All buses drop off and pick up at the Zoo’s North Entrance. During busy spring months, some buses may be directed to drop off at the South Entrance, during “bus mitigation.” Make sure your group is registered via our group registration form to receive the most up-to-date information.

There is no bus parking on Zoo parking lots. Buses must have a permit to park in Forest Park, and will be assigned to a designated lot by the Parks Department. Parking permits are obtained by calling the Forest Park Permits Office at (314) 289-5330, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., or by completing an application online. As soon as possible, but at least a minimum of two weeks prior to your visit, contact Forest Park for bus parking permits. Drivers will need to provide their name, name and address of school/organization, date of visit, and the number of buses arriving at the time of their request. Permits will be mailed. Any permits requested less than two weeks before the scheduled trip will need to be picked up at the permit office. 

Bus drivers will need to walk or take the bus from the bus parking location to the Zoo.  Visit the Forest Park Forever website for more information.   The drivers may enter the Zoo through either the North or South Entrances.  Admission to the Zoo is free! 

The Saint Louis Zoo is working hard to make sure your group’s visit is exceptional, starting with the arrival of your bus at the Zoo entrances. Due to the increased volume of buses, school chaperones and overall traffic, the Zoo implemented an enhanced bus drop-off and pick-up plan for groups in the Spring, during our heaviest group visitation period on weekdays typically late April until late May. 

First and foremost, in order to make your group’s arrival as efficient as possible, please make sure to register your group at here, ideally at least four weeks before your planned visit. Further, please note in the registration if you have either purchased group tickets or booked a program with us, as this will help determine which entrance works best for your group. 

Two weeks before the week of your planned visit, the Zoo’s Guest Experience team will send your group leader an email, to email address provided at registration, with arrival instructions for your visit, as well as an attachment for you to bring and display in the dashboard of any buses coming to the Zoo. Your group will either be directed to use the Zoo’s North or South entrance, with the dashboard display helping our traffic control team to direct you to the correct location. Please note that conditions and situations do come up, so your planned entry point may have to be adjusted by the traffic team upon arrival.

As part of this drop-off and pick-up plan, and to safely and efficiently use the South Entrance of the Zoo as an option for groups, Wells Drive will be operating as a one-way road, going East to West from the park entrance at Hampton Avenue to Tamm Avenue from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (subject to change). Traffic control signs and materials will be in use to allow this to occur.

The Saint Louis Zoo requires a minimum of one (1) adult chaperone for every ten (10) students. Adult chaperones must remain with the students at all times while on Zoo grounds. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. 

Limited free street parking is available in Forest Park. Paid parking is available on the North and South Parking Lots. Learn more at https://stlzoo.org/visit/parking-and-maps Parking is not guaranteed for any groups’ chaperones.

The Zoo does not know and cannot provide information about groups that have arrived and/or where they are in the Zoo.  Please provide chaperones and/or parents with a contact name and number of a school representative onsite at the Zoo who can provide that information to them. 

The Zoo does not have space to store lunches. Please be prepared to carry lunches in backpacks or wagons. Storage lockers are available for a fee at the north and south entrances for your convenience. Please see the rental desks for more information. Note: glass bottles are prohibited.

Sack lunches may be eaten at any of the outdoor locations in the Zoo. Please see our picnic map for suggested group lunch seating locations. Plan appropriately for the weather.

The Zoo is a rain, shine, or snow location! Please plan clothing, shoes, and other needs appropriately for your visit.  Visit the Zoo’s website and/or social media for any updates regarding potential closures due to weather.  If you have booked programs, purchased group tickets, or scheduled behind-the-scenes tours, potential refunds or reschedules will be accommodated in accordance with each unit’s policies, listed on their individual web pages and/or your confirmation information. 

In the event of severe weather (e.g. thunderstorm, tornado, etc.) Zoo staff and volunteers will direct you to the closest storm shelter, until the all-clear is given by Security.  If this happens, please follow all directions given by the Zoo team.  Additionally, we strongly suggest that all chaperones have a way to communicate directly with the teacher. 

If you have booked programs, purchased group tickets, or scheduled behind-the-scenes tours, potential refunds or reschedules will be accommodated in accordance with each department’s policies, listed on their individual web pages and/or your confirmation information.

The St. Louis Children’s Hospital First Aid station is located next the Conservation Carousel in “The Wild” area of the Zoo.  Additionally, members of the Security team, and other select staff, are certified to administer basic first aid, including the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and supplementary oxygen if needed. 

The Zoo cannot store medication.  Please plan on transporting and carrying it as needed during your visit, including utilizing a cooler if needed.  If you need additional support, please visit the First Aid Station when you arrive for your visit. 

The Zoo has strollers and wheelchairs available for rental.  The Zoo has also earned Sensory Inclusive™ certification through a partnership with KultureCity. Visit our Accessibility and Rentals page for more detailed information about accessible services. 

The Zoo is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all guests, staff and animals. The Zoo has its own security team made up of highly skilled and trained personnel who keep guests, staff and animals safe and keep the grounds secure 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Many of them have law enforcement backgrounds and the team must maintain certification requirements by both the State of Missouri and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.

Additionally, the Zoo has explosives and weapons detection dogs (“Speedy” and "Karlo").

There is a security screening system, called the Evolv system, at both North and South Entrances. This security screening system is designed to detect concealed weapons as guests enter the Zoo.

EVOLV is the Zoo’s security screening system designed to detect concealed weapons. All guests must pass through the system. Large bags, wagons, coolers, backpacks, and purses may require a bag search after passing through the detection system. 

Plan for extra time to get through the security screening, particularly during busy field trip times.

The Zoo may take photographs, video, and audio of you and your party during your visit to the Zoo and the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park. By entering these areas, you consent to the recording activities and agree that the Zoo may, without compensation, reproduce, edit, distribute, perform, display, and use the photos, videos, and audio for both internal and public publications, marketing, advertising, and promotional purposes, including on the Zoo website, social media channels, broadcasts, and webcasts.

If students will be visiting gift shops or food locations, know that only select larger locations within the Zoo accept cash.  Certain services and experiences (parking lots, giraffe feedings and small kiosks) only accept cards.