
Frequently Asked Questions
Yahoo Map to the Zoo

$8.00 for adults 12-59
$6.00 seniors 60 and older
$6.00 military (with ID)
$4.00 for children 4-11
Children under 4 are free
We are not offering group rates at this time.
Zoo admission fees are split with a portion going into the City general fund to help support zoo operations and the rest going into the zoo building fund to make improvements and help the zoo grow. The current project of the building fund is to provide revenues to help build the new gorilla habitat.
The Ellen Trout Zoo received its 5 year inspection and passed in March of 2016. The Zoo has now been accredited since September of 1983 and was the fifth zoo in Texas to receive accreditation. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information visit www.aza.org.
The Z & OO Railroad is owned and operated by the Lufkin Hosts Lions Club. It does not have any affiliation with the Ellen Trout Zoo or the City of Lufkin. The train ride takes about 8 minutes and goes around the park and across Ellen Trout Lake. Children 3 years of age and under ride free, everyone else is $2 (credit/debit cards not accepted). The proceeds benefit various projects and organizations in the area. From around the first of March until school starts in August the operating hours are from 10:00am until 3:00pm on weekdays and 10:00am until 5:00pm on weekends. When school starts in August and until March the operating hours are from 10:00am until 5:00pm on weekends and major school holidays. We do make special runs during the week for groups with advanced reservations. Reservations must be made by email to zootrain2001@yahoo.com and should be submitted at least two weeks in advance.
A Species Survival Plan (SSP) is a program in which zoos work cooperatively to carefully manage a species population. The Ellen Trout Zoo participates in several SSP's including the tigers, rhinos, Bali mynahs, cotton-top tamarins, and others here at the Ellen Trout Zoo. Look for this symbol to identify SSP species. To learn more about Species Survival Plans, click here.