Skip to content | Skip to navigation
The mission of the Albuquerque Biological Park is to enrich the quality of life for all, through education, recreation, conservation and research by providing a comprehensive environmental park consisiting of the Rio Grande Zoo, Albuquerque Aquarium, Rio Grande Botanic Garden and Tingley Beach. |
School Field Trips, Bus Parking and Group Discounts
Comments, Suggestions and Complaints
Educational Programs and Outreach
1. What are the BioPark’s hours? back
Open every day except January 1, Thanksgiving Day (11/27/08), and December 25. Ticket booths close one half-hour before closing and no one will be admitted after this time.
Summer Hours
May 31-September 1, 2008
9:00am to 5:00pm weekdays
9:00am to 6:00pm weekends
Also open until 6:00pm on summer holidays - May 26, July 4, and September 1.
Winter Hours
begin September 2, 2008
9:00am to 5:00pm daily
Please note: Occasionally, the BioPark closes early for special events. Details will be posted below.
Open every day from sunrise to sunset. Gift shop and cafe hours vary seasonally.
2. How much does it cost to get into the BioPark (Zoo/Aquarium/Botanic Garden) and what methods of payment are accepted? back
2.1 Does the Zoo have a reciprocal agreements with other institutions? back
Yes, members of certain institutions may be eligible for discount. Half-price admission to the Aquarium/Garden is offered to members of certain other gardens, aquarium and zoos across the U.S. These institutions also offer discounts to New Mexico BioPark Society members; however because participation in this program is voluntary, it is recommended that members contact the institution prior to visiting. Reciprocal List
3. How long does it take to see the Zoo/Aquarium/Botanic Garden? back
Allow about 2 – 3 hours to see all exhibits at the zoo – total walking distance is 2 ¼ miles.
It also takes about 2 – 3 hours to walk through the 1 ½ miles of the Aquarium and Botanic Garden.
3.1 Are there specific rules that I should know about when I visit? Yes, some are listed below.
4. What can I bring to the BioPark? back
5. May I wear Heelys or in-line skates, or bring a skate board or bicycle on-site? back
No. Heelys, skates, in-line skates, bicycles and skate boards may not be brought onto BioPark grounds.
6. Are strollers and wheelchairs available at the Zoo/Aquarium/Botanic Garden? back
Carry-all wagons can be rented for $5, two-seated wagons are available for $7.
Wheelchairs are available on a very limited basis, first-come, first-served. To ensure your comfort during your visit, we strongly recommend that you bring your own wheelchair. To check availability, visit the Jungle Wheels shop at the Zoo or the Shark Reef Cafe on the main plaza at the Aquarium.
7. Can I bring pets or other animals to the BioPark? back
No pets are allowed on Zoo and Botanic Garden grounds or inside the aquarium. Kennels are available. Inquire with a receptionist. Animals that are certified service animals are permitted in public areas of all Biological Park facilities. Pets are welcome at Tingley Beach, but must be leashed.
8. Where is the Lost and Found at the BioPark? back
Ask at the Security offices near the entrance to the Zoo or Aquarium/Garden.
9. Can I take photos at the BioPark? back
Visitors may take photos for personal use. For more information, professional photographers in Albuquerque should call 311--out of town (505)768-2000--and ask for a representative in the Marketing Department.
10. Can I get gift certificates for the BioPark? back
Yes. Gift certificates for BioPark admission tickets are sold at the Zoo and Aquarium/Garden ticket booths. Q Cards, which are good for BioPark general admission and admission to several other city facilities, are also available for values of $25 and up.
11 . Does it cost to park at the BioPark? Where do buses park? back
Parking is ample and free. Buses visiting the Aquarium-Garden should park at the West lot at the intersection of Central Avenue and Tingley Drive. (Drivers may not drop-off or pick-up at the roundabout in the Aquarium-Garden main lot as it creates a hazard for pedestrians.) At the Zoo, buses should park in the designated area of the main lot until the bus parking across 10th Street re-opens.
12. Is the BioPark permitted to donate admission tickets for fund raisers? back
No. As a facility owned and operated by the City of Albuquerque, the BioPark is prohibited by law from making donations of any kind.
1. Is there a restaurant at the Aquarium? back
The Shark Reef Café is open 9am to 5pm seven days a week and is accessible without paying admission fees. It is not a seafood restaurant.
2. Can I visit just the gift shop at the Aquarium/Botanic Garden? back
Yes, both the Aquarium and Garden gift shops are located outside the admission gates. The Aquarium Gift Shop phone number is (505) 848-7188 and the Garden Gift Shop phone number is (505) 848-7187.
1. I need information about summer concerts at the Botanic Garden. back
Summer Night Series at the Botanic Garden: Thursdays, June 5 through August 7 (no concert July 3). Doors open at 6 pm, concert is from 7 - 9pm. Tickets are $8 for adults; $4 for seniors; $2 for children. New Mexico BioPark Society member prices are half-off regular prices ($4 for adults; $2 for seniors 65 and older; $1 for children. There is no charge for children two and younger. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Botanic Garden in advance or on the night of the concert. Out-of-towners may purchase tickets by phone, but they must be picked up at the Botanic Garden.
2. I have questions about the River of Lights. back
3. When is the PNM Butterfly Pavilion open? back
For the 2008 season, the PNM Butterfly Pavilion will open on Friday, June 13. The PNM Butterfly Pavilion is open during the summer season, daily from 9am to 5 pm (to 6pm Saturdays and Sundays) at the Botanic Garden. The Butterfly Pavilion is not open during Summer Nights concerts.
4. When will the Japanese Garden be open to the public? back
Sasebo Japanese Garden opened to the public on Friday, September 28, 2007.
1. Is there a petting zoo at the zoo? back
No, but visitors have several opportunities to interact with animals. See “What are feeding times and activities for animals at the zoo?” Or head on over to the Heritage Farm at the Botanic Garden to visit the cow, sheep, goats, pigs and horses.
2. What are feeding times and activities for animals at the zoo? back
See Daily Activities and Feeding Times for more information on seasonal activities.
3. When is the bird show (aka the World Animal Encounters Show)? back
Shows will take place at the Nature Theater near the Cottonwood Café.
Hours: From May 3 through Memorial Day - Saturdays and Sundays, 11:00am and 2:00pm
Place: Nature Theater
4. Camel Ride Schedule. back
5. Zoo train information and schedules. back
The Thunderbird Express ¾ scale train operates in a nonstop loop around the zoo. The train runs Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm and picks up and drops off passengers only from the Train Station in the Africa exhibit area. Tickets are $2 adults, $1 children and may be purchased in the Out of Africa gift shop.
Same day combo tickets to visit the aquarium, garden and zoo include unlimited rides on all trains. Combo tickets are $12 for adults 13-64, $5 for seniors 65 and older and $5 for children 3-12 and may be purchased exclusively from cashiers located at the front entrances of the aquarium, botanic garden and zoo.
6. Are there restaurants at the Zoo? back
All zoo food services are located inside the zoo. The Cottonwood Café located near the band shell serves sandwiches, Mexican food, ice cream and snacks and is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Other food services are available seasonally.
7. Can I visit just the gift shop at the Zoo? back
Yes, you will be issued a temporary pass for twenty minutes and required to leave your drivers’ license. If you stay longer, you will be charged the standard admission fee ($7 adult, $3 children). Phone number is (505) 764-6218.
8. I need information about summer concerts at the Zoo. back
Zoo Music 2008 concerts are Friday evenings, June 6 through July 25 (no concert July 4). Doors open at 6:00 pm, concert is from 7 - 9pm. Tickets are $8 for adults; $4 for seniors; $2 for children. New Mexico BioPark Society member prices are half-off regular prices ($4 for adults; $2 for seniors 65 and older; $1 for children (children 2 and younger admitted free). Tickets may be purchased in person at from a Zoo or Aquarium/Garden cashier in advance or on the night of the concert. Out-of-towners may purchase tickets by phone, but they must be picked up at the Zoo.
9. I have questions about the Run for the Zoo/Mother’s Day Concert/Zoo Boo. back
These are all annual special events. Some information is provided here and more information is available on the annual calendar.
1. Hours, site use, parking and general information for Tingley Beach?back
Tingley Beach is located at 1800 Tingley Drive, just south of Central Avenue.
Parking:
Parking for Tingley Beach is along the west side of the ponds, and can be accessed from Tingley Drive via gated entrances north and south of the train station. There are two parking lots, one just north of the train station, and one between the Central and South ponds. Parallel parking is permitted along the gravel road that runs on the west side of the ponds. Please do not park on the cement walkways or the landscaping.
A large parking lot will be completed on the north end by spring.
Parking is not permitted along the ditch road to the west of Tingley Drive. This is a maintenance road for the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District.
2. Can I have an event at Tingley Beach? back
Tingley Beach is free to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. It cannot be reserved. Groups may not have outside catering, but may bring in their own food.
3. Where and how can I fish at Tingley Beach? back
General Information
- No swimming, smoking, open fires (no grills) or alcohol.
- Please help keep the area clean by putting your trash in a trash can.
- No float tubes, boats, rafts, canoes or other floating devices may be used at this facility.
- A New Mexico fishing license is required for ages 12 and older.
- Only pole fishing is permitted.
- A Second Rod validation may be purchased by anglers ages 12 to 69.
- The bag limit for trout is 5 fish per person (not per pole) per day. The bag limit for catfish at Tingley is 2 catfish per day.
- Minnows and goldfish may not be used as bait, nor may they be released into the ponds.
- Fish caught may not be cleaned in the lakes. Catch must be taken home for cleaning.
- Model boats may be used only in the Model Boat Pond.
- For complete New Mexico fishing regulations, fishing reports and fishing tips, visit New Mexico Game and Fish Department's fishing page .
Central and Children's Ponds
- The Central Pond may be fished by all ages and offers a ramp for adults in wheel chairs. Preference is given to adults and children fishing with mobile disabilities.
- The Children's Pond may be fished only by ages 12 and younger. No adult fishermen are permitted. Remember that fishing licenses are required for anglers age 12.
- Minnows and goldfish may not be used as bait.
- Worms and insects may be used only in the Central and Children's Ponds.
The South 'Catch and Release' Pond
- Stocked with rainbow trout year-round.
- Catch and release fishing ONLY.
- NO LIVE OR ARTIFICIAL BAIT ALLOWED. Flies and lures with single barbless hooks only.
- Please practice responsible catch-and-release practices so your fish survives to be caught again.
- Keep the fish in the water while gently removing the hook. Handling the fish out of water will remove some of its protective slime, making it vulnerable to sickness.
- Don’t drag the fish over rocks or in the sand. Release the fish as quickly as possible.
- If you do kill a fish by accident, you may not keep it. Leave it on the shore or put it in the trash.
The Model Boat Pond
- The Model Boat Pond is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis and may not be reserved.
- Wind or slow electric/battery powered craft only. Electric boats with the capacity to travel faster than 15mph are not allowed. Gas and nitro-fueled boats are not allowed.
Remote Control Information and Etiquette
- There is no frequency control at Tingley Beach. Modelers are responsible for policing themselves.
- Surface Frequencies are 75mhz; channels are 61 through 90.
- If you are running a surface model, you should not be on 72mhz
- Toys use 27 mhz frequency and channels 1 through 6 and are designated by color.
- 1 - brown
- 2 - red
- 3 - orange
- 4 - yellow
- 5 - green
- 6 - blue
- Make sure your channel flag is hooked to your transmitter antenna.
- Always make sure a channel is free BEFORE you turn on your transmitter.
- Share the channels. Check occasionally to see if someone is waiting for the channel you are using.
- Share knowledge. If you know of a hazard warn your fellow modelers.
- In an organized event, frequency boards and flags may be used, but it is the responsibility of the user to supply and maintain the board.
4. Is Tingley Beach ADA ( Americans with Disabilities Act ) accessible? back
5. Tingley Beach Train Rides back
The Rio Line train runs daily from 10:00am to 3:45pm in a loop to the Aquarium-Garden and Zoo and back to Tingley, arriving at each station about every half-hour. The train runs Tuesdays - Sundays and is closed Mondays for maintenance. "Ride-only" train tickets may be purchased at the Tingley Station, but availability varies with the season. Please refer to the Train Information for a detailed schedule. The Aquarium-Garden Station is located in the Aquarium-Garden west parking lot. The Zoo-Asia Station is located near the zoo's elephant exhibit.
The first train leaving from Tingley Station heads north to the Aquarium-Garden, where passengers may disembark and buy a ticket from the cashiers to visit this facility. It then loops back to the Zoo to pick up and discharge combo ticket passengers. Passengers with tickets to ride the Tingley route may NOT get off at the Zoo station. At this time there are no transfers from the Tingley train to the Zoo train.
6. Can I bring a grill and barbecue at Tingley Beach?back
No. No grills of any kind or open fires are allowed at Tingley Beach.
Yes. You can buy any type of fishing license and other hunting licenses at the gift shop. Hours are from 9:00am to 5pm daily. Phone number is 248-8522.
8. What are the phone numbers for the Tingley Beach Cafe and Gift Shop? back
The cafe's number is 248-8524. The gift shop's number is 248-8522.
1. Are there discounts for large groups at the BioPark? back
Group rates are offered ONLY for school field trip groups that have made a reservation two weeks in advance. See School Field Trips or call (505) 764-6272 for more information and to make a reservation.
2. Can I get a discount for my scout group, senior or community center group, church group or after-school group? back
No.
3. I want to have a birthday party or other special event at the BioPark. Can I get a group admission discount? back
No. Go to Facility Rentals for more information on holding an event at the BioPark.
4. Are there any discounts or special offers for kids during the summer? back
Beginning the Monday after Memorial Day through Labor Day, one full-paying adult can bring up to four children into the zoo OR aquarium/garden free of charge on Mondays. This special offer is not available for combo admission as combo tickets are not sold on Mondays.
5. Are there special bus parking areas set aside at the Aquarium-Garden and Zoo?
Yes. At the Aquarium-Garden, buses should park at the West lot at the intersection of Central and Tingley Drive. (Drivers may not drop-off or pick-up at the roundabout in the main Aquarium/Garden lot as it creates a hazard for pedestrians and causes traffic jams.) At the Zoo, buses should park in the designated area of the main lot.
1. Where can I make a comment, suggestion or complaint about the BioPark? back
Forms are available in at the Zoo’s Administrative Offices (903 10th St SW) and are personally reviewed by the BioPark director.
2. I would like to made a gift or donation to the BioPark. back
We gratefully accept donations and gifts to the BioPark and its core facilities - the Albuquerque Aquarium, Rio Grande Botanic Garden, Rio Grande Zoo and Tingley Aquatic Park. Please contact the office of the BioPark Director at 505-764-6211 for details or to set up an appointment.
1. What kind of educational programs and resources are offered at the BioPark? back
PARENTS:
TEACHERS:
1. Can I rent the Zoo or Aquarium/Botanic Garden for an event? back
Yes, for a maximum of three hours in the evening from May to September. See Facility Rentals for details and pricing. To inquire about reserving the facilities, call 311 in Albuquerque or 505-768-2000 out-of-town.
2. I need more information about scheduling my wedding at the BioPark. back
Weddings ceremonies may be booked at the Botanic Garden, Zoo or Aquarium. Weddings are held after hours for a maximum of three hours. For rental fees, policies and venue descriptions, go to Weddings. To inquire about reserving the facilities for a wedding, call 311 in Albuquerque or 505-764-6200. Reservations can be made no earlier than 11 months prior to the date.
3. Can I have a birthday party at the BioPark? back
Taste of the Wild Birthday Party Packages are available and may be booked through the BioPark’s food service division at (505) 764-6206. Package (1) includes facility admission, hot dog or chicken drumstick, soft drink, quarter sheet personalized birthday cake and ice cream. Package (2) includes facility admission, quarter sheet personalized birthday cake, soft drink and ice cream. A Taste of the Wild is the contract caterer for all BioPark facilities. No other catering services are permitted on site.
During regular business hours, BioPark visitors may celebrate a birthday without catering and bring in their own food. Each member of the party must pay general admission to enter the facility. Birthday celebrations at the BioPark with no catering do not require a reservation.
Restrictions:
For the safety of animals and other visitors, please leave balloons, frisbees, balls of any kind, alcohol and noise makers at home -- they are prohibited. All presents, including wrapping paper, brought into the park must be taken out with the party as well.
4. Can I hold a fundraising event at the BioPark? back
Written proposals may be submitted to the office of the BioPark Director, 903 10th St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102.
1. How can I get a membership to the BioPark and what are the benefits? back
The New Mexico BioPark Society is the support organization for the BioPark. Membership in the society includes free admission to the Aquarium, Botanic Garden and Zoo during regular business hours. There are several levels of membership to fit your family's size and needs.
The quickest way to start your membership is to buy one at the Zoo or Aquarium Administrative Offices.
For more information see the New Mexico BioPark Society website or call (505) 764-6280.
2. I want to volunteer at the Zoo/Aquarium/BioPark. back
There are numerous volunteer opportunities at the BioPark. See the website at http://www.cabq.gov/biopark/common/Volunteers.html for job descriptions, application forms and training dates. For legal and safety reasons, volunteers must be age 18 or older.