Accessibility - Hogle Zoo

Utah’s Hogle Zoo recognizes that our guests come in all ability levels, and we strive to make every guest’s visit as fun and educational as possible. We believe that anyone can be empowered to save species and protect habitats.

Read below for some of the accommodations Utah’s Hogle Zoo provides.

Guests with Mobility Impairments

Wheelchairs and electronic convenience vehicles (ECVs) are available for rent on a first-come-first -served basis, and cannot be reserved in advance. Personal wheelchairs and ECVs are permitted for use on zoo grounds. For the safety of all guests, we ask that ECVs be set to walking speed.
The Wildlife Theater, the Wyatt Fricks Discovery Theater, and the Rocky Shores amphitheater has wheelchair accessible spots. Please ask any Hogle Zoo staff member for assistance.
All exhibits have a wheelchair accessible entrance. Zoofari Express and Conservation Carousel have ramps upon request and may require a transfer from the wheelchair to the ride seat.
All pathways at the zoo are paved, but due to the slope of the landscape, some paths are more accessible than others.

Service Dogs

Pets and emotional support animals are strictly prohibited. All service dogs must check in through our Guest Services office before being admitted on zoo grounds. Service dogs are prohibited in the following locations: The Wildlife Theater, the train, and the center rainforest exhibit in the Small Animal Building.
Please note that on a limited basis, other areas may be designated off limits for service dogs on a day-to-day basis, due to sensitive animal care concerns such as new births, breeding, or new animals in exhibits.
If you wish to visit these areas, Guest Services can temporarily hold the service dog while guests are away. We ask that the guest returns for the service dog as soon as possible once finished with these areas. If your service dog needs to relieve themselves, please exit the zoo and visit one of the public parks close by.
During your visit, please be sensitive to zoo animals. If they seem distressed by your service dog’s presence, please move on with your visit and return to the exhibit later when the animal is calm.

Guests Who Are Blind Or Have Low Vision

Large print and tactile Braille maps are available for checkout upon request at Guest Services, courtesy of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind.
Sensory backpacks, made possible by a grant from the Utah Division of Arts and Museums and the R. Harold Burton Foundation, are available for checkout at Guest Services on a first-come-first-serve basis. Each kit includes a number of items that may be helpful for visiting the Zoo with a child who is blind or has low vision (see below for backpack inventory). Kits are free for checkout during your Zoo visit, but require a valid driver’s license and contact information to ensure the backpacks are returned for future guests. We recommend renting a wagon or bringing your own so as to lay out the items in the backpack and have easier access to them during your visit.

Sensory Backpacks Include:

Monocular
Amber and yellow glare reducing glasses
Magnifying glass
Animal artifacts and animal models with labels printed in size 18 font. *Braille labels are available upon request.
Grade 2 braille labels are available upon request, courtesy of the State Library for the Blind.
Laminated list of all sensory exhibits at the Zoo.
Laminated copies of the Zoo Social Stories.

Tactile and Sensory Exhibits

The following is a listing of all accessible tactile statues and signs in the Zoo, categorized by exhibit.

African Savanna

Stylized giraffe statue at entry plaza on a springy flooring
Sign comparing foot casts of savanna animals at Giraffe yard
Bronze dung beetle, lion and zebra skulls at Twiga Terrace
Model skulls and bones embedded in “cliffs” surrounding lion habitat
- Please note that there is an interactive cave space for children with low ceilings at the east end of the exhibit.
Lion pride statue
Soundboard at west end of African Savanna with animal vocalizations

Elephant Encounter

Model elephant skull, femur and tooth
Elephant tusk, model rhino horn and skin
Stylized statue of Jumbo the elephant, which makes noise and blows air out of its trunk
Life-size statue of rhino with tickbirds on its back

Great Apes

Male gorilla statue outside entrance to Great Ape Building
Female gorilla bust on south side of great ape yards with a braille sign

Nature pathway includes bronze statues of Utah native animals just across the fence line. The following are statues that can be reached from the pathway, over the fence.

Creekside

Dragonflies on signs
Fish
Three ducklings
Beaver mother and baby
Tarantula
Frogs
Snake
Mice
Butterflies
Mountain lion

Play area includes concrete statues of Utah native animals.

Raccoons in knotholes
Woodpeckers
Great horned owl
Frogs
Rabbits
Desert tortoises

“Hope Springs,” a sensory mosaic funded by a generous grant from the Utah Division of Arts and Museums, and created by community artist Roger Whiting and the children of Matt’s Place.

Rocky Shores

Sign comparing footprints of small North American mammals
Bronze model of eagle skulls
Life-size eagle nest on a springy flooring
Life-size otter statue
Hollow log for play on a springy flooring
Sign comparing seal and sea lion skulls
Life-size seal statue
Life-size polar bear and cubs statue
Bronze models of small sea creatures inside Tidewater Cove by crash tanks
Skull and bones of whales, dolphins and walrus inside Tidewater Cove.
- Please note that marine mammal bones are porous and filled with oil for buoyancy when the animal is alive; therefore, these bones have a strong, oily scent if you lean close.
Soundboard of animal vocalizations at west entrance of Tidewater Cove
Comparison of polar, brown and black bear paws
Comparison of polar, brown and black bear skulls

Asian Highlands

Interactive sign demonstrating tigers’ senses of taste, sight, smell and touch in the Forest View habitat
Grandma’s House with artifacts from Asian cultures
Life-size tiger statue

Guests With Developmental Disabilities & Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

The following social story is designed for guests with autism spectrum disorders to enhance their Zoo experience, but may be used by anyone.

Please note that some attractions, such as the Zoofari Express, close seasonally and that some exhibits may be loud on days that are crowded. A list of helpful hints at the end of the story can help caregivers better prepare for a Zoo visit. If you have any questions about your visit on a particular day, feel free to call member services at (801) 584-1700 to get up-to-date information.

Sensory Backpacks

Sensory backpacks, made possible by a grant from the Utah Division of Arts and Museums and the R. Harold Burton Foundation, are available for checkout at Guest Services on a first-come-first-serve basis. Each kit includes a number of items that may be helpful for visiting the Zoo with a child with special needs (see below for backpack inventory). Kits are free for checkout during your Zoo visit, but require a valid driver’s license and contact information to ensure the backpacks are returned for use for future guests. We recommend renting a wagon or bringing your own so as to lay out the items in the backpack and have easier access to them during your visit.

ASD/SPD/Developmental Disabilities Backpack

“I have autism, if lost please call” stickers
Laminated copies of the Zoo Social Story
Laminated list of all sensory exhibits at the Zoo
Noise cancelling headphones
Fidget toys
Assorted animal artifacts and animal models with labels

Small and medium-sized weighted sensory belts are also available for checkout at Guest Services on a first-come-first-serve basis. Belts are free for checkout during your Zoo visit, but require a valid driver’s license and contact information to ensure the backpacks are returned for use for future guests.

Because it’s so important that guests remain seated throughout the World of Flight Bird Show to protect the birds, weighted lap pads and wobble cushions are available upon request. Ask the theater gate attendant for a lap pad or wobble cushion and please return it at the end of the show.

For Teachers With Special Needs Classrooms

Are you a teacher with students with special needs? Utah’s Hogle Zoo offers onsite and outreach special education classes taught by a Zoo instructor. Classes include sensory experiences with animal artifacts such as pelts, skulls, eggs, as well as live ambassador animals. Class length can be tailored to the needs of your class, but have a maximum of 45 minutes. Follow the link to learn more about onsite and outreach programs for students with special needs.

Classroom sensory kits for teachers of SPED classrooms, made possible by a grant from the Utah Division of Arts and Museums and the R. Harold Burton Foundation, are available for checkout free of charge during your class field trip. Kits must be reserved at least two weeks in advance, and will be waiting at guest services on the day of your visit. After you reserve your kit, a complete inventory list will be emailed to you that you may better plan your field trip. You will need a valid photo I.D. in order to check out kits on the day of your field trip. Return the kit at guest services at the end of your field trip. Email Here to reserve your kit at least two weeks prior to your visit.

Kits include:
- Assorted animal artifacts (skull replicas, pelts, etc.) and corresponding animal models with labels for 20+ Zoo animals
- Laminated copies of the Zoo social stories
- Laminated accessibility map
- Complete listing of all sensory exhibits at the Zoo
- Sanitizing hand wipes and bandages

There are also teacher kits available for checkout to classrooms. These teacher kits may be checked out one at a time for two weeks, and are $10.00 to reserve. Click here to learn more information and to see a complete list of available kits.

Programs For Families With Special Needs

Utah’s Hogle Zoo is proud to offer Zoo Just for You, a new program for children with special needs and an accompanying adult. Beginning in 2016, we will offer a preschool class series for children with special needs, as well as classes for children ages 6-18 who are blind/sisually impaired, deaf/hard of hearing, have autism spectrum disorders, intellectually delayed or who have physical disabilities. Check the website for class dates and availability.

*If there are other accommodations you or your family will need during your visit, please call Elise Plumley at (801) 584-4563 or email her at least two weeks in advance.