MN Zoo

The Minnesota Zoo offers award-winning exhibits showcasing over 4,700 animals to discover from tropical rainforests, northern plains, oceans and reefs, the Russian Far East, and even a rural farm. Located just minutes south of the Mall of America, we are open 363 days a year with miles of indoor and outdoor trails to explore.

WELCOME TO AN ELEVATED EXPERIENCE!

The Minnesota Zoo is the state’s largest conservation education resource and a year-round destination that offers both indoor and outdoor adventures for youth and adults. A day at the zoo offers discovery, learning, and more, whether you opt for a self-guided experience or select from our menu of programs.Your visit is essential to fulfill our mission to connect people, animals and the natural world to save wildlife.
 

Created by the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Zoo opened in 1978 with a mission 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 critical ecosystems. Camps and classes are featured year-round with in person, virtual, STEM programs and more.

PROGRAMS
School’s Out – Spring Break March & April 2025
Looking for a fun activity for your child to do while school is on a break? We would love for you to spend your Spring break days here at Zoo Camp! Click Here

Nature Preschool
The Minnesota Zoo Nature Preschool is a licensed, unique, in-person educational experience for preschool children to learn and grow! Click Here

Summer Camps
For summer 2025 the Minnesota Zoo will be offering in-person camps and virtual camps. Click Here to see the in-person camp information

Virtual Zoo Tours
Bring the Zoo to you! Take a virtual tour of one of Minnesota Zoo’s amazing trails and get insider information about the zoo and the animals you love! Click Here

What We Offer:

  • Assemblies
  • Attractions
  • Camps - Day
  • Destinations
  • Events
  • Livestream Programs
  • Outdoor Activities
  • Programs
  • Shows
  • Speakers
  • Tours
  • Workshops

Good For

  • Pre K - 3rd
  • 4th - 8th
  • High School
  • 18+
  • 21+

FAST FACTS ABOUT THE MINNESOTA ZOO


– Opened to the public in May 1978
– Located on 485 acres in Apple Valley, Minnesota
– Home to more than 4,500 animals and 505 species in award-winning exhibits
– Annual attendance of nearly 1.3 million
– Approximately 45,700 Zoo Households
– 28 million operating budget with more than 60% of revenue from earned and contributed income
– $227.7 million Gross economic output
– 193,098 Zoo members and donors
– Over 1,168 volunteers contributing more than 105,053 hours annually with more than 3 million hours of donated time!

If you can’t visit us, let us visit you!

Our Zoomobile trained naturalists use live animals, biological artifacts, story telling, and audience participation to create a dynamic, personal, and fun program for all ages to stimulate curiosities and capture imaginations about the natural world.Learn more about our field trips, educational programs, special exhibits/events, corporate outings and more at mnzoo.org. Our current programs (in person and virtual) will focus on the following groups:
–Seniors center programs
–Hospitals
–Support care services in the following group settings:
–Disabilities
–Mental Health
–Special Needs
–Memory Care
–Booth programs for community events (at a table like an expo or festival-type event)

MN Zoo

13000 Zoo Boulevard
Apple Valley, MN 55124