Park Rules

Animal feeding is prohibited. Zoo animals are provided well-balanced diets that provide for all their nutritional needs, and some animals are on specially formulated diets. Public feeding is prohibited, which includes free-roaming birds such as geese, peacocks, and guinea fowl.

Nothing is to be thrown or dropped into the animal habitats. Items thrown or dropped into habitats can be ingested by the animals, which can be harmful or even fatal to animals. If you see any item fall into or thrown into an habitat, please contact a Zoo staff person immediately.

Touching animals is to be avoided unless otherwise noted, including native wildlife within the park.

Pets are not allowed within the zoo under any circumstances and are not to be left locked in personal vehicles during a zoo visit.

Service animals (dogs) are welcome. Miniature horses may be accommodated case-by-case.

• Service animals may accompany guests in most public areas. Some sensitive exhibits may be restricted, see the Service Animal Map or visit Guest Relations (North or South) for guidance. Animals must be under the handler’s control and housebroken, leashed, harnessed, or tethered unless that interferes with the task, in which case voice/signal control is acceptable. No direct contact is allowed between service animals and the zoo’s animal collection. If a service animal is out of control, not housebroken, or poses a safety hazard, we may require its removal. The guest may continue their visit without the animal. Animals may not be left unattended in vehicles at any time. View Service Animal Map

Emotional support, comfort, or therapy animals are not permitted.

Native plants and animals thrive on Zoo grounds. Picking of flowers, uprooting trees and shrubs, stripping branches or leaves, or touching, chasing or harassing native animals is not allowed. Also, animals or other materials such as eggs, plants, hair, horns, feathers, etc. may not be removed from the Zoo grounds.

Guardrails, fences, and barriers must be respected at all times for the safety of both the guests and the animals.

Climbing is not allowed anywhere in the Zoo except on children’s playgrounds. Rocks, walls, fences, railings, and barriers are to protect people and animals and are to be respected at all times.

Running in the park or throwing things is to be avoided for the safety of guests and animals.

Wading or swimming in fountains, pools, or at Swan Lake are not permitted at any time for any reason.

Smoking within the Zoo is prohibited, except for two specific smoking areas that have been designated for the public.

Children under the age of 14 years are not to be left unsupervised for any period of time.

Guests are allowed to bring their own food and drink to the Zoo. However, bringing in alcohol is prohibited. Guests are also not allowed to bring glass containers into the Zoo.

Alcoholic beverages are sold at various locations throughout the Zoo, and they must be consumed at the point of sale. Bringing alcoholic beverages into the park is prohibited.

Barbeque grills/private cooking fires are not permitted anywhere on the Zoo grounds.

Trash and recycling containers are available throughout the park. Please help keep the Zoo clean and beautiful and do not litter.

Fireworks are strictly prohibited. Anyone carrying or using fireworks will be immediately escorted from Zoo premises.

Bicycles, roller skates, skateboards, and scooters are not allowed in the Zoo at any time. These could create a danger to pedestrians, which include small children. Bicycle racks are provided at the main entrance gates.

Not all exhibits can accommodate strollers due to fire safety. Strollers are not allowed in Tropic World, Australia House, The Fragile Kingdom, or Dolphin Bay.

Radios are not prohibited, but guests must keep the volume low enough so as not to disturb the animals or other Guests. Horns and other noisemakers are prohibited.

The following items are strictly prohibited: Confetti, glitter, pinatas, balloons, candles, bouncy balls, frisbees, and noise makers of any kind.

Soliciting and propagandizing are not allowed.

Guests are welcome to take photos and video for personal use only and must not be distributed or sold.

Camera stands, like tripods and monopods, are not permitted.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago staff and authorized personnel will occasionally photograph or record guests for promotional or educational purposes. Entry to the Zoo grants permission for use of these images.

When taking photos or videos, guests are not permitted to cross any barriers or place devices such as tripods or monopods over barriers.

Flash and lighting are not allowed in certain areas and habitats for the health and well-being of animals under our care.

Drones are strictly prohibited.

Accommodations for media members and commercial requests — including but not limited to photography, videography, audio or influencer content — must be coordinated in advance with Brookfield Zoo Chicago Public Relations. More information is available here.

Proper attire, including shoes and shirts, must be worn at all times. We reserve the right to deny admission to or remove any person wearing attire that we consider inappropriate could detract from the experience of other guests.

Shoes must be worn inside all buildings.

Guests over the age of 13 are not permitted in the Zoo wearing full-body costumes with their head covered at any time. This is to avoid confusion with Brookfield Zoo Chicago costume characters and for the safety of all guests.