Jallo Park is a large public park and wildlife breeding centre on the eastern edge of Lahore, off GT Road on the way towards Wagah, combining a lake with boating, a botanical garden, animal enclosures and wide picnic lawns. Entry to the park itself is free, which makes it a popular, low-cost family outing, especially for anyone already heading out towards the Wagah border ceremony.
This guide covers what is actually inside, the wildlife breeding centre, boating, and how to fit it around a Wagah trip.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | Off GT Road / Jallo Road, eastern edge of Lahore, on the way to Wagah |
| Entry | Free (separate charges apply for boating and some rides) |
| Size | Around 450 to 460 acres |
| Established | 1978 |
| Good for | Family picnics, a stop before or after the Wagah ceremony |
| Carry | Cash for boating and food stalls, a picnic mat, water |
What is inside Jallo Park?
Jallo Park was set up in 1978 as a combined forest, wildlife breeding centre and public recreation park, and it has grown to include a botanical garden and butterfly house, wooded walking trails, a sports complex with courts and fields, a public swimming pool, and a long cycling track. The wildlife breeding centre holds deer species including sambar and chital, along with pheasants, parrots and other birds, and over the years has added animals such as camels and bears in its enclosures.
The centrepiece for most visitors is the lake, where paddle and row boating operates during the day, weather and maintenance permitting. There is a waterfall feature and water slides in parts of the park aimed at younger children, plus gazebos, benches and log huts scattered through the grounds for picnicking.
Boating and rides
Boating on the lake is one of the park's main draws and is charged separately from the free general entry; expect to pay per boat or per person for a fixed time slot, and bring cash since card payment is unlikely to be available at the boat jetty. Water slides and children's rides in the park are similarly ticketed per activity rather than included in entry.
Because charges for boating and rides are set locally and have changed over time, treat any specific price you read online as a rough guide and pay whatever is posted at the counter on the day.
Wildlife breeding centre
The wildlife section is a breeding and conservation area rather than a conventional zoo, with enclosures for deer, birds and a handful of larger animals. It is a smaller, quieter part of the visit than the boating lake and rides, and works well as a walking stop once you have had enough of the water and the crowds near the lake.
Keep to the paths, don't feed the animals, and supervise children closely near any enclosure fencing.
Picnics and the grounds
The wide lawns and wooded areas make Jallo Park one of the easier places in Lahore to lay out a proper family picnic, away from the traffic and crowding of more central parks. Weekends and public holidays draw large family groups, so arrive earlier in the day for a shaded spot near the lake, and bring your own mat, food and water rather than relying on finding a table.
The 50-kilometre network of cycling tracks running through the park is also worth knowing about if your family cycles; check locally whether bike hire is available on the day, since this has varied.
Pairing Jallo Park with Wagah Border
Jallo Park sits on the same eastern side of Lahore as the Wagah border, on the road most people take out to the ceremony, which makes it a natural stop either before or after. Families with children waiting for the evening flag-lowering often spend the afternoon at Jallo Park first, since the ceremony itself doesn't start until late afternoon or early evening depending on the season. See our guide on getting to Wagah Border from Lahore for the route and timing, and our Wagah border parade guide for the ceremony itself, dress and what to expect.
Plan the day so you leave Jallo Park with enough time to reach the Wagah parking and security checks before the crowd builds, rather than rushing straight from one to the other.
Getting there
Jallo Park is reached by private car, ride-hailing or taxi from anywhere in Lahore; there is no dedicated public bus service running directly to the gate, though the park is served by a nearby railway station on the Lahore–Wagah line for those travelling that way. Allow more time from the western side of the city given Lahore's traffic on GT Road during peak hours.
Is Jallo Park worth visiting?
For families looking for an affordable, outdoor half-day with boating, animals and space to picnic, yes, particularly when combined with a Wagah trip on the same afternoon. It is a lower-key destination than the newer Lahore Safari Zoo, with less emphasis on drive-through animal encounters and more on open space, water and walking, so choose based on which kind of day out your family wants.
Visitors mainly interested in Lahore's historic sites, or with only a day or two in the city, will get more from time spent in the Walled City or at the fort and gardens than from a trip out to Jallo Park on its own.
Frequently asked questions
Is entry to Jallo Park free?
Yes, general entry to the park is free. Boating, some rides and specific facilities are charged separately.
How far is Jallo Park from central Lahore?
It is on the eastern edge of the city, off GT Road on the way towards Wagah. Allow extra time in peak traffic; a private car, taxi or ride-hailing is the most straightforward way to reach it.
Can I combine Jallo Park with the Wagah border ceremony?
Yes, they are on the same side of the city and along the same route, so many families visit Jallo Park earlier in the day and go on to the Wagah ceremony in the late afternoon or evening.
What animals are at Jallo Park?
The wildlife breeding centre holds deer species such as sambar and chital, along with various birds and some larger animals in enclosures. It is a breeding and conservation centre rather than a full zoo.
Is boating available all year?
Boating generally runs through the year, weather and maintenance permitting, though it may be suspended at times. Confirm at the lake on arrival.
Is Jallo Park good for a picnic with children?
Yes, the wide lawns, shaded areas and mix of water features, rides and animal enclosures make it one of the better picnic destinations in Lahore for families with children.
