2026 – See How They Learn!

Lion Tour Details

Tour Dates: Schedule public tour dates are May 16 (sold out), July 18, (sold out) and September 19 (sold out).
Private Tours may be scheduled year round. Visit the 2025 Private Tour page to check tour date availability.

Time: 2 p.m. Guests meet at the lower Lion viewing area

Minimum Age: 12 years old – A paying adult must accompany children younger than 16.

Tour Overview: This tour usually ends around 4:15 p.m. and is not for the faint of heart! Guests go inside the lion barn to watch the keepers interact with a lion during a training session. Lions up close look larger and roar louder than lions stretched out and resting inside their grassy habitat. Guests may not take photographs during this tour.

Watching a keeper and a lion interact during a training session is amazing. Keepers rely exclusively on positive rewards (healthy treats) to elicit the lions’ cooperation in learning new tasks. And lions learn quickly when food is included in the training. 

ADA Status: This public tour is Not ADA-accessible, but some ADA accommodations can be made for guests who purchase a private tour. Visit the 2025 Private Tour page to learn more.

Important Health and Safety Restrictions

Safety Notes: To accommodate the needs of our staff and guests, we limit the size of the group attending this tour to 6 people.
Guests may not approach or try to touch a lion during this encounter. Guests must remain inside designated spaces while viewing the lion training and visiting the behind-the-scenes area. 

Current Health Precautions

COVID-19 Restrictions
Because cats are known to be vulnerable to COVID-19 infections, guests may be required to wear masks when they come within 6 feet of any of the Zoo’s cats.