Guests are welcome to photograph and/or videotape at the El Paso Zoo for their personal use.

For filming or professional and portrait photography please contact the Zoo.

Swimsuits are not required to play in the splash pad, but all guests must wear clothing at all times while splashing around. If your child wears diapers or is potty-training, he or she must wear swim diapers when using the splash pad.

While you are welcome to nurse, bottle feed your child, or pump anywhere you feel comfortable within the Zoo, we also offer a private Nursing Station located next to the South American Pavilion at the Americas section of the Zoo.

This room is meant for single use only and includes a diaper-changing facility, a bench for seating, small countertop, running water, electrical outlets, and a locking door. Adjacent, are restrooms and a family restroom that includes a baby bathing station.

Yes, in every set of restrooms there is a space for changing.

For the safety of the Zoo animals and yours, the El Paso Zoo does not allow pets on the grounds. However, certified service animals are permitted under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Examples of tasks performed by service animals include guiding a person who is blind (“guide dog”), alerting a person who is deaf (“hearing dog”), for seizure and other medical alerts (“medical alert dog”) or for wheelchair assistance (“service dog”).

Animals that provide only emotional support (“therapy animals” ) and companion animals are not service animals under the ADA and may denied access to public places. For detailed ADA information, visit www.ada.gov or call (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY).

Our animals are on special well-balanced diet along with any necessary supplements. Anything outside those diets can harm the animals. The Zoo is currently working on a special giraffe encounter where you'll be face-to-face with these friendly giants as you feed them one of their favorite treats...lettuce! An announcement will be made.

Group events must be planned through Taste of the Wild Catering. Groups are defined as any organized group of more than 20 people, including but not limited to, family reunions, corporate outings, teams and nonprofit organizations. Reservations must be made by contacting Taste of the Wild Catering via e-mail at [email protected] or phone at (915) 212-0246.

Group events include a private facility and seating area. Public shaded and seating spaces are provided as a courtesy to general zoo guests and groups shall not occupy or hold these areas. Groups occupying or holding those spaces will be asked to vacate. Please call us for more information regarding renting any Zoo space or facility for your group.

The El Paso Zoo prohibits guests from entering animal exhibits or reaching past exhibit barriers. This policy is in place for the safety and well-being of the animals in our care as well as guests visiting our facilities. Guests may use selfie sticks, but these devices may not reach past exhibit barriers.

Guests may bring their own food and drinks, although glass items, alcoholic beverages and lightweight, single-use straws are not permitted. There are no facilities available for food or cooler storage. The Zoo has restaurants and food and beverage carts on the grounds with a variety of menu items, including healthy options. The Zoo does not allow outside catering or food deliveries.

Water fountains are located in various areas of the El Paso Zoo. The Zoo encourages guests to bring recyclable water bottles and to stay hydrated during their Zoo visit or purchase water from one of our vendor locations. The Zoo also sells special cups that allow guests to refill their drinks at a discounted rate.

The Zoo is open year round, rain or shine! Depending on the extent of rain, some animals may choose to go into their behind the scenes living spaces, though many animals seem to enjoy the rain.

If you are unsure if the Zoo is open, feel free to give us a call at (915) 212-0-ZOO.

The El Paso Zoo does not allow guests to bring balloons, noise makers, glitter, confetti, cascarones nor piñatas. Likewise, balls, grills and other portable cooking stoves and devices, domestic animals, alcoholic beverages, glass containers, lawn chairs, bicycles, roller blades, skates, and/or skateboards are not allowed inside the Zoo.

We suggest you dress comfortably, wear good walking shoes and check the local weather report before you leave for the El Paso Zoo.

Proper attire, including shoes and shirts, must be worn at all times. The Zoo is a casual, family-oriented environment.  In that spirit, we ask you to use your discretion and common sense.

Inappropriate Attire 

El Paso Zoo reserves the right to deny admission to or remove any person wearing attire that is considered inappropriate or attire that could detract from the experience of other Guests. Attire that is not appropriate for the Zoo—and which may result in refusal of admittance—includes but is not limited to:

• Clothing which, by nature, exposes excessive portions of the skin that may be viewed as inappropriate for a family environment
• Clothing with objectionable material, including obscene language or graphics
• Excessively torn clothing
• Clothing that touches or drags on the ground
• Clothing with multiple layers is subject to search upon entry