The Oregon Zoo spreads across 64 acres of forested hillside in Portland’s Washington Park, about two miles west of downtown. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi River, and visitors come for its Asian elephants, its polar bears, and a conservation program that works to restore threatened Pacific Northwest species.
Elephant Lands is the centerpiece. This six-acre habitat has deep pools, sand-floored yards, and timed feeders that keep the herd moving and foraging. Polar Passage, which opened in 2021, lets you watch bears swim at eye level through underwater viewing windows. Primate Forest and the Great Northwest area, with cougars, bears, and river otters, round out the circuit. Behind the scenes, zoo staff breed California condors and western pond turtles for release into the wild. That work gives a visit real weight beyond the exhibits.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Tickets: General admission must be booked online in advance with a timed entry. Adult tickets run about $26 (Planet Whitley). Hours change by season, and the last entry is usually 60 minutes before closing (Oregon Zoo).
Timing: Weekday mornings, when the animals are most active, are the quietest time to visit. Summer weekends draw the largest crowds. In winter, the ZooLights holiday display packs the evenings.
Getting there: Parking is limited, so take MAX Red or Blue Line trains to Washington Park station, which sits about 260 feet underground. Drivers should check for the I-5 southbound closures that began September 11, 2026. The International Rose Test Garden and the Japanese Garden are both nearby and easy to add to your day.
