
Calgary Zoo guide: hours, parking, exhibits (2025)
Plan the perfect day at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo with current hours, parking, exhibits, conservation highlights, and local tips for Calgary families.
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is a year‑round Calgary favourite on St. George’s Island, pairing close‑up wildlife experiences with world‑class conservation and easy access from the CTrain’s Zoo Station for stress‑free visits in any season. This local guide covers hours, parking, transit, exhibits, what’s new, conservation work, and insider tips—so a day at the zoo fits seamlessly between a Bow River Pathway stroll and dinner in Bridgeland or Inglewood. Families, photographers, and visitors planning ZOOLIGHTS will find the latest on temporary closures, seasonal events, and ways to make the most of time on the island in the heart of Calgary.
Getting there and parking
Reaching the zoo is simple: drive to 210 St. George’s Drive NE via Memorial Drive, hop off the Blue Line CTrain at Zoo Station, or roll in along the Bow River Pathway to Jayman BUILT Plaza at the North Gate. The North Lot is the main parking area with a flat $13 per‑day rate through ParkPlus, while members can register plates for free parking during operating hours and ZOOLIGHTS extensions; the West Gate remains closed due to Exploration Asia construction through at least 2028/2029. Calgary Parking Authority confirms Zone 8301 rates and 24/7 hours for the North Lot, including a first 30 minutes free grace period before the flat rate kicks in.
Hours, tickets, and what’s on now
Plan ahead using the zoo’s “Plan Your Visit” hub for current hours, ticketing, and special experiences, including occasional adjusted opening times for Penguin Plunge during Penguin Breakfast events. The page also lists temporary closures and exhibit impacts tied to capital projects, so it’s the best first stop before leaving Eau Claire, Beltline, or the University District for the island. Restaurant and concession hours can vary by day and event, so check the FAQs for up‑to‑date operating times if planning meals around kids’ nap schedules or a ZOOLIGHTS evening.
Exploration Asia redevelopment: what to expect
The multi‑year Exploration Asia redevelopment is underway, enhancing habitats and guest flow while temporarily changing access and viewing for some species and the West Gate. Expect to see favourites like Bactrian camels, Komodo dragons, white‑handed gibbons, Malayan tapirs, red‑crowned cranes, Turkmenian markhors, Amur tigers, wild boar, and Pallas’s cats; Dalmatian pelicans are temporarily viewable at Land of Lemurs during this phase. Snow leopards and red pandas are off‑view during construction but slated to return in 2026, so plan visits with feline‑fans accordingly and check the homepage for the latest status.
Signature exhibits to prioritize
Penguin Plunge: four species, immersive viewing
Penguin Plunge remains an all‑ages magnet, showcasing the behaviours and needs of distinct species like king and Humboldt penguins across interactive zones such as The Beach, The Burrows, and The Waterfall for close‑range antics and dives. The zoo publishes occasional adjusted opening times for the habitat on select mornings to accommodate breakfast events—arrive accordingly if coordinating with downtown schedules or school groups. Recent animal news includes the addition of two female northern rockhoppers, adding fresh energy and new photo moments to the colony experience.
Land of Lemurs: walk‑through island life
The immersive walk‑through at Land of Lemurs brings guests into the environment in a way that’s compelling for kids and natural‑history enthusiasts alike, with temporary hosting of Dalmatian pelicans during the Asia redevelopment phase. This proximity makes for easy comparisons to the community feel of Inglewood’s river parks, where movement, vantage points, and seasonal rhythms define the experience. Check the “What’s On” page for any timed entries or capacity notes that occasionally occur during peak weekends and school holidays.
Wild Canada and river island meanders
Wild Canada celebrates native species and landscape stories—pair it with a loop of the Bow River Pathway for a quintessential Calgary day blending wildlife and city skyline views from the bridges. The island setting makes it simple to structure breaks for snacks or to regroup with multi‑generational families—view the FAQs for current concessions to time stops between exhibits. Consider planning a midday recharge at Jayman BUILT Plaza if biking from Crescent Heights or Bridgeland via the pathway network.
Events and seasonal highlights
ZOOLIGHTS transforms the grounds into a winter wonderland with over a million lights and hundreds of figures, typically mid‑November to early January, perfect for pairing with East Village markets or a warm‑up in Inglewood after the show. Typical hours run 5–9 p.m. with entry until 8:30 p.m., and some dates may be excluded or separately ticketed, so secure timed tickets early for peak holiday nights. Members can park free during extended ZOOLIGHTS hours when registered, making it easier for families coming from suburban hubs like Seton or Tuscany on chilly nights.
Conservation that starts in Calgary
The Wilder Institute and zoo are recognized leaders in applied conservation, with whooping crane conservation breeding and research based at the Archibald Biodiversity Centre contributing to reintroduction programs in Eastern and Louisiana populations. A 2025 update highlighted successful hatches and ongoing studies that improve incubation outcomes and translocation success, backed by partnerships and data‑driven approaches to build resilient wild populations over time. Corporate and community support continues to advance this work, including multi‑year funding to aid endangered species like the whooping crane, connecting local visits to global conservation impact.
Family‑friendly planning tips
- Transit first: The Blue Line to Zoo Station is a five‑minute stroll to the North Gate, avoiding Memorial Drive traffic and simplifying meet‑ups with friends from Sunnyside or City Centre.
- Park smart: Use the North Lot via ParkPlus for the $13 day rate if driving, or activate member plates for included parking; remember the West Gate is closed during Asia construction.
- Check updates: Before setting out, scan “What’s On” and FAQs for adjusted exhibit hours, closures, or early restaurant closures tied to special events.
- Pack for Calgary weather: Layers and wind protection make outdoor pathways between habitats more comfortable, especially when pairing the visit with Bow River Pathway time.
Suggested itinerary: a perfect Calgary day
- Morning: Arrive for opening, start at Penguin Plunge to beat the rush and catch active swimming and feeding behaviours; confirm any adjusted opening times if visiting on special breakfast dates.
- Midday: Break at Jayman BUILT Plaza, then loop Land of Lemurs and Wild Canada; check concession hours in FAQs, or plan a late lunch in Bridgeland a few blocks north.
- Evening (seasonal): Return for ZOOLIGHTS from 5–9 p.m. with timed entry, then cap the night with hot chocolate in Inglewood or a Bow River Pathway stroll to East Village lights.
Accessibility and guest services
The North Entrance area and pathway network are designed for strollers and mobility devices, with parking payment machines in Jayman BUILT Plaza for easy access if paying on‑site. For bike or scooter arrivals, racks monitored by security cameras are positioned at the plaza and West Lot; when unsure, Guest Relations can advise best locations on the day. If planning with grandparents or out‑of‑town visitors, confirm current restaurant hours and any exhibit impacts from Exploration Asia before arrival to reduce back‑tracking across the island.
Local context: make it a Calgary outing
The zoo’s island location is minutes from Bridgeland’s cafés and gelato shops, TELUS Spark Science Centre, and the RiverWalk toward East Village, making it easy to craft a full “Calgary day” without long drives. Pair a morning at the zoo with an afternoon bike along the Bow River Pathway, or jump on the CTrain for a quick hop to downtown for Arts Commons performances or Stephen Avenue dinners. For holiday traditions, anchor an evening around ZOOLIGHTS and a stop in Inglewood, where local shops and eateries round out the festive feel.
Key FAQs at a glance
- Is parking included with membership? Members can register plates for free parking from 8:45 a.m. to one hour past closure, including ZOOLIGHTS extensions; otherwise, the North Lot is $13 per day via ParkPlus.
- Which gate is open? Use the North Gate; the West Gate remains closed through the Asia project timeline, currently projected to 2028/2029.
- What’s new with animals? Recent arrivals include two female northern rockhopper penguins, and periodic updates are posted on the zoo’s news feed.
A well‑planned day at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo blends easy CTrain access, clear exhibit priorities like Penguin Plunge, and awareness of Asia redevelopment impacts for a smooth, memory‑rich outing in the heart of Calgary. Check “Plan Your Visit” for current hours and adjusted timings, secure parking or activate member plates, and consider booking ZOOLIGHTS early to lock in a festive evening amid more than a million lights. For the latest on conservation, from whooping crane breeding to new arrivals, follow updates and feel the impact of each visit on wildlife here at home and beyond.