ABQ BioPark Zoo
4.5(14K)google
3.8(284)yelp
EducationalFamilyKidsWildlife
Overview
ABQ BioPark Zoo, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a facility of the Albuquerque Biological Park. Founded in 1927, the 64-acre (26 ha) zoo was originally known as the Rio Grande Zoo. Sections of the zoo include an Africa exhibit area, an Australia exhibit area, the "Cat Walk" and a herpetology area.
Practical Info
Mon9:00 AM – 5:00PM
Tue9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration2.5-4 hours
Best TimeSpring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) offer exceptional moderate temperatures, keeping the diverse savannah wildlife energetic across the historic 64-acre park. Booking a 9:00 AM opening ticket is highly advised to catch the polar bears and Mexican gray wolves during their highly active early morning feeding routines.
Getting ThereHoused on the edge of the downtown Loop corridor at 903 10th St SW. Driving is the premier transit standard: drive west from the city center along Lead Ave SW, and turn south onto 10th St. The zoological park features a massive, well-organized free public surface lot directly facing the ticketing entry gates, guarded by shade trees.
Travel Tips
- Predators retreat to indoor dens under midday heat; view active wildlife by arriving during the first hour of park operations at 9:00 AM.
- The expansive outdoor layout demands heavy walking; families should rent strollers at the entrance or pre-map the internal train shuttle stops.
- Feeding wildlife any outside food or breadcrumbs is strictly forbidden; dense surveillance results in instant expulsion and a permanent park ban.
Reviews
Positive
- The zoo layout is vast with a comprehensive array of species; the elephant, giraffe, and hippo habitats are spacious, successfully mimicking wild settings.
- The staff and keepers genuinely care for the animals; during scheduled keeper chats and feeding shows, they are highly professional and engaging.
- The tree canopy coverage is surprisingly high with mature timber everywhere, providing great shade along walkways even in hot ABQ weather.
- Basic upkeep is great with heavy trash can placement; almost no litter is visible, and the restrooms are frequently and hygienically cleaned.
Heads up
- Due to its sprawling size, walking gaps between certain exhibits (like Australia) are too long, putting a heavy physical toll on seniors and toddlers.
- With ongoing long-term renovations in aging sectors, several star animals (like certain big cats) were temporarily relocated and unavailable.
- The internal miniature train runs infrequently, requires a separate ticket, has long lines when busy, and frequently breaks down for the day.
- During the hottest mid-afternoon hours, most mammals hide deep inside their shelters to sleep, leaving you staring at empty enclosures.