A Complete Guide To Cameron Park Zoo
Nestled in the heart of Waco, Texas, Cameron Park Zoo offers a unique and enriching experience for animal lovers of all ages. Spanning 52 acres and home to more than 1,700 animals, the zoo combines natural beauty with educational exhibits to create a fun and informative outing. Whether you're a local resident or just passing through, visiting Cameron Park Zoo is a great way to spend a day with the family, learn about wildlife, and appreciate the wonders of the animal kingdom.


About me: I’m Kelsey, a bestselling travel book author and the creator of 3 Texas travel websites. As a native Texan, I spend my own time and money exploring this state to help millions of readers find the best food, things to do, places to stay in Austin and beyond. Check out my other sites: TheSanAntonioThings.com and TheAustinThings.com!
A Brief History of Cameron Park Zoo
A Brief History of Cameron Park Zoo
Cameron Park Zoo's roots trace back to the mid-1900s. Originally opened in 1955 as the Central Texas Zoological Park, it was originally a small zoo that existed in Waco to help encourage wildlife education and recreation. It has undergone significant transformations over the years.
One of my favorite parts about Cameron Park Zoo is that community supporters continue to provide generous donations so that Cameron Park Zoo can get better every year!

The zoo's growth is a testament to Waco's dedication to preserving wildlife and providing high-quality, interactive exhibits for locals and visitors. In fact, I can’t think of a better small town zoo than Cameron Park Zoo. It even rivals a lot of “big city” zoos I’ve visited.
The zoo was named after Cameron Park, a scenic 416-acre green space located on the Brazos River. This natural landscape sets the perfect backdrop for the zoo, enhancing its overall appeal. Visitors can explore both the zoo’s lush grounds and go explore at the playgrounds, hiking trails, and amazing scenic overlooks at Cameron Park Zoo. It’s an easy way to spend the entire day outdoors and away from screens!

What to Expect When You Visit
Cost of entry: $16/adults, $14/seniors, $12/children 3-12, and FREE/children 2 & under
Size of the zoo: 52 acres
How many hours should I spend there? About 2-3 hours
Free parking? Yes! There’s plenty of free parking at Cameron Park Zoo.
Anything I should bring to the zoo? It’s a big zoo, so bring a stroller for little ones, plenty of water, and hats/sunscreen if it’s a hot day
Anything I CAN’T bring? No food allowed, so pack a picnic to enjoy outside the zoo at Cameron Park before or after your visit! Also no bikes/strollers (they freak out the animals!)

Cameron Park Zoo is 100% a must-see for anyone in Waco. It's designed to give visitors the chance to see animals in habitats that resemble their natural environments. The zoo is divided into several themed areas, each representing different ecosystems and animal species from around the world.
1. Asian Forest

One of the zoo’s highlights is the Asian Forest, home to animals from Southeast Asia and the Far East. Visitors can observe the tigers, komodo dragons, and the incredible orangutan great apes. The exhibits here are designed with dense vegetation and waterfall features to mimic the humid, tropical conditions of Southeast Asia, and it provides a beautiful and immersive experience.

A unique feature of this area is the chance to get an up-close look at the zoo’s endangered species conservation efforts. The Sumatran tiger, in particular, is critically endangered, and the zoo participates in breeding programs aimed at preserving this magnificent species.

I love how Cameron Park Zoo provides lots of shady places to sit and rest along the trail. They also have “misting stations” where water misters will spray a steady stream of cold water to cool down guests. Very needed on hot days in Texas!
2. Africa

The African Savanna exhibit brings visitors face-to-face with some of the continent’s most iconic animals. Here, you can see giraffes, white rhinos, and flamingos, roaming freely across a wide, open area designed to mimic the grasslands of Africa.

Seriously, I was stunned at how wide open it all is! They really do a great job of not “fencing in” the animals. For instance, the elephant exhibit doesn’t really have a gate or a fence around it…instead, there’s a big 10-foot “river” surrounding the animal’s home in order to keep the animal in and the guests out. This water doubles as a drinking station for the elephant.

The African Savannah exhibit also features lions (both male and female), and they were definitely my favorite animals at the zoo. I’m not sure if it was mating season or what was going on, but these lions were ROARING for about 20 minutes straight. It was so cool to watch and listen to that sound!


3. Penguin Shores

Penguin Shores is the newest addition to Cameron Park Zoo. You might have seen billboards on I-35 advertising this addition! It’s a fun place to watch dozens of penguins swimming, playing, and eating in a home that’s made to mimic their natural habitat.

Every penguin has a name, and I love the display listing every single penguin and its name. So cute.

4. Herpetarium

Warning: Snakes! Don’t walk into the herpetarium if you get freaked out by creepy-crawlies. But if you love to see them, I think this palace is wildly impressive.

The first thing you’ll notice when you walk into the herpetarium at Cameron Park Zoo is how humid and hot it is. They have to keep it that way for the snakes.

5. South America
South America is the smallest section of the zoo, but it’s definitely worth visiting in order to see that cool Giant Tortoise. You can get so close to it!
6. Brazos River Country

For a local twist, the zoo also features an exhibit dedicated to Texas native species. I thought this part might be kind of boring (after all, I’m from Texas so I’ve seen lots of the “Texas wildlife” plenty of times), but this was actually one of the coolest parts of the entire zoo!

From bobcats and armadillos to white-tailed deer and bison, this section highlights the diversity of wildlife found in the Lone Star State. The focus here is on conservation efforts to protect local species and their natural habitats, which we all know can sadly often be overlooked in favor of more exotic animals.

The Texas Native Wildlife area provides an educational experience for those interested in the state's unique ecosystem and the animals that inhabit it. It also offers a chance to discuss conservation issues that affect wildlife on a local and national level.

Not to be missed: the nocturnal animals exhibit, which is an indoor exhibit featuring bats, raccoons, owls, and more night critters.

Conservation Efforts
Cameron Park Zoo is not just a place to observe animals—it’s also deeply involved in wildlife conservation efforts. It’s worth mentioning this in my guide to Cameron Park Zoo because not every zoo is doing this much good!
The zoo works closely with various national and international organizations to promote the preservation of endangered species and their habitats. Lots of the animals you’ll see at the zoo are part of breeding programs aimed at ensuring the survival of species that are at risk of extinction. Amazing!

In addition to breeding programs, the zoo is also active in environmental education. They offer programs that teach visitors about conservation and how they can contribute to the protection of wildlife. Whether through partnerships with local schools or its own public outreach initiatives, Cameron Park Zoo is committed to raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity.
Family-Friendly Zoo
Cameron Park Zoo is designed to be an engaging and educational experience for the whole family, and they do that so well! I was very impressed with all of the supplemental experiences and activities to make sure that families are comfortable.

The zoo’s playground area is a great place for kids to burn off energy after exploring the exhibits. Anyone who has visited zoos with toddlers knows that after an hour or two of looking at animals, little ones just need to RUN! The playground has a cool treehouse, a slide, and a shady dedicated area where little ones can run around.
There’s also a few nursing pods for moms who want some privacy. Well done, Cameron Park Zoo!
Conclusion
Cameron Park Zoo is a gem in Waco, Texas. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a family looking for fun kid-friendly things to do in Waco, or someone interested in conservation efforts, the zoo offers something for everyone. From its beautifully designed exhibits to its commitment to animal care and education, there’s definitely no shortage of reasons to visit this remarkable zoo. It’s a wildly impressive place, with a welcoming atmosphere, well-maintained facilities, and engaging exhibits. Cameron Park Zoo is going to leave visitors with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for the animals that share our planet.

Cameron Park Zoo
WEBSITE | 1701 N 4th St, Waco, TX 76707
Things To Do Near Cameron Park Zoo
Before you visit the zoo, walk through the Waco Sculpture Zoo to see sculptures of all the animals you’re about to see at the zoo. And after your visit, pack a picnic lunch and head to Lovers Leap in Waco (the prettiest view in the whole city!) for a picnic lunch. There are a few really good Waco playgrounds on this map that are close to Cameron Park Zoo in case you need a place to play. And of course you can always visit this guide to the best kid-friendly things to do in Waco for a lot of other ideas.

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