Denver Zoo vs Cheyenne Mountain Zoo | In depth Comparison

Denver Zoo and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo are two of the best zoos in Colorado, where you can find some rare and diverse wild animals and even get in contact with them if you want to.

Both Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Denver Zoo are prominent zoos in the US, and have become popular destinations for children as well as tourists.

Key differences between Denver and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

AspectDenver ZooCheyenne Mountain Zoo
Opening daysDaily at 10 AM – 5 PMDaily at 9 AM to 3:30 PM
Reservation necessaryYesYes
Same day ticket availabilityYesNo
Discount ticket availabilityYesYes
Ticket price (Child, Adult)Child (0-2): Free Child (Ages 3-15): $18.90 Adult (Ages 16-64): $25.20 Senior (Ages 65+): $22.05Child (0-2): Free   Child (3-11): $24.75 (9 – 1:30 PM) $14.75 (2 – 3:00 PM)   Adult (12+): $29.75 (9 – 1:30 AM) $19.75 (2 – 3:00 PM)
Parking feesFreeFree
Size of the zoo32 hectares57 hectares
Time to cover the whole zoo1-3 hours1.5-3.5 hours
Best time to visitSummer (Early in the day)Summer (Early in the day)
VIP toursAvailableAvailable
Children’s sectionChild friendly  Child friendly
Opportunities to bring foodYesYes
Vegan dining optionAvailableAvailable
Stroller and locker rentalsStroller rental availableStroller rental available
Non-profit zooYesYes
AZA Accredited ZooYesYes
Location2300 Steele St, Denver, CO 80205, USA4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, USA
Websitehttps://denverzoo.org/https://www.cmzoo.org/
Helpline720-337-1400719-633-9925
Denver vs chenneye moutain zoo

Location Comparison

Denver Zoo is in the City Park of Denver, Colorado., which is 2 miles away from the city. You can get here from the city by bus, train, light rail or car. You have to get on from nearby stations to come here by bus or light rail.

You can get on the bus from Colorado Blvd & 23rd Ave, York St & 23rd Ave, 28th Ave & Steele St, get on to the train from 40th / Colorado Station, and get on to light rails from 25th St / Welton Station.

On the other hand, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is located southwest of downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is situated in the Cheyenne Mountains in the USA, which is 76 miles south of Denver.

You can get here from the city by bus or car. You can get on from Hwy 115/Cheyenne Mtn, 8th/Brookside, and 8th/Brookside bus stations.

The driving distance between Denver Zoo and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is about 102 miles. It is possible to go to both on the same day if you have adequate time.

Ticket Price Comparison

At Denver Zoo, they have a standard ticket price for children, adults, and senior people. which is $18.90, $25.20, and $22.05 respectively.

Same-day tickets are available here. You can get the family package for $195. In this package, you can include 2 adults and any children under 18. This also includes food & merchandise discounts, special zoo lights privileges, and conservation support.

On the other hand, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo offers a variation of the ticket price, which is categorized under Regular Days, Peak Days, and Value Days. Each of these days has further variations according to the time of the day.

Regular Days
Start TimeAdult (Age 12+)Child (Age 3-11)
9 – 1:30 PM$29.75$24.75
2 – 3:00 PM$19.75$14.75
Peak Days, See the Calendar
Start TimeAdult (Age 12+)Child (Age 3-11)
9 – 1:30 PM$34.75$29.75
2 – 3:00 PM$24.75$19.75
Value Days (January and February)
Start TimeAdult (Age 12+)Child (Age 3-11)
9 – 1:30 PM$24.75$20.75
2 – 3:00 PM$14.75$10.75

As we can see from the table above, the ticker costs are slightly higher on peak days than on regular days. And if you want to go for a cheaper price, then you can choose the value days.

They do not offer same-day tickets. You have to make a reservation beforehand. You can also access their family plan for $220.

From ticket price, same-day accessibility, and family plan price, Denver Zoo is much more cost-effective and reasonable.

Parking facility

Both of these zoos offer free parking facilities for the guests if they have an appropriate reservation, so don’t have to worry about it a bit.

Animal exhibition

Both Denver Zoo and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo are habitats to some of the most vibrant wildlife. You can watch these beautiful animals from close and feed them with your own hand as well.

Denver zoo animals

There is a total of 4,125 animals in the Denver Zoo. Among them, some of the most featured animals are the African Black-footed Penguin, African Lion, African Wild Dog, American Flamengo, Aye-Aye, Bactrian Camel, Clouded Leopard, Malayan Tapir, Okapi, Przewalski’s Horse, Siberian Tiger etc.

On the other hand, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has an over of 750 animals. Some of its featured animals are giraffe, Hippo, Penguin, Wolve, Bear, Tiger, Mountain Lion, Wallaby, Rhino, Moose, etc. The reservation package and tickets cover all the expenses for both zoos and additional fees are not required only for any of them.

Animal Shows

Both of the zoos host several shows and events throughout the whole year. Denver Zoo arranges Public Hours Events, After Hours Events, and Zoo Lights Events. Zoo Lights Events is the most attractive one here where you can celebrate and reward your employees, friends, and family in the most enchanting way.

On the other hand, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo offers Custom Animal Experiences, School Programs, Camps & Classes, Electric Safari shows, etc.

Electric Safari is the main attraction here. Over 85 one-of-a-kind light sculptures can be seen while celebrating the season with the animals by your side. That makes is the only place to offer so in Colorado Springs.

All these events and shows require advance booking and reservations.

Rides and kids play section

You can find exciting rides in both of these zoos. In Denver Zoo, you can have access to Stingray Cove, 4-D Experience, Lorikeet Adventure, Conservation Carousel, and Denver Zoo Railroad.

On the contrary, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo offers the Mountaineer Sky Ride. It which is a chairlift-style, open-air Sky Ride. Through this, you can have picturesque sights of the Zoo, Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs, and the extent of Eastern Plains.

Among all these rides, only Lorikeet Adventure offers free entry. You will have to pay for the rest of the rides.

Size and crowd

It would take approximately 1-3 hours to cover the Denver Zoo and 1.5-3.5 hours to cover the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo by walking. Summer is the perfect season for visiting them, where early morning is the appropriate time due to less rush of visitors.

Dining and Food

Both of these places offer excellent dining choices for you so that you can quickly take a bite of your favorite food while roaming through. There are multiple cafés and restaurants where you can find all sorts of snacks, fast foods, ice creams, coffee, and both vegan & non-vegan food.

Recommendation

Both of these places are fascinating in their way. Denver Zoo has a wide variety of events, shows, and rides, and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has the scenic beauty of the Colorado Mountains. You can find amazing wildlife in both of these places and engage with them. It will be worth visiting these two beautiful places.

If you want to easily go to the zoo from the city and have easily accessible & budget-friendly tickets, then you can visit Denver Zoo.

If you want to experience spectacular mountain views along with the sight of animals, then Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will be the perfect place for you to visit.

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"Team Animal Facts" is an expert group of wildlife enthusiasts who are impassioned for mysteries of animal life and dedicated to exploring them.

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