The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is making available free timed-entry passes beginning Friday, May 14, at 12:25 pm in advance of its reopening scheduled for May 21.
The Zoo has been closed to the public since November 23, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Admission is free, but in order to enter the Zoo when it reopens, visitors are required to reserve either a free timed-entry pass for each person in their party if they are planning to come on foot or a paid parking pass if they arrive by a personal vehicle and need to park at the Zoo.
Paid parking passes are $30 per car and they serve as admission for each visitor who arrives in the same vehicle.
Visitors must also adhere to safety guidelines such as wearing face coverings and maintaining a social distance of six feet between groups, even if they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Otherwise they may be asked to leave.
❤️🐼 We are so excited to welcome you back to the Smithsonian's National Zoo May 21!
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📅✔️ Visitors may reserve free timed-entry passes or paid parking passes to gain admission to the Zoo starting tomorrow, May 14, at 12:25 p.m.! LEARN MORE: https://t.co/pqtqrJlobT.— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) May 13, 2021
For viewing the National Zoo’s beloved giant panda family — Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and their cub Xiao Qi Ji — a free timed Asia Trail/Panda Pass is required for each visitor.
Panda Passes can be obtained on-site on the day of the visit. These passes are limited to 620 people per day, and the giant panda viewing is limited to 15 minutes.
Animals can be viewed at the Zoo include giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji, Amur tiger Metis, Przewalski’s horse mother-son duo, Barbie and Cooper, Komodo dragon juvenile Onyx, Andean bear Brienne, American bison Lucy and Gally, California sea lion Charger and North American beaver Poplar, a new wallaby joey and a kudu calf.
The Reptile Discovery Center will be open on Saturdays and Sundays.
Some areas of the Zoo, including select animal exhibits, will remain closed for safety reasons.
Click here for further details on entry and parking passes.