Spring Break at Fresno Chaffee Zoo: Dinosaurs, Butterflies, and a Night Out With Your Dog!
Mar 25, 2026
We are so lucky to have the amazing Fresno Chaffee Zoo right here in our hometown, and with Spring Break 2026 looming ever closely, one of the most ideal weeks to visit the Zoo all year is almost upon us!
This Spring Break at the Zoo is being made extra special thanks to three super cool events
and exhibits taking place starting as soon as this weekend, and I wanted to be sure to take a moment to let you know all about them so you have a chance to join in the fun!
First, is the Zoo’s Spring Sniffari Night, Friday March 27th or April 10th from 5-8pm. This event is a unique one planned especially for pet parents to bring their well-behaved, leashed dogs to the Zoo to get in an extra sniffy walk while enjoying all the Zoo’s exhibits after hours. This is such a great enrichment activity for dogs, as they experience the excitement of all the new scents and smells of the Zoo and the variety of inhabitants that call it home. Pups are sure to come home happily tired out, and it’s a really neat time to explore the Zoo when the crowds have left for the day, and the nocturnal animals begin to get active! My husband and I got to take our shepherd mix, Rookie, to a trial run of Sniffari Night in the fall, and all three of us had a fantastic time! For details and tickets click here.
Next up, opening Saturday, March 28th, is Zoorassic Park, and if you have little ones in your life, this one is going to be a huge hit! This immersive experience transforms parts of the Zoo into a prehistoric world, complete with life-size animatronic dinosaurs that actually move and roar. We’re talking seriously impressive, larger-than-life creatures that give you a real sense of just how wild it must have been to share a planet with them. Kids (and honestly, adults too) can watch the dinosaurs in action and learn about how these incredible animals lived millions of years ago. It’s one of those experiences that makes learning feel like an adventure, and Spring Break week is the perfect time to check it out. Tickets are available starting March 28th, so grab yours here.
Image Credit: Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Image Credit: Fresno Chaffee Zoo
And finally, also opening March 28th and returning for its final year, is the beloved Butterfly Garden. If you’ve never walked through it before, now is the time, because this is your last chance! The Butterfly Garden is a gorgeous, walkthrough experience where you’re surrounded by hundreds of beautiful butterfly species fluttering all around you (and if you’re lucky, one might even land on you!). It’s one of those magical, peaceful moments that feels a little unreal, and it makes for the most stunning photos too. Don’t let this final season slip by without experiencing it! Tickets are also available starting March 28th, so click here to plan your visit.
Image Credit: Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Image Credit: Fresno Chaffee Zoo
So there you have it, three fantastic reasons to head to Fresno Chaffee Zoo this Spring Break! Whether you’re bringing the kids, the dog, or just yourself for a little wonder and fresh air, the Zoo has something truly special waiting for you!
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