Albuquerque Zoo Information
Welcome To The Rio Grande Zoo!
The Albuquerque zoo has been an attraction for area families since it was built in 1927 and the excitement and awe of seeing wild animals up close and personal is as strong today as it was then.
Who doesn't love to watch big cats lounging in the sun? Or see the polar bears playing?
The Rio Grande Zoo is a staple for class field trips, family adventures, and as a tourist attraction. The zoo is included as part of the Albuquerque BioPark, and combination passes to all the attractions are available.
Our zoo is dedicated to keeping the animals in habitats as comfortable and natural as possible. Each habitat is simulated to be as close to the real thing as possible. Our zookeepers also have extremely high cleanliness standards, so walking through the Rio Grande Zoo is pleasant and doesn't smell much of manure or other waste products.
There are multiple routes you can take through the zoo, depending what you want to see. If you want to see everything, plan for it to take about 4 hours (there is a map on the website available to print out, and you can also pick one up at the entrance).
The Apes (extremely popular and part of the Africa exhibit, you’ll see gorillas, orangutans, and chimpanzees. You might even catch them playing with toys, balls, or each other.)
The Africa Exhibit (rhinoceros, giraffes, zebras, and emus too!)
The Seals & Sea Lions (better than Pier 39! Watch them splash and play through the underwater portals. Sea lions, harbor seals, and gray seals can be found here.)
The Cat Walk (all sorts of big kitties; mountain lions, Asian snow leopards, African lions & ocelots.)
The Polar Bears (my favorite! They are so cute and playful, and you can watch them underwater too!)
The Mexican Gray Wolves (a part of New Mexico history and the mascot for UNM. Go Lobos!)
Tropical America (do you like rain forest animals like tamarins, spider monkeys, and toucans? You’ll love this exhibit.)
The Zoo Babies (how can you resist? These are babies born at the Rio Grande Zoo and they are cute!)
The Elephants (watch the Asian elephants get washed, fed and play with their babies.)
The Albuquerque zoo isn’t just about watching the animals; it’s also about interacting with them. Visitors (me included) love feeding the animals. Depending on the exhibit either the handlers will feed and the visitors get to watch, or the visitors will get to participate in the feeding.
Giraffe feedings are always fun because we get to participate and giraffes have really long tongues! It’s also neat to see the polar bears snarf up fish or the crocodiles eating big chunks of meat. Feeding times vary by animal, so check it out HERE before you go.
$9 for adults, $4 for kids (age 3-12) and $4.50 for senior citizens (65+).* Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at the Rio Grande Zoo website or at the gate.
If you’re interested in seeing a lot of attractions, take the BioPark train and see the Albuquerque Aquarium and Botanic Garden. These tickets only cost $15 for adults, $6 for kids (age 3-12) and $8 for senior citizens (65+)* and your train ride between attractions is included. The train is also wheelchair accessible. Tickets can be bought at any of the attractions or online HERE.
What are you waiting for? There's no time like the present so get out and visit the Albuquerque zoo soon!
*Prices based on New Mexico resident rates. Non-resident rates are higher.
