Hogle Zoo

Hogle Zoo is an incredible zoo to visit! Hogle Zoo is found in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is actually right across the street from “This is the Place” or Heritage Park. The zoo has limited parking and can be very crowded. Out of the ten or so times I have been, there have probably been 1 or 2 parking spots left besides parking at the bottom of the mountain and walking up to the entrance gate. Definitely try to go before opening time if you want to get a good parking spot. Or, I recommend going around meal times since most people will go home to eat or go out somewhere and there is generally more parking available then.

Hogle Zoo is home to many rare animals and baby animals most times of the year. A few years ago, they had an albino crocodile which was super neat to see.

This year, I saw a new born giraffe not even 4 days old already walking around and experiencing life. This year, Hogle Zoo also introduced two brand new sister polar bears. They may not look like sisters since one has a clean, white, shiny coat, and the other has a brown, coarse, fluffy coat, but they are sisters and live in the same exhibit together. I believe when I went recently they were new to the zoo by about a month and a half.

Regardless, the zoo is full of many animals and even bugs! Pretty much any typical animal you can think of, you can find at this zoo. There are also several playground areas for kids to play on which are covered by shade.

There is a giant ceramic elephant that is near the elephant encounter where in the summer time, if you push his trunk long enough, you can hear the water bubble up inside as well as music playing and out of nowhere, the elephant will splash you in the face! This is really fun for kids and a great way to stay cooled off. The zoo also provides lots of fans and water squirters to keep you cooled off.

One of my favorite things about Hogle zoo are the shows! The polar bear show is a blast to watch them do tricks and swim around in the water. The bird show is also really cool to see some birds flying around and doing tricks in the air. The birds also try to paint with their claws and speak into the microphone. Last but not least, I love the sea lion show! Who doesn’t right? The sea lions have an entire stage devoted to themselves and they swim all over it and do many tricks as well as activities for the kids. I am not a fan of the snake show, however, it can be fun to go pet or hold a snake.

Just keep an eye out for showtimes as they are happening all day everyday as well as public feedings. Also towards the end of each month, the last Wednesday is sometimes free zoo day to the public!