Is Austin Zoo Wheelchair Accessible?
I always love visiting zoos in every main city that I travel to, and Austin, Texas was no exception. Even though it was an extremely hot day back in August when my friend and I visited the Austin Zoo, we still saw as much as could that day.
Getting There
early lunch at Iron Works BBQ
We were staying at Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown but walked/strolled a few minutes to Iron Works BBQ for lunch before getting an Uber to the zoo. From across our lunch spot, it was about a half hour drive to get to the zoo.
located on the outer edge of the city
We had to drive out a bit as it was located on the southwest edge of Austin in the Travis County area. It looked very rural to us as everything seemed small and old fashioned. There is no public transit to get to the zoo either.
our accessible Uber dropped us off right by the zoo entrance
When we got out of our Uber, my friend had to push me slightly uphill on a rocky and bumpy road to buy tickets at the admissions trailer near the zoo front entrance. We can already anticipate how inaccessible this zoo will be. There was also no disability discount so it costs $18.95 each adult.
wheeling uphill on rocky road to admissions trailer… no discount for disabilities, we both pay $18.95 adult price
About Austin Zoo
Austin Zoo started out as a goat ranch in 1990 which then became a zoo in 1994. It is open year round and is now the home to over 300 animals from over 100 different species. The mission of Austin Zoo is to assist animals in need through rescue, conservation, and education.
map of the small zoo
Exhibits
trying to cool down in the water
The zoo is not very big according to the map, but it is divided into 5 different areas: Aviaries, Big Cats & Bears, Hoofstock Feed Area, Primates and Reptiles. There are also surrounding animals in their enclosures that aren’t in these 5 areas.
tortoise hiding in the shade
Once we were inside the zoo, my friend tried his best to wheel me around on the uneven rock dirt trail in the blistering hot sun. It seemed like a bunch of the animal exhibits were either empty or the animals were hiding from the sun or sleeping in the shade.
iguana
We were also trying to see the zoo at a fast pace because we didn’t want to be in the sun too long. We saw a barn with goats and went there to be in the shaded building but it was just as hot in there. After seeing a few more animals like zebras and llamas, we had to buy cold drinks in the gift shop while we waited for an Uber to drive us back.
goat barn
Accessibility
Austin Zoo is not wheelchair accessible at all starting from the parking lot and the entrance. Throughout the zoo, there is no paved pathways as it is just a rocky dirt trail. Lucky my friend was strong and was still able to push my wheelchair uphill, downhill, over potholes even with a missing front wheel on my chair.
rough terrain with slopes uphill and downhill everywhere
I still skipped a few animal cages since it would take extra effort to see due to inaccessibility and I didn’t want my friend to try in the extreme heat. There was a $5 fee for a 20 minute train ride that would take us around the zoo and Texas Hill Country but the train did not have a ramp/lift or accessible seating.
44 celcius and constantly needed to be sprayed down and hide in the shade
For those who can’t handle the heat, I recommend bring lots of water to drink and a spray bottle to cool down. There is no inside building exhibits with air conditioners or not much shade either.
waiting inside for uber in the gift shop was the only place that has a/c
Final Thoughts
white tiger sleeping
Even though Austin Zoo had very poor accessibility for wheelchairs, I was still glad to visit because ticket admissions does partly go to help the animals. The entire zoo was hard to wheel around and even though we were in extreme sun, there were still some animals worth seeing. We were there almost 90 minutes but I don’t recommend other wheelchair guests to visit unless they bring someone strong to help them get around.
zebras
