Updated for September 2026
The Best Zoos in Oregon
How this list is ordered: by how complete our listing is — how much we hold on opening hours, ticket prices, accreditation, photographs, animals and facilities. It is a measure of our own coverage, not a judgement of the venue. We hold no visitor scores or conservation assessments, so “best” here means every zoo in Oregon that qualifies for the list, fullest entry first.
Listed alphabetically
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Keeper talk or showRides and attractions
Oregon Zoo
Zoo in Portland
Washington Park, some two miles south-west of the city centre, is the setting for a collection dating from 1888; no zoo further west of the Mississippi is older. More than 1,800 animals are kept, representing over 230 species, nineteen of them endangered and nine threatened. A substantial plant collection is maintained across the gardens and exhibits.
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Keeper talk or showOn-site diningAssistance animal policy
Wildlife Safari
Zoo in Winston
The main attraction is 615 acres of pasture and field enclosures driven through by visitors. At least one animal rights body endorses its conditions and care.
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Oregon Coast Aquarium
Zoo & Aquarium in Newport
It opened in 1992 on 23 acres beside the bay, close to the ocean. The main building carries five standing displays along with a changing gallery.
Our ranking methodology
This is not a ranking. The 3 venues above are listed alphabetically by name, the same order used throughout this site. We do not collect visitor reviews, star ratings, ticket-sales figures or a conservation-impact score, so none of those exist here to rank by — “best” in this page’s title means every venue that qualifies for this list, not first-to-last by quality. If we ever add a data source robust enough to support an honest ranking, this note and the order above will change together.