Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Is Welcoming Dogs This Friday — and Again July 31
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's centennial year continues with one of its more unusual programming additions: two Dog Days Fridays that let well-behaved dogs into the zoo alongside their families. The dates are this Friday, July 24, and the following Friday, July 31, both from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If you want to bring your dog, you need to plan ahead. Dog tickets are limited by entry time and date, and advance purchase is required at cmzoo.org. You can't walk up to the gate with your dog and buy a ticket on the day — it won't work.
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Advertise hereWhat to Know Before You Go
Dog tickets are required for both members and non-members. When you book at cmzoo.org, you'll select your entry time window as well as the date. The zoo asks that dogs be well-behaved, leashed, and under control at all times.
Standard admission also applies: at peak pricing, adult tickets are $34.75 and children ages 3 through 11 are $29.75. All visitors — with or without dogs — are required to purchase advance timed tickets. The zoo doesn't accept walk-up admission.
The regular zoo schedule applies on Dog Days Fridays — there are no special closures or restricted areas indicated for the event. It's essentially the full zoo experience with dogs permitted alongside the usual crowd.
Centennial Context
2026 marks Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's 100th anniversary, and the centennial has brought a variety of special programming throughout the year. The zoo was ranked No. 2 in the United States for 2026 by USA TODAY, and attendance has been strong across the season.
If your family hasn't visited yet this year, the Penrose Heritage Museum exhibit inside the zoo is worth adding to the agenda: it features archival photos, historical documents, a short documentary on the zoo's first century, and hands-on activities designed for kids.
Quick Reference
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event | Dog Days Fridays |
| Dates | Friday, July 24 and Friday, July 31, 2026 |
| Hours | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Dog tickets | Required; advance purchase only; limited by entry time at cmzoo.org |
| General admission (peak) | Adults $34.75 / Ages 3–11 $29.75 |
| Tickets | cmzoo.org — all visitors, members and non-members, must book in advance |
| Location | 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd., Colorado Springs |
What's Next
If you're planning to bring your dog on July 24, buy your tickets today — slots are limited and the event is already in its final days of promotion. If July 24 is sold out for your preferred entry window, July 31 is the second and final Dog Days Friday. Both dates, ticket availability, and entry time windows are at cmzoo.org.
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