What are the opening hours?

Monday 10am - 6pm Tuesday 10am - 6pm Wednesday 10am - 6pm Thursday 10am - 6pm Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday 10am - 6pm Sunday 10am - 6pm

Minnesota Zoo

Welcome to the official page for the Minnesota Zoo, where we are connecting people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife! AZA-accredited
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Founded in 1978, the Minnesota Zoo exists to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife. Cutting-edge exhibits provide exciting experiences with animals and their habitats introducing guests to species from around the globe. Education programs engage audiences at the Zoo, throughout the region, and around world. Conservation programs protect endangered species and preserve cri

tical ecosystems. For more about the Minnesota Zoo, visit www.mnzoo.org. We love all of our fans! We do ask you to remember that this is a fan page. We are excited about a dialogue with our fans, and are open to everyone's comments and opinions. However, we ask you not to ruin our fans’ experience here by using inappropriate or offensive language, or by posting information that is factually incorrect or even violent in nature. If through your words or actions you demonstrate that you are clearly not a fan of the Minnesota Zoo and do not support our mission of education, conservation, recreation and research, and you deliberately create an environment which damages the fan experience, then your comments will be deleted and you will be denied participation on this page. Thanks for your cooperation!

12/07/2024

Soon the bears will be snoozing behind the scenes for the winter. The cold season triggers the bears to enter torpor, a natural part of their yearly cycle. When bears are in this state of sleepiness, their heartbeat, breathing, body temperature and metabolism slow down. They need fewer calories and sleep more but can still get up to snack. (Priorities!😤) We'll miss them this winter but look forward to their sleepy return in the spring! 🐻

12/06/2024

Look. At that. Face. 😍 We're excited to welcome Cedar, a 10-month-old river otter who recently joined us from the Henson Robinson Zoo. Visit her on the Minnesota Trail this weekend! 🦦
(Bonus behind-the-scenes pic of Cedar from Vet Tech Courtney! The nose. The fluff. The face. 10/10 ✨)

12/02/2024

Today is the last day to get this 2024 Minnesota Zoo Ornament, but only with a Gift Membership purchase! Purchase a Gift Membership* and we’ll include this custom wooden-carved tiger cub ornament in your recipients’ gift package, exclusively designed for the Minnesota Zoo.

*Valid on gift membership purchases November 29-December 2, 2024; Not valid on Friends levels or prior purchases. Ornament will be mailed with gift membership packet. Link in bio.

12/02/2024

Still in a holiday food trance? 😴🍽️ This Cyber Monday, give a gift that gives back to animals like Linneaus's two-toed sloths!🦥 This holiday season, treat you or someone you love to an animal sponsorship, and give a gift that makes a difference, one that will be appreciated long after the holiday season is over: https://bit.ly/3Vc9DxT
🎥: Zookeeper Cathy

12/01/2024

Wrap up the magic of a gift membership to the Minnesota Zoo. You’ll delight anyone on your gift list with year-round access to the Zoo. Special offer for Black Friday weekend: purchase a gift membership from November 29 – December 2 and receive a custom-carved wood tiger cub ornament. 🐅 Learn more: https://bit.ly/3ZaHo3P

11/30/2024

There is a new resident of the Medtronic Minnesota Trail, and she’s sure to see you before you see her! Bald eagles like Rousey are remarkable among animals for their keen eyesight — it’s about 4 - 8 times sharper than human vision!

Rousey is approximately 13 years old. She was found at a young age in a ditch in Delaware, unable to fly. She was treated at Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, Inc. in Delaware for a shoulder injury, likely due to being hit by a car. Veterinarians determined she could not successfully be released to the wild. Initially, she lived at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in South Carolina before finding her forever home here.

As you travel the Minnesota Trail, you may see more than just Rousey in her habitat. Twice a day, Zoo staff engage with her as they continue their close relationships developed during her years as an ambassador.
📸: Volunteer Steve

11/29/2024

Members! Today's the day! Stop and shop at the Minnesota Zoo Gift Shop from November 29 – December 2 and receive 20% off regular-priced merchandise. That’s double your Member discount. There’s logo gear and apparel for people of all ages, accessories, animal toys and games, wildlife books, and much more. The gift shop is open during Zoo hours, or shop online: https://shopmnzoo.com/

11/28/2024

The Wells Fargo Family Farm is grateful for a wonderful 2024 season! As we prepare to close for winter, we thank the thousands of guests who joined us in celebrating farm life.
Since opening in March, we've welcomed numerous Farm Babies—including twin lambs, goat kids, and piglets—and watched newborns grow throughout the summer. Clydesdales Frank and Ritchie also returned to the Minnesota State Fair, impressing crowds in the daily parade.
Visit the barns one last time this weekend! You can enjoy your favorite farm animals until the season ends on Sunday, December 1. The animals will be cozy and cared for all winter, and we look forward to seeing you in the spring!

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from Flynn! 🦃🦭 (And the rest of the Minnesota Zoo!) We're thankful for our awesome staff, amazing members, and spectacular supporters.
📸: Animal Care Tech Leah
The Zoo is closed today but will reopen for regular business hours tomorrow at 10 am. (Members can start their Zoo day early at 9 am!)

11/27/2024

Member Discount Days are nearly here! Stop and shop at the Minnesota Zoo Gift Shop from November 29 – December 2 and receive 20% off regular-priced merchandise. That’s double your Member discount. There’s logo gear and apparel for people of all ages, accessories, animal toys and games, wildlife books, and much more. The gift shop is open during Zoo hours, or shop online: https://shopmnzoo.com/

11/26/2024

Good morning from Rocky. ❤️🦦
📸: Animal Care Tech Leah

11/22/2024

Thanks to wildlife champions like you, this year's Give to the Max Day campaign was wildly successful! Because of you, we exceeded our $100,000 goal.

In total, 470 supporters from our community raised more than $138,000 to save endangered species like the Amur tiger and African penguin and to provide world-class care to the nearly 5,000 animals who call the Minnesota Zoo home. Generosity like yours makes efforts like these possible. For all you do to protect wildlife and their habitats, thank you!

11/21/2024

Boop! Just checking in--have you given today? Give to The Max day isn't over yet and there's still time to make a difference for animals like Amur tiger cubs Amaliya and Andrei. Make a gift by the end of the day and help create hope for endangered species: https://bit.ly/3u28nCR

11/21/2024

Today is Give to The Max Day! This year, you can take pride in supporting the Minnesota Zoo you love with a donation to the Minnesota Zoo Foundation. Donors help the Zoo expand its impact, providing extraordinary animal care, education opportunities, and groundbreaking conservation work right here in Minnesota and around the globe. Make a difference today: https://www.givemn.org/organization/Mnzoo
📸: Volunteer Steve

11/20/2024

Raise your paw if you're excited for Give to the Max Day tomorrow!
📸: Volunteer Steve

11/19/2024

As frost begins to appear and snow starts to fall in November, beavers begin prepping their dams before the ground freezes, which is how November's full moon became known as a "Beaver Moon." So we obviously had to celebrate with the beavs!
📸: Animal Care Tech Sarah

11/16/2024

Heading to the Treetop Trail at the this weekend? Make sure you stop by Hanfil Nature Center and check out the current installation from local artists! 🌊

🖼️ Currents of Inspiration: The Art of Water
October 2, 2024 – March 2, 2025 Stop in at the Hanifl Nature Center to view our rotating art exhibition. The newest exhibition features more than 40 works of art from 22 Minnesota artists celebrating the beauty of water.
💧
(Access to the Treetop Trail, Hanfil Nature Center, and the Art Gallery are included with your daytime admission ticket.)

Address

13000 Zoo Boulevard
Apple Valley, MN
55124

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 6pm
Tuesday	10am - 6pm
Wednesday	10am - 6pm
Thursday	10am - 6pm
Friday	10am - 6pm
Saturday	10am - 6pm
Sunday	10am - 6pm

Telephone

+19524319200

Website

http://mnzoo.org/

Alerts

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Videos

Happy #SeaStarDay! Aquarist Nicky knows quite a bit about these echinoderms, like why they are called sea stars and not star fish. (Because they don’t have gills, scales, or swim!) ⭐️

We heard the weather will be great (for a visit to the Zoo) this weekend. 🌤️ We hope you find some time to get out in nature and enjoy it!

Born to Roar - GTMD 2024

This Give to the Max Day, join us as the Minnesota Zoo Foundation creates hope for endangered species like Amur tigers. Earlier this year, Amur tiger mom Dari birthed two cubs, Amaliya and Andrei. This fall, guests watched as the cubs took their first steps out onto habitat, marking the first of many connections that visitors will make between these animal ambassadors and their wild counterparts.But you don’t have to wait to make a difference. Make a gift before midnight on November 14 and receive exclusive, early access to our new documentary, "Born to Roar: The Birth of Tiger Cubs". Follow along behind the scenes with Dari and Zoo staff from birth planning to the cubs' first day on habitat!Donate or learn more at https://www.givemn.org/organization/Mnzoo

Snack time 🥬 🎥: Animal Care Tech Sarah

POV: You decided today is a Zoo Day and joined Nuka for her lunch 🦦 🎥: Animal Care Tech Sam

Early giving has begun! This Give to the Max Day, help the Minnesota Zoo Foundation create hope for endangered species! Earlier this year, Amur tiger mom Dari birthed two cubs under the care of Zoo staff. With just 400 Amur tigers left in the world, Dari’s cubs are a huge conservation victory. When you make a gift before midnight on November 14 you’ll receive exclusive, early access to our new documentary — "Born to Roar: The Birth of Tiger Cubs". Follow along behind the scenes with Dari and Zoo staff from birth planning to the cubs' first day on habitat! Make an impact today at https://bit.ly/3u28nCR

Every day, artists create new gourd-geous works of art for the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular trail. 🎃 The event runs through Nov. 2nd, get your tickets before they vanish!

Did I just spy a new pumpkin carved by the tigers on its way to Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular?? 🎃🤔 #mnzoo #jols

Zoologist Terah reminds us that even though Minnesota is far away from the ocean, all our waterways are connected! #SOAW

We probably all know someone who is really into their hair 💁 …and if you work at a zoo, it’s probably a sea otter! 🦦 Zookeeper Heather talks coat care in today’s Keeper Chat. #SOAW