Zoo & aquarium · Denver
Denver Zoo: free entry days, tickets & hours
Large zoo in City Park run by the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, with elephants, big cats, primates and the Toyota Elephant Passage.
Independent guide, not the official Denver Zoo website. Official links are under Sources.
Denver Zoo is next free on Wednesday, 11 November 2026 (in 13 days).
- Community Free Days: Wed 11, Sat 14 and Sun 22 Nov 2026.
- Also free: children 2 and under (free timed ticket needed); MY Denver Card: free for youth cardholders (5-18) plus one adult, all year.
- Otherwise: adult (16-64) timed admission — $27.
- Tickets are released online: 28 Oct for 11 Nov, 31 Oct for 14 Nov, 8 Nov for 22 Nov.
Calendar
Free days at Denver Zoo
- WED11NOVWednesday, 11 November 2026 · in 13 days
- SAT14NOVSaturday, 14 November 2026 · in 2 weeks
- SUN22NOVSunday, 22 November 2026 · in 3 weeks
3 free days for everyone in the next 12 months. Closures and public holidays are already taken out. Group-only days need proof of eligibility.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Community Free Days: Wed 11, Sat 14 and Sun 22 Nov 2026: Tickets are released online: 28 Oct for 11 Nov, 31 Oct for 14 Nov, 8 Nov for 22 Nov.
- The last 2026 free days are 11, 14 and 22 Nov. Book online the day tickets are released; no walk-ups.
- SNAP/EBT Explorer cardholders pay $5 per person for up to 10 guests (reservation required). It is a discount, not free entry.
- Parking at the zoo is free.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free forFree for children 2 and under (free timed ticket needed) | children under 3 | Reserve a complimentary online ticket for the child. | No |
| Free dayCommunity Free Days: Wed 11, Sat 14 and Sun 22 Nov 2026 | everyone | Limited free tickets, online only; no walk-ups on Free Days. Up to five tickets per booking, one booking per person per Free Day. Everyone needs a timed ticket, including children 2 and under. | Yes |
| Free forMY Denver Card: free for youth cardholders (5-18) plus one adult, all year | MY Denver Card holders | Online timed reservation required. Unlimited visits year-round. | No |
Official prices
Denver Zoo ticket prices
| Adult (16-64) timed admission — Seniors 65+ $24, youth 3-15 $19. Online timed tickets required. | $27 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Worth timing your visit?
What a free day saves
Based on the official price (adult (16-64) timed admission). Free days are busier — if your dates don't line up, a timed ticket is the trade-off.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Denver Zoo
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 09:00–16:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 09:00–16:00 |
| Wed | 09:00–16:00 |
| Thu | 09:00–16:00 |
| Fri | 09:00–16:00 |
| Sat | 09:00–16:00 |
| Sun | 09:00–16:00 |
Daily 9am-4pm (timed entry; enter any time after your slot). Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
2300 Steele St., Denver, CO 80205, USA
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
FAQ
Denver Zoo: common questions
Is Denver Zoo free?
Denver Zoo is free for everyone community Free Days: Wed 11, Sat 14 and Sun 22 Nov 2026. Also free: children 2 and under (free timed ticket needed); MY Denver Card: free for youth cardholders (5-18) plus one adult, all year. Otherwise the official ticket costs $27.
Who gets free entry to Denver Zoo?
Children under 3 — reserve a complimentary online ticket for the child.. MY Denver Card holders — online timed reservation required. Unlimited visits year-round..
Do I need to book for free entry to Denver Zoo?
Tickets are released online: 28 Oct for 11 Nov, 31 Oct for 14 Nov, 8 Nov for 22 Nov.
How much is a ticket to Denver Zoo?
Adult (16-64) timed admission costs $27 on the official site.
Is Denver Zoo free on Sundays?
Yes, on Sunday, 22 November 2026.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Denver Zoo
No reviews yet. Been here? Tell others how it went — especially on a free day.
Write a review
Sources
Where this comes from
- denverzoo.org/hours-admission/ · checked Thursday, 29 October 2026
- denverzoo.org/free-days/ · checked Thursday, 29 October 2026
- denverzoo.org/faq/ · checked Thursday, 29 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.