The Phoenix Zoo: A Gorgeous Landscaped Zoo in the Desert

The Phoenix Zoo is one of the best I’ve visited and this is coming from someone who had access to Brookfield Zoo in Chicago growing up. What I really loved about this zoo was the large animal enclosures and gorgeous landscaping. This is a pretty big space (it’s one of the largest nonprofits), so really a walk can double as your workout for the day. On the bright side, the animals benefit by having much more space than your typical small enclosures. All the animals seemed happy walking around in their nature inspired surroundings.

I felt that the space was very clean and well-maintained; I didn’t see any garbage lying around. In addition, it is surprising lush, and I enjoying seeing all the cacti, palms, and desert plants. The plant life really sets it apart from most others, especially if you are not from the Southwest. Living in nearby Flagstaff, I have taken many daytrips here to hike. Every once in a while, I like to explore the city off the trails. This has been one of my favorite non hiking attractions to date.

It’s set up a bit different than most zoos with 4 major walking trails (totaling about 2.5 miles) instead of a large single loop. So even though we skipped our hike for the day we still got in a decent workout. You may think it is too hot to walk around the desert in the summer, but they do open earlier this time of year. Plus, if you get too hot, you can always stand under a mister (I love this – what a great idea!) or cool off in the splash pad.

Take a look below at some the beautiful desert scenery you will get to experience on your visit. There are so many gorgeous varieties of cacti to see everywhere; at times, I almost felt like I was walking around a botanical garden.

There is even a beautiful little lake which is cool considering this is the desert. What truly impressed me was how beautiful the grounds were in comparison to some zoos I’ve visited in more lush areas of the country. They did a great job here landscaping and keeping the grounds and enclosures clean.

Scenic Papago Park

This is one of the most visually stunning zoos I’ve ever visited. You will see all different types of cactus and palm trees during you walk around. The most picturesque portion of the zoo takes you through the natural sandstone buttes of Papago Park. A portion of the park has been turned into a Bighorn sheep exhibit. If you have extra time, this large park also houses the Desert Botanical Garden.

Scenic rock formation at the Phoenix Zoo

Scenic giraffe exhibit at the Phoenix Zoo

Summer Hours!

Another cool thing about this city is that they always offer some remedies to beat the heat. It feel like most businesses go out of their way to make you comfortable instead of just saying “deal with it.” This zoo opens at 7am (6 for members) so you can get a few hours in before that sun starts hitting hard. If you have ever been to the desert before then you know that it can feel a lot cooler in the morning (sometimes by at least 20 degrees). While 90 degrees may not seem like a big deal, when the forecast calls for 110+ degrees, it sure does feel like a break. Plus, I find the sun is more tolerable during the morning.

Fortunately, most people either do not want to get up at 7 or still can’t stand the summer’s 90 degree mornings, meaning you get to enjoy most of the zoo to yourself! We enjoyed strolling around the zoo before it got too hot with barely any tourist traffic. Setting the alarm was well worth it to enjoy some peace and quiet.

Squirrel Monkey at the Phoenix Zoo — We enjoyed the country’s only walk through squirrel monkey exhibit to ourselves thanks to the low traffic!

Meet the Animals!

Over 3000 animals, including 30 endangered species inhabit this beautiful space. A few of the must-sees here include: the Andean Bear, flamingos, Sumatran tigers, the lions, and the beautiful giraffes and zebra exhibits. A walk through squirrel monkey exhibit, which allows you to get an up-close view in a no barrier environment, is a unique sight only found here.

Here’s a quick look at a few of the photos I took during my visit. You’ll see everything from orangutans, to giant turtles, to African wild dogs. There is a lot of variety and all the exhibits are just so beautiful to look at.

Endangered Andean Bear at The Phoenix Zoo

My favorite exhibit was the walk through squirrel monkey exhibit, which allows you to get an up-close view in a no barrier environment. Because this is a special exhibit found nowhere else, I highly recommend placing it on your must do list while you have the opportunity. Lucily, we were able to get some pretty good pictures during early hours. There is no extra fee to walk through.

Squirrel monkey exhibit at the Phoenix Zoo

Despite the hot weather, the majority of the animals (with the exception of the missing bobcat and a few sleeping cats) are typically out and about enjoying the day. In fact, I saw more animals here than anywhere else. The enclosures are all very big with plenty of plant life. It’s nice that the animals can enjoy being outside all year, as is not the case at cold weather city zoos.

As a cat owner, I always head straight to the cat exhibits early in the morning. Every single one was sleeping during our visit. For all the cat lovers out there, enjoy a few pics of sleeping cat as well as a fox I threw in there.

This gorgeous lion was the only cat awake.

Up close view of a lion at the Phoenix Zoo

Note: During the summer morning hours, most restaurants open later in the day. Jungle Java near the entrance is the exception. You can order Starbucks brewed drinks, breakfast burritos, and sandwiches here. I loved strolling around the zoo early with a coffee in hand. If you prefer to dine outside the zoo, a little local gem I recommend is Scramble. In addition, outside coolers and food are allowed. So, if you wish to save a few bucks, bring your own lunch!

Additional add on activities include: Camel rides, a 4D show, stingray bay, a 25 minute narrated tram ride, carousel rides, pedal boat rides, and a giraffe encounter where you get to feed them up close. Each extra activity can be purchased individually or bought in a package to save money (see pricing below).

Tips for a great visit

*Bring with a camelbak (great for hot weather areas) or a reusable water bottle so you can refill up your drink all day without spending unnecessary money on water bottles.

*Expect very hot weather all summer long, even during the morning hours. Stay hydrated, wear light colored clothing, and cool off frequently by standing under the misters. Take your time walking around so you do not overheat. There are not many indoor exhibits (one of the only downsides). If you need a cool break, walk around the gift shop for a bit.

*Look for discount coupons on sites like Groupon.

*Wear gym shoes. It’s pretty spread out, so you will do plenty of walking. Plus, it’s more comfortable. I also recommend workout clothes as you will be sweaty and basically working out your entire visit.

*Visit the lions first as they are less likely to be active during the hot portion of the day.

*If you are a frequent visitor, you might as well purchase a membership. It will pay for itself in just 3 visits. Plus you get an hour early admission (a nice perk during the hot summer season)! You will also get discounts on special encounters plus you can attend a member’s preview night to the super busy winter lights festival. You can read more about my experience attending this colorful, but insanely crowded event.