The park grounds are open year-round, but the zoo, train and Tropicanoe Cove close for winter. In 2025 the zoo closed Oct 5 and reopened in mid-April.
About Columbian Park
Columbian Park is Lafayette's historic city park, open since 1893, with a small zoo, the Columbian Park Express train, a new carousel and the Tropicanoe Cove water park. It's one of the cheapest family days in Indiana, with zoo admission at $3 and train rides about $3. A $50 family zoo membership adds train tickets and two water park passes.
Tickets and prices
| Ticket | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Zoo admission (ages 3+) | $3 | 2025 season · ages 2 and under free |
| Tropicanoe Cove, over 48 in. | $12 | 2025 season · $7 after 4 PM Mon-Thu |
| Tropicanoe Cove, under 48 in. | $8 | 2025 season · $6 after 4 PM Mon-Thu · age 2 and under free |
Prices are the 2025 rates, the latest posted by the City of Lafayette. Express Train tickets are sold separately; the city values a 4-pack at $12.
Buy on the official siteDeals we found
The $50 family zoo membership includes a $12 train 4-pack and two Tropicanoe Cove passes.
See the dealMonday-Thursday after 4 PM, admission drops to $7 (over 48 in.) or $6 (under 48 in.).
See the dealFirst Wednesday of each month after 4 PM, Tropicanoe Cove is $5 or $4.
See the dealPromo codes
There are no promo codes for this city park. Memberships and the after-4 PM pool rates are the savings.
Season passes
| Pass | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Zoo Family Membership | $50 | Free zoo entry for a year, a 4-pack of train tickets and two Tropicanoe Cove day passes |
| Zoo Grandparent Membership | $50 | Two adults and up to six grandkids |
| Zoo Individual Membership | $25 | $5 off for seniors 65+ |
Good to know
- Address
- 1915 Scott St, Lafayette, IN 47904
- Hours
- Zoo in 2025: 10 AM-7 PM late May to mid-August, 10 AM-4:30 PM in spring and fall. Tropicanoe Cove runs Memorial Day to Labor Day.
- Parking
- Free
- Type
- Family park · run by City of Lafayette
- Official site
- lafayette.in.gov/342/Parks-Recreation
Don't miss
- Columbian Park Zoo
- Columbian Park Express train
- New carousel, opened June 19, 2026
- Tropicanoe Cove water park with lazy river and slides
- Wild Tykes Play Zone and an animal-themed splash pad
Little ways to save
A family of four going twice to the zoo and once to Tropicanoe Cove comes close to the $50 membership price, so do the math before paying at the gate.
Go to Tropicanoe Cove after 4 PM Monday-Thursday to save $5 on each big kid.
There's no zoo parking lot. Use the street parking near the front of the park or the lot at Main and Scott Streets.
Questions people ask us
How much is the Columbian Park Zoo?
In 2025 it was $3 for ages 3 and up, and kids 2 and under were free.
How much is Tropicanoe Cove?
In 2025 it was $12 over 48 inches and $8 under 48 inches, with cheaper rates after 4 PM Monday-Thursday.
When is the zoo open?
It runs mid-April to early October. In 2025 peak hours were 10 AM-7 PM and off-peak hours 10 AM-4:30 PM.
More parks nearby
Where these prices come from: City of Lafayette zoo hours and admission, City of Lafayette Tropicanoe Cove page, City of Lafayette zoo memberships, Purdue Exponent, carousel opening (June 2026), Indy With Kids, Columbian Park Zoo (updated Jan 2026). Prices checked October 2026 by John Foster. Prices change, so confirm on the park's site before you go.