About The North Carolina Zoo
The North Carolina Zoo grew from an idea initiated by the Raleigh Jaycees in 1967. Through a series of fund-raising events, Randolph county was selected as it was in the center of the state. The location is perfect for all North Carolina citizens, being 75 miles west of Raleigh, 25 miles south of Greensboro, and 75 miles northeast of Charlotte.
In addition to providing encounters with wild animals living in natural settings, the North Carolina Zoo offers authentic and memorable ways for families to play and stay together along with a variety of nature-based, educational programs and camps. Conservation is at the heart of everything for the North Carolina Zoo. we do. From vultures to gorillas in Africa to endangered plants and amphibians in our own state, the North Carolina Zoo has been involved with the conservation of animals in the wild for over two decades.
North Carolina Zoo Location & Parking
NC Zoo Location
Located seven miles south of Asheboro in the heart of North Carolina and open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, the Zoo is easily driveable from many areas of the state.
Address & Directions
4401 Zoo Pkwy
Asheboro, NC 27205
From Charlotte:
Approx. 105 mins
From Greensboro / Winston-Salem:
Approx. 45 mins
From Raleigh/Durham
Approx. 90 mins
NC Zoo Parking
General Parking
- The North America Parking Lot and Entrance is open year-round.
- Africa Parking and Entrance is open April – October.
Parking is free.
- Guests can visit the entire Park from this entrance. Please see Park Map.
Accessible parking spaces are available with a valid license plate or hang tag. Wheelchairs, ECVs, and strollers are available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis at the gift shop located just inside the entrance.
Bus and RV Parking
- In North America, please park buses in either lot “A” or the Solar Pointe parking area.
- In Africa, please park buses in lot 1.
- Individual vehicles should not park in the designated bus parking lots. Please park buses before unloading passengers.
- Bus parking areas are also designated parking areas for RVs. RV parking areas are not equipped for overnight parking or camping. Please park RVs before unloading passengers.
Electric Car Charging Stations
- The North Carolina Zoo now offers electric car charging stations at two locations in our North America parking lot. There are eight charging spaces in front of the Stedman Education Center and four charging spaces near the Solar Pointe picnic shelter. Available on a first-come-first-served basis.
North Carolina Zoo Dining Options
The Zoo serves up a variety of dining options. If you want a fresh garden salad, locally-sourced chicken, or yummy soft-serve ice cream, the Zoo will satisfy your appetite! See below for current operations and mobile ordering.
Restaurants
All restaurants accept cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Zoo gift cards. See below for current operations.
Farm to Table Cafe in North America Plaza
- Farm-to-Table Cafe
- Location: North America Plaza
- Open Daily
- Menu: Patty melts, BBQ sandwiches, tacos, and salad.
Junction Springs Cafe
- Junction Springs Cafe
- Location: Junction Plaza
- Open Daily
- Menu: Fresh Angus beef burgers, hand-dipped chicken tenders, hot dogs, fresh salad, and black bean burgers
Crossings Pizza
- Crossing Pizza Cafe
- Location: Junction Plaza
- Open Daily 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Menu: Personal pizzas and drinks.
Billy D’s Restaurant
- Billy D’s Fried Chicken
- Location: Africa’s Akiba Market
- Open Daily April – October
- Menu: Hot ‘n’ crispy fried chicken, slaw, fries, mac & cheese, smoked collard greens, watermelon salad, banana pudding, soft-serve ice cream, Pepsi products, bottled beverages, and coffee
North Carolina Zoo Gifts & Shopping
The Zoo gift shops stock a variety of t-shirts, toys, plush animals, jewelry, and candy. There are gifts to suit every age and wallet. Each store is unique and offers a great shopping experience. The Zoo’s gift shops are located throughout the Park for your convenience. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Debit, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Zoo gift cards, and cash are accepted at all locations.
Earth Explorer Gift Shop
- Earth Explorer Gift Shop
- Location: North America Plaza
- Open Daily
- Earth Explorer carries items like toys, plush animals, apparel, gifts, souvenirs, rain gear, cameras, batteries, medicines, and more. Single and double strollers, as well wheelchairs, can be rented at this location.
Junction Traders Gift Shop
- Location: Junction Plaza
- Hours Vary
- Kids’ Junction is a children’s store where you will find souvenirs, toys, plush animals, candy, and rain gear.
Safari Gift Shop
- Location: Africa’s Akiba Market
- Hours Vary
- The Safari Gift Shop carries mainly African-themed items like toys, plush animals, apparel, gifts, souvenirs, rain gear, cameras, batteries, medicines and more. Single and double strollers, as well as wheelchairs, can be rented at this location.
Leopard Spot Gift Shop
- Location: Africa’s Akiba Market
- Hours Vary
- The Leopard Spot Gift Shop carries mainly African-themed items like toys, plush animals, apparel, gifts, souvenirs, rain gear, cameras, batteries, medicines, and more.
