North Carolina Zoo
Arts & Culture · Asheboro, NC
About
Walking into the North Carolina Zoo, you notice the open space first. Animals roam in large natural habitats, not cramped concrete enclosures. This is the world's largest natural habitat zoo, covering 2,600 wooded acres with 500 developed acres. It's also one of only two state-supported zoos in the United States. Over 1,700 animals live here, representing more than 200 species. The zoo opened in 1974 and remains an agency of the state's Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with conservation at its core.
The zoo is located just south of Asheboro, about 25 miles from Greensboro. Plan at least a few hours to explore the developed areas. Animals have more room to move here than at most zoos, so you might need a little patience to spot them in their habitats. The grounds are accessible year-round, with hours from 9am to 5pm daily. If you're heading to Greensboro afterward, Triad Stage/UpStage Cabaret offers a completely different kind of live performance nearby.
Features
- ✓World's largest natural habitat zoo
- ✓Over 500 developed acres to explore
- ✓State-supported conservation efforts
Practical
What people say
Rated from 353 reviews. 21 community ratings. View this venue on Yelp
From the community
“State Zoo”
This is likely one of the largest zoos globally, situated just outside a town in central North Carolina, about 25 miles south of another city. It's a natural habitat zoo where animals have larger spaces to move around, with no enclosures made of steel or concrete. The zoo spans 1,500 acres, with over 500 developed, and houses more than 1,100 animals representing over 200 species. It's among the best zoos I've visited, especially because they don't confine their animals in cages.
A visitor · Over a year ago
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the zoo's hours? +
The North Carolina Zoo is open Monday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm.
Is the zoo LGBTQ+-owned or focused? +
The zoo is a state-supported public institution and not specifically LGBTQ+-owned, but it welcomes all visitors.
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