Discover Texas' vibrant zoo and aquarium community, featuring 15 AZA-accredited facilities, wildlife sanctuaries, and interactive animal experiences across the Lone Star State. From world-class urban zoos in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio to specialized wildlife centers and drive-through safari parks, Texas offers exceptional opportunities to connect with wildlife and support conservation efforts.
AZA-accredited facilities and wildlife centers
Top-tier professionally managed facilities
Combined attendance across major zoos
Species conservation and education
1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76110
About: The Fort Worth Zoo carries a long list of accolades with its commitment to conservation, education, and recreation. It houses 540 animal species, including over 60 endangered and threatened species. The zoo features the state's only bonobo exhibit, both the black and greater one-horned Asian rhino, and the most successful breeding colony of lesser flamingos in the world.
Hours:
Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm
Sat-Sun: 10am-6pm
Open 365 days a year
Admission:
Adults: $19
Seniors/Children (3-12): $15
Children 2 & under: Free
Annual Visitors: ~1 million
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1513 N. MacGregor, Houston, TX 77030
About: The Houston Zoo houses over 6,000 animals from more than 900 species. It is the second most visited zoo in the United States, receiving around 2 million visitors each year. The Houston Zoo provides a fun, unique, and inspirational experience fostering appreciation, knowledge, and care for the natural world.
Hours:
Daily: 9am-5pm
Open year-round
Admission:
Adults: $24.20-$32.45
Children (3-12): ~$25
Dynamic pricing applies
Military Discount: 50% off for veterans/active military (up to 5 guests)
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650 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, TX 75203
About: Founded in 1888, the Dallas Zoo was the first zoo in the southwest and is now the state's largest. Its expansive 106 acres are home to over 2,000 animals representing more than 400 species. The zoo offers a multitude of experiences including giraffe feedings, an interactive aviary, and live presentations.
Hours:
Aug 30-Feb 28: 9am-4pm
Mar 1-Jun 30: 9am-5pm
Summer: 8am-3pm
Closed Dec 25 only
Admission:
Adults: $18-$24
Children 2 & under: Free
Parking: $14
Size: 106 acres (largest in Texas)
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3903 North St. Mary's Street, San Antonio, TX 78212
About: A nonprofit zoological park spanning over 50 acres in historic Brackenridge Park, home to more than 750 species of animals, including many endangered or extinct-in-the-wild varieties. Welcomes over one million visitors annually.
Hours:
Open daily year-round
Check website for specific hours
Admission:
Digital ticketing only
Purchase online in advance
Children under 3: Free
Location: Brackenridge Park, north of city center
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Texas is home to 15 AZA-accredited facilities recognized for exceptional animal care, conservation programs, and educational initiatives:
Address: 2070 Zoo Lane, Nelson Park, Abilene, TX 79602
16-acre park featuring more than 1,000 animals from over 250 species. Opened in 1966, the zoo features Journey to Madagascar (2021), Giraffe Safari, and native Texas wildlife in Elm Creek area.
Future: 10-year expansion to grow from 16 to 39 acres with new lion, rhino, and savanna habitats.
Address: NE 24th Ave & Dumas Hwy, Amarillo, TX 79105
Founded in 1955 in Thompson Park, features over 120 animals representing 70 species from around the world. 15-acre forest-like setting showcasing native Texas species like bison alongside exotic animals like tigers.
Address: 4001 E. Paisano, El Paso, TX 79905
18-acre home to about 240 species including approximately 500 mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds; 700 fish; and 500 invertebrates. Features Reptile House, South American Pavilion, Americas Aviary, Asian Grasslands, and Elephant Complex.
Address: 2203 Martin Luther King Blvd., Tyler, TX 75702
Over 3,000 animals in habitats spanning more than 80 beautifully landscaped acres. AZA member for over 35 years. Offers 50% discount on admission for members of zoos participating in AZA Reciprocal Admissions Program.
Address: 1701 North 4th Street, Waco, TX 76707
More than 1,700 animals representing over 300 species spread across 52+ acres.
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm (last entry 4:30pm)
Admission: Adults $14, Seniors $12, Children (3-12) $10, Under 2 Free
Special: BFF Mondays (buy 1 get 2 at 50% off), Wild Wednesdays ($12 for McLennan County residents)
Address: 500 E. Ringgold Street, Brownsville, TX 78520
31-acre tropical oasis with 1,600 animals from 400+ species. Known for successes in breeding endangered species. Opened 1971, averages 424,000+ annual visitors.
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5:30pm
Exhibits: Africa, Asia, Tropical America, Indo-Australia, Herpetarium, Aquarium, Free-flight Aviary
Address: 402 Zoo Circle, Lufkin, TX 75904
Houses close to 700 reptiles, birds and mammals from around the world. Currently undergoing the largest expansion project since opening in 1967. Granted provisional AZA accreditation in 2023.
Address: Leonard Park, Gainesville, TX
85-acre Leonard Park home featuring journey through South America, Australia, and African Savannah. Only regional zoo with elevated walkway for giraffe encounters. Daily giraffe feeding at 10am M-Sat, 2pm Sun.
Special: Accessible by Amtrak's Heartland Flyer passenger train.
Address: 110 Memorial Drive, Victoria, TX 77901
Recreational, educational journey through the wilds of Texas to jungles of Africa, Australia, Asia, and the Americas. Features kids' playground and private party facilities.
1801 N. Griffin Street, Dallas, TX 75202
About: For-profit aquarium and zoo in West End Historic District exploring multiple natural environments under one roof. Features aquatic life from 10 countries and rainforest with exotic birds, sloths, jaguars, penguins, and more.
Hours:
Mon-Sun: 8:30am-4pm
Admission:
Adults: $31.95
Children (3-12): $21.95
Under 2: Free
Exhibits: 40-foot tunnel, Mundo Maya (jaguars, flamingos), South Africa (penguins), conservation programs for Orinoco crocodiles, giant river otters, Antillean manatees.
Corpus Christi, TX
About: Home to the largest coastal wildlife rescue facility in Texas and one of the largest in the U.S. Only Texas facility permitted to treat dolphins, river otters, manatees, and sea turtles.
Conservation Impact: Since 1995, admitted over 8,700 animals with over 4,000 released back into natural habitat, including 2,855 endangered species.
San Antonio, TX
About: Marine mammal park, oceanarium, and animal theme park featuring killer whales, sea lions, dolphins, and other marine animals. Educational shows, rides, and conservation programs.
Accreditation: AZA-accredited through March 2028
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Grapevine, TX
About: Interactive aquarium featuring touch pools, ocean tunnel, and exhibits showcasing marine life from around the world. Family-friendly educational experiences.
Accreditation: AZA-accredited through March 2026
Address: 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin, TX 78736
Private nonprofit rescue zoo housing 300+ animals across 100+ species. Founded 1999 as goat ranch and animal rescue, provides care for exotic animals, retired zoo and research animals.
Hours: Feb-Oct: 9:30am-5pm (M-F), Nov-Jan: 9:30am-4pm (M-F), extended weekend hours
Admission: From $18.95
Special: Train rides daily ($5), picnic grove, free parking
Location: San Antonio area
Receives approximately 10,000 wild animals annually including opossums, raccoons, bobcats, coyotes, skunks, squirrels, and over 100 species of birds and reptiles. Provides permanent residence to 600+ animals with no cages - natural habitat enclosures. Farmed Animal Sanctuary established 1999.
Location: Houston, TX
One of the largest wildlife rehabilitation centers in the nation, serving more than 16,000 native wildlife annually. Houston's only trauma and wildlife rehabilitation center treating all injured, sick, or orphaned native Texas wildlife species. Turns away no animal in need.
Location: East Texas
Founded in 1995, haven for endangered species and native wildlife needing rehabilitation. Acres of lush natural habitat designed to replicate native environments. Partners with Texas A&M and National Institutes of Health for research.
Address: Boyd, TX 76023
Mission focuses on care and welfare of animal inhabitants plus public education. Residents include bobcats, cougars, jaguars, leopards, lions, tigers and bears among other species.
Location: North Texas
Dedicated to giving every animal a second chance at life in the wild through compassionate care and wildlife recovery. Recently secured new intake center thanks to community support.
Address: 26099 Dull Knife Trail, San Antonio, TX 78255
Nonprofit sanctuary in Bexar County operating to house, protect, and rehabilitate various non-native animals. Currently houses several hundred nonhuman animals, focusing primarily on caring for apes and monkeys. Many are cast-offs from pet trade and biomedical research institutions.
2299 CR 2008, Glen Rose, TX 76043
About: See animals living in their near-natural environment on ~1,700 acres of open spaces. Drive your own vehicle through the 9.5-mile tour. Located just 1 hour 20 minutes from Dallas/Fort Worth.
Animals: Interact with deer, rhinos, giraffes and other wildlife roaming freely across expansive natural habitats.
26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd., San Antonio, TX 78266
About: Texas' most visited safari park offers the opportunity to view, photograph and feed species from all over the world from the comfort of your own vehicle!
Experience: Self-guided driving tour through protected wildlife habitats with options to see and feed more than 40 different species of animals.
Address: Pilot Point, TX
FREE admission - just pay $5 for parking! 126-acre ranch home to 180+ animals. Walk-through petting zoo, field trips, private tours, outdoor dining areas and snack bar.
Special: Children 2 and under free admission (no parking fee)
Address: 301 Nature Center Drive, Austin, TX 78746
Located on western edge of Zilker Park, dedicated to exploration of natural world since 1960. Provides nature exhibits, education programs, and recreation resources. Wildlife exhibits feature coyote and red-tailed hawk.
Address: 1 Nature Place, McKinney, TX 75069
Natural science museum and wildlife sanctuary featuring live animal exhibits, nature trails, and educational programs focused on North Texas ecosystems and wildlife.
Address: 2301 North Soncy Road, Amarillo, TX 79124
Just minutes from downtown Amarillo, over 600 acres of rolling grasslands threaded with nature trails. Discover delicate wildflowers, knee-high grasses, huge cottonwoods, and magnificent bluff. Sense of isolation and tranquility.
Address: One Hermann Circle Drive, Houston, TX 77030
Features Cockrell Butterfly Center with hundreds of live butterflies in naturalistic rainforest setting, Insect Zoo with butterflies' creepy-crawly relatives, and Entomology Hall with preserved specimens.
Location: Galveston, TX
Multi-attraction destination featuring rainforest pyramid with exotic plants and animals, aquarium pyramid, and discovery museum. Educational and entertainment complex.
Last updated on November 27, 2025