Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Turns 100 in 2026 — and Just Ranked No. 2 in the US
Colorado Springs is home to a 100-year-old zoo that just received one of the highest rankings in the country. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo celebrates its centennial in 2026, and USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards named it the No. 2 Best Zoo in the United States.
If a zoo visit has been sitting on your family's summer list, this is a strong reason to move it up. The zoo is open daily through the summer, but advance timed tickets are required — walk-up entry is not available.
Advertisement
Advertise hereWhat Makes It Worth the Visit
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is perched on the eastern face of Cheyenne Mountain at about 6,800 feet in elevation — the only mountain zoo in the United States. The setting alone is worth the trip: panoramic views of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak visible to the north, and a layout built into the natural terrain of the mountain.
For families with kids, the giraffe feeding is the signature experience. The zoo is home to one of the largest reticulated giraffe herds in the world, and visitors can hand-feed them from an elevated platform at eye level. Giraffe feeding is included with admission.
Other highlights include:
- Grizzly bears that fish for live trout in a large pool — a behavior the zoo describes as natural foraging enrichment
- African penguins in a walk-through habitat where the birds come within a few feet of visitors
- The Loft, a hands-on learning and exploration area for younger children
- An antique carousel dating to the early zoo era
- A sky ride to the upper elevation of the zoo with views of the Front Range
- The Grizzly Grill restaurant for lunch or snacks
Summer Programming
The zoo runs additional programming through the summer, including animal encounter experiences, summer camps, and Starlight Safaris — evening events that allow visitors to see animals during the cooler, quieter hours after the zoo closes to the public. Check cmzoo.org for dates, pricing, and availability, as many programs sell out in advance.
Admission and Logistics
The zoo is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, with the last admission at 4 PM. Peak pricing applies on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from late May through September:
| Visitor Type | Peak Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | $34.75 |
| Children ages 3–11 | $29.75 |
| Children ages 2 and under | Free |
Lower off-peak pricing applies on weekdays during peak season and throughout the rest of the year. Zoo members also pay reduced rates at the gate, but advance timed tickets are still required for members — purchase through cmzoo.org before arriving.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is located at 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road in Colorado Springs. Parking is available on site. The drive up Cheyenne Mountain Boulevard takes about 10 to 15 minutes from I-25.
The 100th Anniversary
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo opened in 1926 as a private zoo on the estate of Spencer Penrose, the entrepreneur who built the Broadmoor Hotel. Penrose donated the zoo to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society in 1926. It has operated continuously since then, growing from a handful of animals to a collection of more than 750 animals across more than 150 species.
The centennial year includes special programming, exhibits, and anniversary events throughout 2026. Check cmzoo.org for centennial-specific events and commemorative experiences available this summer.
What's Next
Timed tickets for summer weekends sell out quickly. If you are planning a weekend visit, book at cmzoo.org as soon as you have dates confirmed — same-day tickets on peak days are often unavailable. Weekday visits tend to be less crowded and sell out less frequently.
For families considering a membership, the zoo offers annual memberships that cover unlimited admission for the year. Given peak pricing, a family that visits three or four times per summer will often recover the membership cost. Details are at cmzoo.org/membership.
What locals are saying
Be the first to share your thoughts
Start the conversation about this article.
Leave a reply
More from Colorado Springs
D11 Bond Vote Is August 5 — What COS Families Should Know Before the Board Decides
The Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education votes August 5 on whether to place a $775 million bond measure on the November 2026 ballot. That vote is four days away, and for families across central Colorado
Colorado Turns 150 Today — Free Family Celebration at Pioneers Museum in COS Through 4 p.m.
Colorado became a state on August 1, 1876. That was 150 years ago today, which makes this Colorado's sesquicentennial — a milestone the state has been building toward all year. In Colorado Springs, the celebration is hap
COS School Start Dates Updated: D20 Begins August 17-18, Not August 13 — Plus D11's Free Supplies
A correction to the COS back-to-school calendar, and an update worth sharing if you have children in Academy District 20.