Hours and Admissions

To enter the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, all guests ages 4 years old and up are required to wear a cloth face covering that covers your nose and mouth for the duration of your visit, both inside zoo grounds and throughout SF's campus. Groups are limited to 10 individuals. Please continue to social distance from other groups. For more information about our safety guidelines, see our Reopening Information. 

Visiting Hours

Visiting hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. We are open seven days a week (except for dates listed below). No appointments are necessary. The Teaching Zoo is open for guests to walk around the zoo on their own. Guided tours can be scheduled in advance. 

Groups

Zoo and Planetarium tours are available by advanced registration. To request a group tour, please fill out this tour request form. We accept cash, checks and all credit cards.  

Admission Rates

  • Adults (13 to 59) $8
  • Children (4 to 12) $5
  • Seniors (60+) $5
  • Active Military and Veterans $5 with valid ID
  • Teachers $5 with valid ID
  • Police, Firefighters, First Responders, EMT/EMS, Healthcare Workers $5 with valid ID
  • UF Students and Staff $5 with current Gator1 ID
  • Children (3 and under) Free
  • SF Students, Staff, and Retirees Free with current SF ID

Refunds and/or rainchecks will not be issued. 

We reserve the right to refuse admission or ask you to leave the zoo without a refund if you are unable to abide by SF Teaching Zoo's safety protocols and other posted rules. 

Directions

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo

The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is located on SF's Northwest Campus.

3000 NW 83rd Street
Gainesville, FL 32606

Get directions to the Zoo

Instead of GPS, find us with these step-by-step directions.

Note: GPS will guide you to the East side of the campus. The Zoo is located on the Northwest side.

The Zoo is located off of North Road, on the northwest campus of Santa Fe College.

If you are coming from I-75,

  • Take exit 390. Continue east on NW 39th Avenue (FL-222 E).
  • Turn right onto NW 91st Street (On the Walgreens side)
  • Follow NW 91st around the sharp-left curve (NW 91st becomes North Road).
  • Take the first right after the curve into the Zoo parking lot.
  • We are located on the left in the tan building with the green roof at the tree line.

If you are at the SF Admissions Office on the main campus

  • Turn Left onto NW 83rd Street.
  • At light, turn left onto North Road.
  • Continue pass the Gym, and turn left into the Zoo parking lot.
  • We are located on the left in the tan building with the green roof at the tree line.

Parking

The Zoo shares the parking lot with the Little School and acts as overflow for the SF main campus. Guests can park in any parking space as long as it is not outlined in blue paint or has signs posted for the Reserved Parking.

Handicap spaces are available next to the restrooms close to the entrance of the Zoo.

Buses

Buses must park in LOT #10. Please do not allow buses/vehicles to block parking at the Zoo or in front of the Little School.

In case of emergency, these areas should not be blocked at any time.

Overflow Parking

Overflow parking is available across from the street (North Road) in LOT #9.

Closed Dates

  • November 26 - Thanksgiving Day
  • December 24 - Christmas Eve
  • December 25 - Christmas Day

Zoo Map

Know before you go! You can view, download, and print the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo map below. There is a large map available at the zoo entrance if you would like to take a picture. Due to COVID-19, we will not be handing out maps upon entry at this time. Red arrows show a suggested route through the zoo.

Accessibility Note: The Zoo Map is PDF format. If you need assistance, please contact the Zoo.

Download or view PDF here

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