Summer Tours & Feedings

Visit the only zoo in the Land of the Midnight Sun. We enjoy long days of zoo operation in the summer. We are open daily from 9am to 8pm during June, July and August. Last entry is always 30 minutes before closing.

See our full list of hours and rates here.

Shuttle

The following offerings occur from May 22nd through September 1st, 2025 on select days.

Summer Shuttle from Downtown Anchorage

Free summer shuttle, online reservations required.

Shuttle operates Thursdays-Sundays only (no shuttle Mondays-Wednesdays.

Pick up and drop off location downtown in front of the Visitor’s Log Cabin at 4th and F Street. See reservation page for shuttle days and times for rides to and from the zoo.

Pay at the Gate

Animal Feeding Experiences

Pay at the zoo gate on the day you wish to feed (before starting time).

No reservations online.

  • May 22nd - September 1st, 2025, 5 days a week, no Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

  • 30-minute feeding session with a trained guide.

  • You get to feed the animal, ask questions and take pictures.

  • Ages 2 and under are free. No advance reservations, pay at the zoo gate.

  • $30 per person plus zoo entry fees.

Feeding Times (Thursdays-Mondays weekly):

  • 10am Moose Feeding

  • 1pm Black Bear Feeding

  • 2:30pm Moose Feeding

Snow Cats and Bears of Alaska Tours

Pay at the zoo gate on the day you wish to tour (before starting time).

No reservations online.

  • $25/person plus entry

  • 1 hour tour

  • Thursdays-Mondays (no Tuesday, Wednesday)

  • Starts on Friday, June 13th

Tour Times (Thursdays-Mondays weekly):

    • 11am - Snow Cats Tour 

    • 3:30pm - Bears of Alaska Tour

  • Maximum of 10 people, no age restrictions

  • Descriptions:

    • Snow Cats (11am only): Join us on a tour of the Alaska Zoo's cats that thrive in Arctic and sub-arctic habitats!  You'll visit the beautiful snow leopards, the stealthy lynx and a behind the scenes look at the critically endangered Amur tiger.

    • Bears of Alaska (3:30pm only): Alaska has three species of bears, and you can find them all at the Alaska Zoo!  On this tour, you will learn about these bears and visit the brown, black and polar bear exhibits, with a peek behind the scenes.

 

Reserve in Advance

Reserve a Brown Bear Encounter

Enjoy a 30 minute behind-the-scenes session with zoo brown bears Izzy and Oreo with a zookeeper.

Reserve a Wildlife Walk Small Tour

Take a 1.5 hour guided tour of the Alaska Zoo for just $50 per person! An experienced guide will take you on a walk through the zoo's naturally wooded trails to explore the zoo's animal stories, mission and species natural history. Limited to 8 guests. Tours must be purchased 24 hours in advance of the tour date. Tours are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10am from May 22nd - September 1st, 2025. Price includes zoo admission and the tour. Ages 3 and up need a ticket.

Reserve a VIP Tour with Rich

The VIP tour must be reserved in advance online and includes:

  • 2-hour, behind-the-scenes tour by Education Director Rich Capitan.

  • VIP tours are Wednesdays only throughout the year.

  • VIP tours 8-10am, starting one hour before zoo opening.

  • $1,000 for up to 4 participants, age 9 and older.

  • Tour must be purchased online at least 1 day before the tour date.

  • VIP tour behind-the-scenes include polar bears, commissary and more.

  • Stops may be added or changed as animals arrive or for health concerns.

  • Your purchase is non-refundable. We will work with you to reschedule.

  • Email Education Director Rich Capitan here with questions.