The National Zoo is a popular destination for families during spring break and summer. As a result, parking lots fill early in the morning, usually by 10 a.m. If you are planning to a trip to the zoo at any other time, it is recommended that you to take the Metro, Metrobus or DC Circulator bus.
Is there street-parking? The National Zoo is located within Washington DC, so there is not a lot of street parking in the neighborhood. On Connecticut Avenue NW, there are a few parking meters within 4 blocks, but they all have a time limit of 2 hours. However, two hours is not enough time to enjoy your time at the National Zoo and be back to your car on time. Note: It will take about four hours to see the whole zoo.
Also, the sidestreets off of Connecticut Avenue NW are residential zoned. That means you must have a parking decal showing that you are a resident of the neighborhood. If you do not have a decal, you will get a parking ticket if you park more than 2 hours.
When do the parking lots open? The parking lots at the National Zoo open at 6:00 a.m. every day. Many of the animals are not on exhibit before 10:00 a.m. but the National Zoo is a beautiful park to walk around in the early morning. Animals you may see before 10:00 a.m. include the cheetahs, Mexican and maned wolves, giant pandas, Przewalski's horses, beavers, cranes, flamingos, and several other birds. From April 1 to October 31, parking lots close at 8:00 p.m. From November 1 to March 31, lots and grounds close at 6:00 p.m.
Parking lots at the Zoo: There are five parking lots A, B, C, D, E. Parking lots A and B are closer the zoo entrance on Connecticut Avenue NW and to the Visitor Center. These lots typically fill up fast because there is less walking to most of the zoo attractions.
Parking Lots D and E are at the bottom of the hill. These lots fill up last. Parking at these spaces means walking uphill to see zoo exhibits at the begining of the day, but downhill to the end of the zoo at the end of the day when everyone's hot and tired. Note: the rental booth for strollers is located near parking lots D and E. Strollers must be returned there at the end of your visit.
Parking spaces are reserved for disabled guests in Lots A, B, and D.
How much does it cost to park at the Zoo? Admission to the National Zoo is FREE. Also, if you are a Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) member, parking is FREE. If you are a nonmember, parking at the National Zoo costs:
$10 for the first hour.
$15 for two to three hours.
$20 for more than three hours.
Every dollar you spend at the National Zoo supports the education, research, and conservation efforts at the zoo.
Parking for school buses: Bus parking is FREE. If your trip is in the fall or winter, you do not need to make advance reservations. During the peak season (April 11 to June 24), priority is given to buses arriving from local schools, which must make reservations to park at the National Zoo.
If you are coming between June 25 and August 26, the National Zoo won't be able to offer free bus parking. During this time, school buses can reserve parking only with the purchase of a Group Tour Package. There is no bus parking available on weekends unless the group is registered for a Group Tour Package.
Reservations for school bus parking and/or for a Group Tour Package can be made by calling Guest Services at (202) 633-4480, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please make reservations at least two weeks (longer is recommended) in advance of your trip. Guest Services begins taking reservations on March 1 annually. Note: Fall and winter are the best times to bring school groups. The National Zoo isn’t very crowded and the animals like cooler weather.
Buses must always drop off and pick up students in the secure Bus Lot, located between A and B lots. Once the students have disembarked, buses will either be directed to the appropriate parking lot, or asked to leave the Zoo for the duration of the trip. There is limited bus parking in the neighborhoods surrounding the National Zoo. Note: It is illegal and dangerous to let your students on and off the bus from Connecticut Avenue and the lower Zoo.
Parking for tour buses: Tour bus parking is extremely limited, and space can be guaranteed throughout the year only to tour groups that book one of the Zoo's Group Safari Packages. Reserved bus parking is included in the group packages offered by the National Zoo. For more information, contact Guest Services at (202) 633-4480 or email grouptours@fonz.org.
Reminder: Tour buses may not drop off visitors on Connecticut Avenue NW. This is both unsafe and illegal. Buses without reservations will be allowed to enter the National Zoo to discharge their passengers at the Bus Loading/Unloading Area (park in lot E, unload visitors near lot B) and will be allowed only to return approximately 10 minutes before they are scheduled to pick up their passengers. For more information, contact the Zoo at:
National Zoological Park
Friends of the National Zoo, MRC 551
Smithsonian Institution
PO Box 37012
Washington, DC 20013-7012
202-633-4455 (school groups)
202-633-3025 (non-school groups)
202-673-7800 (TTY)
Email: education@fonz.org (school groups only)
