo-Goer level. Members at the Family Level and above may use their Anywhere Plus passes for admission. Children under two are free. Free admission during first hour the Zoo is open.

Safari Pass

Make the most of your day at the Zoo with a Safari Pass. This one-day pass is $10/person and includes one admission to the Children's Zoo, Zooline Railroad, Conservation Carousel, Movie and 4-D Motion Simulator and Stingrays at Caribbean Cove (seasonal). Buy a Safari Pass online!

Parking

All-day parking is available on the Zoo's North Lot on Government Drive and South Lot on Wells Drive. Limited street parking is available in Forest Park.

  • Parking is $15 per vehicle effective April 1, 2012, throughout the Zoo's peak season.
  • Parking for buses, motor homes and R.V.s on South Lot only is $30 effective April 1, 2012, throughout the Zoo's peak season..
  • Only cash and charge are accepted for parking payment.

Driving Directions

Entrances to Forest Park
There are nine entrances to Forest Park, including Hampton & Wells, Tamm Avenue bridge, Skinker & Wells, Skinker & Forsyth, Lindell at DeBaliviere, Lindell at Forest Park Parkway, Lindell at West Pine, Kingshighway at West Pine, Kingshighway at Oakland to Tamm. Forest Park map

From US 40/I-64 eastbound and westbound
Take the Hampton exit (34-B) and follow signs to Forest Park. At the first roundabout, turn left (west) on Wells Drive and arrive at the Zoo's South Entrance. Alternate: From the Hampton exit, turn south on Hampton, right on Oakland, right on Tamm and arrive at South Entrance.

To North Entrance, go straight through first roundabout, left at second roundabout on Washington Blvd., turn left on Government Drive.

Westbound Alternate Route: Take Clayton Road exit, turn right on Skinker, right on Wells Drive. Veer left to Zoo's North Entrance. Veer right to South Entrance.

Eastbound Alternate Route: Take McCausland exit, turn left on McCausland/Skinker, right on Wells Drive. Veer left to Zoo's North Entrance. Veer right to South Entrance.

From I-44 eastbound and westbound
Take the Hampton Ave. exit. Drive north about one mile and cross the Hampton Ave. bridge. At the first roundabout, turn left on Wells Drive and arrive at the Zoo's South Entrance.

To North Entrance, go straight through first roundabout, left at second roundabout on Washington Blvd., turn left on Government Drive.

Eastbound Alternate Route: Take Vandeventer Ave. exit and follow signs to Kingshighway north. Turn left onto Oakland Avenue. Drive west to the Tamm Avenue bridge, turn right over the bridge and arrive at the Zoo's South Entrance.

Westbound Alternate Route: Take Vandeventer Ave/Kingshighway exit 287B-A and follow signs to Kingshighway north. Turn right on Kingshighway. Turn left onto Oakland Avenue. Drive west to the Tamm Avenue bridge, turn right over the bridge and arrive at the Zoo's South Entrance.

From I-270 North
If you're coming from north or northwest, take I-70 or I-270 to I-170 south. Merge onto I-64/40 east. Take the Hampton exit (34-B) and follow signs to Forest Park. At the first roundabout, turn left (west) on Wells Drive and arrive at the Zoo's South Entrance. Alternate: From the Hampton exit, turn south on Hampton, right on Oakland, right on Tamm and arrive at South Entrance.

Alternate Route: Exit I-170 at Forest Park Parkway and go east approx. 2 miles. Turn right on Skinker Boulevard. Turn left on Lagoon Drive into Forest Park. Veer right on Fine Arts Drive, past the Art Museum to Government Drive. Turn right to the Zoo's North Entrance.

Forest Park Trolley

The Metro Forest Park service line connects all park attractions, as well as the DeBaliviere/Forest Park MetroLink Station. The Trolley stops about one block from the Zoo's North Entrance on Government Drive. Visitors can either park in the Forest Park Visitor Center parking lot or in the upper Muny parking lot, and hop on the Forest Park Trolley for a lift to the Zoo.

Trolley hours:
April 16 through October 31 2012
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Fees:
Adult Trolley fares are $2 per adult. Children 6-12, seniors and disabled passengers ride for $1. Kids five and under ride free.

Download a map of the Metro Forest Park Trolley Service line and the new traffic route around the park.

For more information on Metro, click here.

By MetroLink

Ride MetroLink to Forest Park/DeBaliviere station, then take MetroBus route #90 Hampton south, or Forest Park Trolley in spring/summer season. For detailed transit schedules, pricing and to purchase tickets, visit the Metro web site.

By MetroBus

The #90 Hampton bus stops within a short walking distance from the Zoo's North Entrance on Government Drive.

Address & Phone

Saint Louis Zoo
One Government Drive
St. Louis, MO 63110

(314) 781-0900
Toll free: (800) 966-8877