Gopalpur Zoo Dhauladhar Nature Park
A wooded zoo nestled in the Dhauladhar foothills, offering diverse Asian animals and stunning Himalayan views.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Animals are more active
Gopalpur Zoo Dhauladhar Nature Park
Best Time
Animals are more active
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A wooded zoo nestled in the Dhauladhar foothills, offering diverse Asian animals and stunning Himalayan views.
"A worthy experience with surreal surroundings and a decent variety of animals."
🎯 Affordable Entry Fees
Entry fees are reasonable at ₹50 for adults, with camera fees also affordable.
👟 Comfortable Walking Shoes
Wear comfortable shoes as there are long walking pathways throughout the park.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.1 · 5,932 reviews
Type
Zoo
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Asiatic Lions & Leopards
Enclosures
Observe majestic lions and elusive leopards in spacious, well-maintained enclosures.
Himalayan Black Bear
Enclosure
Spot the iconic Himalayan black bear, a highlight for many visitors.
Children's Play Area
Near Entrance
A dedicated space for kids to play and have fun, making it family-friendly.
Dhauladhar Mountain Views
Throughout the park
Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Dhauladhar mountain range.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Visit for Animal Activity
Enhancing Your Experience
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Affordable Entry Fees
Entry fees are reasonable at ₹50 for adults, with camera fees also affordable.
👟 Comfortable Walking Shoes
Wear comfortable shoes as there are long walking pathways throughout the park.
💧 Carry Water Bottles
Water coolers are limited; bring your own water, especially during warmer days.
📸 Capture the Scenery
The park offers stunning views of the Dhauladhar mountains, perfect for photos.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Affordable Entry Fees
Entry fees are reasonable at ₹50 for adults, with camera fees also affordable.
👟 Comfortable Walking Shoes
Wear comfortable shoes as there are long walking pathways throughout the park.
💧 Carry Water Bottles
Water coolers are limited; bring your own water, especially during warmer days.
📸 Capture the Scenery
The park offers stunning views of the Dhauladhar mountains, perfect for photos.
📅 Check Opening Days
The zoo is closed on Mondays, so plan your visit accordingly.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Gopalpur Zoo is praised for its beautiful Dhauladhar mountain setting and well-maintained, spacious enclosures that seem to keep animals happy. Visitors appreciate the affordable entry, family-friendly play area, and overall clean environment. However, some feel the variety of animals could be expanded, and information boards could be better placed.
"What a surreal zoo! The gigantic, white expanse of the revered Dhauladhar range delights you on one side and the low-lying Shivalik hills on the others.
I found the park to be well-maintained overall. There is a good amount of walking involved on both incline and decline gradients, so visitors should prepare accordingly.
The highlight of my visit was seeing my first snow leopard—a peppy yet mellow fellow. The overall variety of fauna was adequate for a park of this size. Basic amenities (restrooms, benches, etc.) were present inside as well."
Karan Sharma
"Peaceful place but not much diversity in the species. You will get to see tiger, leopard, lion, Sambar Deer, cheetal, vulture, African grey parrot, cockatoo, yellow green blue- love birds, peasants, turtle, vulture, kite, wild pig. The best part of the zoo is love birds. Their chirping sound will be a treat to your ears. Nice place for meditation. So much peace and serenity in the place. You can carry your food and lunch inside but make sure you don't litter around or feed the animals. Please observe animals from afar and do not provoke them.
There's a stream for capturing good pictures where Sambar deer come to drink water. A place to visit with family and friends.
There is good connectivity of public transportion and you can get bus to Dharamshala every 10 mintes.
You can complete the tour of the zoo in 2-3 hours.
Most importantly, there is a washroom 🚻 which do not had water supply in it when i visited.
You will get the tickets at the ticket counter present right after the main entry gate."
TAMANNA DUTTA
"A worthy experience!!
I reached zoo on my bike. There was separate parking area and fare prices for entry and parking are reasonable.
Secondly, the surroundings are surreal with proper infrastructure and maintenance of nature park. Washrooms and children park are also provided near the entrance area.
Information boards are provided against each species and almost every creature can be found here. Loved the part where most crowd are gathered in front of lions and leopards for capturing snapshots😂."
Abhay Rana
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Gopalpur Zoo is conveniently located on the Palampur-Dharamshala road. It's about 6.8 km from Palampur and approximately 13-20 km from Dharamshala. Taxis or personal vehicles offer easy access with smooth roads.
Yes, there is parking available. While parking inside the zoo can be limited, there's ample space in the outside parking area. Both are chargeable.
You can hire a taxi from Palampur or Dharamshala. Local buses might also be an option, though less direct for reaching the specific park entrance.
The roads leading to the zoo from Palampur and Dharamshala are generally well-maintained, making for a smooth journey.
While direct public transport to the zoo entrance might be limited, you can take a bus to Palampur or Dharamshala and then hire a local taxi or auto-rickshaw.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The entry fee is approximately ₹50 for adults. Children often get in for free, and there's a separate camera fee of around ₹50.
The park is typically open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. However, it remains closed on Mondays.
Advance booking is generally not required for Gopalpur Zoo. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance.
Children often have free entry, but it's advisable to confirm the exact policy at the ticket counter upon arrival.
Information on specific discounts for students or seniors is not widely available, but the general entry fee is quite affordable.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can see a variety of animals including Asiatic lions, leopards, Himalayan black bears, sambar and barking deer, wild boar, and various birds like monal and cheer pheasant.
Yes, it's considered a very good zoo for kids, featuring a dedicated play area with swings and slides, and a decent variety of animals to see.
Enclosures are noted to be spacious and well-maintained, with some visitors observing that animals appear happy and active here compared to urban zoos.
Facilities include clean washrooms, a children's play area, a small botanical garden, a bird aviary, and a reptile house. A small canteen is also available for snacks.
A leisurely visit to explore the zoo, aviary, and gardens typically takes about 1 to 2 hours.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there is a small canteen inside the park where you can enjoy snacks and refreshments.
Bringing your own food is generally permitted, making it a good option for a picnic lunch.
The canteen typically offers basic snacks and refreshments suitable for a short visit.
You can find more dining options in nearby Palampur or Dharamshala if you prefer a wider selection.
It's a convenient option for quick bites, but for a full meal, exploring options in Palampur might be better.
📸 📸 Photography
The Dhauladhar mountain range offers stunning backdrops. Also, try capturing the animals in their enclosures, especially lions and leopards.
Yes, there is a separate camera fee, typically around ₹50.
Drone usage is generally prohibited in and around wildlife parks and zoos to avoid disturbing the animals.
Lighting varies throughout the day. Early morning and late afternoon offer softer light, ideal for wildlife photography.
While general photography is allowed, flash photography might be restricted in certain areas to avoid startling animals.
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