Oregon Zoo
Places and activities › Oregon Zoo
From concerts and seasonal events such as Zoo Lights to exciting exhibits and attractions, there's a whole lot to do at the Oregon Zoo.
In 2008, voters across the Portland metropolitan region supported a $125 million bond for Oregon Zoo improvements. The zoo is developing a master plan, six new animal exhibits, a conservation education center and a veterinary medical center, all designed to save water and energy and provide a better experience for visitors. Learn more
In 1887, Richard Knight, a local pharmacist who collected animals as a hobby, officially presented his menagerie to the city and the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi was created. The Oregon Zoo is home to animals from all corners of the world, including Asian elephants, Peruvian penguins and arctic polar bears. From the mist-filled Africa Rain Forest to the majestic Great Northwest exhibits, the zoo encourages visitors to understand and experience the natural world.
Committed to conservation of endangered species and their habitats – both locally and around the globe – the zoo is a center for wildlife preservation and field research. The Oregon Zoo’s award-winning education programs serve more than 500,000 people both at the zoo and at schools, senior and community centers around the region.
A summer concert series, seasonal events and the zoo railway help this popular Oregon attraction draw more than 1 million visitors each year. The Oregon Zoo is all of this, but it is also a safe place for families to share moments of discovery and fun.
Hours of operation
The zoo is open seven days a week, every day of the year, except Christmas. View current hours
Need assistance?
Oregon Zoo
503-226-1561 ext. 0