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

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 more reliably crowd-pleasing zoo animals: they're large, recognizable, and when active (typically mornings), their behavior is 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 more 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.