Photo: Fred Pineau
Photo: Andrew Bayles
Photo: Utah's Hogle Zoo
Utah's Hogle Zoo
★4.5(13,902 reviews)$$Zoo
🕑 4-6 hours for a full visit including animal exhibits, water park play, carousel rides, and discovery theater shows👶 Best for ages 2-12. Toddlers and preschoolers love the water park splash area and seeing familiar animals like elephants and giraffes, while elementary-aged kids enjoy the discovery theater programs, carousel rides, and learning about exotic wildlife from around the globe.🧡 Saved by 250+ families
About
Utah's Hogle Zoo is a fantastic full-day adventure featuring over 800 animals from around the world, plus bonus attractions that set it apart from typical zoos. Kids can cool off at the mini water park, enjoy carnival-style rides, and catch educational shows at the discovery theater, making it much more than just animal viewing.
Highlights
- ✓Mini water park with splash pad features perfect for cooling off
- ✓Elephant Encounter,one of the most popular exhibits featuring an impressive herd
- ✓Discovery Theater with live animal encounters and educational presentations
- ✓Carousel and train rides for younger children
- ✓Rocky Shores exhibit with swimming polar bears, sea lions, and seals
Pro Tips
- 1.Arrive right at 10:00 AM opening when animals are most active during feeding times, especially in summer when they retreat to shade by afternoon
- 2.Bring swimsuits and towels for the mini water park area,it's a lifesaver on hot days and lets kids burn energy between exhibits
- 3.Download the zoo map ahead of time and prioritize must-see animals first, as the 42-acre property requires significant walking with little ones
- 4.Pack your own snacks and lunch to save money, as outside food is permitted and there are plenty of picnic areas throughout the grounds
- 5.Visit the African Savanna and Rocky Shores exhibits first,they're fan favorites and best experienced before crowds build up midday
Best Time to Visit
Visit on weekday mornings in spring (April-May) or fall (September-October) for mild weather, active animals, and thinner crowds. Summer mornings work too, but arrive right at opening before temperatures soar and animals seek shade.
What to Know
General admission prices are reasonable with discounts for children under 12, and annual memberships pay for themselves in just two visits. The zoo offers stroller rentals, multiple food concessions, and is mostly stroller/wheelchair accessible with some hilly terrain.
Seasonal Notes
The zoo is open year-round, though some outdoor water features close in winter months. Visit during ZooBoo (October) for Halloween festivities or Zoo Lights (December) for magical holiday light displays. Summer offers extended evening hours on select dates.
Real Experiences
@hoglezoo
View on TikTok
Nearby Eats
Ruth's Diner (historic canyon restaurant with outdoor seating and kids' menu) is about 5 minutes away, or head to Emigration Market (casual cafe with sandwiches and treats) for a quick post-zoo bite.
More Activities Near Salt Lake City
Nature
Salt Lake City
Free
The Great Salt Lake offers an unforgettable natural science lesson for the whole family, where kids can experience the lake's unique buoyancy and explore sandy beaches. This natural wonder provides opportunities to float effortlessly in the saltwater, spot migratory birds at various state parks, and learn about one of North America's most distinctive ecosystems.
Entertainment
Kids Empire Salt Lake City
★4.9$$❤️29
Kids Empire Salt Lake City is an indoor playground paradise that keeps children entertained for hours regardless of the weather outside. With an impressive 4.9-star rating from over 1,100 parents, this popular venue features multiple bounce houses, elaborate jungle gyms, and challenging climbing structures that let kids burn energy while parents relax in the comfortable seating areas.
Museum
Natural History Museum of Utah
★4.8$$❤️542
The Natural History Museum of Utah is a world-class museum perched in the foothills overlooking Salt Lake City, offering spectacular dinosaur galleries that bring young paleontologists face-to-face with ancient giants. With five floors of interactive exhibits covering everything from Utah's prehistoric past to its diverse ecosystems, this museum expertly balances education and entertainment, making it one of the top family destinations in the state.
Playground
Thunder Junction All Abilities Park
★4.8Free❤️150
Thunder Junction All Abilities Park is an extraordinary dinosaur-themed playground that lives up to its name by welcoming children of ALL abilities with innovative, inclusive design. Kids can climb a massive volcano structure, navigate accessible climbing walls, zoom down slides, and explore prehistoric-themed play areas that spark imagination while ensuring every child can participate in the fun.