Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park

About Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park

Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park is a small city zoo at 2725 Carnival Way in Idaho Falls, Idaho, owned and operated by the city's Parks and Recreation Department. It calls itself the "Best Little Zoo in the West," and its own pages describe its size two different ways: one lists it as approximately 10 developed acres, while another puts it at 7 acres. It was the first zoo in Idaho to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and currently participates in more than 40 AZA cooperative programs. The nonprofit Tautphaus Park Zoological Society supports the zoo through memberships and fundraising events.

The zoo's own figures describe a collection of just over 300 individual animals representing around 130 exotic species from around the world, and it draws roughly 145,000 visitors during its operating season. Its exhibits group animals loosely by region, including an Australia-themed area, and the zoo has recently added a new Islands exhibit. Because the zoo's site gives limited detail on its founding year and overall history, this profile focuses mainly on what it describes about its current collection, exhibits, and visitor programs.

History

The zoo's own pages give little detail about its founding, beyond noting that the nonprofit Tautphaus Park Zoological Society was formed to help the city promote and expand the zoo. It became the first zoo in Idaho to earn accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a distinction it still holds. In 2026, the zoo opened a new Islands exhibit after a period of construction, describing it as bringing new animals, new habitats, and an adventure-themed play area to the grounds. That same year the zoo also welcomed a male snow leopard named Lenny through a conservation program, joining the zoo's existing female snow leopard, Pandora, and reopened its historic Funland amusement area for the 2026 season after a full restoration.

Exhibits and habitats

The zoo's newest addition, the Islands exhibit, opened in 2026 after being previewed as a major new experience, and is described as an immersive space combining new animals and habitats with interactive learning and a play area. An Australia-themed exhibit area sits near the zoo's restrooms and the Kookaburra Kafe, a concession stand whose name references the Australian bird. The William J. Maeck Education Center is a dedicated facility for informal education programming, and is occasionally available to rent when not in classroom use. Funland at the Zoo, a separate, restored historic amusement area within the grounds, reopened for its 2026 season on May 23 after refurbishment.

Animal highlights

The zoo's own pages describe a collection of around 130 exotic species and just over 300 individual animals. Named residents include African lions, penguins, Chilean flamingos, Amur tigers, Bactrian camels, and two snow leopards, Lenny and Pandora, the latter pair connected to the zoo's conservation partnerships. The zoo also recently mourned the loss of Sid, a longtime male gray gibbon, marking his death as a notable loss for the collection. The zoo's Kookaburra Kafe concession stand, near the Australia exhibit area, takes its name from the bird.

Conservation and programs

As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Idaho Falls Zoo describes conservation of animals and habitats as a leading priority, and it participates in more than 40 AZA cooperative programs. Its Quarters for Conservation program funds global and regional conservation efforts using a small portion of each visitor's admission; the zoo reports that visitors have contributed nearly $500,000 through the program since it began in 2015. The zoo's 2026 acquisition of Lenny, a male snow leopard, came through a conservation program connecting the zoo with other institutions caring for the species.

The zoo also runs education and volunteer programs for the community, including a Junior Zoo Crew for local teens, which the zoo has extended application deadlines for in past seasons, and an annual Community Clean-up Day held ahead of the season opening to help prepare the grounds.

Planning your visit

As listed on the zoo's website, admission for the 2026 season, valid through September 30, 2026, is $12.50 for adults ages 13–61, $11.00 for seniors 62 and up, $9.50 for children ages 3–12, and $0.50 for toddlers and infants age 2 and under, with a $0.50 conservation fee built into every ticket; group rates are available for parties of 15 or more. Parking is free. Wheelchairs and wagons can be rented on a first-come, first-served basis for $5.00 each. According to the zoo's tickets page, gates open at 9:30 a.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m. and closing at 5:00 p.m.

A typical tour of the zoo takes about one to one and a half hours, according to the zoo's own FAQ. The zoo has a concession stand, the Kookaburra Kafe, next to the picnic area and restrooms, and a gift shop offering zoo-themed merchandise; cash, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are all accepted, and admission is valid for same-day re-entry if you keep your receipt. Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed, though ADA service dogs are permitted outside the Children's Zoo and other direct-contact areas; smoking and vaping are also prohibited, per city ordinance, within 20 feet of any entry, and the zoo does not offer rain checks for inclement weather. The 2026 season opened early, on April 16, and Funland at the Zoo, the grounds' restored amusement area, reopened for the season on May 23. Because prices and hours are listed as valid only through a specific date each year, confirm current details on the zoo's official website before visiting.