Oregon Zoo, Portland: Photos, Reviews & Location

64-acre zoo featuring elephants, polar bears & other animal exhibits emphasizing conservation.

At a glance

#69 of 92 Tourist attractions in Portland #4 of 4 Zoos in Portland

LocalGuideWorld score: 4.50

3.5 km from the center of Portland

Rating breakdown

5 ★69%
4 ★20%
3 ★6%
2 ★2%
1 ★2%

What reviewers talk about

Share of 16 recent reviews that mention each topic.

Price & value25%
Waiting & crowds13%
Atmosphere13%
View6%

4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221, United States

oregonzoo.org

+1 503-226-1561

Quick facts

What is the rating of Oregon Zoo?: Oregon Zoo is rated 4.5 out of 5 based on 41,158 reviews.
How does Oregon Zoo rank in Portland?: Oregon Zoo is #69 of 92 Tourist attractions in Portland by LocalGuideWorld score (rating weighted by number of reviews).
Where is Oregon Zoo located?: 4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221, United States — 3.5 km from the center of Portland.
What do visitors mention most about Oregon Zoo?: Most often: price & value, waiting & crowds, atmosphere (from 16 recent reviews).
How can I contact Oregon Zoo?: Phone: +1 503-226-1561 · Website: oregonzoo.org

Came to visit as part of the Zoo Lights winter experience and the money was so worth it. While we couldn't see all the animals, we definitely saw enough. My favorite part was the insect zoo and indoor elephant arena where you see elephants feeding.

Watching the elephants interact with each other and feed was the most entertaining part.

The Christmas lights look so much better once the sun sets and there are a lot of cool shots you can take.

Surprisingly, there are a lot of food stands with different types of snacks. Not surprising were the steep prices.

All in all, I would go here again.

Leah Liebig 2024 Jan 04

I loved this zoo! It was so green! The elephant exhibit was the best I've seen. It was easy to navigate with good food options. I had an "elephant ear" which is a thin fry bread with cinnamon and sugar. 100% worth it.

Lila C 2023 Dec 29

The Zoo lights during Christmas holidays are very nice, they did a great job decorating the beautiful lights in different animal shapes, and the big Christmas tree at the entrance is very cool. We enjoyed walking around in the park and seeing all kinds of animals lights. Definitely a good place to go at night with family and friends to have some holiday fun.
Prepared for big lines for the train rides.
Wish they have opened more areas, it feels smaller than before.

Erin B 2023 Dec 26

We did the Zoo Lights event! It was very well organized, free over flow parking with free bus ride to the front gates. There were some concession up with things like kettle corn, and elephant ears. The train ride is fun and you get so see even more lights. They do an amazing job getting so many lighted displays up. My 5 year old daughter really loved train and the trees that were wrapped in lights. The bug house was open for warming up and for viewing bugs. Most animals were not viewable, but elephants are awake at night and we were able to go to the indoor viewing area. 3 elephants were in their playing and eating! The keep was setting out hay bales to reach for and eat. It was wonderful.

It was sold out… but felt a bit crowded for my liking. Our group worn fun Christmas lights and it made it easier to keep track of each other with so many other people around.

Tawny Haskett 2023 Dec 07

Our family trip to the Oregon Portland Zoo during the Christmas season was enchanting, even amidst the rain. Packing an umbrella and waterproof clothing is a must for this magical experience. The animal-shaped lights brought an incredible allure as we wandered through the zoo. The sparkling trees and the Christmas train ride added to the festive spirit.

Although our main focus was the breathtaking lights, catching a glimpse of the elephants and the bats became the highlight of our visit. While there weren't many live animals to see, it didn't detract from our enjoyment. This festive light display is a must-do at least once during the Christmas season. A truly mesmerizing and unforgettable experience for the whole family!

Ariel Sasser - Local Realtor 2023 Dec 05

The Zoo is a everlasting source of joy, offering year-round fun for all ages. With kids in tow, our visits are never hurried, and that's part of the charm—we always discover something new every time we visit.

Having cherished memories of this zoo since my own childhood, I've witnessed remarkable changes. The upgrades and new exhibits have transformed it into a captivating space. And let's talk about the Zoo Lights—it's a must-see! While there may not be many animals on display during this event, the breathtaking lights make up for it.

The Zoo Lights experience is pure magic. The dazzling display creates a spectacular atmosphere, and the best part is, you can go at your own pace. It's a mesmerizing journey that adds an extra layer of enchantment to this already fantastic place.

In summary, the Zoo offers not just a fun time but also a touch of magic, especially during Zoo Lights. The upgrades and thoughtful additions have truly elevated the experience. Highly recommend for families and anyone seeking a delightful escape!

Tori 2023 Oct 28

Beautiful zoo! We went in late summer-early fall when the zoo was full of gorgeous flowers and plants between the exhibits which made for an amazing nature walk. The animals seemed well taken care of and happy. Fairly easy parking available with a lot of restrooms throughout the zoo and even free water filling stations which were nice on a hot day. They also have places you can buy lunch, dinner, etc; however, it is pretty expensive. For a water be prepared to pay $4+ and I believe a pb & j was pushing $7-10. You can bring your own picnic stuff though so come prepared. We didn’t make it into their store to shop as the day went by too quickly and we ran out of time. Check-in was simple with a quick scan of our mobile tickets. The online ticket situation was a bit confusing as they didn’t make it clear with the timed entry if that meant you only had a certain amount of time to be inside the zoo or they just wanted an idea how many people where inside. We were never told we had to leave in a set amount of time which was nice as the zoo takes several hours to make it through. The paths were clearly marked, they also have a zoo map available online and we also rode the zoo train that was fairly priced and our younger child really enjoyed it. Note there are not many animals you can see other than than elephants if they are where you can see them. It was a great family outing and we plan to go back again in a few years.

Ian Kruse 2023 Sep 26

This zoo is a really fun place to take your child. I've also taken dates here in the past and that was also fun. There are so many exhibits to see and interact with. Plenty of statues, and photo opportunities. The only problem I had was how expensive the food and drinks were. If I could give you one piece of advice it would be to bring all of your own food and drinks. You are allowed to bring your own so take advantage of it and do it. The zoo is already expensive unless you are low income and can show you receive food stamps or TANF. The elephant exhibit is amazing and I suggest seeing it.

Peter Assad 2023 Sep 16

I traveled around the US a lot and in almost every state I visit, I try to make a stop at their zoo since I love animals. This Zoo is one of the best across the US. The animals are all active and playful. The layout is very good and easy to follow so you don't need a map and there are no crossroads. The animals seemed happy and there are volunteers at different spots to help you with information and background stories. It is a must visit if you are in Portland.

Paul M 2023 Aug 18

Wow what an amazing zoo! The amount of trees and shade is wonderful on a hot day, the animals had a lot of room to roam and looked very healthy, and all the facilities were well kept.

We came on a Friday morning when they opened. We bought our tickets via mobile phone maybe 15 minutes before we entered prior to getting into our car to drive there. There was still a decent amount of availability. Entering was easy with the QR code we received.

We saw some otters, bears, went on a merry-go-round, and had a blast!

Courtnie Wilder 2023 Aug 07

Best medium sized zoo I've been to. The winding paths and elevation gains and losses create an adventure walk. Everything seems very well designed, organized, and enjoyable. The one way design makes navigating the crowds easier. Lots of food options about half way through is great. Elephant ears were a hit and we enjoyed the lunch we packed under a 4 bench picnic table with an umbrella. It was a workout making our way back up to the entrance. If we had more time, we would have enjoyed the train ride. Plan to go back if in town again in future.

MacGyver Glaser 2023 Jul 24

fun zoo the pathway is a little confusing sometimes and did cause us to backtrack to see the penguins. By far the coolest seal enclosure I've seen. the elephants seem well taken care of with lots of space compared to other zoo's. we went on a very hot day so some of the animals were away which I cant blame them one bit. overall good zoo experience. we have a 2 year old that almost never got out of her stroller cause she was tired and the zoo is very stroller accessible.

J BS 2023 Jul 20

I love this zoo, as a member family we come every week during the summer. The train and merry-go-round are very reasonable, and my kids love the sand box too. The architectural details they’ve added since I was a kid coming here are so wonderful, I love the attention to detail aesthetically, the pacing of the exhibits, and it seems like we find a new delight with each visit. I usually bring a picnic for us to enjoy, and I noticed today there was additional seating in the shade, which was really thoughtful on such a hot day.

Melissa Dasaro 2023 Jul 18

Had a wonderful time touring the zoo with the family. Got to see almost all of it in an afternoon. Even stopped for an elephant ear treat. We loved the exhibits. It’s nice to have stops along the way to walk in for air conditioning.

Would love for their to be more dietary options, especially for Gluten Free people. My husband ended up not eating anything because he didn’t want a salad. Lactose free ice cream options too would be awesome! We love the zoo and will continue to be members!

Charlotte Bryan 2023 Jul 17

Wonderful place for an easy and sweet date! We have a membership and popping over for a quick visit is so relaxing. Consider visiting on a hot day. Our last trip was over 90 degrees and the zoo was pretty empty. They set up misting stations and have cool drinks and plenty of shade. We were able to enjoy the trip without overheating!