Zoo Boise

About 

Located in Julia Davis Park, Zoo Boise is a beloved Treasure Valley attraction for people of all ages. A division of the City of Boise’s Parks & Recreation Department, Zoo Boise dates back to 1916, since growing to be home to over 300 animals and over 100 species. Zoo Boise hopes to continue to engage the community with new animal species while supporting worldwide animal conservation worldwide.  

Hours-Pricing-Membership 

The zoo is open daily from 9AM until 5PM but be careful! Last admission is 4PM and the zoo is closed on some major holidays. 

Depending on age, tickets can range from $0-$12 per person, with discounted tickets on Thursdays. For those hoping to frequent the zoo more often, Zoo Boise does offer season passes.  

Annual zoo membership prices range from $65-$150, depending on the amount of people in the household. Along with free zoo access, your membership includes exclusive events, discounts, access to other partner zoos and more! 

Animals-Exhibits-Encounters 

From snow leopards to penguins, crocodiles to zebras, Zoo Boise has a wide spectrum of animals for you to experience. The park is broken up by regions/categories (African Plains, Animals of Asia, etc.), making it easy to find just what animal you are looking for. If you want a closer look at some of the animals, you can pay for a special animal encounter where you can feed or experience friends such as crocodiles, sloth bears & giraffes.  

Whenever you deal with animals, some tend to be more elusive than others, even at the zoo. We always have success in being able to say hello to the gibbon monkeys, giraffes, zebras & capybaras, whereas animals like crocodiles, penguins, lions & hyenas can be a bit more “hit or miss” with their visibility. If you are hoping to see a particular animal, it may be worthwhile to call the zoo ahead of time to see when they are being fed.  

More Than Animals 

In addition to animal exhibits, Zoo Boise includes a large pavilion/eating area, zoo gift shop, play area, merry-go-round, food court/ snack stands & a river cruise.  

Events-Programs 

Zoo Boise also offers plenty of educational opportunities through activities like camps, field trips, and internships. They even have a “Snooze at the Zoo” program where you can stay the night at the zoo, getting an experience unlike any other.  

For even more fun, the zoo hosts annual events like their Easter Eggstravaganza & Boo at the Zoo. They also offer rental opportunities for birthday parties, private events, and even weddings!  

Nonprofit - Volunteer 

The Boise zoo cannot operate on admission ticket revenue alone, luckily, they have the Friends of Zoo Boise and plenty of volunteer opportunities. Friends of Zoo Boise is a non-profit organization helping in supporting fundraising for Zoo Boise animal acquisition, park improvements, events, education & volunteer opportunities. There are many ways you can help support, visit https://zooboise.org/support/donate/ for more info. 

Closing 

Whether you are simply looking for your daily dose of exotic animals, or hoping for a more involved experience, Zoo Boise can most likely support. We highly recommend a trip to this Boise treasure.