What’s Happening
Helpful Tips to Plan Your Trip
Are you planning a trip to the Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium (SFZA)? Whether your visiting the Great Plains Zoo (GPZ) campus, Butterfly House & Aquarium (BHA) campus, or both, you've come to the right place to find out what's going on today!
Browse the updates and schedules below to make the most effective use of your time at SFZA, and make sure you don't miss out on any of our exciting events. Check back here often as we continually update this page with all the happenings and events planned at the Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium.
Great Plains Zoo Campus Note: Africa area closes daily at 4 pm (species that may not be viewable after 4 pm include African lions, zebras, and giraffes). All animals have access to indoor spaces, dens, and other habitat features that could hide them from public view, if that is their preference.
Butterfly House & Aquarium Campus Note: Building closes daily at 4 pm. To ensure guests have proper time to visit the various exhibits, final admission is at 3:30 pm.
Great Plains Zoo Campus
Attraction Tickets Available Online!
Now offering the GPZ Ride Pass - 6 rides for $15! Add it on when you purchase your tickets online or ask about it at the Admissions window on your next trip to GPZ!ROAR Café
You’ll definitely work up an appetite during all the fun and excitement at the zoo.Bookworms
Join us for Bookworms daily at 10 am from June 1-August 9 on the grass just south of the Chinese Alligator exhibit. Includes an animal-themed story and the chance to meet one of our ambassador animals!
Bookworms is included with admission or your membership.
Upcoming Events
June 15-21
World Pollinator Week (Conservation Event)
June 19
Evening at the Zoo (Great Plains Zoo)
June 25
Zoofari (Fundraiser at Great Plains Zoo)
Sanford Carousel
The custom-designed carousel consists of six horses, three zebras, an elephant, white rhino, gorilla, dolphin, deer, rooster, cheetah - and two panda bears! The carousel also has a handicap-accessible bench seat.Butterfy House & Aquarium Campus
Butterfly Feeding
Have butterflies eating from the palm of your hand with a butterfly feeding flower! Available for rent at the admissions counter.Kid's Corner
Need a place to regroup and relax? Our Kid's Corner in Ambassador Alley has a variety of children's books, puzzles, and plush animals for you to enjoy.Animal Encounters
Daily at 11 am and 2 pm. Join us in Ambassador Alley to meet and learn about one of our many fascinating species!Upcoming Events
June 15-21
World Pollinator Week (Conservation Event)
July 15
Scoops & Snakes (Butterfly House & Aquarium)
August 15
Books & Butterflies (Butterfly House & Aquarium)