Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is built into the side of Cheyenne Mountain, at about 6,800 feet, which makes it the highest zoo in the United States and a hilly walk with sweeping views. It was founded in 1926 by the businessman Spencer Penrose, who wanted a place for children to see animals, and it has since grown into a nationally respected accredited zoo with around 750 animals. Its signature experience is the giraffe feeding station, where visitors can hand lettuce to Masai giraffes from a raised deck. Other highlights include an African savanna, a rainforest house, a big cats exhibit, the Asian Highlands with Amur tigers and the Rocky Mountain Wild area, where bears and wolves roam. A shuttle and a pace of walking uphill make the zoo feel more like an outing than a stroll.

The zoo is known for conservation work and for innovation, including work with endangered species and its African Rift Valley exhibit. Staff run feeding programs, keeper talks and animal encounters through the day, and a schedule posted at the entrance helps you plan. Beyond giraffes, favorite stops include the primate habitats, the Mexican wolf habitat and a carousel.

Families often start with the giraffes and work their way up and down the slopes. Strollers are available for rent, and the zoo can advise on accessible routes for visitors who prefer not to climb. Because the grounds are spread across a steep hillside, comfortable shoes are essential, and so is a sense of pace: a few hours is a good plan.

The surrounding mountain adds to the visit. Higher up the slope sits the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun, a granite tower built as a memorial and known for its panoramic views of the city and plains. The Shrine is a short drive from the zoo, and it has a small museum and a viewing area at the top.

The Cheyenne Mountain area also contains a state park with trails, and the zoo is only a few minutes from Seven Falls and the Broadmoor. For a sociable day, combine the zoo with a picnic or a late lunch at a nearby cafe. The zoo can be busy during school holidays, so aim for weekday mornings, when animals are active and crowds are lighter.

Plan for weather and altitude. The zoo is open in all four seasons, and winter days can be surprisingly pleasant, though some exhibits may close and animals may be indoors. In summer, afternoon storms are common, so go early and carry a hat and water. Expect to spend three to five hours. The zoo is not cheap, but it is a full day for families and animal lovers, and its funds support conservation programs.

Special experiences such as animal encounters, a behind-the-scenes giraffe session and seasonal lights events are available at certain times of year. Check the website for current hours, feeding times and any ticket requirements, and buy tickets ahead for busy periods.

Pacing the day helps. Start at the top of the grounds and work downhill if you have small children, or begin with the giraffes to avoid the lines that build later in the morning. Keeper talks and feeding sessions run at set times, so check the day's schedule on arrival and plan a break for lunch. The zoo offers seasonal events and special experiences, and visitors who like quieter days should aim for winter weekdays, when the paths are open and the animals are often lively in the cool air.