Why you should experience Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo isn't just a zoo, it's a mountaintop sanctuary where wild beauty and breathtaking altitude converge into something unforgettable.
Perched 6,800 feet above sea level, it's the highest zoo in the United States and one of the most spectacular in the world. Founded in 1926, this privately funded gem was built into the side of Cheyenne Mountain, giving every path, overlook, and habitat a view that feels alive with grandeur. As you ascend its winding trails, the city of Colorado Springs unfolds below, a panorama that makes even the giraffes seem to gaze in awe. Here, wildlife feels closer, freer, and more connected to the natural world. The African Rift Valley exhibit lets you hand-feed giraffes against a backdrop of red rock cliffs and sweeping skies. Elephants roam through rolling terrain, grizzlies splash in mountain streams, and snow leopards prowl through alpine shadows. Every exhibit feels purpose-built to remind you that nature isn't confined, it thrives wherever it's honored. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is more than a collection of animals; it's a love letter to elevation itself, where the wild meets the heavens.
What you didn't know about the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's origin story is unlike any other, born from a millionaire's vision and sustained by the mountain's own spirit.
Founded by philanthropist Spencer Penrose as a private collection of exotic animals, the zoo began as a personal passion project connected to the nearby Broadmoor Hotel. Yet what started as an indulgence quickly evolved into a mission, to educate, conserve, and inspire. Over the decades, it's grown into one of the most respected conservation institutions in North America, with breeding programs for endangered species like the black-footed ferret, okapi, and amphibians native to Colorado's own ecosystems. Its altitude gives it a unique edge, the cooler temperatures and mountain terrain naturally suit species from rugged or highland environments. The zoo is also a global leader in sustainable design, with innovative waste management, energy conservation, and enrichment programs that set new industry standards. Its hands-on connection to the landscape, from native pollinator gardens to its herd of reticulated giraffes, blurs the line between zoo and wilderness. Few visitors realize that the zoo also supports field conservation projects on six continents, proving that its reach extends far beyond the mountain. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo isn't just built on a peak, it stands at one.
How to fold the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo into your trip.
Visiting the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a journey of discovery, altitude, and wonder, the kind that lingers long after you've descended back to the city below.
Start your adventure early in the morning to catch the animals most active in the cool mountain air. Begin with the African Rift Valley, where you can hand-feed giraffes and watch meerkats dart through sandy burrows. Continue upward to Encounter Africa and Rocky Mountain Wild, home to lions, grizzlies, moose, and mountain lions, all set against sweeping canyon views. Stop by the Sky Ride, a chairlift that glides above treetops and animal habitats, offering one of the most stunning panoramas in Colorado Springs. Midday, refuel at the Grizzly Grill or the cozy pizza café before making your way to the Asian Highlands to meet Amur leopards and Pallas's cats. Families can unwind at The Loft, where kids interact with small animals and learn about wildlife care up close. As the afternoon light softens, stroll along the zoo's summit paths, where wind, scent, and sound weave together in quiet harmony. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is not simply a visit; it's a climb into the heart of nature, proof that even on the mountaintop, we are meant to explore untamed.
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