Little Rock Zoo
4.2(5.8K)google
3.3(75)yelp
Wildlife WatchingFamilyKidsEducational
Overview
The Little Rock Zoo was founded in 1924 and is located in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. It is home to more than 400 animals representing over 200 species, and covers an area of 33 acres (13 ha). The Arkansas Zoological Foundation is a private 501 c (3) organization that raises funds for zoo development.
Practical Info
Mon9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tue9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wed9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thu9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fri9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sat9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sun9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Suggested Duration3-5 hours
Best TimeApril through October is the premier time for outdoor exhibits. Aim to arrive right at the 9:00 AM gate opening. The southern morning breeze is cool, driving apex predators like lions and cheetahs to be highly active across the savannas before afternoon humidity sets in, and ensures no lines at the historic rare 'Over-the-Jump' antique wooden carousel.
Getting ThereSituated dynamically within War Memorial Park at 1 Zoo Drive. Driving is exceptionally accessible off the main highway corridor; from I-630, take Exit 4 for Fair Park Blvd and drive north for 0.5 miles. Turn left onto Zoo Drive to pull directly into the massive, designated paved customer parking lot right at the ticket booths.
Travel Tips
- To suppress unauthorized dietary additions causing veterinary emergencies, the facility bars outside food packs and ice coolers. Entry turnstiles screen all personal carry assets; excluding one factory-sealed clear water flask per biped, goods are seized.
- The park shifts to extreme student density weekdays from 09:30 AM to 01:00 PM due to regional academic field charters. The miniature railway tracks face extreme operational backlogs; individual single-family units must delay general entry windows until after 01:30 PM.
- Featuring low-clearance open-air animal containment trenches, the property outlaws inflatables and retracting selfie rods to block material ingestion or sound-shock trauma in large mammals. Violators face device seizure and security-escorted exit.
Reviews
Positive
- The zoo layout is highly compact and well-organized; the chimpanzee and penguin exhibits are beautifully designed for up-close viewing.
- It preserves the historic Over-the-Jumps Carousel, one of the last of its kind in the world, which is incredibly nostalgic and fun.
- The crowd management and staff service are Broad and excellent, with patient volunteers everywhere teaching kids wildlife conservation facts.
- Admission and concession prices are highly affordable compared to commercial theme parks, paired with a massive and easy parking lot.
Heads up
- Some enclosures and buildings look dated and run down, with rusted wire fencing in sections, lacking the sleek feel of modern world-class zoos.
- During the blistering July/August heat, open areas emit strong animal odors, and many heat-sensitive animals hide deep in their dens.
- The onsite concession stands offer a highly limited and generic menu of burgers and fries, prompting families to bring their own meals.
- Accessibility is incomplete; some historical gravel pathways leading to the elephant overlook are quite steep and bumpy for strollers.