Frequently Asked Questions

For more than 40 years, ZooAmerica® North American Wildlife Park has strived to provide exceptional expert care to more than 200 animals while educating guests and the greater community in a safe and enjoyable environment. As an AZA-accredited zoo, safety has and will continue to be the top priority at ZooAmerica. Based on updated Pennsylvania guidance, we have updated our safety enhancements. Guests are free to continue to wear face coverings anywhere on property if they choose to do so. Please note reservations are not required to visit ZooAmerica.

ZooAmerica is cashless and accepts all major credit and debit cards, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts gift cards, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay. Guests who may not have credit or debit cards can convert cash to prepaid debit cards at a Cash-to-Card kiosk in the ZooAmerica Admissions Building.

A guest inserts cash into a Cash-to-Card kiosk, which dispenses a plastic prepaid Visa Debit Card that can be used at the ZooAmerica Admissions Building and Zoovenirs. Up to $500 can be loaded onto a single card, and cards cannot be reloaded or refunded. Cards can be used anywhere Visa is accepted.

No, there are no fees to convert cash to a prepaid card at a Cash-to-Card kiosk inside ZooAmerica. There are also no fees to use the prepaid card inside or outside of ZooAmerica. Please note that after 92 consecutive days of no transaction activity, a $3.95 fee will be charged each month.

We are pleased to offer these behind-the-scenes tours for guests to explore even more of the wild of North America. Learn more about our After Hours Tour and Early Bird Tour.

Yes, we offer three birthday party packages on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 AM to 12 PM or 1:30 PM to 3 PM, January through May and 10:30 AM to 12 PM, June through August. Weekend parties can be scheduled online June through May. Please call if you are interested in booking a weekday package.

We have three ZooAmerica birthday packages available for purchase.

Hoot Package: $475

• Free admission to ZooAmerica before and after the designated party time for 15 guests plus the birthday child.
• Party room for 1.5 hours
• T-shirt for the birthday child, butcher paper for tablecloths, crayons, and decorations
• 20-minute educational program

Howl Package: $563.50

• Everything in Package 1 plus:
• Cupcakes from The Sweeterie (half chocolate, half vanilla with vanilla frosting and fun sprinkles)
• Drinks (Juice boxes, soda cans, and water)

Roar Package: $682.75

• Everything in Package 1 & 2 plus:
• Pizza (2 slices per individual)

ZooAmerica is an 11 acre, walk-through North American Wildlife Park. It takes about one hour to walk through the entire Zoo, but feel free to spend as much time as you like!

Free parking is available at ZooAmerica. In the event our regular parking area becomes full, please use the Parking Garage at The Hershey Press Building which is also free.

• ZooAmerica Parking Lot GPS Address:
  201 Park Avenue
  Hershey, PA 17033
• The Hershey Press Building Parking Garage GPS Address:
  27 West Chocolate Avenue
  Hershey, PA 17033

Parking is free at ZooAmerica. Entry is not permitted into Hersheypark^® from the Zoo entrance.

ZooAmerica is attached to Hersheypark via a walkway bridge located in the Kissing Tower Hill℠ area of the Park. The Zoo is free when entered from this location. There is also a separate, year-round entrance to the Zoo off of Route 743.

Yes, ZooAmerica® admission is included with your Hersheypark admission only by accessing the zoo through the Hersheypark bridge during public operating hours. View Hersheypark Hours

We rent wheelchairs for the fee of $5 per use.

You may bring in packed lunches and coolers. Portable grills are not permitted. All patrons and bags are subject to be searched.

We do not allow pets in the Zoo. We do allow certified service animals.

Discounted rates are available for groups of 15 or more people. View details.

We do for our ZooAmerica Pass Holders. View participating zoos.

We are not currently accepting volunteers at this time.

Job shadowing is available for high school students in 9th-12th grades. Shadowing is $60 per session. All sessions are 2 hours from 8:30-10:30 AM.

Any jobs available will be listed on our careers page. Check back regularly for new postings.

Yes! Donations can be provided by going to the link here.

It's always a good time to visit, but the animals are most active in the morning.

We are open year-round so you can visit during any season, but the animals are most active during the cooler months. We are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

We started out as a private animal collection and are now an accredited Zoo. Learn more about the history of ZooAmerica.

ZooAmerica exhibits plants and animals native to North America, so you will only see things from this continent.

We do not have a petting zoo.

ZooAmerica does not participate in an animal adoption program.

We do not accept donations. For reptiles, it is best to contact your local reptile rescue agency. Contact your local wildlife rehabilitator for assistance.

Yes! Sensory Bags are available in the admissions building upon arriving at ZooAmerica. Bags include noise-canceling headphones, various fidget tools, verbal cue card, sensory glasses, sunglasses, color-coded ZooAmerica map, and a stuffed alligator plush.

• Ask us questions, we love to talk about our Zoo!
• Note that ZooAmerica is entirely non-smoking
• For your safety and the animals' safety, please do not cross any barriers
• Please do not throw objects in any exhibit, tap on the glass, or tease the animals
• Please do not feed the animals, except the ducks and fish