Entrances The Zoo's main entrance is at 3001 Connecticut Avenue, on the west side of the Zoo. Hours Zoo grounds are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., May 1 to September 15, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., September 16 to April 30. All public buildings at the Zoo have either ramps or level entrances. Entrances to the Bat Cave and the Australian Pavilion have steep sections. The Bat Cave is quite dark.
Some buildings have heavy front doors.
In the Visitor Center lobby, a lift gives wheelchair users access to restrooms, water fountains, the bookstore and ZOOLab. A limited number of wheelchairs are available for use during a Zoo visit. A deposit or photo ID is required. Like all Smithsonian facilities, the Zoo welcomes service animals. However, such animals must be walked to another area of the park in the unlikely event that Zoo animals become disturbed.