Parking Information

The Calgary Zoo has two public parking lots – one located off St. George’s Drive with zoo access through the north gate and the other located at the west end of the island near the zoo’s west gate.

A $5.00 daily parking fee applies as of November 23, 2009. See below for scheduled lot openings and restrictions.

Click here to view a layout of the new parking lot.

Construction began in June 2009 on the new and improved north parking lot. The lot will be reorganized and upgraded gradually over the next year with the end result being separate pedestrian and vehicular traffic and a safer environment for zoo guests. When completed, there will be improved sight lines, wider pathways, better access and an increased security presence. Installation of new control gates will be the first stage in the redevelopment.

When completed, the north parking lot will have 1800 parking stalls – an increase of 500 stalls from the current capacity. Based on current use studies, 500 stalls will be designated for LRT commuters at a $5 daily parking fee per vehicle before 8:45 a.m. reserving the balance of 1300 stalls for zoo visitors. After 8:45 a.m., all remaining vacant LRT stalls will be available for zoo visitors. The west lot will remain gated until 8:45 a.m.

Many people incorrectly assume that the north parking lot is a public city-operated lot. For more than twenty years, the Calgary Zoo has paid for all maintenance costs for the north parking lot from its operating funds – including snow removal, repairs and upgrades, landscape maintenance, garbage collection, and security. Zoo visitors have therefore subsidized the use of the parking lot by commuters who use the lot, but have not purchased zoo admission. Now zoo members will receive FREE parking after 8:45 a.m. as part of their member benefits and other lot users will pay a daily fee.

PARKING QUICK FACTS

Members: As part of their member benefits, all zoo members will receive FREE parking after 8:45 a.m. in both the north and west zoo parking lots.

Non-members: Effective November 23, 2009, a nominal $5 fee per vehicle will be charged upon exit at both the north and west zoo parking lots.

Grace Period: There will be a 30-minute grace period for drop-offs including LRT Kiss & Ride, Zoo Camps, School Programs and zoo visitors.

LRT Parking: 500 of the 1800 total pay parking spaces in the north lot will be designated for LRT users until 8:45 a.m. at a $5 daily parking fee per vehicle.