ZooMontana
Billings, Montana, United States
ZooMontana is Montana's only AZA-accredited zoo, spread across 70 acres of forest and parkland in Billings. What makes it distinctive is its focus: animals from the…
What it's like here
ZooMontana is Montana's only AZA-accredited zoo, spread across 70 acres of forest and parkland in Billings. What makes it distinctive is its focus: animals from the 45th parallel—the latitude that runs through Billings and on into southern France, northern Italy and Mongolia—and nearly all of its residents are rescues. You'll find red pandas, Amur tigers, grizzly bears, wolves, river otters and Canada lynx here, plus takin, an unusual animal many visitors walk past without realising what they're seeing.
The grounds feel more like a botanical garden threaded with wildlife habitats than a traditional zoo. Trails wind between enclosures under mature trees, and the whole place has a wooded, park-like quality. The scale works particularly well for families with younger children who might tire at larger urban zoos. You can cover it thoroughly in one to two hours, though the pace is your own.
Beyond the animals, there's a Certified Autism Center designation and a dedicated Sensory Garden—genuinely unusual for a zoo this size. Two playgrounds keep restless kids occupied, and strollers and wagons are available to rent at the front gate. A gift shop rounds out the facilities.
Weather deserves mention: Billings sits at the edge of the high plains and conditions change fast. Even on a clear morning, a layer is worth carrying. The zoo stays open year-round apart from four holidays, shifting from summer hours (10:00–17:00) to winter hours (10:00–16:00), though closures depend on trail conditions—worth calling ahead if the weather looks uncertain.
The zoo sits just off Interstate 90 at Exit 443, making it easy to slot into a road trip. Admission details aren't published in standard sources, so check their official website before you go.
Highlights
- Red pandas, Amur tigers, grizzly bears and wolves in forest-like habitats
- Takin, an unusual animal from the 45th parallel
- Sensory Garden and Certified Autism Center status, rare for a zoo this size
- Two playgrounds, rental strollers and a gift shop
- Manageable 70-acre size and woodland setting, roughly a two-hour visit
Good to know
Open year-round except Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day and Easter Sunday. Summer hours are 10:00–17:00; winter hours 10:00–16:00. Admission closes one hour before grounds close, and you can stay for an hour after. Located at 2100 S Shiloh Road, just off Exit 443 on Interstate 90. Strollers and wagons rent first-come-first-served at the front gate. Hours depend on weather and trail conditions, so call ahead if conditions look uncertain. Check their website for current admission pricing.
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Questions people ask
Is ZooMontana open in winter?
Yes, it's open year-round apart from four holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day and Easter Sunday. Winter hours (1 October–30 April) run 10:00–16:00 daily.
How long does a visit typically take?
The zoo covers 70 acres with around 106 animals across 56 species. Most visits take one to two hours.
Is it suitable for children with sensory needs?
Yes. ZooMontana is a Certified Autism Center and has a dedicated Sensory Garden, which is unusual for a zoo of this size.
Attributes & facilities
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Last verified: September 7, 2026