Scovill Zoo Announces Free Thursdays For Summer

Scovill Zoo in Decatur is an annual summer favorite for Champaign-Urbana families, and thanks to its free Thursdays during summer, the fun is truly available to all

Are you looking for summer fun on a budget? So are we! One of our favorite “on a budget” summer fun activities is returning once again in 2025 and you just need to take a short drive down I-72 to Scovill Zoo in Decatur. You can enjoy free Thursdays at the zoo all summer long.

Scovill Zoo may be considered a “small town zoo” by some, but for those of us who have ventured there in years past, we know it is a leveled-up, small town zoo for sure. The train that runs around the zoo sets it apart and is something you can’t really find at other nearby zoos. Other things we love include the petting zoo, penguins, giant tortoises and so much more.

Free Thursdays Begin June 4

Perhaps the most important thing we look forward to when it comes to Scovill Zoo is that all summer long, admission to the zoo is completely free for families who visit on Thursdays.

Free Thursdays begin on June 4 and continue through October 8.

Note that carousel and train rides have an additional cost, even on free Thursdays. We recommend buying tokens on your way into the zoo so you can just walk up to them when you’re ready for a ride.

For more information, visit the Scovill Zoo website or Facebook page for updates. Read more about what we love about Scovill Zoo.

Scovill Zoo in Decatur is an annual summer favorite for Champaign-Urbana families, and thanks to its free Thursdays during summer, the fun is truly available to all

Free Thursdays Begin June 4

Get ready for summer in Champaign-Urbana: