Who We Are
We are a full zoo with lions, tigers, and bears as well as many other animals from around the world. We have zebra, bison, elk, baboons, gibbons, and many other animals from around the world. We have a large number of birds and a reptile house too! We have about 400 animals of about 200 species. We also have 27 acres of landscaped grounds with many interesting plants, a walk-through greenhouse, and lots for the kids to do including our Zoo Oasis Splash Pad.
Our Mission
The mission of the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo is to help people develop a sustainable relationship with nature. In so doing, the Zoo shall provide for the recreation and education of the people, the conservation of wildlife, and the discovery of biological knowledge.
Regular Admission
Children (2 years and under): Free
Children (Ages 3 – 12): $7.00
Adults (Ages 13 – 64): $10.00
Seniors (Ages 65 and up): $7.00
Group Rates - Applies to 10 or more paying customers.
Children (ages 2 – 12): $3.00
Adults (ages 13 – 65): $4.50
Seniors (ages 65 and up): $3.00
Our Hours
Open 7 days a Week from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
(Closed Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Thanksgiving Day)
Summer Zoo Camp
Come spend a week or more exploring the world and its wildlife at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo.
We will be offering age-specific summer camps during the summer of 2026 for kiddos 5-13.
Each camp will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
The adventure begins each day with a light breakfast. We’ll feature daily animal encounters and walks through the zoo. Express yourself with animal-related arts and crafts. Hop on a train and board a boat for a ride among exotic creatures. We’ll have lunch provided by our concessions stand, and we’ll cool off in the ZOOasis splash pad at least twice during the week.
Early drop-off (after 8 a.m.) and late pickup (until 5 p.m.) are available at an additional fee.
T-shirts are included.
Registration opens March 15. A week at camp costs $150 for Zoological Society members and $200 for non-members.
Register online after March 15, 2026. (REGISTER NOW!)
Here are the themes and schedules for this year’s camps:
Zoo Summer Camp
June 1-6, ages 5-7 Tale of Tails:
Have you ever stopped to think about why we eat cereal endorsed by tigers and toucans, or why we cheer for a football team with a loveable elephant mascot? Animals are a huge source of inspiration for human stories, inventions, logos and more. Campers will spend some time considering the symbolic representation and cultural importance of various iconic animals in our everyday lives.
June 8-13, ages 8-10 Have it Your Way:
Do you know how much a rhino eats in a single day? Ever wondered what's on the menu for our tigers or capybaras? This session will teach campers about animal consumer groups. Whether it's an herbivore, omnivore, or carnivore, campers will learn the different adaptations that make animals predators Of prey.
June 15-19, ages 5-7 Snakes Alive!
They don't have legs, so how do they move? They don't have arms, so how do they catch food? We're often frightened of them, but many are valuable to have around. Let's hiss, rattle and roll as we take a deep dive into these reptiles during the week of the serpent.
June 22-27, ages 5-7 Animal Armor:
Knights wear suits of armor and soldiers drive in tanks, but how do hedgehogs protect themselves? Or giraffes? All animals have their own defenses and some even have armor built into their bodies! Come find out how wild animals survive, hide, and defend themselves!
July 6-10, ages 8-10 The Great Connection:
Everything in our universe is connected! The connections between organisms can be mind-blowing — bees and flowers, birds and zebras, bats and pitcher plants. Both living and nonliving things are important to an ecosystem's survival. The Great Connection campers will explore the animal kingdom and the many ways animals interact with their environment. Campers will learn about complex food webs, wacky animal friendships, symbiotic relationships, and parasites through hands on activities, experiments and in-person observations.
July 13-17, ages 11-13 Wild About Art:
Campers will take inspiration from the animals around them as well as classical artists in this art based camp. Maybe you will paint a cubist giraffe, a pop art frog, or use pointillism to create a flamingo. We are excited to see what you create! Then we'll invite parents to view the art gallery at the end of the week.
July 20-24, ages 5-7 Globetrotters:
Pack your bags! Grab your passports! The entire world is only a hop, skip, and jump away. Let's take a whirlwind tour of the world as we explore exotic habitats and cultures, and some of the animals that live there.
July 27-31, ages 8-10 Wildlife Engineer:
Designing an animal can be as easy 1, 2, 3! Join us as we explore what makes animal groups unique and design our own animals.
$150 for Zoo Members
$200 for Non-Zoo Members
Train Ride
Our train runs daily year-round. During the summer months, it begins running at 10:30 a.m. and runs at the top and bottom of the hour. The last ride is at 4 p.m.
During the winter months, it begins running at 11:00 a.m. and runs at the top of the hour. The last ride is at 3 p.m.
Children and Adults (3 and up): $3.00
Children 2 and under Free
Safari Boat Ride
Open Year Round. May run on a limited schedule in the winter months. Call in advance for the schedule.
Children and Adults (3 and up): $3.00
Children 2 and under Free
Zoo Oasis
The Zoo Oasis, also known as the Splash Pad, is open during the warmer months of the year. You can cool off with a walk-through or spend the afternoon playing in cool water! The Splash Pad is FREE with a zoo admission fee.
Updated Splash Pad Schedule:
*May 1 through September 30- open every day!
*April & October- open on weekends only!
*November 1 through March 30- CLOSED!
Check out our freshly painted Splash Pad courtesy of the LA Purchase Zoological Society!
Birthday Party Fun!
Make plans to celebrate your child’s next birthday at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo. It’s the wildest party in town!
Price: Cost for up to 20 people plus a train ride: $150 (Member Price – $135), $75 Deposit Fee (Member Deposit Fee – $68) There is an additional charge per person fee for any guests over the 20 maximum.
Party Times/Sizes: Birthday parties are available on Saturdays and Sundays ONLY at 10:30-12:00 or 2:00-3:30.
Annual Events
Eggstravaganza | Boo at the Zoo | Jungle Bells | Zoo Summer Camp
For information on how to become involved in raising funds for the upkeep and continued growth of the zoo: Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo.
