Field Trips

We schedule field trips for Monday-Friday, from 10am-5pm.  We offer check-in times at 15-minute intervals to help expedite the process.  Only one group may check in at a time.  If you need to book a field trip for earlier in the day, it is important to call as soon as possible as these check-in times are reserved the fastest.

We recommend scheduling your trip early in the school year to avoid the possible unavailability of your preferred day and check-in time.

RESERVATIONS
To make reservations, call (512) 288-1490.  We will need to know your group name, estimated number attending, as well as a contact mailing address and phone number.  After your trip has been scheduled, we will mail a confirmation letter that you are required to return at check-in.  It is very important that you share all of the information enclosed in the confirmation letter with all of the teachers and parents that will be attending.

RATES
Our group rate for field trips is $4.00 per person.  To receive the group rate, one person must pay for the entire group.  You are welcome to include parents and additional siblings that might be attending with your group so that they may be eligible for the discounted rate.  However, if visitors come in and pay individually, they will be charged our full price of $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 2-12.  Children under 2 are free.

We accept MasterCard, Visa, cash, and school check.  Payment is due at time of check-in.

GUIDELINES
Chaperones are responsible for the behavior of their groups at ALL times and are required to accompany students for the duration of the visit.  This includes reviewing and making sure students follow our zoo rules, for the safety and enjoyment of all zoo visitors.

-PLEASE treat the animals with respect: NO yelling, taunting, teasing, or throwing things at the animals or into their homes.

-PLEASE respect boundaries.  DO NOT lean over or cross barrier fences with any part of your body.

-PLEASE stay on the trails.

-PLEASE DO NOT run.

-PLEASE DO NOT climb in the trees.

-PLEASE leave rocks, sticks, dirt, plants, flowers, and animals on the ground.

-PLEASE put all of your trash in our trash cans or recycle bins.

-NO unattended children.

-NO pets allowed on zoo property.  Service animals are permitted.

-NO smoking inside the zoo.  If you must, please do so in the parking lot.

PLEASE provide your students with drinking water, as water fountains are not available on the grounds.

You are welcome to bring picnic lunches for your group.

Animal food is NOT available for school groups.

PARKING
Unload and load children in the BUS parking lot, located all the way to the back right corner of the regular parking lot.  PLEASE DO NOT unload, load, or park in the driveway or regular parking lot for safety reason.  Walk children as a group to the office, where they can wait outside during check-in.  After the group has been paid for, the children can enter through our side gate.

GIFT SHOP
We have a zoo gift shop with zoo souvenirs, as well as soda, tea, and water.  We ask that there is one adult for every three children from the group in the gift shop.

CONCESSIONS
Our concession stand is open Tuesday-Sunday and offers drinks, snacks, and snocones.

TRAIN
Train rides can also be scheduled for your school group.  Please contact Jeanne Polk at

(512) 970-2987 for pricing and scheduling.

Please give us a call at (512) 288-1490 with any other questions.