Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Fresno Chaffee Zoo
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The Zoo is open daily. Pre-purchase timed entry tickets on our website before you arrive for priority entry.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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See what travelers are saying
- DebK3 contributionsIncredible IllumiNature event and great customer serviceMy family attended the IllumiNature event on Dec 22, 2023. Wow!! The displays were amazing!! They are huge, the colors constantly change, some are animated, and they are spread out everywhere in the zoo so it never felt too crowded. Special shout out to Dalton at the gift shop kiosk near the big elephant with diamond shapes who saved the night after my mom’s mobility scooter unexpectedly died in the middle of a pathway. Customer service was top notch!Visited December 2023Traveled with familyWritten December 24, 2023
- zazaFresno, California3 contributionsFunThe zoo has always been a fun place for me and my family. It can be tough at times because I have five kids and they’re all very young . They’ve made a lot of new changes and Chaffee zoo was very accommodating for families. I would definitely go back.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 18, 2024
- Shanna MGrand Blanc, Michigan334 contributionsFamily membershipEach Christmas we have purchased family membership for my brother's family. It was great to see it in person. It was bigger and better than I thought. We did pay extra for the special exhibit that was there. I believe we also had to pay for parking.Visited September 2023Traveled with familyWritten August 27, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,079 reviews
Excellent
744
Very good
276
Average
42
Poor
12
Terrible
5
S D B
Brooklyn, NY151 contributions
Aug 2020
A bit disappointing but didnt expect much otherwise. Pretty much you can only visit outdoor sections due to covid. shame that they make you pay extra for some exhibits, its not that big of a zoo in the first place. the elephant giraffe rhino areas were nice. otherwise wasn't anything overly exciting. The sea lion area seems like a huge section what a waste of space for the 1-2 sea lions hiding swimming in the corner. There was very little or unclear signage of where to go and what to do anywhere in the zoo and they dont even hand you a map when you walk in. the whole visit took us 1-2 hours.
Written September 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Princesssarah372014
Arnold, CA79 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
We have been to this zoo several times over the years. We like the zoo for its small size and the selection of animals it has. We visited this time to try out the Zoorassic area as my 2 youngest boys are Dino lovers. Sadly my family felt this area was very underwhelming. But the rest of the zoo was great. We are excited to see the new area of Asia if it ever starts and is completed.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lighthouseviewer
Winder, GA18 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
We were here for a visit and saw this was one of the top places to go. We were very disappointed. So much was closed. The ENTIRE section of Asia exhibits was under renovation. They said “possibly February” for being done. This was half the zoo. There were other exhibits closed too (such as flamingos, birds of prey, and the tropical rainforest exhibits)! The Africa section was open and very nice, but it seems there could be more animals in there (only 2-3 of each type of animal in most cases). The giraffes were the best part. They had many more of them than most animals, and you could get up close and feed them (for a $5 fee). The seals and sea lions were also fun to watch. I would definitely wait until they are done with the Asia renovations before going!
Written October 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
USMCRip
Merrimack, NH2,882 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
We went on a non busy day and parking while plentiful was not all convenient to enter the zoo.
No waiting in the ticket line and we were in.
It would have been nice to have a map that showed you how to go to visit everything. There were maps and you could download one for your phone.
We wandered around and think we saw everything.
Most of the enclosures were right sized and natural for the animals.
They had a nice variety of animals but not a lot.
They had some really nice enclosures where you can be in the environment with the animals.
Overall a nice experience that will be so much better after they finish all the construction that is going on.
No waiting in the ticket line and we were in.
It would have been nice to have a map that showed you how to go to visit everything. There were maps and you could download one for your phone.
We wandered around and think we saw everything.
Most of the enclosures were right sized and natural for the animals.
They had a nice variety of animals but not a lot.
They had some really nice enclosures where you can be in the environment with the animals.
Overall a nice experience that will be so much better after they finish all the construction that is going on.
Written January 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marlene VB
Richmond, VA132 contributions
Jul 2022
What a fabulous zoo! The Africa exhibit is so artfully done and the animals are free to wander. The cafe has delicious food. The staff is friendly and helpful. We are eager to see the new Southeast Asia exhibit.
Written August 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joshua D
2 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
Went with a group of family for the day and really enjoyed my time there. The dinosaur tour was probably the best part for the kids to see. The adults and kids had fun feeding the giraffes, and the stingray feeding was scary, but exciting. The only problem was that not everyone had masks (the really young children) and we had to avoid some high traffic zones. The good thing was that a nice lady at the sting ray payment box gave us masks for free (THANKS!) and it helped us out greatly.
Written July 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zaza
Fresno, CA3 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
The zoo has always been a fun place for me and my family. It can be tough at times because I have five kids and they’re all very young . They’ve made a lot of new changes and Chaffee zoo was very accommodating for families. I would definitely go back.
Written February 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DebK
3 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
My family attended the IllumiNature event on Dec 22, 2023. Wow!! The displays were amazing!! They are huge, the colors constantly change, some are animated, and they are spread out everywhere in the zoo so it never felt too crowded. Special shout out to Dalton at the gift shop kiosk near the big elephant with diamond shapes who saved the night after my mom’s mobility scooter unexpectedly died in the middle of a pathway. Customer service was top notch!
Written December 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shay N
1 contribution
Feb 2022 • Couples
Awful. The parking lot was ridiclously full. There was no regulations at all. They'll let you in even if there was no parking and the lines to the entrance was really long. It was so long that there are food vendors or carts to buy just to wait for the line. My husband and I (and others before us that paid parking) could not park and ended up leaving. A waste of mobey,gas and time.
Written February 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christina K
Chicago, IL37 contributions
May 2023 • Family
After weather changed our national parks plan, we found ourselves w a free day in the Visalia area. We are so happy we spent it at Fresno's zoo! Parking is only $5, and admission was really reasonable. There is a walkabout where you can be really close to kangaroos and wallabies!The Africa exhibit w the rhino, elephants, etc. was impressive. Grab lunch at the cafe and watch the rhinos and elephants. My teen daughter LOVED feeding the giraffes, too.
Written May 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Due to the cold March weather, will the sting rays still be available?
Written March 4, 2023
What is the cost of tickets for 2 children and 2 Adults
Written November 1, 2019
FresnoChaffeeZoo
Fresno, California
Adults (12+) are 12.95 and children (2-11) are 7.95. Babies 1 and under are free. You can always find our most current pricing and hours on our website at fresnochaffeezoo org. We hope to see you soon!
Written November 25, 2019
LoveTravel531271
Turlock, California
Do they have motorized scooters for handicaped
Written July 27, 2019
They do offer wheelchairs and electric scooters for rent. They are on a first come, first served basis. I am sure the ticket counter staff can direct you on where to go to get these.
Written July 31, 2019
LoveTravel531271
Turlock, California
Do they have motorized scooters for handicaped
Written July 27, 2019
Yes, ask the attendant and he will direct you to area you may rent most motorized equipment
Written July 27, 2019
What's the best time of year to visit? What's the best weather? I don't want to show up and all animals are still hibernating
Written April 11, 2019
I have been there in the fall, winter and spring...never have had a bad time of viewing the animals at all. I'm not sure there is a "bad season"! Enjoy!!!
Written April 11, 2019
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