What bears are at Bear Country at the Philadelphia Zoo?

Bear Country houses North American grizzly bears in an outdoor naturalistic habitat.

Is Bear Country a separate ticket?

No — included with Philadelphia Zoo general admission.

What is the best time to see the bears?

Morning hours when bears are typically most active. The zoo's ZooBot app shows real-time animal location to help you time your visit.

Is Philadelphia Zoo closed any days?

Yes — Philadelphia Zoo is closed every Tuesday.

What other exhibits should I see at Philadelphia Zoo?

Big Cat Falls (lions, tigers, leopards), McNeil Avian Center (100+ bird species), Reptile and Amphibian House (Komodo dragons, crocodilians), and KidZooU (children's interactive zoo area) are the top family highlights.

Bear Country

Name: Bear Country
Address: N 34th St, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, US
Telephone: +1 215-243-1100
Rating: 4.4

1 / 5

Rating

4.4(25)

Family of 4

Included in Philadelphia Zoo admission (~$90-120 family of 4)

Duration

20-45 min as standalone; part of full zoo day

Best Ages

All ages

About

Bear Country is the Philadelphia Zoo's dedicated grizzly bear exhibit — an outdoor habitat where visitors can observe North American grizzly bears in a naturalistic setting. Bears are one of the most reliably crowd-pleasing zoo animals: they're large, recognizable, and when active (typically mornings), their behavior is genuinely watchable.

This is one of several exhibits within the Philadelphia Zoo, all included with general zoo admission. The zoo is open 9:30AM-5PM, closed Tuesdays. A full family day at Philadelphia Zoo for 2 adults and 2 children should be budgeted at $90-120 including admission, parking, and food.

For planning a Philadelphia Zoo day, Bear Country pairs naturally with Big Cat Falls (lions and tigers), the McNeil Avian Center, and the Reptile and Amphibian House for a comprehensive wildlife tour. The ZooBot app (available from the zoo) provides real-time tracking of animal locations, which is particularly useful for exhibits like Bear Country where animals may be in less visible areas at certain times.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Yes

Nursing / Changing

Available

Kid Meals

Available

Setting

Outdoor

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Morning when bears are most active; part of Philadelphia Zoo full day visit

Wait Times

No wait typically

Nearby Food

Philadelphia Zoo has food options throughout. Fairmount neighborhood a short drive away.

Why Kids Love It

Bear Country at the Philadelphia Zoo is an outdoor exhibit where grizzly bears can be observed in a naturalistic habitat. Bears are one of the most universally appealing zoo animals for kids — the combination of size, recognizability (from stories and movies), and watchable behavior makes them a highlight of any zoo visit. Grizzly bears are particularly impressive when active.

Pro Tips from Parents

Part of Philadelphia Zoo — included with general admission.
Bears are typically more active in morning hours.
Closed Tuesdays with the rest of the zoo.
The Philadelphia Zoo has a ZooBot app that shows real-time animal locations — use it to check if bears are in the visible area before walking over.
Good exhibit to combine with Big Cat Falls and Primate Reserve for a full Philadelphia Zoo day.