The Abandoned Zoo Ruins of Griffith Park
Roam the grounds and explore the abandoned animal haunts of the Old Zoo at Griffith Park, which closed over 50 years ago. Serving as the city zoo from 1912 to 1966, the L.A. Zoo contained thousands of animals and hosted tens of thousands of visitors each year at its peak. The site under Griffith Park's Bee Rock Trail is now filled with fascinating ruins, empty animal enclosures, "natural" habitats, secret stairways, and hidden paths. We'll recount tales of individual animals, such as the murderous polar bear, Ivan the Terrible, and Topsy, the camel with two broken humps, as we hike around the site, visiting the forgotten enclosures and breathing in fresh Griffith Park air!
We will be exploring the ruins of the old L.A. Zoo in Griffith Park, a beautiful, mysterious place filled with historic artifacts. We will walk approximately 3/4 of a mile.
Hi. I’m Hadley, a member of the Atlas Obscura community.
I am a journalist based in Los Angeles. I primarily write about hidden and forgotten Los Angeles histories and consider myself an inquisitive urban explorer. I have a personal mission to make the past accessible to everyone. I have led tours for both Atlas Obscura and Cartwheel Art for many years.
For questions about this experience, please contact me directly through Airbnb.
There are 10 spots available on this experience.
Guests ages 18 and up can attend.
- Water bottle
- Walking shoes
Any experience can be canceled and fully refunded within 24 hours of purchase. See cancellation policy.
