The Great Plains Zoo is an AZA-accredited zoo operated by Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium, located at 805 S Kiwanis Avenue in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips to help you plan your visit.
To save money, buy Great Plains Zoo tickets online.
Updated May 2026. The Delbridge Museum of Natural History, which previously occupied space on the zoo campus, is now permanently closed. Many older guides still reference it. The personal aide admission rate also changes on 1 June 2026 — see the ticket prices section for details.
Quick facts: Great Plains Zoo, Sioux Falls
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 805 S Kiwanis Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104 |
| Phone | (605) 367-7003 |
| Opening hours | 9am–5pm daily (last admission 4pm) |
| Closed | New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day |
| Adult ticket (ages 13–59) | $18.95 + tax |
| Youth ticket (ages 2–12) | $14.95 + tax |
| Children under 2 | Free |
| Online discount | Save $2 per ticket when buying online |
| Parking | Free on site |
| Typical visit duration | 1.5–3 hours |
Great Plains Zoo opening hours
The zoo is open daily from 9am to 5pm, with last admission at 4pm. The zoo is open year-round. It closes on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Note: The Africa area — which includes African lions, giraffes, and zebras — closes at 4pm daily. Animals in all sections may move into indoor areas or dens at any time and may not always be visible from public walkways.
Some exhibits may also close temporarily during cold or severe weather. Check the zoo’s website or call (605) 367-7003 before visiting in winter.
Great Plains Zoo ticket prices
Tickets are purchased on site at the admissions window or online. Buying online saves $2 per ticket.
| Visitor type | Gate price |
|---|---|
| Adults (ages 13–59) | $18.95 + tax |
| Youth (ages 2–12) | $14.95 + tax |
| Infants (under age 2) | Free |
| Seniors (ages 60+), military, or student (with valid student ID) | $17.95 + tax |
| Personal aide / personal care attendant | Free until 31 May 2026; $7 from 1 June 2026 |
All children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
Reduced-rate admission (Zoo & Aquarium for All): Visitors enrolled in South Dakota’s SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, or WIC programmes — and equivalent programmes in Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota — are eligible for a reduced admission rate of $5. Present your programme card and a valid government ID at admissions.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in May 2026.
How to get to the Great Plains Zoo
The zoo is located in Sherman Park on the south side of Sioux Falls, roughly one mile east of I-29.
By car: From I-29, take Exit 79 (SD-42/12th Street) toward Downtown. Merge onto W 12th Street heading east, then turn right onto S Kiwanis Avenue. The zoo entrance will be on the left.
By public transport: Sioux Falls Transit (SFT) bus routes serve the area. Check current routes and schedules at siouxfalls.org/transit before travelling. The zoo does not provide a specific stop reference number on its website; call (605) 367-7003 to confirm the nearest stop.
Parking at the Great Plains Zoo
Parking is free in the lot directly in front of the zoo. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no reserved or paid parking on site.
How long to spend at the Great Plains Zoo
Most visitors spend one and a half to three hours at the zoo. The site covers more than 20 acres. Visitors focusing on headline exhibits — bears, primates, rhinos, and the Africa section — typically need around two hours. Families with young children who plan to use the splash pad or farm area should allow extra time.
Accessibility at the Great Plains Zoo
The zoo is largely flat, with paved paths throughout. The following equipment is available from the gift shop on a first-come, first-served basis. Photo ID is required for all rentals.
- Wheelchairs: $5 per day
- Single strollers: $5 per day
- Double strollers: $7 per day
- Wagons: $10 per day
- Motorised scooters: $25 per day
The zoo holds KultureCity Sensory Inclusive™ certification. Free sensory bags — containing noise-reducing headphones and fidget tools — are available from admissions at no cost (leave an ID as a deposit). Quiet zones and headphone zones are marked throughout the campus with signage.
Weekday afternoons and Sunday mornings tend to be quieter for visitors with sensory sensitivities. Call (605) 367-7003 ext. 110 to check volume before your visit.
Inside the Great Plains Zoo: what to see
Africa section is home to African lions, giraffes, and zebras in an open-habitat setting. Note that this section closes at 4pm daily. A seasonal train ride runs through the Africa area during summer.
Rare Rhinos of Africa is an indoor and outdoor exhibit housing critically endangered eastern black rhinoceroses. The zoo participates in the AZA Species Survival Plan for this species.
Fortress of the Bears contains both black bears and brown bears in large naturalistic enclosures. The brown bears are frequently cited by visitors as a highlight.
Snow Monkey exhibit houses Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) and received a Top Exhibit Design award from the AZA in 2015. The zoo is one of only 14 accredited facilities with an AZA-approved snow monkey exhibit.
Primate Building hosts a range of primates with both indoor and outdoor viewing areas. The adjacent Walkabout Australia features a walk-in kangaroo exhibit, where visitors can walk alongside the animals.
Children’s Farm allows visitors to feed and interact with goats and sheep using designated feeders. It is a popular stop for families with young children.
Practical visitor tips for the Great Plains Zoo
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Arrive before 10am | Animals tend to be more active in the morning, particularly the bears and primates. Arrival at opening also avoids peak foot traffic. |
| Note the Africa section closing time | Lions, giraffes, and zebras are only viewable until 4pm. If these are a priority, plan them earlier in your visit rather than saving them for last. |
| No outside food or coolers | Unlike many zoos, the Great Plains Zoo does not permit outside food or coolers. Snacks for small children are permitted within reason. The ROAR Café and several concession stands are available on site. Reusable water bottles are welcome. |
| Buy tickets online | Purchasing online saves $2 per ticket and reduces time at the admissions window. |
| Re-entry is permitted | A hand stamp at admissions allows same-day re-entry if you need to return to your vehicle or take a break in Sherman Park, which is adjacent to the zoo’s parking lot. |
Frequently asked questions about the Great Plains Zoo
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Great Plains Zoo suitable for young children? | Yes. The zoo has a children’s farm, a seasonal splash pad, stroller hire, family restrooms, and a private nursing room in the main lobby. Children under 2 enter free. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Great Plains Zoo? | Advance booking is not required but saves $2 per ticket and reduces queuing time. Tickets are also sold at the gate. |
| Is the Great Plains Zoo open on Sundays? | Yes. The zoo is open seven days a week, 9am–5pm (last admission 4pm), except on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. |
| Is the Delbridge Museum of Natural History still open? | No. The Delbridge Museum, which previously displayed mounted specimens on the zoo campus, is permanently closed. |
| Can you bring food into the Great Plains Zoo? | Outside food and coolers are not permitted on the zoo campus. Snacks for small children are allowed within reason. Reusable water bottles can be refilled on site. |
Things to do near the Great Plains Zoo
Falls Park (300 N Falls Park Drive, ~3 miles) is a public park built around the waterfalls where the Big Sioux River flows over Sioux quartzite. It includes viewing platforms, walking paths, and a visitor centre. Free to visit.
SculptureWalk (Downtown Sioux Falls, ~3 miles) is an outdoor gallery of rotating sculptures spread along Phillips Avenue in the city centre. Free to visit at any time.
Washington Pavilion (301 S Main Ave, ~3 miles) is a cultural centre housing an arts museum, science discovery centre, and performing arts venues in a restored historic high school building.
Butterfly House & Aquarium (4320 S Oxbow Ave, ~4 miles) is the zoo’s sister campus, operated by Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium. It is the only public saltwater aquarium in the Dakotas and one of a small number of year-round butterfly conservatories in the US. Separate admission applies.
Sherman Park (immediately adjacent to the zoo) is a free public park with green space, picnic areas, and access to the Big Sioux River. Outside food is not allowed in the zoo, but Sherman Park is available for picnics.
What to visit tomorrow: zoos and wildlife attractions near of Sioux Falls
Butterfly House & Aquarium, Sioux Falls (same city, ~10 minutes) is the zoo’s companion campus and can be combined on the same day. It holds over 800 free-flying tropical butterflies and South Dakota’s only public saltwater aquarium.
Bramble Park Zoo, Watertown, SD (~100 miles, ~1.5 hours north) is a smaller AZA-accredited zoo with over 800 animals across 150 species, including those native to the Northern Great Plains. Admission is significantly lower than larger regional zoos.
Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha, NE (~2.5 hours south) is the USA’s top-ranked zoo (USA Today 2026), covering 160 acres with seven acres of indoor exhibits including the world’s largest indoor desert and North America’s largest indoor rainforest. Note: this is beyond the two-hour threshold and is best treated as an overnight trip.
Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley, MN (~3.5 hours north-east) is a large AZA-accredited zoo on 500 acres, with significant Russia’s Grizzly Coast and Asia exhibitions. As with Henry Doorly, this is better suited to an overnight trip than a day return.
Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines, IA (~3.5 hours south-east) is a mid-sized AZA zoo with African, Asian, and Australian sections and an on-site aquarium and discovery centre. Again, the drive makes this more practical as part of a multi-day itinerary.
