Oklahoma City Zoo

Type: zoo and botanical garden in Oklahoma City's Adventure District, at the intersection of I-35 and I-44. Originated as Wheeler Park Zoo in 1902, became Lincoln Park Zoo in 1920, later renamed Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden. Spans 130 acres, houses more than 2,000 animals of over 500 species. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). Draws roughly 1.1 million visitors annually (2024 figure).

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden traces its roots to a small municipal zoo founded in 1902, and over more than a century it has grown into a 130-acre AZA-accredited zoo housing more than 2,000 animals across upwards of 500 species. Located in Oklahoma City's Adventure District at the junction of I-35 and I-44, it combines large immersive habitat zones—Expedition Africa, Sanctuary Asia, Great EscAPE, Cat Forest/Lion Overlook and Oklahoma Trails—with a botanical garden and a children's zoo and herpetarium. Its newest major expansion, the 12-acre Expedition Africa habitat, opened in 2024. The zoo has a long, sometimes difficult history with individual animals that has drawn national attention, from Judy the elephant's nearly 50-year residency to a controversial 1962 University of Oklahoma LSD study on an elephant named Tusko. Today it markets itself as a family day-out combining wildlife viewing, conservation education, and seasonal special events.

The zoo is located at 2000 Remington Place, Oklahoma City, OK 73111, in the city's Adventure District at the intersection of Interstate 35 and Interstate 44, alongside Science Museum Oklahoma.

Oklahoma City has a humid subtropical to semi-arid transitional climate with hot summers (often in the 90s Fahrenheit) and cool winters, plus a notably active severe-weather season in spring. Specific monthly averages were not confirmed from the sources used for this profile.

Spring and fall generally offer milder temperatures for a full day of outdoor walking than the height of summer; specific zoo-published seasonal guidance was not found in the sources used here.

The zoo began as Wheeler Park Zoo in 1902, moved and was renamed Lincoln Park Zoo in 1920, and later took its current name, Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden. Over the following decades it grew into its present 130-acre site at the I-35/I-44 interchange. Notable, sometimes controversial episodes in its animal history include Judy the elephant's nearly 50-year residency, the death of young Asian elephant Malee from herpesvirus in 2015, and the 1962 death of Indian elephant Tusko following an LSD experiment conducted by University of Oklahoma researchers. The zoo's most recent major expansion, the 12-acre Expedition Africa habitat, opened in 2024, part of a broader trend of large immersive habitat zones (Sanctuary Asia, Great EscAPE, Cat Forest/Lion Overlook, Oklahoma Trails) added in recent years.

Visitors can walk through immersive habitat zones including Expedition Africa, Sanctuary Asia (Asian elephants), Great EscAPE (primates), Cat Forest/Lion Overlook, and Oklahoma Trails (native species), plus a Children's Zoo and Herpetarium with 80-plus exhibits. Wild Encounters let visitors get closer to animals such as bears, Galapagos tortoises, Indian rhinos, bison, Komodo dragons and Asian elephants. The zoo also runs seasonal special events (for example a Dinosaur Expedition event) and offers an overnight stay option at Baobab Lodge.

Key zones include Expedition Africa (12 acres, opened 2024), Sanctuary Asia (9.5 acres), Great EscAPE (6 acres), Cat Forest/Lion Overlook (4.2 acres), Oklahoma Trails (7.7 acres), the Children's Zoo and Herpetarium, and the zoo's botanical garden.

The zoo sits directly at the intersection of I-35 and I-44 in Oklahoma City, making it easily reachable by car from anywhere in the metro area. Will Rogers World Airport serves Oklahoma City, though its exact distance from the zoo was not confirmed in sources used here; a rental car or rideshare from the airport is the practical option.

As of research, the zoo's posted hours were 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, with the zoo open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas; hours can shift for weather (a January 29 winter-weather closure was noted on the site) or seasonal events, so confirm current hours at okczoo.org before visiting.

As of research, general admission was $20 for ages 12-64, $17 for seniors 65+ and children ages 3-11, and free for children two and under. Group rates, AZA reciprocal-zoo discounts, and EBT/SNAP/WIC program pricing are also offered; confirm current prices at okczoo.org/tickets before visiting.

Most visitors plan at least half a day (three to five hours) to see the major habitat zones and botanical garden at a relaxed pace; a full day allows time for Wild Encounters and special exhibits.

The zoo itself offers an overnight option at Baobab Lodge on zoo grounds. Beyond that, Oklahoma City's broader hotel market, concentrated downtown and along the I-35/I-44 corridor a short drive from the Adventure District, offers a full range of chain hotels; specific nearby properties were not confirmed in sources used here.

The zoo has on-site concessions and Pavlov's Café at neighboring Science Museum Oklahoma is within walking distance in the shared Adventure District. Wider Oklahoma City dining options are a short drive away; specific nearby restaurant names were not confirmed in sources used here.

Science Museum Oklahoma sits immediately adjacent in the same Adventure District, making a combined zoo-and-museum day easy. The wider Adventure District and downtown Oklahoma City attractions are a short drive away.

The zoo is directly accessible via I-35 and I-44; Will Rogers World Airport is the region's commercial airport, though exact driving distance was not confirmed in sources used here. A car or rideshare is the practical way to reach the zoo.

As with any large outdoor zoo, sun protection, water and comfortable walking shoes are recommended, especially in Oklahoma's hot summer months. Follow all posted animal-enclosure safety barriers and staff instructions during Wild Encounters. For any emergency, dial 911.

Sunscreen, a hat, a refillable water bottle and comfortable walking shoes for a large 130-acre site; a stroller for young children is worth considering given the size of the grounds.

Buying tickets online in advance can speed up entry, and arriving near opening helps beat both crowds and the day's peak heat in summer. Pairing a visit with neighboring Science Museum Oklahoma, in the same Adventure District, is a common way to fill a full day.

Dial 911 for any emergency. For general zoo information, call 405-424-3344.

Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden - https://www.okczoo.org

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.