North Carolina Zoo
The North Carolina Zoo, formerly the North Carolina Zoological Park, is a zoo in Asheboro, North Carolina, housing 1,700 animals of more than 250 species, primarily representing Africa and North America. Around 700K people visit each year. A drive of 20 mi reaches Uwharrie National Forest.
A zoo & aquarium inside Asheboro
You can stay in Asheboro
North Carolina Zoo is inside Asheboro, which has 15 places to stay, so you won’t need a base farther out. Where to stay ↓
A day trip from Raleigh
Raleigh is about 65 miles east and Charlotte is about 67 miles southwest (straight-line). Where to stay ↓
Best months: Apr, May, Sep and Oct
April, May, September and October are the mild months, with highs of 71–81°. When to go ↓
Established in 1974
North Carolina Zoo dates from 1974. About ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures, Wikidata and Wikipedia.
The climate here
Each month’s highs and lows around North Carolina Zoo are below.
North Carolina Zoo
The North Carolina Zoo, formerly the North Carolina Zoological Park, is a zoo in Asheboro, North Carolina, housing 1,700 animals of more than 250 species, primarily representing Africa and North America. It is one of two state-supported zoos in the United States, with the other being the Minnesota Zoo. With 500 acres (2.0 km2) developed, it is the world's largest natural habitat zoo. The North Carolina Zoo is a part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
- Type
- Zoo & aquarium
- Animals
- 1 animals · 250 species
- Area
- 2,600 acres
- Established
- 1974
- Wikipedia readers
- 22K a year
Bases for North Carolina Zoo
The closest lodging is in Asheboro (15) and High Point (34), and Greensboro has the most rooms in the area (129).
Greensboro
The most places to stay in the area, and a base for a longer trip.
308,667 people
32 mi north of North Carolina Zoo
Compare 9 towns
| Town | From North Carolina Zoo | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheboro | in town | — | 15 9 hotels · 2 motels · 1 inn or B&B · 1 lodge or cabins · 2 campgrounds | 27,990 | $188K | C− |
| High Point | 28 mi northwest | 40 min | 34 25 hotels · 2 motels · 2 inns & B&Bs · 2 lodges & cabins · 3 campgrounds | 120,571 | $236K | D |
| Franklinville | 9 mi northeast | 15 min | 2 1 lodge or cabins · 1 campground | 1,256 | $124K | — |
| Archdale | 22 mi northwest | 35 min | 10 10 hotels | 12,254 | $198K | B− |
| Seagrove | 6 mi south | 10 min | 1 1 inn or B&B | 248 | $158K | — |
| Thomasville | 25 mi northwest | 35 min | 10 7 hotels · 1 motel · 2 lodges & cabins | 27,733 | $179K | — |
| Siler City | 18 mi east | 25 min | 4 2 hotels · 2 motels | 8,155 | $155K | C− |
| Troy | 20 mi south | 30 min | 3 1 hotel · 1 motel · 1 lodge or cabins | 3,020 | $160K | C |
| Greensboro | 32 mi north | 50 min | 129 108 hotels · 10 motels · 7 inns & B&Bs · 3 lodges & cabins · 1 campground | 308,667 | $245K | D− |
Day trip from
Straight-line miles.
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
Also within reach
A wider trip can take in these, within 68 miles.
Big draw67 mi Stadium & arenaBank of America Stadium
60 mi Stadium & arenaLenovo Center
66 mi LakeLake Norman
45 mi Stadium & arenaKenan Memorial Stadium
60 mi Stadium & arenaCarter–Finley Stadium
44 mi Stadium & arenaAllegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium
41 mi MuseumOld Salem
120 mi National forestUwharrie National ForestPhoto credits
Bank of America Stadium: HangingCurve, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Lenovo Center: Edward T. Funkhouser, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Lake Norman: Prince Grobhelm, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Kenan Memorial Stadium: Yeungb, CC BY 3.0 · Carter–Finley Stadium: SMaloney, CC BY 3.0 · Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium: BobHWS, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Old Salem: David Bjorgen, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Uwharrie National Forest: U.S. Forest Service, Public domain
Your questions on North Carolina Zoo
Is North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro?
Yes. It’s inside Asheboro, NC.
When is the best time to visit North Carolina Zoo?
April, May, September and October, with highs of 71–81°.
How far is North Carolina Zoo from Durham and Raleigh?
About 54 miles northeast of Durham and about 65 miles east of Raleigh, as the crow flies.
What is the closest airport to North Carolina Zoo?
Piedmont Triad (GSO), about 34 miles away.
Where should I stay near North Carolina Zoo?
Asheboro (in town, 15 places to stay), Greensboro (32 mi, 129 places to stay) and High Point (28 mi, 34 places to stay).
Ask a local in Asheboro
There are no tips yet, so start one in Asheboro’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.