City Park, Denver
Hotels Near Denver Zoo
The Denver Zoo is one of the best in the country — right in City Park with the Rockies as a backdrop. Here's where to stay close by.
Where to Stay
Uptown (closest, 10 min)
The best base for a zoo trip. Uptown is east of downtown with solid hotel options, great restaurants on 17th and 18th Ave, and easy access to City Park. You can walk, drive, or take a quick rideshare.
Capitol Hill (10–15 min)
South of Uptown and City Park — has some budget-friendly and boutique hotel options. Good neighborhood with its own character, walkable to Cheesman Park and the zoo.
Five Points / RiNo (15 min)
Just northwest of City Park. Best for visitors who want to combine a zoo trip with Denver's best food and brewery scene. Short drive or rideshare to the zoo from here.
“The Denver Zoo is legitimately impressive — well-maintained, thoughtful exhibits, and the mountain backdrop makes it feel uniquely Denver. Go early. Stay in Uptown, walk through City Park to get there, and grab brunch after on 17th Avenue.”
Plan Your Trip
Have your dates?
Rates near the Denver Zoo swing hard by date. Run a live price check for your exact nights before you pick a hotel below.
Affiliate search — booking through it supports this site at no extra cost to you.
Best Hotels Near the Denver Zoo for Every Trip
Best for families
Uptown
Closest to the zoo, walkable through City Park, and full of easy restaurants on 17th and 18th. The simplest base for a family day at the zoo and museum.
Browse hotels →Best on a budget
Capitol Hill
The most budget-friendly and boutique options within 10–15 minutes of the zoo. Weekdays beat weekends, and you're still an easy hop to City Park.
Browse hotels →Best with a pool
Downtown full-service
Want a pool to reward the kids after the exhibits? The larger full-service hotels downtown and in Uptown are your best bet — confirm the pool on the map before booking, since smaller boutiques often skip it.
Browse hotels →Zoo Visit Tips
Go Early
The zoo opens at 9am. Early mornings mean more active animals, cooler temperatures, and thinner crowds. Budget 3–4 hours for a thorough visit.
City Park First
City Park surrounds the zoo — take a walk around the lake before or after your visit. The views of the Denver skyline and Rockies are some of the best in the city.
Denver Museum Next Door
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is right next to the zoo — combine both in a day trip or save one for the next morning.
Explore Uptown & City Park
Frequently Asked Questions
What hotels are closest to the Denver Zoo?
The Denver Zoo is in City Park on the east side of downtown. Uptown is the closest neighborhood with real hotel options — about a 10-minute walk or short drive. Capitol Hill and Five Points also have options within 15 minutes.
Is the Denver Zoo walkable from downtown hotels?
It's a bit far from LoDo — about 1.5–2 miles, which is a 30-minute walk. Most people drive or use rideshare. Uptown and Capitol Hill are the closest neighborhoods with walkable options.
What else is in City Park near the Denver Zoo?
City Park is one of Denver's best parks — lake, tennis courts, and great skyline views. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is right there too. It's a genuinely good place to spend a morning before or after the zoo.
How much time do you need at the Denver Zoo?
Budget 3–4 hours for a thorough visit. The zoo is genuinely large and well-maintained. Early morning is best — animals are more active and crowds are thinner. It opens at 9am most days.
Is parking easy at the Denver Zoo?
There's a large parking lot on site. On busy weekends it can fill up — arrive early or use the overflow lots nearby. Street parking around City Park is also an option.
Are there hotels with a pool near the Denver Zoo?
Yes — for a pool to cool off in after a day at the zoo, look at the larger full-service hotels downtown and in Uptown rather than the smaller boutique properties, which often skip a pool. Use the map and filters below to spot which nearby hotels have one before you book — it's the amenity most worth confirming for a family trip.
Which hotels are best for families visiting the Denver Zoo?
Uptown is the family sweet spot — closest to the zoo, walkable through City Park, and lined with easy restaurants on 17th and 18th. Pick a hotel with a pool and you've got a built-in reward for the kids after a few hours of walking the exhibits.
What are the cheapest hotels near the Denver Zoo?
Capitol Hill has the most budget-friendly and boutique options within 10–15 minutes of the zoo. Weekdays are cheaper than weekends, and staying a neighborhood out from LoDo generally beats downtown rates while keeping you close to City Park.