Backstage Adventures

Get a unique glimpse of the Zoo by participating in one of our Backstage Adventures. Join us for an insider’s peek at some of our animal habitats. Experiences are offered daily and can last 30 minutes to an hour. Check out the various options below!

Each tour has a maximum capacity of 10 guests unless stated otherwise. 

Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a paid person 16 years of age or older.

Certain age restrictions apply. 

Zoo admission is not included in tour price.

Visitas con guía turístico disponible en español de forma limitada. Llame a nuestro centro de llamadas al 602.914.4333 para consultar.

Equine experience backstage adventure

Spend some time with the horses at the Thunderbirds Charities Equine Facility. Come see the barn and meet the horses up close and personal.

greater one-horned rhino Backstage Adventure

Meet Chutti the Greater One-horned rhinoceros and his caregivers. Enter his barn to meet and help with his daily care routine.

Giant anteater
Backstage Adventure

Visit with one of the most unusual animals at the Zoo. Learn about all the fascinating adaptations and what it takes to care for this special animal.

Ambassador Animal resources Backstage Adventure

Travel behind-the-scenes to our newly remodeled Ambassador Animal Resources area to see what it takes to care for the many unique species of animals that participate in our Zoo shows and make media appearances.

Greater flamingo
Backstage Adventure

Mingle with our flamingos in this 30-minute adventure as you join the keepers right in the flamingo habitat! Enjoy this exclusive opportunity to go inside the habitat and feed these magnificent birds.

Asian Elephant
Backstage Adventure

Go behind-the-scenes and learn what it takes to care for the Zoo’s largest animal – the Asian elephant. Your adventure includes a tour of the elephant barn and up-close viewing opportunities with Indu our resident Asian elephant.

Stingray bay
Backstage adventure

Go backstage and learn what it takes to care for the Zoo’s cownose stingrays. Your adventure includes a tour of the behind-the-scenes area and an experience in the pool with the rays!

sloth
backstage adventure


Currently unavailable.

reptile
Backstage adventure

Your adventure includes a visit to the Galapagos or Aldabra tortoise enclosure where you’ll have a chance to meet and touch some of these friendly giants! You’ll also meet a reptile keeper and get up-close with other reptiles in our collection.

galapagos tortoise Backstage adventure

On this 30-minute adventure, you’ll enter the Galápagos habitat and meet, touch and feed some of these amazing giant reptiles! You’ll have the opportunity to learn all about them alongside one of our keepers.

Arthur L. and Elaine V. Johnson Native Species Conservation Center
Backstage Adventure

Join us on this exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour and see how the Phoenix Zoo cares for species of conservation concern in Arizona and around the world. Discover the challenges animal and plant species are facing and what the Zoo is doing to help.

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that's zoo we are

The Phoenix Zoo is one of the largest non-profit zoos in the U.S., caring for over 3,000 animals, with nearly 400 species represented, including many threatened/endangered species.

giraffe