Caldwell Zoo
Address 
2203 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Tyler,TX,75702
United States
-95° -95' 32.0304" N 32° 32' 11.73" W
Description:

Caldwell Zoo is the culmination of one man’s vision and love of children. It started in 1937, when David King Caldwell opened a Child Development Laboratory at his home. The playschool – complete with parrots, monkeys, squirrels and more – was a huge hit that soon grew to host a variety of animals and span a patchwork of buildings and land. Mr. Caldwell’s vision of a proper zoo for the children of east Texas was realized in 1953, when Caldwell Zoo officially opened on the site it occupies today. Early Zoo residents included a lion and chimpanzee who had retired from careers in television.

Completion of a master plan in 1976 provided a new entrance complex, elephant facility, giraffe barn and other animal environments. A 15-acre native Texas area and Texas farm opened in 1983, followed by the Texas reptile and aquarium building. In 1987, the Zoo added hoofstock barns, a modern elephant facility (converting the existing elephant facility to accommodate rhinos) and the Overlook plaza.

Throughout its history, Caldwell Zoo has welcomed new animals and enjoyed many highlights. In 1982, the first baby giraffe was born, and in 1989, the first Chilean flamingo chick hatched. The Zoo collaborated with other institutions in 1991 to produce the world’s first cheetah cub conceived through artificial insemination. The year 2002 brought the endangered Attwater’s Prairie Chicken breeding program to Caldwell Zoo, which resulted in the discovery of a new form of life at the Zoo in 2009 – Eimeria Attwaterii. Caldwell Zoo is cherished by the people of east Texas and beyond as a beautiful, fun place for children and adults to learn about wildlife – a place made possible by D.K. Caldwell.

Hours:

March 1 – Labor Day:
9:00am – 5:00pm
Exhibits close at 6:00pm

After Labor Day – February
9:00am – 4:00pm
Exhibits close at 4:30pm

Caldwell Zoo is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Admission

GENERAL ADMISSION

Caldwell ZooMembersFree

Children 2 years and youngerFree

Children 3 to 12$8.00

Adults 13 to 54$11.50

Seniors 55 and over$9.50

ZooMembers: don't forget to bring your Caldwell Zoo membership card each time you visit the zoo. Membership cards are always required for entry into the zoo.

Groups of 15 or more are eligible for discounted group admission pricing. The group must pay as a single transaction to receive the discount. Call for special school rates.

Amenities: 
ADA Accessible
Parking
Restrooms
Visitor/Nature Center
Wildlife Viewing Area
Things To Do: 
Educational Programs
Hiking/ walking
Wildlife Watching