El Paso Zoo

4001 E Paisano Dr, El Paso, TX 79905, USA

Address:	4001 E Paisano Dr, El Paso, TX 79905, USA
Phone:	+1 915-212-0966
Site:	elpasozoo.org
Rating:	4.2
Working:	9:30AM–5PM 9:30AM–5PM 9:30AM–5PM 9:30AM–5PM 9:30AM–5PM 9:30AM–5PM 9:30AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 8

Amanda Paredez

Very Disappointed- I cant say that the zoo hasnt been able to handle large groups of children, as I have attended the zoo on plenty of field trips (regular education elementary groups larger than 150 students). They were usually prompt and attentive, as they used a clicker to count us as we entered. What I can say with confidence is that they cannot handle admitting 46 children with special needs/ disabilities that were accompanied with an adult, communication partner and camp staff. Having children wait in over 100 degree temperature, just to get the right head count, was absurd. What was supposed to have been a great, first time experience for our children, turned into a disorganized nightmare. When you have only two hours to enjoy an outing and most of that time is spent waiting around for the zoo staff to get their act together, can only be described as ridiculous. If zoo staff needs training or help in working with individuals with disabilities, there are plenty of city people that would be more than willing to assist in this area. Hopefully this doesnt happen to anyone else.

circe xo

Its small compared to other zoos but had quite a bit to see. The weather was miserably hot so most of the animals were in hiding. One thing I noticed is that there were no employees walking the grounds monitoring the animals. The food at the Passport Cafe was alright but pricey. I believe you are allowed to bring outside food and drinks, I saw people with coolers. The bathrooms were clean. They do not have motorized scooters for elderly or disabled but they have wheelchairs. No deposit on those just need to take your ID to the cashier. Their membership packages are affordable. A couple of things that really bothered me...the sheep were not sheared. They need to be sheared during the spring so they do not overheat come summertime. They looked dehydrated and sick. Their sheep are in very bad shape. Also, the one elephant I saw was swaying and also looked ill. It needs to be taken to a sanctuary to roam free. Elephants dont do well in captivity for long periods of time.

Sean Williams

It was OK. I see the improvements that are pending (like all the other construction in El Paso). They really shouldnt charge you for the train. The driver wasnt enthusiastic and just kinda sped by all the attractions, we only saw zebras and a bunch of construction workers and equipment. I was kinda pissed honestly about that. (Typical El Paso, though.) The bird show was great. Its really the only reason to go imho. I would have felt better paying for the bird show and not having to pay $ for that crappy train ride. And finally, dear god can we do something about the damn pigeons? I mean all the walk paths and leaning rails are covered in bird siht! You gotta duck and hurry by trees because pigeons might bomb you! Its not the zoos fault but dammit I wanna declare war on pigeons. Can we grab bb guns and make them extinct? Id rather be overrun by bees or giant spiders, not even joking. I hate pigeons and it was hard to enjoy the day with so many of them in the vicinity.

Linda

The El Paso Zoo is the most pathetic zoo Ive ever been to! Today was the worst experience ever! We went there on a field trip with children with disabilities and the security officers and general managers were more concerned about the right count of people than the safety and welfare of our students! We got there with 2 hours to enjoy the zoo, and instead we had to wait outside and inside the hot white tent so that they could recount the number of people! Are they really that hard up for money that theyre that concerned about the exact count, when your security officers didnt do it right the first time!? Then to get back on the buses after only less than an hour to see the zoo, our children were still made to wait to get on the buses because once again it was disorganized! Im sorry, but this zoo is boring, disorganized, and lacks empathy. Im hoping that something will be done to help make this place enjoyable!

A Private User

My wife and children visited this place today. My children needed to use their restrooms before entering. She had asked the attendant upfront for restrooms and she directed my wife to the nearest restrooms upon entering. The "executive director", a Renee Neuert stepped out of her office and questioned my wife about what she was doing, she proceeded to tell my wife that the restrooms were not public and they could not use them... My wife was so irate so I thought I would call the director himself, Mr. Steve Marshall to let him know about this incident... His office and administration and even the executive director have given me the run around on where to file a complaint... Very disappointed with our citys Zoo and especially the so called executive director... Maybe thats why its not a so much popular place of interest... It’s People? Will never go back and rather visit other places than this one...

Cindy Gee

Zero stars! My kids got to see the backside of a zebra! Camp Everyone Talks is an amazing opportunity for our special needs students throughout the El Paso and surrounding areas; reaching as far as Gadsen ISD sponsored by Region 19 ESC. Its an amazing opportunity provided free to our students who are on an AAC device through grants and donations provided by local non-profit organizations and local businesses every two years. Bowl El Paso has always been accommodating. We wanted to try something new this year in addition to them. Unfortunately, the El Paso Zoo fell very, very short of our expectations. This experience was an eye opener for our special needs population. They had an opportunity to make a summer partner in education at the ultimate level, and instead it became an ultimate fail.

Nicole Pon

Excited to go to the zoo and enjoy the scenery and animals with my daughter. Once we got there we wanted to stop for a snack at the Africa cafe, but when we walked in the tables were dirty and covered in sticky gunk. EVERY table! The staff did not care and was standing around and talking. We left with out a snack and went straight to the exhibits. Yet another disappointment! The exhibits empty, the windows disgusting and dirty and hard to see through, the animals look miserable, and telescopes full of bird poop. This zoo is horribly managed and unkept. What happened to the bond that was supposed to be used to improve our zoo. Its no wonder El Paso is not a tourist city. Every place seems to be horribly managed and unkept, and staff uninterested in their jobs. No customer service!

Twisty Mrs

As a San Diego native, it is hard for me to review any other zoo, but I was pleasantly surprised by how nice the zoo is in El Paso. They have a great variety of animals, kept in fairly large habitats. Im not a fan of looking at animals that appear unhappy, so I was pleased to see the animals enjoying their habitats. They have a great splash pad for the kids, as well as a tree house playground. My kids (4 & 9) love to play here for hours. The only reason I took away a star is because the customer service is lackluster, and the food options are fairly limited. Luckily, you are allowed to bring your own food and drink. For an extra fee you can ride a small train around part of the zoo, or feed a giraffe. Both are very fun, and worth the small extra cost.