ASHEBORO — The North Carolina Zoo is warning visitors to plan ahead and be aware of expected higher than normal attendance through this weekend due to spring break.
On April 1st, 2024, the N.C. Zoo officialy switched to spring hours, adding an extra hour, now remaing open until 5 p.m. Early spring has historically been the busiest time of year for the Zoo and officals says they anticipate high attendance through April 7th, due to spring break.
In the interest of safety and preserving a positive vistor experience, and likley also to avoid traffic jams stretching out to the roundabout at the entrace again, the Zoo says they will be limiting access to the property when parking is full.
“If you arrive when parking is full, you may be asked to return within an hour or so to try again. This will help with crowd management and provide a more relaxed and enjoyable visit for guests and their loved ones inside the Zoo,” says the Zoo on their website. “We strongly encourage you to plan your visit carefully and arrive early to secure parking. If there is an extended wait for parking spaces later in the morning, consider driving into nearby Asheboro or Seagrove to enjoy a quick shopping or dining experience before returning to the Zoo.”
The Zoo will post parking updates on its website and social media pages.
Tickets are available for purchase online, with online tickets being valid for one visit within 30 days of the purchase date. Admission/ticketing gates will remain open during regular business hours. As a reminder ticket sales / entry into the zoo end one hour before closing.
If the zoo does need to cut off access due to full parking and you find yourself caught outside the park, check out this list of things to do in Randolph County from the Heart of NC.