Oregon Zoo Offers Added Hours and New Programs to Draw Visitors

Portland, OR. As people continue to return to their favorite pre-pandemic pastimes, the Oregon Zoo is offering longer hours and a host of seasonal activities. On Fridays and Saturdays, guests can come late and spend and summer evening at the zoo. Last reservations are at 6:30 p.m., with grounds remaining open until 8 p.m. The zoo’s food outlets will be staying open late as well and offering a selection of local beer and wines for adults. Advance online ticket reservations are required for all guests, including members: Reserve tickets.

A playful baby river otter pup has taken up residence at the Oregon Zoo this summer after being orphaned along a roadside in Deer Island, OR. The video below shows some of her new activities.

Here’s information about visiting the zoon:

From Oregon Zoo:

All areas of the zoo are open and face masks are required for everyone 5 years and older in indoor spaces, outdoor areas where six feet of distance from other people cannot be maintained, and in other areas where posted. Find member information here. The Oregon Zoo is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

---

Online advance-purchase tickets are required

Advance online ticket reservations are required for all guests, including members. All visitors must be included in the timed reservation, including infants (age 0 to 1). Tickets are available 10 days in advance. Guests and members should arrive at the zoo within 10 minutes of their scheduled time. Zoo capacity is timed and limited. If you arrive outside of your scheduled time, you may need to wait for the next available entry time. In order to ensure entrance, your timed ticket should be purchased in advance.

For zoo members: all named members must show photo ID along with their reserved ticket when entering the zoo. Additional guests may not be substituted for named cardholder reservations. Membership cards are not required since ID numbers will be printed on the tickets. (Each named member, child or infant (age 0 to 1), or guest must have their own reservation. All children and guests must arrive with a named cardholder with a photo ID.)

---

Face mask policy

Face masks are required for everyone 5 years and older (regardless of vaccination status) at entry and in indoor spaces, including exhibits, restrooms, restaurants and shops. Masks are also required in all outdoor areas where six feet of distance from other people cannot be maintained, and in other areas where posted. Face shields, if worn, must be accompanied by a properly worn face mask. Per CDC guidance, you may wear two-layered or folded balaclavas or gaiters, but not bandanas or masks with exhalation valves or vents. In some cases, accommodations can be made for individuals with a medical condition that makes it hard to breathe or a disability that prevents them from wearing a mask. To request an accommodation, call 503-226-1561 (press 4) or email oregonzoo@oregonzoo.org. Please contact us at least 48 hours prior to your visit date, as accommodations must be scheduled in advance, and are by reservation only.

---

Train and carousel

A beautiful carousel of 18 handcrafted animals runs from 10 a.m. to 15 minutes before the zoo closes. On-site tickets are available until a half-hour before the zoo closes. $3.50 per rider.

The historic zoo railway runs daily from 10:30 a.m. to a half-hour before the zoo closes. Rides last six minutes and board every 15 to 20 minutes. $5 per rider. Train and carousel tickets are available as add-on options when reserving tickets online. Members must be logged in to receive discounts.

---

Food service

Food is available (no cash transactions). Mobile ordering is available for AfriCafe. You will be notified when your order is ready for pickup. Indoor dining areas are open. You may bring your own food, beverages, and coolers, but no alcohol. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.

---

Parking

Parking is available in the city lot adjacent to the zoo and throughout Washington Park. Guests are encouraged to download and use the Parking Kitty app for safer and easier parking payment. Oversized vehicles and trailers can park in designated areas.

---

Cashless transactions

To minimize contact, all food and retail locations are only accepting credit or debit cards at this time.

Keeper talks and animal activities include the following (daily except where noted):

• 9:45 a.m. – mountain goat/black bear keeper talk
• 10:30 a.m. – condor keeper talk
• 10:30 a.m. – crocodile feeding (Sundays only)
• 10:45 a.m. – Family Farm keeper talk
• 11:15 a.m. – sea otter snack time
• 1 p.m. – chimpanzee keeper talk
• 1:15 p.m. – elephant keeper talk
• 1:45 p.m. – polar bear keeper talk
• 2 p.m. – penguin keeper talk
• 2:15 p.m. – giraffe keeper talk
• 2:45 p.m. – orangutan/gibbon keeper talk
• 3 p.m. – bat feeding
• 3:15 p.m. – river otter play time

On Thursdays at 11 a.m., guests can stop by the zoo’s Family Farm for “Ask a Vet,” presented by Banfield Pet Hospital, where zoo and Banfield veterinary staff answer questions about caring for animals both wild and domestic.

The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily. Masks are not required, but capacity is limited and all guests, including zoo members, are encouraged to reserve their tickets online in advance. Learn more about what to expect when visiting.