Phoenix Zoo Announces Official Reopening Date After COVID-19 Closure

After 3 months being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Phoenix Zoo has announced plans to reopen to the public.

Exclusive Members Only Welcome Back Weekend
Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14

Public Reopening
Monday, June 15

Daily Zoo Hours
7 a.m. – noon

The zoo announced on Tuesday to allow for recommended social distancing, they will be managing capacity each day at the Zoo. Given our large footprint of the zoo’s property, and a 5-hour timespan, they have established an initial attendance cap of 2,500 guests each day.

Guests will be required to purchase tickets in advance for a specific day. This can be done online at phoenixzoo.org beginning on June 1.

For those that are members, they must also reserve a specific day in advance to visit. Phoenixzoo.org  will start taking members reservations on their site on June 1. In order to register, members must have their membership card ready when reserving their visit online as members will need to enter their “Visual ID” to reserve your member tickets.

Zoo members will still need to present their membership card and ID along with their member tickets upon entry to the zoo.

If you are a guest that has a pre-purchased or complimentary ticket, the zoo is requesting that you contact Guest Services in advance by calling 602.286.3800 to exchange your ticket and reserve a specific day to visit.

Failure to pre-arrange reservations, whether the guest is a non-member, member or advanced ticket holder, may result in your inability to enter the Zoo if their attendance cap has already been met.

The zoo also announced that they will not accept cash payments for any transactions on property. All major credit cards, debit cards as well as Google and Apple Pay will be accepted.

Changes You Will Notice

-To promote a healthy environment for guests and staff, acrylic guards have been installed at various locations throughout the Zoo grounds.  In areas where acrylic guards are not feasible, staff will be wearing a protective face shield.
-All Zoo staff will be wearing masks.
-Strollers, wheelchairs and electric convenience vehicle rentals will be sanitized before and after each use.
-The zoo has implemented an enhanced protocol of cleaning and sanitizing high contact touch points as well as other various areas throughout the park.
-Guests will find more than 50 hand sanitizing stations located throughout the park for use.
-Restrooms will be available throughout Zoo grounds and they encourage guests to maintain social distancing while using them. All restrooms will be cleaned and sanitized on a rigorous schedule.
-Guests will not be allowed to reenter the park after exiting.
-Jungle Java, Safari Snacks and Crossroads Café will be open for food service. At the present time, there is no indoor concession seating available. 

For the safety of zoo guests the following experiences and encounters will be open at a later date.

• Camel Rides
• Endangered Species Carousel
• 4-D Theater
• Stingray Bay
• Giraffe Encounter
• Monkey Village Walk-Thru (squirrel monkeys are visible from the upper viewing area)
• Orangutan Bilik (inside viewing area of the exhibit)
• Harmony Farm Goat Yard
• Savanna Grill (indoor dining)
• Savanna Overlook at exhibit
• Enchanted Forest Playground
• Leapin’ Lagoon & Yakulla Caverns splash pads
• Playground and play structures on the Children’s Trail

If you plan to visit the zoo, they ask that all guest help provide a safe environment  by doing the following:

• Stay home if you are feeling ill, if you are living with someone who is displaying symptoms of COVID-19, or who has the virus.
• Guests may wear masks during their visit to the Zoo, however, they will not be mandating that you do so.
• Maintain CDC suggested social distance of at least 6 feet between parties and stay in groups of 10 people or less.
• Please wash your hands frequently and for 20 seconds or more.
• Refrain from knocking on, tapping, or touching exhibit windows.

Click here for more information on the reopening.