When is Elephant Trails open?
Every day, 8 AM–4 PM. Hours checked on 4 November 2026.
60° · Clear nowThings to do in Washington, D.C.
ZooNorthwest
Elephant Trails
- 4.7413 reviews
- Free
- Open now · till 4 pm
Asian elephant habitat at the National Zoo with outdoor yards, bathing pools, a path and an up-close viewing area.
Quick answers
Elephant Trails in short
When is the best time to visit Elephant Trails?
It's at its best mornings and afternoons. Go in daylight. Wedar also scores every hour of the next five days against the forecast; see the best time on this page.
Is Elephant Trails indoors or outdoors?
Outdoors: best on a dry day.
Is Elephant Trails good for kids?
Yes, it welcomes children.
How much does Elephant Trails cost?
It's free to visit.
Do you need to book Elephant Trails?
No, you can walk in.
More questions (3)Fewer questions
How long do you need at Elephant Trails?
About 45 minutes.
Where is Elephant Trails?
3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008.
Is Elephant Trails wheelchair accessible?
Accessibility: wheelchair accessible entrance, wheelchair accessible parking.
Status, rating and hours checked on 4 November 2026; kids, cost, booking and setting verified by the Wedar team. Where our data comes from
Right now · 9:00 am
Why it fits right now
A great call right now.
This is its best hour in the next five days.
In its favour
- Sun's out
- Open till 4 pm
- Outdoors
60°
Clear
- Feels
- 60°
- Rain
- 0%
- Wind
- 5mph
- 10am
64° - 11am67°
- 12pm
70°
The next five days
Best time to go
Scored on the forecast, its opening hours and when it's at its best. Tap a time to see it.
9a9 am12pNoon3p3 pm6p6 pm9p9 pm
TodayToday
TmrwTomorrow
FriFriday
SatSaturday
SunSunday
Before you go
Plan your visit
Hours
Open now · till 4 pm- monday
- 8 AM–4 PM
- tuesday
- 8 AM–4 PM
- wednesdayToday
- 8 AM–4 PM
- thursday
- 8 AM–4 PM
- friday
- 8 AM–4 PM
- saturday
- 8 AM–4 PM
- sunday
- 8 AM–4 PM
Hours checked 4 Nov
Where and how
- 1 Elephant Trails
- 2 Smithsonian National Zoological Park · 3 min
- 3 Amazonia · 8 min
- 4 Great Cats Exhibit/Lion and Tiger Hill · 8 min
- 5 Ellē · 18 min
Good to know
- Outdoors
- Free to visit
- Walk-ins welcome
- Allow about 45 min
- Step-free entrance
From visitors and the venue
What it's like
4.7from 413 reviews
Known for
- Asian elephants
- Bathing pools
- Viewing area
What people say
- People like:
- Elephants, free admission
Around Northwest
Nearby
Within about a 15-minute walk.
Smithsonian National Zoological ParkZoo · 3 min walk
AmazoniaZoo · 8 min walk
Great Cats Exhibit/Lion and Tiger HillZoo · 8 min walk
Good nowEllēBakery · 18 min walk
On nearby
For the next three hours
What to wear to go there now
Light layer until 11 am. Sunglasses from 11 am.
Light layerUntil 11 am
SunglassesFrom 11 am