Group Admission

Field Trips

A trip to the Zoo offers students a chance to learn about the world around them in a living classroom. Learn about the critically endangered eastern black rhinoceros and why their horns have contributed to their demise. Discover how giraffes use their 18-inch-long tongues to get food.

Find out how special markings called “follow me spots” help Amur tiger cubs find their mothers in the forest. For a unique experience, add an animal encounter, which will allow your students to get up-close to two animal ambassadors.

Once you complete and submit the request form, we will contact you to confirm your reservation. Your Field Trip is not guaranteed until you receive a confirmation email.

*In order to streamline your check-in process and to provide good customer service for all our visitors, we are no longer able to accept Zoo memberships for field trips.

For more information contact us at (605) 367-8313 or email Education@GPZoo.org.

  • Organization Address * Required
  • Is your organization tax exempt? * Required
  • Number of Attendees

    Please provide the number of attendees you expect, you will only be responsible for paying for those who come on the day of your trip.
  • Dates Requested

    Please list up to three preferred dates for your visit.
  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Entry Time Requested

  • Add-ons

    Add-ons can be booked pending educator availability and are an additional cost per person. Both Animal Encounters and Guided Tours have a participant limit but if available we can hold multiple sessions.

    Animal Encounter: groups up to 40 people, 25 minutes long, 2 animal ambassadors

    Guided Tour: groups of up to 25, 1 hour

  • Which Add-ons are you interested in? (check all that apply)
  • Policies

    Cancellations: Due to the possibility of weather, cancellations are sometimes unavoidable. If you need to cancel your field trip, please notify Zoo staff as soon as possible at (605) 367-8313 ext. 233. We will reschedule if possible.

    Payment: Payment must be made at the time of your arrival and we will adjust the number of your guests accordingly.

    Please have your total youth and adult count ready at check-in.

    To ensure the group rate please make payment in one transaction by one adult.

    In order to streamline your check-in process and to provide good customer service for all our visitors, we are no longer able to accept Zoo memberships for field trips.

    Tax exempt organizations: A tax exempt form must be filled out and returned in order to qualify. Tax exempt organizations must pay with check, credit or debit card in the name of the organization to qualify for exemption status. Please make checks payable to Great Plains Zoo. Payment in cash or by personal credit card is not valid for tax exemption.

Group Visits

The Great Plains Zoo offers visitors an up-close look at hundreds of amazing animals, from squirrel monkeys to zebras, bears to boas, and includes an exciting animal collection often not found in larger zoos: tigers, snow leopards, giraffe, rhinoceros, flamingos and a variety of primates. We have several opportunities for groups – from guided tours to animal encounters!

Group Visits are for groups of 20 or more guests (not including those under the age of two).

Once you complete and submit the request form, we will contact you to confirm your reservation. Your Group Visit is not guaranteed until you receive a confirmation email.

*In order to streamline your check-in process and to provide good customer service for all our visitors, we are no longer able to accept Zoo memberships for group visits.

For more information contact us at (605) 367-8313 or email Education@GPZoo.org.

  • Organization Address * Required
  • Is your organization tax exempt? * Required
  • Number of Attendees

    Please provide the number of attendees you expect, you will only be responsible for paying for those who come on the day of your trip.
  • Dates Requested

    Please list up to three preferred dates for your visit.
  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Entry Time Requested

  • Add-ons

    Add-ons can be booked pending educator availability and are an additional cost per person. Both Animal Encounters and Guided Tours have a participant limit but if available we can hold multiple sessions.

    Animal Encounter: groups up to 40 people, 25 minutes long, 2 animal ambassadors

    Guided Tour: groups of up to 25, 1 hour

  • Which Add-ons are you interested in? (check all that apply)
  • Policies

    Group rate qualification: the group rate only applies to groups of 20 or more guests ages 2 and up.

    In order to streamline your check-in process and to provide good customer service for all our visitors, we are no longer able to accept Zoo memberships for group visits.

    Cancellations: Due to the possibility of weather, cancellations are sometimes unavoidable. If you need to cancel you Field Trip, please notify Zoo staff as soon as possible at (605) 367-8313 ext. 233. We will reschedule if possible.

    Payment: Payment must be made at the time of your arrival and we will adjust the number of your guests accordingly. Please have your total youth and adult count ready at check in. To ensure the group rate, please make payment in one transaction by one adult.

    Tax exempt organizations: A tax exempt form must be filled out and returned in order to qualify. Tax exempt organizations must pay with check, credit, or debit card in the name of the organization to qualify for exemption status. Please make checks payable to Great Plains Zoo. Payment in cash or by personal credit card is not valid for tax exemption.