Field Trips

New this year, Hogle Zoo is offering standards-based programming for field trip students.

For Grades K–5:

Monday through Thursday, students can participate in interactive activity stations around the zoo, each aligned to specific grade levels and core standards. Optional pre- and post-visit lessons will be provided to support classroom learning.

• Activities for grades K–2: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday

• Activities for grades 3–5: Wednesday

For Grades 6–12:

On select dates, middle and high school students can explore careers related to zoos, wildlife, and the environment. Each event features hands-on activities and opportunities to learn about education paths for a variety of careers.

• Fall Dates: September 30 and October 1 – Environmental careers

• Spring Dates: March 24 and 25 – Careers in zoos and animal care

Frequently asked questions

• Can my class come on a day with different grade-level activities? Yes, you’re welcome to visit on any scheduled day. Just note that on-site activities may not match your students’ grade level, though pre- and post-visit materials will still be available.
• Why are there more days for some grades? Most field trip groups are grades K–2. We’ve prioritized programming for the grades that visit most often, while still offering options for older students.
• Can I request different programming for my class? No, due to staffing and scheduling, we’re unable to accommodate programming changes or special requests.

• Free Field Trips are only available to grades K-12 that are either public schools, private schools, or charter schools in the state of Utah.
• Field trips are NOT available for schools outside of Utah, preschools, daycares, homeschools, or after-school groups/programs.
• While homeschool students do not qualify for our field trip admission discount, they are able to participate in our on grounds activities.

• Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. 

• Schools without confirmed reservations will not be allowed to visit the zoo with free admission. 

• For the safety of our animals and your students, we limit the number of field trips per day. 

• Teacher’s first and last name 

• Teacher’s phone number (personal or school number) 

• Teacher’s email address (personal or school email) 

• School principal’s name 

• School principal’s phone number 

• School principal’s email address 

• School’s name 

• School’s full address (street, state, and zip code) 

• School’s district (i.e. Salt Lake, Granite, charter, or private) 

• School’s title 1 status 

• Estimated arrival time (no later than 1:00pm) 

• The number of special needs students that will be attending (The chaperone ratio for special needs students is 1:1) 

• Student’s grade level (K-12) 

• Any extra chaperones, student siblings, or preschoolers the school may be paying for (this does not include free chaperones) 

• Lunch preference (i.e. packing, purchasing, no lunch) 

• Schools are required to provide one adult for every five students (1:5).

• Special needs students can have one adult for one special needs student (1:1). 
• Teachers are included in the 1:5 ratio
• Additional adults not covered in the 1:5 ratio must pay for admission.  

• Please ensure you have the correct quantities for this ratio in your cart before checking out. Anything under/over could invalidate your reservation.  

• When student quantities aren’t divisible by fives, one chaperone is rounded up. 

• All chaperones must be 21+ and stay with their students.
• If the school is short of chaperones, the school will be required to pay admission for the entire group. 
• Be aware that if fewer students arrive on the day of your field trip, the free chaperone admission total may be affected.

Your field trip will be confirmed once you’ve checked out and received a confirmation email with confirmation paperwork attached. Please open the attachment, read over the paperwork, print it, and bring in on the date of visit. If you have issues opening the attachment please contact us. When it is time to check-in, zoo staff will request your printed and filled-out paperwork.

Your confirmation email contains your field trip date, order number, and number of students and chaperones. Verify that this information is correct and contact us as soon as possible if changes need to be made. All rules for chaperones, teachers, and students will be in the email attachment. 

Name tags: For security purposes, make sure all students and chaperones are wearing name tags with the school name and the teacher’s name before entering the zoo. You can bring sticker name tags, custom-printed t-shirts, pins, or clip-on name tags. Please, no lanyard name tags.

Printed and signed Field Trip Confirmation Paperwork: Fill out the top right section, initial the chaperone and teacher contract list, and add your complete day-of numbers at the bottom. Our staff will meet you at your bus to check you in. Remain with your bus until cleared by a zoo staff member to enter the zoo.

Please inform all bus drivers where to park and unload students. Unloading and parking is subject to change based on weather and attendance. Bus drivers will receive free admission to the zoo.

Fall & Spring Field Trips: September – February and March – May

North Parking Lot (located directly across the street from the main parking lot)

Winter Field Trips: November – February

Main parking lot (please park and unload at the far east end of the main lot)

Field trip check-in will occur at the designated bus parking location based on the season. Once your entire student and chaperone group is present, a zoo staff member will assist with check-in and entry into the zoo. Chaperones driving separately will need to wait for the school to arrive to enter the zoo.

Any late students or chaperones that have missed their field trip check–in time will need to purchase admission to enter the zoo. No exceptions will be made for late arrivals. Teachers are responsible for notifying students, chaperones, and parents of this policy.