Dinosauria Returns to the Detroit Zoo with Bigger Prehistoric Adventures this Summer – 2026

Adventure awaits at the Detroit Zoo this summer with the return of Dinosauria, one of Metro Detroit’s most popular family attractions. Opening in May, this immersive, walk-through prehistoric experience invites families to step back in time along a three-acre trail filled with more than 25 life-like animatronic dinosaurs. Kids can explore, learn, and play as they discover fascinating facts and dig into hands-on fossil sites designed just for young explorers. Whether you’re planning a weekend outing or adding to your summer bucket list, Dinosauria at the Detroit Zoo is a can’t-miss adventure that brings history to life in a fun and unforgettable way.

• Detroit Zoo: 8450 W 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak
• Festival Dates: May 23rd through September 7th
• Admission: $6 per guest (2 and under are free) and a membership add-on is $50. Get tickets here

During your visit to the Zoo, you’ll discover that it’s not just animals roaming the grounds — the dinosaurs have returned too! This popular seasonal exhibit invites guests to journey along a three-acre prehistoric trail filled with more than 25 life-like animatronic dinosaurs hidden throughout a wooded path. Around every turn, towering giants, long-necked herbivores and fierce predators appear with realistic movement and sound, creating an exciting adventure that feels straight out of the Jurassic era.

From the massive Tyrannosaurus rex to gentle plant-eating dinosaurs, the exhibit mixes fun and learning with educational signage that helps young explorers discover how these incredible creatures lived millions of years ago.

This year’s Dinosauria experience includes several exciting new features. Guests will find NEW dinosaur additions to the trail, interactive photo opportunities, and even dinosaurs that kids can safely climb on for the ultimate prehistoric photo. Families can also take part in creative play with “Build Your Own Adventure” foam bone kits, allowing kids to construct their own dinosaur fossils and continue the learning long after the visit.

Dinosauria runs daily from May 23 through September 7 and is open during regular Zoo hours. Access to the exhibit is a $6 add-on to general admission, making it an easy way to add even more adventure to a day at the Zoo. For families planning multiple visits, members of the Detroit Zoo can purchase an unlimited Dinosauria access pass for $50 (price increases to $60 after June 1). A Family Membership costs $149 ($139 for tri-county residents) and offers a full year of Zoo visits, making it a popular option for local families looking for an easy go-to activity all year long.

More To Do At The Zoo This Summer

Dinosauria isn’t the only reason to plan a visit this season. Summer 2026 also marks the highly anticipated opening of the Fred and Barbara Erb Discovery Trail, an exciting new seven-acre interactive experience. The Discovery Trail will feature new animal habitats, nature-inspired playground areas where kids can climb and explore, a vibrant farmers market space, a sensory trail designed for inclusive experiences, and hands-on opportunities to connect with wildlife and conservation. The area is designed to encourage families to slow down, explore nature together and discover how small actions can help protect wildlife and the planet.

Of course, no trip to the Detroit Zoo would be complete without visiting the Zoo’s iconic attractions. Families can watch penguins dive and glide through the water at the Polk Penguin Conservation Center, hop aboard the Tauber Family Railroad for a scenic ride through the park, or simply spend the day strolling through award-winning habitats that make the Zoo one of Michigan’s most beloved family destinations.