Just posting this review now (Dec 2020) but went last year (Mar 2019). I really enjoyed going here. The flow of the zoo felt natural and really enjoyed how you go from exhibit to exhibit. I live in California so going from the zoos throughout the state here to this one was very impressive. Unfortunately when i went there was much of the zoo under construction. I am unaware at how much the pandemic has hindered construction here, but I know that these projects that they were working on were some that I was super excited about! Definitely wanting to make a trip again when the pandemic dies down a bit!Enjoy some of my shots from the trip!

Had a great time at the zoo. Lots of exhibits were closed because of Corona virus and theres a one way path. Personally, not worth the money right now, but after being closed for over 100 days, I wanted to help. Parking is $2 a hour or $8 all day, would recommend getting there close to opening so you dont have to deal with crowds.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit! My partner and I stopped by in mid November, 2020. The park was set up to allow safe spacing for all visitors during the COVID pandemic. This was one of my favorite zoos Ive ever visited! The animal variety was incredible. Each exhibit was spacious and the placards detailed the special care given to each animal. The staff were helpful, informative, and courteous. I hope to visit again!

The Oregon Zoo will always hold a place close to my heart. When I was a kid, we would have fun field trips with my class, and family trips with my younger sisters. As an adult, Ive been able to share that same joy and wonder with my own children - I even had the opportunity to bring my own son to his first concert (Fitz & The Tantrums) - an experience that was thoroughly enjoyed by all. So much about the Oregon Zoo is wonderful, but I have to say, this years Zoo Lights was something I hadnt expected. Zoo Lights has been a family tradition for as long as I can remember, but the occasions were often marred by cold, wet Pacific Northwest weather - the ability to ride through the zoo, warm and cozy from the comfort of our own vehicle, is an experience unmatched. Add to that the wonder that came from PHYSICALLY DRIVING THROUGH THE ZOO (!!!) made for a truly magical experience. Well done, Oregon Zoo, you guys nailed it! Again!!!

The Oregon Zoo is located on Canyon Rd. In Portland, Oregon right next to the Max line and in the same parking lot as The Childrens Museum. They have so much to do all year around. I frequent the zoo at least one time a year, during the summer months and every year I attend the zoo lights at Christmas. So if youve never seen the Zoo at the holiday season...its a must see! Its a good idea to check the website for all events and listings for their hours of operation as they may change frequently per ! season! I give The Oregon Zoo for such fantastic events and organization of blending all the holiday events so beautifully. The Zoo is very clean, and all the animals are cared for so well. There is always something to do if you are looking for entertainment for the whole family! I know that my autistic son just loved to come to the zoo no matter what time of year, and he was not an easy child to please at times. It wore out down some of the energy he had been storing up over the colder seasons too! Please remember to check the website for pricing and incidentals before you go... those looking to stay within a budget, can find coupons for buy one, get one free and discounted admissions on the website and in the Oregonian Newspaper. Local businesses like to promote and support each other by offering discounts to senior citizens and students as well! Be safe & have fun!

I really appreciated everything the Oregon Zoo is doing to follow precautions by social distancing.They allow small groups of people into crowded areas at a time. They have paw prints on the ground for you to follow so you dont miss anything and dont backtrack. It was a beautiful day when I visited. Im excited to see if ”Zoo Lights” are still happening this year. Fingers crossed!

We went to the Zoo Lights last night. It was a huge hit with my family. I am hoping that the drive and view option sticks around for years to come. It was such a pleasant experience.Thanks Oregon Zoo for providing such a well planned event. Our family truly enjoyed every second of it!

Face coverings are required, timed tickets and one way paths to ensure social distancing. Once you go by a certain area, you cant go back so take your time. It was nice and Organized however not everyone abides by the 6ft rule so you must maintain that distance for self and not expect other people too(although they should be, as well). Loved that the concession stands are open, too.

I love the animals here. not only that the staff is very knowledgeable and they seem to care a lot about the animals as well as the employees. amazing people to say the least for sure

This was a amazing experience my family and I realy enjoyed it. There was a lot of lights, and the displays were so well done. I enjoyed this show better then the normal zoo lights on the train. Hope to see it next year the same way.

There is a great deal of construction going on at the zoo so expect some attractions to be closed. You are required to wear a mask while in the zoo and there are hand washing stations and sanitizer available. I enjoyed seeing the sculptures made from plastics that have been gathered from Oregon beaches and was saddened by the shear volume of waste it took to make the sculptures. I always love seeing the big cats. There is still food service available, but not all facilities are open. We skipped the gift shop this time.

Im very impressed with the steps the zoo has taken for social distancing! If only parents would pay better attention to their kids and keep them from ricocheting off strangers. But thats no fault of the zoo! Lots of construction currently, and several areas are closed off because its not feasible to safely allow people through with adequate ventilation. I dont feel like we wasted our money in the slightest, even the trees are in beautiful fall foliage!

Beautiful display of creative displays representing animal still-lifes as well as in motion. Go at your own pace. Stay safe in your COVID bubble while still getting out and about. In an era of no movies and limited restaurants, the Zoo Lights is a great option.

Weve had a zoo membership and loved going for years. Right now, theyre doing a great job enforcing and encouraging social distancing so we can still enjoy going to the zoo! In particularly high traffic areas they have employees letting people know they need to have their masks on, and at the giraffes they even had someone directing people to the spaced stickers on the ground. Basically all the viewing areas had stickers in the ground which made it very easy to encourage my two year old to follow the rules for social distancing. We had a great time!

Had a great time at the zoo in the evening. Some animals were resting so it was kinda cool to see them just relaxing. Tickets and times are selected online so the social distancing and other covid regulations are great. With such great weather you gotta get your family to go down to the zoo.

Wonderful and fun even under quarantine! They helped enable social distancing and kept very good care of the zoo! I dont think that any food places were open though. And it is under construction, but that doesnt take away from the excellent atmosphere! I personally really liked the eagle area.

Just drove through the zoo lights this year. It was awesome! Had a great time checking out all of the lights with my family in the warmth of my own car.

Awesome time to visit the zoo. Timed entry gives you more room to explore with a lot less people around you. During the week is the best time to go. Currently you need to purchase tickets online. This is a great way to visit but at the same time support our local Zoo. Make sure to bring your masks as they are required.

Oregon Zoo Lights 2020 by car was great. Tickets are bought online. The wait in line is around 30 minutes depending on the time slot you purchase. You can order food & gifts in advance. Its about 20-30 minutes to drive thru.

It was nice to get back to the zoo, and this rating is because if the lack of staff to keep people from taking off there masks. There were several occasions where people would not have a mask on and walk almost within inches of others. There was very limited enforcement, and none at choke points. It is ashame that given tge access to animals, we had to cut our trip short.

They did a nice job moving from a walking event to a driving experience. It was well organized and smoothly ran. Worth taking the kids!

Took about 1hour and half for 2 adults to look around. We made reservations as we were eating lunch to visit the zoo. You need to book your entry time on their website but super easy to do so. Gift shop is pretty small because its set up outside the original gift shop. But I purchased two mug cups as my souvenir.

Really beautiful grounds. The staff is doing a great job social distancing and helping visitors be safe.Great variety of animals and expansions coming soon!

Zoo lights drive thru best thing to come out of 2020. Great job to everyone who worked on putting the lights up!

The people running the Oregon Zoo clearly love and care for their animals, and theyve also found creative ways to ensure visitor safety while we navigate the pandemic. Their educational programs and live interactive Q&A videos were a bright spot during the time they (and most other venues) were closed, so it is great to have an opportunity to visit in person now. As of August 2020, the public can reserve tickets for specific entry times on the zoo website up to 10 days in advance. I believe advance ticketing is a requirement at this point. Masks are also required, and there is one way foot traffic on the zoo grounds. I felt very safe spending the afternoon there. I look forward to returning soon, as well as later once the enclosed exhibits re-open post-covid. I feel good supporting the zoo, knowing they stand for both conservation and education.

Amazing zoo trip! Loved to see all of the animals out today. The trip was excellent, and the zoo is handling the pandemic very well.

Love visiting the zoo every year....and the Wildwood trail head - mile 0 - is right up the hill in the Arboretum! And great views on a clear day!!

It was smokey due to the surrounding fires. Also covid 19 restrictions were in place by we were still able to enjoy a lot of the zoo. There are areas under construction and new exhibits being built so lots to see the next time were here!

Drive-thru zoo lights is amazing! Kids contained to the car, nobody was cold, lights are great as usual. We even splurged for an elephant ear to eat as we drove through.

This zoo was lovely. We went there on a rainy day so there were very few people but the animals were out and active. It was a special treat to see the bears very close to the fence. The beavers and otters are delightful to watch. The baby red panda was also an immense treat. A wonderful place to take the family with plenty of clean restrooms throughout the park.

Wow, what a well organized operation. With Covid 19 they really have everything very well organized from direction of travel, limiting the number of people in at any point of time, and having monitors and signs at mask required areas. It makes you feel like you have the zoo all to yourself.

Zoo Lights Drive Through was great for the Holiday Season! You can purchase snacks and drinks and stay warm and toasty while looking at beautiful lights. Enjoyed by all ages!

Loved that once you step it is like you went into a different part. You are no longer in the city you are in this beautiful green world. They have great cleaning practices. You need to get your tickets reserved ahead of time even if you are a member. There is parking available for $2 an hour. You can use card or coins. Definitely worth the visit. I cannot wait for all their exhibits to be open again!

I had a great time. Unfortunately due to the pandemic certain exhibits and attractions were not available. Despite the closures we still had fun it is a beautiful zoo. I look forward to coming back when they finish the polar bear exhibit and open the African rainforest.

A really solid zoo! Im sure its even better without coronavirus, but they also have really good coronavirus guidelines. Most of, but not all of the animals have really good enclosures.

Always under construction ever since I was a kid. (26) now. Animals are hit and miss due to always under construction. COVID has a lot of exhibits closed off. Prices still full ($50) for two adults, a two year old and a six year old. Make sure you see what you want because you cant go back around to see them because of one way walkways.

Zoo lights. Nice to drive through this year. Usually get so cold by the end of the walk. Hope they keep this as an option in the years to come.

It kinda is a let down all the safety precautions that COVID-19 makes us have to put in place... but compared to every other place I looked onto spending the day for my 5 year old birthday. This was the best option and everyone was happy with this choice. And the fact that they are open during this stressful time made it all the more enjoyable... even if some parts of the zoo were not assessable.

Drive thru Zoo Lights are the best thing caused by COVID-19! We used to wait in line at the regular one for 2-3 hrs. Drive thru was about a 15 min zig zag line to get in and the lights were done well. I hope they keep this up moving forward, SO much better!!

I cant wait till its reopened fully

Great place to enjoy with your family. 3 huge construction projects going one, new rhino exhibit is very close to being done, the new chimp area is huge and a month or two from being done, and the new polar bear exhibit is very early 2021, with a new huge restaurant area added in.Right now there are some covid restrictions, but still lots to do.Most of all they have the best elephant ears in the state

Thank you for every experience! Ive visited this Zoo numerous times in my life going back to the 90s and every trip is a pleasure. New experiences are always available at the Oregon Zoo the staff is kind and helpful and even during this Covid time Im so happy to they are open. Forever 5 stars.

Half the exhibits are closed so be forewarned. You have to wear masks inside and outside. Cost $54 for the 3 of us. Very warm. No refund policy. Just know before you go. Barely saw half the animals. Meh.

A lot of the exhibits where closed, yes I know covid sucks and people just dont know how to socal distance and be patient

Few leisure locations stimulate the wonder + serenity of the Oregon Zoo. The grounds are beautiful on their own, the perfect enhancement for the amazing animal habitats + their residents. Not a huge spread, so easily taken in without exhaustion....each turn on the path offers something enriching to see + learn about. All ages, origins, and types of people are present to partake in this treasure on any day, in any weather. Please support the survival of the Oregon Zoo!

Even with COVID protocols, the Zoo did a great job making sure enough exhibits were open that it was worth the trip.And with the reduced capacity and timed entry, it felt like there was plenty of space between guests.

Very nice zoo, even though were in a pandemic, the zoo operators have managed to keep this a great experience. Balancing social distancing with visitor experiences being enjoyable, although several buildings were closed many remain open, and the staff clean and remind visitors to keep their distance. The layout of this zoo was very natural and creates a fun and relaxing environment to explore and enjoy the animals. Our family had a great time here.

Oregon Zoo is growing into a better version of itself. Having worked at the San Diego Zoo, I had the privilege of meeting many compassionate zoo keepers and animal handlers. It gave me a profound respect for a zoos mission to preserve and learn the science of species with kindness and respect. Oregon Zoo is on the way to becoming a place for wildlife to exist in peace. The elephant enclosure expansion is an example of forward thinking and offers an environment conducive to healthy living. #OZ

Gorgeous walks, animals seem more active with fewer observers?I big cats

Cant wait for all the construction to be done. Oh and COVID too

Zoo was great even with covid-19 going on, tons of precautions in place to keep you and your family safe. They have streamlined the zoo experience with one direction in and one direction out. Some of the restaurant are open for dinning still. So go out and support all the wonderful animals

Sad to go during the pandemic. Theres about 40% thats actually open and lots of remodeling happening. They do have great safety measures in place though. Masks, 6 ft apart and making sure people follow that as well as sanitizing and washing stations everywhere.Thank you Oregon Zoo!

The pack of lions were enthralling! The tiger den was designed well, big large pit to keep big cats away from visitors.It was a quiet day so we enjoyed this zoo even more. Love the gardens surround this zoo, well maintained and clean. Perfect tourist and local spot to spend a day with kids.We saw locals sketching and going for a walk.A rhino and other animals are expected soon as there was plenty construction going on to welcome them!Flamingos, eagles, big cats, elephant, hibernating bear, snakes, reptiles, etc. Could be seen.Lots of plants and tree species are also recognized. All in all, good facility. Next door was childrens museum too! And the Arboretum! Good patch of green in the City!

As always a great experience. Several exhibits are closed due to Covid or construction but still a fun family time.

My favorite thing about this place is how natural the animals look in their habitats. I cant wait for the construction to be finished. Also if you havent scheduled to go to a elephant show it was one of the highlights of my life!! I loved it and so did my kids

A stunning experience where even when youre not looking at animals, youre still surrounded by nature.The park is separated into different regions/climates and has a really wonderful variety of animals, and everything is easy to see. On our visit we saw: cheetahs, lions, giraffes, bald eagles, penguins, river and sea otters, sea lions, a wide variety of bugs (in their own building), birds, fish, etc.The employees were very kind and informative, and it was nice learning about conservation efforts. The plaques around the animals and live feedings were educational.The entrance fee wasnt bad, and you do pay for parking, but Ive heard that the app Parking Kitty makes this a bit easier. Worth the trip, and I cant wait to come back.

Im glad that the enclosures seem well kept and the animals look incredibly healthy. Did miss the little knucklehead red pandas. Maybe in the future!

I’ve been to many zoos of different state. This one was unique, very cute zoo with variety of things/area to do, little bigger than Woodland Zoo that’s in Seattle area. It had a train activity which you can ride for little extra $ , a good area with hills to walk down the paths, it almost felt like some areas are like going into forest to walk. Mountain goats greets you at the entrance. And today 11/16/2019 the Zoo was totally free!

This is the best zoo. I am certainly not biased because it is my hometown, and I grew up coming here, lol, but it is such an amazing place. Timed tickets, one way path, a couple indoor spaces closed due to covid, but they have done an excellent job of adapting and the experience was still excellent. Some kinks need to be worked out with the food service, but they will get it figured out.

Construction season, but still great. Animals were out mostly too! Elephant ate its own poop. Condors were eating a still born calf. Both tigers were awake!!!

We love the Oregon Zoo. One of the things we have loved is to see how much it has changed over the years. They are constantly changing to not only improve the experience for visitors but to improve the life of the animals. Even during Covid they have done a good job making it a great visit.

$18.... Love this place! Take my daughter and my nieces and nephews! Its about $18 for adults and $13 for kids 3-11 under that its free. There is also a program called zoo for all and if you are low income with an EBT card its only $5 each any day. No exclusions. My mom gets a mobile wheelchair for less than $40 for the whole day, or the push one for $15. Its $10 for strollers and I know they rent double ones too. Well the polar bear exhibit doesnt open till 2021 but other than that you can always check them out on their website. I take the max train sometimes because you dont have to pay for parking which is $5.00 for the day. And if you show your bus pass its an additional $1.50 off entrance per person. Well I hope this was informative to whoever is reading. Have fun :)

An amazing place for people of all ages they have a petting zoo and many enclosures. The Oregon Zoo is a place that I went to for years when I was growing up. Each time you go from one place to another you walk through a unique path with is both educational and beautiful. They have summer camp options for grade school kids and volunteer options for older kids all in all it is an amazing place I would encourage everyone to go to when they are in the area.

Great Zoo and set up pretty decently for the pandemic. Staff was friendly and cared about everyones health.

Great zoo. Animals looked like they were treated well. Family friendly.

Pretty amazing zoo.Staff worked hard to make sure your visit is still fulfilling.

Amazing walking paths with enough room to hold decent crowds. Right they are taking time slots so it never really feels crowded. Which is nice so you can see all the animals and exhibits and get some good pictures.

Amazing animals i live in Florida and think that they should put a rollercoaster in the zoo too

Visiting during covid makes the experience a bit different but staff and visitors were all understanding and seemingly happy to be back.A lot of construction and changes happening to make everything better for animals and guests alike.

Though a lot of the Oregon Zoo is currently closed of for construction, its still a really cool place to be. Ive visited it many times now, but it never feels boring to go back again. The annual Zoo Lights trip adds to the overall experience, and its cool to see the zoo in a new way.

Went to see the zoo lights! They have done a great job having people drive through the zoo for this experience.

Great time to visit the zoo! Make an appointment time and walk through at your leisure. Easy to stay physically distanced from others. Some exhibits not open but still a great time to visit!!

I mean, who doesnt love the zoo!! The elephant enclosure is super! They take care of the animals. Love Love Love the zoo. Check it out if youre in from out of town.

The Zoo is doing a great job of operating with COVID restrictions. I hate to say this, but this was my most enjoyable visit yet!

Go on weekdays! The crowds are less. Adorable animals always, despite covid. Some exhibits are closed, but the best ones still remain. The whole loop takes ~2 hours including resting and photography.

Actively using visitor limits, warning against using interactive displays and enforcing masks. Also the primate areas are still under construction but great for a day out and getting the niblets to burn some energy during quarentine

I really have one of the very best days of my life when my very best friend who I think was allso like a dad to me,Glen R.Iveson took me and my blue hippo,which I gave to a very good friend of my mine named,Less for his birthday,way back in 2017.I still have my zoo ticket and picture that we took together,Glen pass away on 8/16/20 he was 64 years old,God bless his soul he was one of the very best things that ever happened to me in mylife&I so very,very much miss him and will allways love him for allways taking care of me know matter how bad I was.Thanks Glen.

Great family fun! Expect a few exceptions with the covid rules. You must make a reservation and know that the Monkey, Rhino exhibits are now delayed from a fall 2020 to a spring of 2021. Penguin exhibit went from early 2021 to likely late 2021 to early 2022. So renewing your membership might wait until Spring of next year.100% still cool and worth it is the Christmas lights (at night) but, with covid, the train, carousel and bats are a no go from here until

The Oregon Zoo is doing a wonderful job keeping everyone safe during the pandemic. With limited entry, there were no crowds and it was easy to socially distance at even the most popular exhibits. Traffic is directed in a one way flow and most animals are accessible for viewing (no penguins, no bats ). We had a wonderful afternoon at the zoo today. Im so glad its open again!

Had a great time with seeing the lights thru the drive thru. My boys enjoyed it so much.

It was membership day today, they are having a soft opening. They have done an outstanding job preparing for the reopening. Hardly any people here today.

Unfortunately, there were many things closed due to covid and construction, didnt really feel like we got our moneys worth. During normal times would be much better. I will say its well kept and many of the pathways are shaded

They are doing a great job during this difficult time. Felt really safe and plenty of space between people. There were a few people I saw not wearing masks, but the zoo staff did a great job addressing them and making them put on masks. Theres always going to be people who are difficult and not gifted in following directions, and I appreciate the zoo staffs patience and professionalism in dealing with the situation.

Contactless entry, plenty of social distancing, and about 90% of people properly masked all the time. Not all the animal exhibits are open, but plenty to see on a nice long walk through beautiful surroundings. Bring your own snacks and drinks would be my advice.

To be honest its been a long time since Ive even been out in public, but with the precautions theyre taking it was easy to relax and enjoy myself. Plus the beer cart is still open so thats pretty great.

Always a fun time with kiddo. Save yourself some money and visit more frequently by getting an annual pass.Looking forward to new additions in 2020 and 2021 ‍️

What can I say! Its a amazing Zoo! Animals enclosures are always clean and so green. The elephants enclosure was fantastic. The largest Ive ever seen for a zoo. And Ive been to plenty zoos. My only complaint is the food options are absolute slim pickings... the only few places open the lines were wrapped around the building and both cafes had large lines for a $10- 12.00 burger. I love the cinnamon elephant eats but sometimes a healthier option on a cart would be nice to have..

This zoo is absolutely beautiful. The habitats are well thought out and the animals seem happy in their enclosures. Definitely a must see.

Excellent zoo with good natural environments, not cages. Adding new and interesting exhibits in the near future. Good for both children and adults of all ages.

The weather trick us, nice and sunny on the way in, but turned to rain shortly. We still got to see the animals and some more close up then ever. Almost all of the food carts were closed for the season and the carousel too, which is my 2 years old favorite part odd there zoo. Go figure! So that was a bummer, but it gives us incentive to come back with better weather.

Great zoo! Love the greenery and scenery of this zoo. Its like a nature stroll with animal attractions. They are doing work to upgrade the polar bear and monkey exhibits. You can get very close to the bald eagles. We got to see the penguin feeding.The elephant exhibit is amazing and big. You get to watch them play and swim, plus plenty of space to walk around and play in other areas. The gift shop was a bit steeper than expected, but worth it since the money goes back into the zoo. Entry cost was about on par with other places. Definitely worth a visit

Wonderful zoo! Loved seeing all of the animals. Parking was super full and busy, but found a spot after circling around a few times. The gift shop had amazing things, and I loved the atmosphere. Would definitely recommend and I wouldnt mind coming back here again.

The Oregon Zoo is such a magical place. Full of life and love and laughter. There are always children running around so happy. The employees and the guests are helpful and kind.

Great to have the zoo open again! There were a number of people not wearing masks, but employees are stationed around the grounds to help enforce the rules. I wish there had been more roaming employees to monitor the masks and distancing. All in all the zoo was awesome this morning, almost all the animals were out and crowds were good. So happy to have gotten to go back!!

I love the zoo, but a fair few of my favorite areas were closed due to COVID. (Penguins, polar bears and bats, to name a few.) But still lots of fun!

Had a lot of fun seeing a lot of different types of animals in the zoo. The zoo has a trail that goes through all the exibits. Highly recommend if you are in Portland!

Our recent visit to the Zoo was a pleasant Covid-altered walk about experience. Staff was nice, it was good to get out of the house during Covid, but I will be glad when all the construction is done. There wasn’t much to look at, a lot of walking for those of us with disabilities (grandson in a spica cast) and honestly the Wildlife Safari was a better Covid outing. They had paw prints to mark 6 feet and way to go. I posted photos of all animals we saw. I did not change the number of stars because I felt they were at a 5 star level - the Zoo is open and doing the best they can - during Covid. Take water and snacks. Very expensive and remote ordering only - with lines.

Never tired of going there! You will be amazed by those wonderful animals, they will surprise you! Make you laugh! Want a happy day? It is one of the options!

Completely enjoyed our visit to the Oregon Zoo. Felt very safe with Covid precautions. Most animals active. Perfect weather!

Went to the Oregon Zoo last week. They had great COVID measures in place and I felt safe walking around and had a lot of fun.