BioPark Frequently Asked Questions

 

BioPark General Information

View general information for the ABQ Zoo, Aquarium, and Botanic Garden

Purchase tickets online, view price, discount, and refund information

View BioPark’s hours

Reciprocal Agreements with Other Institutions

Yes, members of certain institutions may be eligible for half-price admission. These institutions also offer discounts to New Mexico BioPark Society members; however because participation in this program is voluntary, it is recommended that members contact the institution prior to visiting. View the Reciprocal List

Age Limit

Children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

How long does it take to see the Zoo/Aquarium/Botanic Garden?

Allow about 4-5 hours to see all exhibits at the zoo – total walking distance is 2 ¼ miles. It also takes about 2-3 hours to walk through the 1.5 miles of the Aquarium and Botanic Garden.

Prohibited Items

• Do not bring glass containers, pets, alcohol, balloons, piñatas, weapons of any kind, toys, sports equipment,pop-up tents or canopies, or gas/charcoal grills.
• Bicycles, skate boards, roller and in-line skates - including shoes with rollers embedded in the heels (Heelys) - are not permitted on BioPark grounds for safety reasons.

Prohibited Activities

• Smoking is not permitted on any ABQ BioPark property.
• For the safety of the animals and the preservation of plant life do not throw any items, including coins, food, or ice into the exhibit areas. Coins can kill an animal that eats them.
• Do not tap or pound on glass, chase birds, or otherwise harass animals.
• Do not pick flowers, disturb plant life or allow your children or companions to do so.
• Do not remove animal material (including feathers) - prohibited by Federal law.
• Please keep voices low. Shouts and screams disturb animals and other visitors.
• Do not climb on rocks, trees, other landscaping or artwork.
• Please be respectful of other visitors by refraining from playing music publicly on your personal devices.

What can I bring to the BioPark?

You can bring a cooler, food (cannot be catered), umbrella, chairs or blankets to sit on.

Are strollers, wheelchairs and electronic scooters available at the Zoo/Aquarium/Botanic Garden?

Wheelchairs are available at the Jungle Wheels shop at the Zoo or the Shark Reef Cafe on the main plaza at the Aquarium for $10 for an all-day rental. ECVs (electronic scooters) are available for $35 at the Zoo only, plus a $100 refundable deposit. Single strollers are $12,double strollers are $14. Strollers, wheelchairs and ECVs cannot be reserved in advance. They are available on first-come, first served basis.To ensure your comfort during your visit, we strongly recommend that you bring your own wheelchair, scooter or stroller. More here.

Pets & Service Animals

• No pets are allowed at the BioPark.
• ADA-recognized service animals are permitted in public areas of all BioPark facilities, unless otherwise restricted. See official service animal policy.
• Pets are welcome at Tingley Beach and must be leashed.

Lost & Found

Ask at the Security or Administration offices near the entrance to the Zoo or Aquarium/Garden.

Photography

Visitors may take photos for personal, non-commercial use.

For commercial use, professional photographers must obtain a photo permit. For more information, please visit the BioPark's photography page, call 505-248-8500, or email [email protected].

Gift Certificates

Currently, we do not offer gift certificates for purchase. Consider gifting a membership to the New Mexico BioPark Society.

Parking Cost

Parking is free.

Bus Parking

Buses visiting the Aquarium-Garden should park at the East end of the main parking lot. Drivers may not drop-off or pick-up at the roundabout in the Aquarium-Garden main lot as it creates a hazard for pedestrians.

At the Zoo, buses should park in the designated area of the main lot or the parking lot across the street at Tingley Park.

Can the BioPark donate admission tickets for fundraisers, raffles or auctions?

No. As a facility owned and operated by the City of Albuquerque, the BioPark is prohibited by law from making donations of any kind. Visit this page to make a direct request to the City of Albuquerque.

Does the BioPark accept pet donations?

Due to limited space and resources, the ABQ BioPark does not accept donations of unwanted pet reptiles, amphibians, birds or mammals. Fish and plant donations will be considered on an individual basis.

Please remember that releasing pets to the wild, including those native to New Mexico, is a violation of state law, and released pets are unlikely to survive.

WiFi

Yes. WiFi is provided at the Aquarium and Botanic Garden. Most devices can access the network from the Main Plaza, the Garden's Festival Green and the Shark Reef Cafe.

I have a disability and have questions about accessibility of one of the facilities.

If you have a disability and require special assistance when you visit the BioPark, please call 505-768-2000 or 311 (Relay NM or 711), preferably with three days advance notice.

Aquarium

Aquarium Restaurant

The Shark Reef Café is open 9 am to 5 pm seven days a week and is accessible without paying admission fees. It is not a seafood restaurant.

Can I visit just the gift shop at the Aquarium?

Yes. Both the Aquarium and Garden gift shops are located outside the admission gates. The Aquarium Gift Shop phone number is 505-848-7188 and the Garden Gift Shop phone number is 505-848-7187. The gift shop at the Aquarium is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Botanic Garden

Summer Concerts at the Botanic Garden

Find information about Garden Sounds here. Please note that the City of Albuquerque books all musical acts. To be considered as a performer,please fill out this form.

River of Lights

Visit our River of Lights web page to find out details for this year's display.

Zoo

Is there a petting zoo at the zoo?

No, but visitors have several opportunities to interact with animals during feeding times and activities. You can also visit the cow, sheep, goats, pigs and horses at the Heritage Farm in the Botanic Garden.

What are feeding times and activities for animals at the zoo?

See the BioPark Connections Calendar page for more information on daily activities.

Zoo Restaurants & Food

All zoo food services are located inside the zoo. The Cottonwood Café located near the band shell serves sandwiches, American and Mexican food, ice cream and snacks and is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm Other food services are available seasonally.

Can I visit just the gift shop at the Zoo?

Yes. You will be issued a temporary pass for twenty minutes and must leave your drivers’ license with the cashier. If you stay longer, you will be charged the standard admission fee ($10 adult, $4.50 children). Call for more information 505-764-6218

Summer Concerts at the Zoo

Information about Zoo Nights concerts can be found here.Please note that the City of Albuquerque books all musical acts. To be considered as a performer,please fill out this form.

Does the BioPark give away or loan out eagle feathers?

No. All feathers collected from the BioPark’s golden and bald eagles are sent directly to the National Eagle Repository. There are no exceptions to this policy.

Tingley Beach

Tingley Beach Location

Tingley Beach is located at 1800 Tingley Drive, just south of Central Avenue.

Hours at Tingley Beach

• Lakes, public restrooms and trails are open every day of the year. Hours are sunrise to sunset daily and access is free.
• The Tingley Beach Cafe is open seasonally.
• Pets are welcome but must be leashed and curbed (waste cleaned up).
• For the safety of all visitors, no swimming, alcohol or weapons are permitted.

Parking at Tingley Beach

Parking can be accessed from Tingley Drive via gated entrances north and south of the station. There are two parking lots, one just north of the train station, and one between the Central and South ponds. Parallel parking is permitted along the gravel road that runs on the west side of the ponds. Please do not park on the cement walkways or the landscaping.

Parking is not permitted along the ditch road to the west of Tingley Drive. This is a maintenance road for the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District.

Tingley Beach Events

Tingley Beach is free to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. It cannot be reserved. Groups may not have outside catering, but may bring in their own food. For additional information, please contact us through 311 locally or 505-768-2000.

Where and how can I fish at Tingley Beach?

Tingley Beach has three fishing ponds. Click on the links for more details about each pond.

• Catch and Release Pond
• Central Pond - Open to all ages.
• Children's Pond - Just for anglers ages 12 and under!

Is Tingley Beach ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible?

• There is an accessible ramp at the Children's Pond for children with mobile disabilities. Adults with a mobile disability accompanying children who are fishing may find it easiest to assist their children by fishing off the wooden dock at the Children's Pond.
• A wheelchair accessible ramp is available at the Central Pond in front of the Train Station. Preference is given to adults and children fishing with mobile disabilities.
• The Model Boat Pond is accessible by a ramp to the water's edge.

Can I bring a grill and barbecue at Tingley Beach?

Grilling is sometimes allowed at Tingley Beach. Charcoal grills are available near many of the picnic tables around Tingley. Grills may be closed during fire season--please check the Tingley website for current restrictions.

Can I buy a fishing license at the Tingley Beach shop?

No. Fishing licenses are not available at the shop.

What is the phone number for the Tingley Beach Cafe?

The cafe's number is 505-248-8524.

Does the ABQ BioPark care for the animals at Tingley Beach?

All of the birds at Tingley Beach are either wild or feral animals. They are not ABQ BioPark animals, so staff do not provide preventative medical care, However we do try to protect the welfare of all animals that may visit our facilities. Learn more.

School Field Trips & Group Scheduling

Are there discounts for large groups at the BioPark?

Group rates are offered for school groups during the school year and recreation groups during the summer. Groups must make a reservation two weeks in advance. See School Field Trips or Recreation Group Visits or call 505-764-6272 for more information.

Group rates for non-school groups are available for groups of 50 or more people.

Can I get a discount for my scout group, senior or community center group, church group or after-school group?

Sometimes. See Recreation Group Visits for details.

I want to have a birthday party or other special event at the BioPark. Can I get a group admission discount?

Sometimes. Go to Event Bookings page for more information on holding an event at the BioPark. You can also find information about available discounts on our ticketing page.

Are there special bus parking areas at the Aquarium-Garden and Zoo?

Yes.

Buses should drop students off on the east side of the main Botanic Garden parking lot. This is the side closest to Central Avenue. Drivers can follow the signs to the student drop off area. Then, buses may proceed west to the Heritage Farm to park. At the end of the field trip, buses can pick students up at the same location as the drop off.

At the Zoo, buses should park in the designated area of the main lot.

Feedback - Comments, Suggestions and Complaints

Where can I make a comment, suggestion or complaint about the BioPark?Forms are available in at the Administrative Offices at the Zoo and Aquarium/Garden. Each item is reviewed by the BioPark director. You can also email us at [email protected] or call 311 locally or 505-768-2000.

I would like to make a gift or donation to the BioPark.

We gratefully accept donations and gifts to the Aquarium, Botanic Garden, Zoo and Tingley Beach. Read more about supporting the BioPark.

Education

What kind of educational programs and resources are offered at the BioPark?

For Families

Camps: During Albuquerque Public Schools spring and summer breaks, we offer a variety of day camps targeted to different age groups. Most camps are a week long, but some are a half-day or full-day long.

• Spring Break Camp
• Summer Camp BioPark

Preschool Program:

• BioPark Beginnings- a special program for pre-school children to attend with an adult.

Evening Programs:

• Twilight Tours at the Zoo
• Night Walks at the Botanic Garden

For Teachers

• Group Rate: To get the special group rate, school field trip visits must be scheduled two weeks in advance. Contact 505-764-6272 or submit a request for BioPark Reservations online.
• Guided tours can be requested for school groups with at least six weeks advance notice and only AFTER you have scheduled your school group reservation.

Reservations for Events

Can I rent the Zoo or Aquarium/Botanic Garden for an event?

Yes, you can rent the facilities for corporate events, birthdays and other events. Please note, the BioPark is not available for weddings in 2024 or 2025. The facilities are available for rental in the evenings from May to September.More details and a contact form can be found here.

Can I hold a fundraiser at the BioPark?

Outside fundraisers are not allowed at the BioPark. If you would like more information, please submit a written proposal to the BioPark Director, 903 10th St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 or through [email protected].

Memberships and Volunteering

How can I get a membership to the BioPark and what are the benefits?

The New Mexico BioPark Society is the support organization for the BioPark. Membership includes unlimited general admission to the Aquarium, Botanic Garden and Zoo during regular business hours. There are several levels of membership to fit your family's size and needs.

The quickest way to start your membership is to buy one at a ticket booth at the Zoo or Aquarium. For more information, visit the New Mexico BioPark Society or call 505-764-6280.

I want to volunteer at the Zoo/Aquarium/Botanic Garden.

There are numerous volunteer opportunities at the BioPark. Visit our Volunteering Page for job descriptions, application forms and training dates.