Terms of Use

By purchasing tickets, memberships, or other services through Zoo Knoxville, you agree to the following terms and conditions.

www.zooknoxville.org (the website for Zoo Knoxville) is owned and operated by Knoxville Zoological Gardens, Inc. (KZG), dba Zoo Knoxville, and its entities. This website is offered to the user on the condition the user accepts without modification of the terms, conditions and notices contained herein. By accessing and using this website, the user of www.zooknoxville.org agrees to the following terms.

Please read carefully as these terms are binding upon completion of purchase. If you do not agree to these terms or conditions, please do not use this site and do not submit any orders for products or services from this site.

• Have Fun! All persons visiting the zoo are encouraged to have a great time.
• Respect the Animals: This is their home; please be kind to them.
• Children: Visitors under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Parents and caregivers are responsible for the behavior of their children.
• Do Not Feed the Animals: Our animals are on special diets for their health.
• Leave the Plants: Flowers and plants are for everyone to enjoy. Please do not pick them.
• No Pets: Please leave your pets at home; pets cannot be left in vehicles.
• Service Animals: Guests with service animals must check in at the Ranger Station and provide proof of rabies vaccination.
• Restricted Items: Radios, glass containers, and straws are prohibited as they pose hazards to the animals.
• Dress Code: For safety, please wear shirts and shoes while in the zoo.
• Designated Smoking Areas: Smoking is only allowed in designated areas.
• No Wheels: Skates, bicycles, skateboards, roller shoes, and hoverboards are not permitted.
• Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase only.
• No Firearms: Firearms are prohibited on zoo grounds.
• Tobacco-Free Campus: Zoo Knoxville is a tobacco and vape-free environment.

All visitors must follow zoo rules. Behavior that compromises the safety of guests, staff, or animals may result in removal without a refund.

By entering Zoo Knoxville, visitors acknowledge inherent risks associated with zoo visits and assume responsibility for their safety and the safety of any minors in their care.

Use of www.zooknoxville.org is at the discretion of the user. Under no circumstances shall the KZG, its trustees, officers, employees, members or agents be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages, losses or expenses that may result from the possession, use of, or inability to use, this site or products purchased from this site.

The information on www.zooknoxville.org may contain errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or outdated information. The KZG makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, adequacy, or currency of the information on the website, and will note be liable for any lack of foregoing.

Pages within this website may contain links and pointers to other Internet websites that are maintained by third parties and are not under the control of KZG. Accordingly, KZG makes no representation or endorsement concerning the content of any third party website, which you shall review “AS IS” and use at your own discretion.

The user acknowledges that bulletin boards, chats, conferences, guest books and any other forms of communication which may be hosted by this website are public and not private communications. The content of these communications forums by yourself and other is not to be considered endorsed by KZG, and shall not be considered reviewed, screened or approved by KZG.

User specifically acknowledges and agrees that KZG is not liable for any defamatory, offensive, or illegal conduct of any user. If you are dissatisfied with any KZG material, or with any of KZG’s terms and conditions, your sole and exclusive remedy is to discontinue using or visiting www.zooknoxville.org.

The website www.zooknoxville.org contains content provided by Zoo Knoxville and other sources. All materials are copyrighted to Zoo Knoxville under U.S. copyright laws. Content is for personal, non-commercial use only and may not be modified, copied, or distributed without permission. Unauthorized use may result in legal consequences.

Zoo Knoxville graphics, logos, and trademarks may not be used without written consent. All other trademarks, product names, company names and logos appearing on www.zooknoxville.org are the property of their respective owners.

Zoo Knoxville has implemented secure online purchasing standards. Personal information within the secure shopping area is encrypted for protection. Notify your credit card company if you experience fraudulent use of your card.

All comments, guest book entries, suggestions, ideas, notes, drawings, concepts, or information disclosed or offered to or in response to the KZG through this web site shall remain the property of the KZG. By utilizing this website as a vehicle for communication, you grant KZG a royalty free, perpetual, non-exclusive, unrestricted license to use any comments for any purpose, commercial or otherwise, without compensation to the author or provider of the comments.

www.zooknoxville.org respects the privacy of its users. If you do not agree, please exit this process. Continuing indicates your consent.

Knoxville Zoological Gardens, Inc. (“KZG”), operators of www. zooknoxville.org, recognize the importance of protecting the privacy of the users of this website. It is necessary to gather information from you in order to provide an efficient and pleasant shopping experience. By using a number of security technologies in our website, we maintain as a priority the privacy of your information. We also adhere to strict policies preventing the unauthorized use of your personal information. Information collected is for internal use only; we do not sell or collect information for the use of other parties.

www.zooknoxville.org needs to know your name, email address, shipping address, credit card number and expiration date in order to process and fulfill your order. We may also request additional information that you choose to submit, about your interests or feedback about our website and products so we can provide a better shopping experience for you. The name, address and payment the user may provide when using this website may be processed or disclosed by the KZG as permitted under the website’s Terms of Use, of which the user agrees to upon utilizing the information and services of www.zooknoxville.org

Information we collect from you is used to help us monitor site usage and traffic patterns of our customers. Statistical aggregate information, as well as personal information, is collected for internal and administrative purposes. Any public disclosure of aggregate information regarding site usage and traffic, which is necessary for business and marketing purposes, is always devoid of any individual identification.

As a method of tracking the use of this website, www.zooknoxville.org, may utilize the web technology known as “cookies,” which enables the KZG to relate a visitor’s use of KZG information to any information that the visitor may have specifically and knowingly provided to KZG. Any such voluntarily provided identifying information, if applicable, may be used by KZG for editorial, marketing or promotional purposes. Such identifying information, if applicable, will not be transferred to any other party unless otherwise stated at the time of collection.

Visitors to www.zooknoxville.org should be aware that when they voluntarily disclose personal information such as user names or email addresses on guest books, bulletin boards or in chat areas, that information could possibly be collected and used by others, and may result in unsolicited messages from other posters or parties.

KZG only collects any type of personally identifying information to the extent that it serves our legitimate business purposes, and the KZG will maintain appropriate safeguards to ensure the security, integrity and privacy of the information.

During your visit, you may be filmed or photographed by Zoo Knoxville staff or contract photographers. Your attendance serves as permission for the use of your image by Zoo Knoxville and its affiliates.

Zoo Knoxville reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time without notice.

Please click here to access Zoo Knoxville’s 990 (PDF).

• Date-Specific Tickets: Tickets are valid only for the date specified.
• Final Sale: All ticket sales are final. No refunds, exchanges, or credits are provided except under our limited exchange policy.

• Non-Refundable: Memberships are non-refundable and non-transferable. Memberships are valid only for the named member(s) and cannot be shared.
• Membership Term: Memberships are valid for the specified duration and may not be suspended or extended, except under special circumstances, at Zoo Knoxville’s discretion.

• Limited Exchange Policy: Zoo Knoxville may offer exchanges for alternate dates, subject to availability and advance notice. Approval is at the zoo’s discretion.
• Account Credit: Zoo Knoxville may issue credits on account in certain situations where a visit cannot be completed. Credits are not guaranteed and are granted at the zoo’s discretion.

• No Refunds: Refunds are generally not provided. In rare cases, refunds may be granted for extraordinary circumstances, such as zoo closure or personal emergencies. Requests must be submitted within 14 days of the ticket date or membership purchase.

• Weather Policy: Tickets and memberships are valid rain or shine. No refunds or exchanges are provided for inclement weather unless the zoo closes for safety reasons.
• Zoo Closures: If Zoo Knoxville closes, efforts will be made to reschedule tickets or issue account credits. Refunds are considered only if rescheduling is not possible.

• Zoo Rights: Zoo Knoxville reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate ticket or membership benefits without prior notice.

All programs are held rain or shine unless the zoo is closed. Off-site programs are also held rain or shine unless canceled due to severe weather.

• Homeschool and ZooCrew: Students and adults must hold valid memberships to attend or to sign in/out their student. Non-members must purchase full-price tickets. Ages 13 and over may attend alone with a Release Waiver.
• All Other Programs: Participants meet program leaders at designated locations outside the zoo specified in their confirmation. Entry tickets to the zoo are not required for this type of programming.

Transfers: All Education related transfers are subject to availability.

• Homeschool Classes: Transfers incur a $10 fee, except when upgrading to weekly classes.
• Zoo Camp: A $15 fee applies to transfers to other camps or campers.
• Other Programs: Transfers are free, subject to availability.

Cancellations

• Homeschool and ZooCrew:
  • More than 30 days before semester starts: 2/3 refund
  • 15–30 days: 1/3 refund
  • 14 days or less: no refund
• Zoo Camp:
  • 30+ days before start: Full refund minus cancellation fee ($50 for 5-day camp, $30 for others)
  • Less than 30 days: $50 total refund
• Other Programs:
  • 30+ days before start: 50% refund
  • Less than 30 days: no refund

Absences and No-Shows

• Zoo Camp, Homeschool, and ZooCrew: Refunds are not issued for missed days except for illness, with notification within 24 hours. Illness refunds are processed at semester’s end.
• All Other Programs: Refunds are not provided for no-shows. Transfers may be available for the same year at no charge if space permits.

Promotional offer valid for new Zoo Knoxville memberships, qualifying renewals within the eligible renewal window, or membership upgrades purchased on or before December 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST. Offer is not valid on gift memberships, non-renewing active memberships, or any purchase made after the promotional deadline.

• Eligible purchasers will receive complimentary Smoky Night Lights tickets based on the final membership tier selected at checkout. Ticket quantities are as follows:

  • Two Adult Family – 2 tickets

  • Single Adult Family – 2 tickets

  • Zoo for Two – 2 tickets

  • Individual – 1 ticket

  • Senior – 1 ticket

Ticket quantities are fixed per membership tier and cannot be altered or exchanged. Tickets have no cash value, are non-transferable, and may not be refunded, resold, or credited toward any other purchase.

Complimentary tickets will be delivered digitally and added to the member’s Zoo Knoxville online account after the first week of January 2026. Members are responsible for ensuring their online account information is accurate and accessible. Zoo Knoxville is not responsible for lost, misplaced, inaccessible, or expired tickets.

All promotional tickets must be redeemed and used by February 28, 2026. Unused tickets will automatically expire after this date. This promotional offer cannot be combined with any other discounts, coupons, or special offers unless explicitly stated.

Membership purchase is required to receive promotional tickets. Ticket allocation is determined by the membership tier purchased and will not be adjusted for prior purchases. Zoo Knoxville reserves the right to modify or end this promotion at any time without prior notice.

By purchasing a qualifying membership, the purchaser agrees to all terms and conditions of this promotional offer.