Part of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Zoo is the nation's zoo. It is a 163-acre zoological park set amid Rock Creek National Park in the heart of Washington, D.C.
You can visit the Zoo 364 days a year to see 2,000 individual animals of 400 different species. Come explore the Zoo and help us celebrate, study, and protect the diversity of animals and their habitats.
Admission to the National Zoo is FREE. There is a fee for parking in Zoo lots, but FONZ members park for free! And the Zoo is accessible by Metrorail and Metrobus. See parking rates or join FONZ.
Inauguration Weekend
The Zoo will be open January 17-20 but will close early on January 19-20. Get the details and find out about parking rates.
Our Newest Exhibits: Asia Trail
This wonderful new series of exhibits is now open! more
Get an audio tour, narrated by Dakota Fanning, from Fujifilm, and an Asia Trail scavenger hunt created by the Washington Post/KidsPost.
Recycle your cell phone—and help FONZ and wildlife. more