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Where To See Gorillas In The USA – Complete Guide

If you’re looking for somewhere to see gorillas in the USA then you’re in the right place.

This post covers all the best zoos with gorillas in the United States providing you with all the information you’ll need for a fun day out.

Best Places To See Gorillas In The USA

Below you’ll find all the best zoos in the United States that have gorillas. 

The zoos were chosen due to being the zoos with the most gorillas and the best habitats.

1. Zoo Atlanta, Georgia

One of the best zoos with gorillas in the US is Zoo Atlanta in Georgia.

Zoo Atlanta, often ranked as one of the US’s best zoos, covers over 40-acres of land and has over 1,500 animals. 

Zoo Atlanta is currently home to one of the largest populations of gorillas in the whole of North America. 

The gorillas of Zoo Atlanta are Western lowland gorillas who are able to roam around a 1.8-acre habitat at the zoo. Zoo Atlanta currently has 20 gorillas.

To get the most out of your trip to Atlanta, you can purchase an Atlanta City Pass which gives you admission to all of Atlanta’s top attractions including Zoo Atlanta.

Address: 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

Opening Times: Monday to Friday (9am-5pm), Saturday & Sunday (9am-6pm)

Check out the video below where one of Zoo Atlanta’s oldest gorillas celebrates their 60th birthday:

2. Bronx Zoo, New York

One of the best places to see gorillas in the US is at Bronx Zoo in New York City. 

Bronx Zoo, located within Bronx Park, is one of the largest zoos in the US covering 265-acres and featuring over 6,000 species.

Bronx Zoo is home to a troop of gorillas that reside in the Congo Gorilla Forest exhibit. 

The Congo Gorilla Forest is an extensive area covering 6.5-acres. It also plays host to a variety of other animals including okapi, hogs and mandrills.

To get the most out of your trip to New York City, you can purchase a New York City Pass which gives you admission to all of New York’s top attractions including Bronx Zoo.

Address: 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460

Opening Times: Monday to Friday (10am-5pm), Saturday & Sunday (10am-5:30pm)

Check out the gorillas of Bronx Zoo in the video below:

3. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Florida

Another great place to see gorillas in the US is at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. 

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is an African-themed animal theme park located in Tampa, Florida. It covers 335-acres of land.

As well as thrilling roller coasters and rides, Busch Gardens is also home to a wide range of animals including a troop of gorillas. The gorillas here are Western lowland gorillas.

The zoo at Busch Gardens is the largest zoo in Tampa with more than 200 species of animals.

You’ll find the gorillas in the Myombe Reserve in the Morocco area. You’ll be able to see them relaxing or foraging for food.

For an extra special experience, you can join the Gorilla Insider Tour where you’ll get the chance to get up close to the gorillas and learn about how they’re cared for by the zookeepers!

Address: 10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, opens at 10am. Closing time varies – check the schedule here.

Check out the video below of a baby gorilla at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay:

4. Houston Zoo, Texas

Another zoo in the US which has gorillas is Houston Zoo in Texas. 

Houston Zoo is a 55-acre zoo located in Hermann Park, Houston. The zoo is home to over 6,000 animals from 900 different species. It is actually the second most visited zoo in the US. 

You’ll find 2 troops of Western lowland gorillas at Houston Zoo. You’ll find them in the African Forest area of the zoo which gives visitors the chance to feel what it would be like to visit gorillas in the wild. 

You can also book onto a Gorilla Encounter where you can go into the tree house and see the gorillas up-close and personal.

To get the most out of your trip to Houston, you can purchase a Houston City Pass which gives you admission to all of Houston’s top attractions including Houston Zoo.

Address: 6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030

Opening Times: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm

You can see gorillas in the African Forest habitat at Houston Zoo in the video below:

5. San Diego Zoo, California

One of the best places to see gorillas in the US is at San Diego Zoo in California.

San Diego Zoo currently has a troop of gorillas that live in their Gorilla Tropics area which features a lush garden and lots of vegetation to snack on and play with.

The zoo has also welcomed plenty of baby gorillas over the years. 

You can also see gorillas at the nearby San Diego Zoo Safari Park which is located 31 miles north of San Diego Zoo. 

Address: 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Opening Times: Monday to Thursday (9am-6pm), Friday to Sunday (9am-9pm)

Check out the gorillas at San Diego Zoo Safari Park in the video below:

6. Dallas Zoo, Texas

Another zoo which has gorillas in the US is Dallas Zoo located in Dallas, Texas. 

Dallas Zoo is a 106-acre zoo with over 2,000 animals representing 406 species of animals. 

Dallas Zoo is home to gorillas, they can be found in the Wilds of Africa section of the zoo which focuses on native African animals. The gorillas live by the Gorilla Research Station. 

Dallas Zoo currently cares for 10 gorillas in its expansive habitat.

To get the most out of your trip to Dallas, you can purchase a Dallas City Pass which gives you admission to all of Dallas’s top attractions including Dallas Zoo. 

Address: 650 S R L Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX 75203

Opening Times: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm

Check out the video below of a new born baby gorilla at Dallas Zoo:

7. Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Florida

Another great place in the US where you can see gorillas is at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

This zoological theme park is part of Walt Disney World Resort which is the largest theme park in the world. 

As well as roller coasters and rides, Disney’s Animal Kingdom features hundreds of species of live animals including gorillas. 

Animal Kingdom is home to a growing family of Western lowland gorillas that are free to roam around their habitat which features a lush tropical forest, hills, tall grass, waterfalls and much more.

You can see the gorillas on the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail in the Africa region of the park.

Address: 2901 Osceola Pkwy, Bay Lake, FL 34747

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8am to 7pm

You can see the gorillas at Animal Kingdom in the video below which gives a tour of the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail:

8. Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, South Carolina

Another one of the best zoos with gorillas in the US is Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens located in Columbia, South Carolina.

Riverbanks Zoo is home to over 2,000 animals and also features magnificent botanical gardens.

A troop of Western lowland gorillas can be found at Riverbanks Zoo in their own habitat.

You’ll find the gorillas in the Ndoki Base Camp area which covers more than 4,000 sq ft and aims to resemble their natural habitat of the rainforest of the Congo in Africa. 

It features open grassy areas and lots of vegetation.

Address: 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC 29210

Opening Times: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm

Check out the gorillas out in the rain at Riverbanks Zoo in the video below:

9. Saint Louis Zoo, Missouri

Another great place in the US where you can see gorillas is at Saint Louis Zoo in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Saint Louis Zoo has been recognized as a leading zoo in animal research, conservation and education. The zoo is home to over 12,000 animals representing 500 species. 

Saint Louis Zoo is home to a troop of Western lowland gorillas. You’ll find them in the Fragile Forest and the Jungle of the Apes areas of the zoo.

The Fragile Forest is an outdoor habitat featuring flowing streams, large deadfall trees and jungle vines. The gorillas reside here during the summer months.

The Jungle of the Apes habitat is an indoor habitat and is home to the gorillas during the winter when it becomes too cold for the gorillas to be outside.

Saint Louis Zoo is also one of the only free zoos in the US.

Address: 1 Government Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110

Opening Times: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm

You can see two of Saint Louis Zoo’s gorillas playing in the video below:

10. Lincoln Park Zoo, Illinois

Another great place in the United States where you can find gorillas is at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. 

Lincoln Park Zoo covers 35 acres and is actually one of North America’s oldest zoos, founded in 1868. 

The zoo is home to Western lowland gorillas which can be found in the Regenstein Center for African Apes. 

This habitat features a naturalistic space for the gorillas including fallen logs, water features, lots of trees and 5,000 feet of vines for climbing and hanging. 

It is also one of the only free admission zoos in the US.

Address: 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

Opening Times: Monday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm

Check out the video below of a 4 day old baby gorilla at Lincoln Park Zoo:


Thanks for reading this post on where to see gorillas in the USA. 

Wherever you are in the US, there’s plenty of options here to see gorillas in cities all over the US including New York, San Diego and Chicago.  

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