Ages: Middle & High School. Enjoy a morning of photographing animals & nature at the zoo! Alongside zoo educators, you’ll learn some basic photography tips & tricks while also discovering how taking photos of our wild world can help play a role in conservation. *Purchase of program includes daytime admission for participants Registration is required.
Events for Tuesday, August 20, 2024 - Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Outdoor School: Conservation Photography
Kinder Kingdom – Rainbows of Nature
Ages 4-5 years. From dazzling birds to the patterns of aquatic life, we will highlight the diverse and colorful wonders of the animal world. This vivid journey through the zoo will spark curiosity for the beauty that surrounds us. Registration is required.
World Tapir Day Celebration
Join us and celebrate tapirs during your visit to the Zoo! Discover an educational booth about Tapirs, a 10 a.m. Tapir Enrichment demo, and at 1:30 p.m. a special Tapir Keeper Talk with a chance to meet Mochi (weather permitting). Advance admission required. Purchase your timed etickets online now.
Paint. Sip. Safari. (May 7 or 22)
Ages 21+. Offered on May 7 or 22 with a Rocky Mountain goat theme. Join us for an adults only program where you not only get to create memories but a painting of one of our amazing animals as well. Each month offers a different animal theme to paint. Spend the evening at the Zoo strolling through animal exhibits, enjoying an adult beverage, meeting animals up-close and creating a masterpiece! Registration is required.
Special Stroller Safaris: Mother’s Day (May 11)
Ages 1-4 years with adult. Offered: Saturday, May 11. This special holiday Mother's Day Stroller Safari is all about our Magnificent Moms….including you! Come join us for a fabulous fun adventure as we visit other mother’s around the Zoo! Registration is required and open online now.
Annual Zoo Plant Sale (May 16, 17 & 18)
Join us at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for our annual plant sale: Thursday - Saturday, May 16, 17 & 18, while supplies last. All proceeds benefit the Zoo. A diverse selection of plant species are available, including vegetables, herbs and native perennials. All the plants are grown in Colorado, and most are grown right here at CMZoo. Not sure what you need? Our experienced horticulture staff can help you navigate the many types of available species. You're sure to find the perfect additions for your yard, patio or garden! Access the Plant Sale via the Zoo admissions area (look for signs). Sales are in-person only. No reservation or Zoo admission required. (Please note: NO shipping or delivery is available; sale is in-person only, no online sales.)
Run to the Shrine (May 18 & 19)
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo invites all ages of world class runners and families alike to Run to the Shrine, offered on the evenings of Saturday, May 18 and Sunday May 19, 2024. Run to the Shrine is a 4-mile run/walk course that curves through the Zoo, up to the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun and back down into the Zoo. Run to the Shrine has become an annual Cheyenne Mountain Zoo tradition, and it is the only time that guests are allowed to travel up to the Shrine of the Sun by foot! In addition, Run to the Shrine is an important fundraiser for the Zoo. Registration is required. (Saturday, May 18 is SOLD OUT, but tickets are still available for Sunday, May 19.)
World Tree Kangaroo Day
All ages. Join us for exciting activities planned in Australia Walkabout to help raise awareness for tree kangaroo conservation. This event and all activities are included in the price of your daytime admission to CMZoo. Please note: advance tickets to the Zoo are required for members and the general public, and some days may sell out.
World Turtle Day Celebration
All ages. Join us for exciting activities planned in Scutes Family Gallery and The Loft to help raise awareness for turtle conservation. This event and all activities are included in the price of your daytime admission to CMZoo. Please note: advance tickets to the Zoo are required for members and the general public, and some days may sell out.
Outdoor School: Teen Naturalist Training Series
Ages: Middle school & High School. A series of four workshops: June 2, 9, 23, 30. These workshops will hone in on developing the necessary skills to be a future steward of the environment. This series is only offered as a full 4 week course consisting of 12 hours of classroom and in-the-field learning. Our 4 workshops will cover the following topics: Mammalogy, Ornithology, Herpetology & Entomology. Through hands-on and experiential opportunities we’ll study such concepts as Ecology, Biology, and Conservation all while being in the unique setting of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Join us as we learn how to best protect our local wildlife and wild places. Registration is required.
Unique & Differing Needs Day Camps (Ages 7-11) – Harmonious Habitats
*Ages 7-11. Offered on Saturday, June 8, Friday, June 20, Friday, July 12 & Tuesday, July 23. *This camp is specially designed for campers ages 7 -11 with autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing disorders, developmental disabilities/delays or medical fragility. In this series, we will adventure into nature’s playground and discover the magic of jungles, deserts, aquatic, and underground realms. Together we will uncover how every habitat is different and unique, but necessary for the survival of all animals. You are welcome to sign up for just one evening or all four; each program will highlight different habitats through unique experiences. (One caregiver may also attend this camp without an additional fee.) Registration is required and opens online Feb. 1, 2024.
Zoo Ball 2024: Two Ways to Celebrate the 20th Anniversary!
Our fabulous online Auction is LIVE June 10-15, 2024. We hope you’ll join us for Zoo Ball 2024, featuring both an in-person black-tie gala and a fabulously unique online auction (black-tie optional!) offering unique art, once-in-a-lifetime animal experiences, and so much more! There’s something for everyone with this annual fundraising event. Whether you’re joining us at the Zoo in your evening gown or from your couch in your giraffe pajamas, we’re so grateful for your support! Every dollar directly supports Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and our efforts in conservation, education, and animal care. Get ready to be dazzled! Register to bid and tune into the online fun for free. Auction bidding closes Saturday, June 15 at 7:15 p.m. MT.
Member Appreciation Night
Zoo Members only - We appreciate you, so join us and your favorite animals for our first after-hours members-only event of the summer! Don’t forget your discount at our Thundergod Gift Shop. All restaurants will be open! Please note, we may have no scheduled animal demonstrations for this event, but watch for “pop-up” experiences. We look forward to seeing you at the Zoo! Check your membership email for more details. Reservations for the Member Appreciation Night event (5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.) are not required (Advanced tickets are required for any daytime admission from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Dog Days at the Zoo (June 12 & 24) – SOLD OUT
June Dog Days are sold out. Additional August Dog Days dates and tickets will be available on July 1. Check back for details.On Wednesday, June 12 & Monday, June 24, add an extra ticket to make your family outing complete! Bring your canine kiddo for a Zoo adventure. For these special dates, you can bring your well-behaved dog to the Zoo with you! Simply purchase a dog ticket along with your family’s human tickets, and Fido can experience many of the sights, sounds and smells that make the Zoo so special. Dog tickets are limited. Advance tickets are required.
Public and Media Invited to Reopening of Historic CMZoo Carousel
All ages. Join us in celebrating the return of the carousel and the milestone in the Zoo’s progress towards major Zoo improvements! Brief comments from CMZoo President & CEO, Bob Chastain. Free carousel rides 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 13, 2024 (advance Zoo admission required).
Stroller Safaris: Jungle Journey in June (June 20, 29)
Ages 1-4 with adult. Offered: June 20, 29. The natural forest habitat we have on the mountain helps many of our animals feel right at home! Join us as we Journey into the Jungle to meet some animals who prefer the dense coverage of the trees to the open plains. Registration is required and open online now.
World Giraffe Day
All ages. Join us in celebrating giraffes on the longest day of the year! We will have lots of fun activities 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., and we hope to see you for our 10 a.m. Giraffe Parade, wearing your giraffe-best. Meet our herd and their keepers in African Rift Valley throughout the giraffe plaza, boardwalk, and barn. Make sure to check out our live-streaming Giraffe Cams, too! Advance tickets required.
Paint. Sip. Safari.
Ages 21+. Offered on June 26 with an African lion theme. Join us for an adults only program where you not only get to create memories but a painting of one of our amazing animals as well. Each month offers a different animal theme to paint. Spend the evening at the Zoo strolling through animal exhibits, enjoying an adult beverage, meeting animals up-close and creating a masterpiece! Registration is required. This event is sold out. If you would like to be added to a wait list, please email [email protected].
Moonlight on the Mountain
Kick off your summer with Cheyenne Mountain Zoo during the first adults-only event of the season! Don’t miss this adults-only event. Enjoy all-inclusive samples of beer, wine, spirits and soft drinks while tasting delicious eats from area restaurants. Local musicians will set the mood throughout the Zoo and have you dancing the night away until 10 p.m. This evening is for adults 21 and older ONLY. IDs must be presented on event night. Advance tickets are required and sell out quickly. NOTE: VIP tickets are SOLD OUT! (Looking for more magical evenings on the mountain this summer? Learn about our Tails, Tunes & Tastes.)
Special Holiday Stroller Safari: Red, White & Zoo! (July 4)
Ages 1-4 with adult. Special holiday stroller safari offered: July 4. For this special Holiday edition Stroller Safari, we will be using the country’s flag colors to guide our learning! Some of these colors are easier to spot in nature than others, so come along on the journey to see what we can find! Registration is required and open online now.
Member Enrichment Night
Zoo Members only - How do we keep our animals active and healthy? We give them enrichment – activities that use natural behaviors, allow control over their environment and enhance their well-being. Enrich your evening by watching our animals enjoy themselves! All restaurants will be open. Please note, we may not have scheduled animal demonstrations for this event, but watch for "pop-up" experiences during your visit. Check your membership email for more details. Reservations for the Member Enrichment Night event (5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.) are not required (Advanced tickets are required for any daytime admission from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Stroller Safaris: The Jungle Journey continues in July (July 12, 18, 27, 31)
Ages 1-4 with adult. Offered: July 12, 18, 27, 31. The natural forest habitat we have on the mountain helps many of our animals feel right at home! Join us as we ‘Journey into the Jungle’ to meet some MORE animals who prefer the dense coverage of the trees to the open plains. Registration is required and open online now.
Dog Days at the Zoo (July 16 & 31) – SOLD OUT
July Dog Days are sold out. On Tuesday, July 16 & Wednesday, July 31, add an extra ticket to make your family outing complete! Bring your canine kiddo for a Zoo adventure. For these special dates, you can bring your well-behaved dog to the Zoo with you! Simply purchase a dog ticket along with your family’s human tickets, and Fido can experience many of the sights, sounds and smells that make the Zoo so special. Dog tickets are limited. Advance tickets are required.
Paint. Sip. Safari. (July 17, 31)
Ages 21+. Offered on July 17 or 31 (July 17 is sold out.)with a peacock theme. Join us for an adults only program where you not only get to create memories but a painting of one of our amazing animals as well. Each month offers a different animal theme to paint. Spend the evening at the Zoo strolling through animal exhibits, enjoying an adult beverage, meeting animals up-close and creating a masterpiece! Registration is required. If these are sold out and you would like to be added to a wait list, please email [email protected].
Youth Conservation Leadership Conference 2024 (6th-12th Grades)
Ages 12-18. CMZoo’s Youth Leadership Action Board invites you to the 6th Annual Youth Conservation Leadership Conference (YCLC), right here on the mountainside. This conference is hosted by your teenage peers as a common ground conference to work towards worldwide conservation education efforts. Registration is required open now. YCLC 2024 is sold out. If you would like to be on a wait list, please submit this form.
Red Ape Rally Day
All ages. Join us for Red Ape Rally Day! If you are visiting Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on Wednesday July 24th, stop by Primate World from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate orangutan conservation. Download the PalmoilScan app today and learn more at cmzoo.org/palmoil. Activities for the whole family will create Zoo memories while raising awareness for orangutan conservation and sustainable palm oil including: Build your own orangutan nest out of different materials, stop by our photo booth, petition-signing table and coloring stations, play a palm oil grocery game where you will learn about shopping for products containing sustainable palm oil, watch special orangutan enrichment and a keeper talk at 1:30 p.m. Advance tickets are required and available here.
Tails, Tunes & Tastes
Ages 21+. Join us for a magical evening on the mountain, exclusively reserved for those age 21 and up. Local musicians will set the mood throughout the Zoo! Tickets to Tails, Tunes & Tastes include unlimited small plates and two drink tickets. Cash bars also available. (No one under age 21 will be permitted, including no children or infants.) Tickets are required and available online now. Save $10 by purchasing your ticket early! Day-of ticket purchases (if not sold out) increase to $74.75.
Outdoor School / Teen Workshop: Guided Forest Walk – Aug. 5
Ages: Middle School & High School. Are you looking for new ways to connect with nature? Or maybe you’re tired of the hustle and bustle of daily life. Join certified Forest Guide, Serena V, as she helps us discover unique ways to relieve stress and learn to relax by utilizing the natural landscape around us. Registration is required and open online now.
End of Summer Member Celebration Night
Zoo Members only - Can you believe it? Summer goes by so fast! Enjoy one last after-hours wander through the Zoo at our Members-Only end of summer event! Beat the heat and share a special night at the Zoo. Don’t forget your discount at our Thundergod Gift Shop. All restaurants will be open! Please note, we may not have scheduled animal demonstrations for this event, but watch for "pop-up" experiences during your visit. Check your membership email for more details. Reservations for the End of Summer Celebration Night event (5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.) are not required (Advanced tickets are required for any daytime admission from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Stroller Safaris: Arthropods in August (Aug. 9, 15, 24, 28)
Ages 1-4 with adult. OfferedL August 9, 15, 24, 28. From pollinators to decomposers, this month we are learning about the amazing world of arthropods! By popular demand, it is finally time to meet & learn all about our bug friends!. Registration is required.
Dog Days at the Zoo (Aug. 12 & 23) – SOLD OUT
August Dog Days are sold out. On Monday, August 12 & Friday, August 23, add an extra ticket to make your family outing complete! Bring your canine kiddo for a Zoo adventure. For these special dates, you can bring your well-behaved dog to the Zoo with you! Simply purchase a dog ticket along with your family’s human tickets, and Fido can experience many of the sights, sounds and smells that make the Zoo so special. Dog tickets are limited. Advance tickets are required.
Panya’s 7th Birthday Party
All ages. Join us to celebrate the seventh birthday of Panya, the eldest of the giraffe littles! Mark your calendars for Tues., Aug. 13, and get your advance e-tickets to join in the festivities. Panya's 7th Birthday Party will be at the giraffe boardwalk in African Rift Valley, where you can enjoy family-friendly activities from 10 a.m. to noon. This birthday party is presented alongside our partners, Children’s Hospital Colorado! Get tickets now
Paint. Sip. Safari. (Aug. 14 or 28)
Ages 21+. Offered on August 14 or 28 with a koi fish theme. Join us for an adults only program where you not only get to create memories but a painting of one of our amazing animals as well. Each month offers a different animal theme to paint. Spend the evening at the Zoo strolling through animal exhibits, enjoying an adult beverage, meeting animals up-close and creating a masterpiece! Registration is required.
Hands-On Homeschool AUGUST – Whacky World: Upside Down
Ages: Elementary (1st-6th) & Middle School (6th - 8th). Join us as we turn the animal kingdom on its head – literally! Set your sights on an unforgettable edventure into the topsy-turvy lives of creatures that defy gravity and logic. Registration is required.
Tails, Tunes & Tastes
Ages 21+. Join us for a magical evening on the mountain, exclusively reserved for those age 21 and up. Local musicians will set the mood throughout the Zoo! Tickets to Tails, Tunes & Tastes include unlimited small plates and two drink tickets. Cash bars also available. (No one under age 21 will be permitted, including no children or infants.) Advanced tickets are required and are on sale online now.
Emmett & Digger’s Housewarming Party
All ages. Join us for a weekend-long housewarming party for our grizzly bears, Emmett and Digger. The boys are back in Rocky Mountain Wild and we’re BEARY excited to celebrate with you Sat., Aug. 31 through Mon., Sept. 2 (Labor Day) with special activities and keeper talks. Advance admission tickets are required and on sale online now.
Teen Program Off-Season Winter Session 2024 – Applications Open (Sept. 1-10)
Ages: Middle and High School, 6th - 12th grades. Winter Off-Session runs Nov. 12 - Feb.12, 2025 for Zoo Crew, Junior Zoo Keeper and Teen Core programs. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Teen Programs provide meaningful life experiences that inspire teens to take conservation action both on and off Zoo grounds through education, leadership, stewardship and environmental exploration. Off-Season Teen Programs offer weekends, evenings, and after school teen opportunities. Admission to the program is through an application process. Online applications for Zoo Crew, Junior Zoo Keeper and Teen Core programs will be open during this time. An application fee applies.
Stroller Safaris: Scutes & Scales in September (Sept. 5, 14, 20, 25)
Ages 1-4 with adult. Offered: September 5, 14, 20, 25. Registrants will participate in a reptile-themed sensory activity, meet scaly friends throughout the zoo and help make salads for tortoises!. Registration is required.
Dog Days at the Zoo (Sept. 6 & 30)
On Friday, Sept. 6 and Monday, Sept. 30, add an extra ticket to make your family outing complete! Bring your canine kiddo for a Zoo adventure. For these special dates, you can bring your well-behaved dog to the Zoo with you! Simply purchase a dog ticket along with your family’s human tickets, and Fido can experience many of the sights, sounds and smells that make the Zoo so special. Dog tickets are limited. Advance tickets are required.
Military Appreciation Week
Join us for Military Appreciation Week at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Sept. 9-15! It’s a week of even bigger thanks to our military personnel for their continued service to our great country. This week’s military discount features 50% off the day's normal admission base price, which is offered to all active-duty, veteran and retired military personnel and their dependents living in the same household. To enjoy a full week of stars and stripes, purchase your advance timed tickets and march on up to the Zoo! Tickets are available online now.