The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a major Ohio destination with expansive habitats and a wide range of animal regions, but “America’s largest zoo” is not a defensible, one-size-fits-all ranking. The answer changes with the measure: acreage, exhibit area, species count, or whether safari parks and natural-habitat zoos are included. Columbus’s strongest case is what it offers visitors, especially its 43-acre Heart of Africa and the North America Trek, which opened in 2025.
Is the Columbus Zoo really America’s largest?
There is no single answer until “largest” is defined. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) distinguishes acreage, natural-habitat zoos, safari parks, and an overall comparison that combines acreage, species numbers, and exhibit sizes. Its statistics page names other facilities for those categories and does not identify Columbus as the largest.
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| Measure | AZA’s example | What the figure describes |
|---|---|---|
| Largest AZA-accredited zoo by acreage | Toronto Zoo: 710 acres | Total acreage, according to the AZA statistics page; year not stated. |
| Largest AZA-accredited safari park | The Wilds: over 9,000 acres | Safari park acreage, according to the AZA statistics page; year not stated. |
| Largest AZA-accredited natural-habitat zoo | North Carolina Zoo: 2,600 wooded acres, of which 500 are developed | The page distinguishes the wooded property from developed acreage; year not stated. |
| Largest overall, using acreage, species count, and exhibit sizes | Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium: over 130 acres and over 960 species | AZA’s combined measure; its statistics page gives the acreage and species figures, with no year stated. |
These are AZA-accredited examples, not a universal ranking of every animal facility in the country. A safari park’s total property, a zoo’s developed grounds, and the area visitors can walk through are not interchangeable measures. So the title’s “largest” works as a hook, not as a verified national distinction for Columbus.
What the Columbus Zoo’s own scale figures tell you
The zoo opened in 1927. Its “Our Story” page gives undated institutional figures of more than 10,000 animals, 600 species, more than 75 conservation initiatives in over 20 countries, and more than 2.2 million annual visitors. Those are the zoo’s own overview claims, not figures tied to a stated reporting year.
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Separately, the Columbus Zoo’s 2025 Impact Report lists attendance of 1,744,698 for 2025. That dated attendance figure should not be treated as a correction or a direct update to the undated annual-visitor claim: the two figures are published in different contexts, and the overview does not state its measurement period.
What makes the zoo worth a long visit?
Heart of Africa: a broad outdoor landscape
Heart of Africa covers 43 acres and was described by the zoo in 2024 as its largest region to date. Its savanna-inspired landscape features animals including giraffes, zebras, kudus, lions, and cheetahs. The official map also lists wildebeest, cranes, gazelles, and ostriches, among others.
Outdoor access and visibility are not guaranteed on a given day. The zoo says decisions about animals’ outdoor access are made daily with their wellbeing, training, enrichment, and weather in mind. Giraffe feedings and the region’s seasonal restaurant are listed on the map, but seasonal services and animal appearances can vary; check current visitor information before planning around either.
North America Trek: a new chapter for the region
North America Trek opened on June 20, 2025. Its first phase spans eight acres within a 14-acre redevelopment and includes habitats for black bears, Mexican wolves, bald eagles, and river otters, along with the Ohio Center for Wildlife Conservation. The landscapes draw inspiration from the Great Smoky Mountains, western canyons, and northern wetlands.
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Other regions broaden the itinerary
The zoo’s April 2025 map labels regions including Polar Frontier, Asia Quest, Shores & Aquarium, Australia & The Islands, and Congo Expedition, in addition to Heart of Africa and North America. The map lists polar and brown bears in Polar Frontier; elephants, tigers, red pandas, and markhor in Asia Quest; manatees, penguins, flamingos, and alligators in Shores & Aquarium; koalas, kangaroos, orangutans, and Komodo dragons in Australia & The Islands; and gorillas, bonobos, okapi, and colobus monkeys in Congo Expedition.
Use the current official map to choose regions that match your interests and check access details. The April 2025 map is useful for orientation, but its seasonal rides and services should not be assumed to be operating on your visit date.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How much time should you plan?
Experience Columbus estimates that most visitors spend about four to six hours at the zoo and recommends comfortable walking shoes for the expansive grounds. That estimate is a useful starting point, not a promise that every region, feeding, show, or seasonal attraction will fit into that window. Early morning is its suggested time for lighter crowds and often more active animals; treat that as visitor guidance rather than a guarantee.
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- Want to focus on outdoor habitats? Prioritize Heart of Africa and North America Trek, then add other outdoor regions according to your time and mobility needs.
- Prefer indoor animal viewing? Include Shores & Aquarium, and check the current map for operating areas and access.
- Need a break or mobility support? The April 2025 map marks stroller, manual wheelchair, and electric scooter rentals, accessible restrooms, lockers, and a shuttle stop to Heart of Africa. Confirm availability and current service before you go.
What should you check before visiting?
Hours vary by season, and parking carries a daily fee. Admission may have add-ons for rides, programs, and Zoombezi Bay. Because hours, fees, seasonal operations, and animal visibility can change, consult the zoo’s official visitor information before setting out rather than relying on an older map or third-party listing.
Experience Columbus lists the zoo’s address as 4850 Powell Rd., Powell, Ohio. The zoo’s map and Experience Columbus also identify a shuttle stop serving Heart of Africa and amenities that can help with a full day outdoors. If you are combining the zoo with Zoombezi Bay or another attraction, check each venue’s current operating dates and ticket terms separately.
How does conservation fit into the visit?
The zoo’s 2025 Impact Report describes work with the Wildlife Trust of India and the IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group on Asian elephant survival, as well as long-standing support for Gorilla Doctors. It also discusses The Wilds’ bison restoration work with conservation partners and Tribal nations. These are concrete examples of conservation projects connected to the organization; they do not establish a national ranking for conservation leadership.
What “underrated” can fairly mean here
“Underrated” is a subjective judgment, not a measured consensus. A fair case for the label is that a visitor may think of Columbus as a single zoo and miss the breadth of its distinct regions, the scale of Heart of Africa, or the substantial North America redevelopment. That makes it a destination worth considering on its merits, without needing an unsupported claim that it is the country’s largest or most overlooked.
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Sources: Association of Zoos and Aquariums, “Interesting Zoo and Aquarium Statistics”; Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, “2025 Impact Report”; Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, “Our Story”; Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, “Columbus Zoo’s Heart of Africa: Open for Adventure”; Experience Columbus, “Columbus Zoo and Aquarium | Events, Exhibits & Live Shows”; and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium April 2025 map and guide.
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