Plan a Visit

Current Hours

Daily

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Last entry at 3:30pm.
Opening Times
Schedule  

Open Daily  10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Last entry at 3:30 pm

NOTE:  On snowy days, we may open later or not at all for snow removal.

Please call ahead:  909-584-1299

Group Tours

For scheduling group tours please fill out this form. If you have any questions please contact 909-866-9700.

Location

Address

42801 Moonridge Road Big Bear Lake, CA
Driving Directions
Ticket Information

General Admission Prices

Ticket Prices are subject to change anytime.

Adult (Ages 13-59)     $16.00

Senior (Ages 60+)     $11.00

Youth (Ages 3-12)    $11.00

Children 2 and Under    Free

Military Discount       

Serving or retired military (with ID)  $11.00.  This discount is for military personnel only.

Purchase Tickets

Parking:  Free

The Zoo accepts Visa and MasterCard

Group Discounts

If you will be visiting the Zoo with a party of 10 or more you can receive $1.00 off per person. Groups of 10 must ALL be together in order to receive the discount, available only at the ticket counter.

        

Daily Programs

Behavioral Enrichment- throughout the day

Included with daily admission

Big Bear Alpine Zoo’s Enrichment Philosophy

The natural behaviors of our animals will direct our behavioral enrichment and will assist our keepers in the determination of enrichment activities based solely on the behaviors they wish to elicit.

Enrichment can be defined as: as a dynamic process for enhancing animal environments within the context of the animals’ behavioral biology and natural history. Environmental changes are made with the goal of increasing the animal’s behavioral choices and drawing out their species-appropriate behaviors, thus enhancing animal welfare.

Types of enrichment:

Enrichment is provided in a variety of ways, such as:

Exhibit design: provides a variety of substrates, levels, and complexities.

Training: interaction with the keeper and proper training allows an animal to choose to participate. This is also useful in gaining the animal’s trust and allows the keeper close, visual observations of that animal.

Olfactory: a keeper can introduce natural predator or prey scents, in addition to novel smells or pheromone scents.

Auditory: taped sounds or vocalizations can simulate things that an animal may hear in the wild.

Food related: this is the most widely used form of enrichment. Keepers can present food in a variety of ways such as in a simple puzzle feeder, hidden throughout the enclosure, scattered about the enclosure, or buried in a substrate. To get the food, the animal must use natural foraging behaviors and/or mentally solve the puzzle.

Novel objects: various items placed in an animal’s enclosure allow the animal to mimic behaviors exhibited in the wild or could challenge them. These items could include burlap bags, sheets, boomer balls, chew toys, or a hammock. Often, novel objects will be combined with food related enrichment. For example, burlap bags may be filled with hay and treats and tied closed. The animal would then have to get into the bag and sort through the hay to get to the treats.

Research: Participation in a research projects offers mental stimulation. (i.e., foraging skills research with giant pandas, cognitive research with orangutans)

Visitors’ Reviews

This place is awesome! Friendly staff, gorgeous animals and a wonderful experience all around.

Stephanie Paige

Beautiful day, blue skies, sunshine and charming animals. But best of all was the knowledge and sincere devotion imparted by the staff attending these special creatures. Good luck and trusting the hard work in the months ahead will bring only success in building your new zoo. Thank you for making Big Bear an even better place.

Linda Falconer

We love this zoo. Today was our son’s first zoo trip and he loved seeing all the animals. Staff is so great and we really enjoyed the presentation on the bears. Such a wonderful place.

 

Morgan O’Brien- Minson

FAQs & Rules

Q. What animals are at the Zoo?

A.  We are proud that every animal at the zoo has been rescued from some sort of human interaction.   You will find every type of animal that lives in the Big Bear Valley, and some additional ones that respond well to our environment such as Grizzly Bears and Wolves.  Please check out the animal bio pages to learn the history of the animals in our care.

Q. Is there a fee for parking?

A. Parking is free. Be sure to park in the designated parking lot to the east of the zoo.  Handicapped parking is available.

Q. Can I rent a stroller or wheelchair at the Zoo?

A.  No, the Zoo does not have strollers or wheelchairs for rent.

Q. Is smoking allowed at the Zoo?

A.  Smoking is not allowed on Zoo grounds.

Q. What items are not allowed on Zoo grounds?

A.  For the safety of our animals, the following items are not allowed on Zoo grounds:  glass of any kind, aluminum cans, pets, laser pointers, scooters, skate boards, roller skates, and breakable items.  No plastic lids or straws are allowed that might accidentally find their way into the animals’ enclosures.  No alcohol is allowed in the facility.

Q. If I bring an animal to the Zoo, will staff keep me updated on its progress?

A. All animals that come in are assigned a number and our cashier can look up individual animals based on that number.  We can let you know how an animal is doing if you call, but we cannot let you see the animal once they are brought to the zoo. That animal is in a quarantine situation for their safety and the health and the safety of the patrons and our other animals as well.

Q. How do I become a Zoo Member?

A.  Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo offers several different memberships.  Membership benefits also include: free zoo admission for one year, member newsletter, free admission to selected eventsdocent training, 10% off merchandise in the gift shop, and free or reduced entry fees to reciprocal parks. Contact them at 909-878-4200 to learn more.

Q. Can I adopt an animal at the Zoo?

A.  The Big Bear Alpine Zoo offers a special program for animal lovers.  When an animal is adopted, 100% of the funds go toward the care of the animal.  It is a special way to give to the animals that you love.  Contact Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo to adopt your favorite animal today (909-878-4200).

Q. Where is the Zoo located?

A.   The Zoo is located at 747 Club View Drive.  It is located at the bottom of the Bear Mountain Golf Course, at the Moonridge “y”.

Q. What if it is snowing or raining?

A.  The Zoo is open almost every day.  The animals are interesting to watch while it is snowing or raining.  The only exception is when there is a tremendous amount of snow accumulation and the facility may then close for a portion of the day (mostly in the morning) while tractors and snow blowers make the facility safe for our visitors.

Q. Can I touch or hold any animals at the Zoo?

A. We do not allow the zoo visitors to interact with the animals in our care for both the safety of the animal and the guest.  It is important to remember that these animals are all WILD animals and can react unpredictably at times.  It is also important to know that should an animal bite a guest, the animal could be euthanized per health regulations.  For the safety of all the animals in our care and yours, please keep your fingers out of the enclosures.

Q. Is outside food allowed in the Zoo?

A. The Zoo welcomes guests who wish to bring their own picnics into the Zoo with them.  The zoo requests that you do not bring aluminum cans, glassware or any other breakable materials and refrain from using any plastic items such as straws and cup lids that might accidentally find their way into the animals’ enclosures. Light snacks and water are available in the gift shop.

Q. Are pets allowed in the Zoo?

A.  Outside animals and pets are not allowed in the Zoo at anytime for the protection of the animals in our care, and for the protection of your pet. The Zoo does allow fully trained service animals to enter the Zoo.

Q. Does the Zoo take orphaned or injured animals?

A.  Yes, we receive hundreds of orphaned and injured wild animals every year.  We will accept animals as long as we have the room to care for them.  If we suspect an animal has a serious infectious disease, we may refer you to someone else. We cannot risk the animals in our permanent care contracting an infectious disease that could put the entire collection at risk.  Please note, we firmly believe that each year, well meaning citizens unnecessarily bring us baby animals.  Please be absolutely sure that the animals are orphaned before taking them from their nest or home.  Observe from a distance for a while, both mom and the babies will be happy that you did.

Q. How does the Zoo pay for all of the animals brought into the facility for rehabilitation?

A.   Our veterinary bill and food costs for rehabilitation are approximately $35,000 to $60,000 per year.  These bills are paid for by monies generated from the admission paid to get into the zoo and from donations received from our generous visitors.  There are donation boxes located throughout the zoo.