Zoos

Great Plains Zoo

Name: Great Plains Zoo
Address: 805 S Kiwanis Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, Sioux Falls, SD, US
Telephone: (605) 367-7003
Rating: 4.4

★★★★☆ 4.4 (3282 reviews)

📍 805 S Kiwanis Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

📞 (605) 367-7003

🌐 www.greatzoo.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	10 AM–5 PM
Tuesday	10 AM–5 PM
Wednesday	10 AM–5 PM
Thursday	10 AM–5 PM
Friday	10 AM–5 PM
Saturday	10 AM–5 PM
Sunday	10 AM–5 PM

⭐ Want to stand out? Get featured ⭐

About Great Plains Zoo

Animals in habitats & in displays. Zoo with wildlife from around the world plus a museum with over 100 mounted animals. Great Plains Zoo participates in a reciprocal zoo membership program that grants exclusive access to the San Diego Zoo, providing members with benefits across multiple major zoos. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 3,282 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Zoo & Aquarium
Best For: All ages
Highlights: Animals from seven continents, South Dakota's largest saltwater aquarium, butterfly conservatory, splash pad
Hours: 10am-5pm (Zoo); 10am-4pm (Butterfly House & Aquarium)
Location: Sioux Falls, SD (two campuses)

💡 Did You Know?

⭐Great Plains Zoo participates in a reciprocal zoo membership program that grants exclusive access to the San Diego Zoo, providing members with benefits across multiple major zoos
⭐The zoo features South Dakota's largest public saltwater aquarium and the state's only butterfly conservatory ecosystem as part of its Butterfly House & Aquarium campus
⭐The zoo houses rare red wolf populations and black rhinos alongside animals from seven continents, making it notable for species diversity despite being described as a smaller-sized zoo
⭐The zoo offers Junior Zookeeper programs and ZooCamp summer camps as structured educational experiences, plus operates BUGSMobile and ZooMobile outreach programs for community education

💬 What Visitors Say

💬Plan for a half-day visit (1-2 hours) rather than a full day. The zoo's compact size means you can see all exhibits comfortably without feeling rushed, making it ideal for families with young children or those wanting a relaxed outing.
💬Take advantage of the reciprocal zoo membership program, which includes exclusive access to the San Diego Zoo. If you plan multiple visits or enjoy visiting other zoos, membership pays for itself quickly.
💡Visit during summer to enjoy the splash pad, which is perfect for cooling off on hot days and letting kids burn off energy while you continue exploring the zoo.
💡Don't miss the giraffe and animal viewing areas, which are the most talked-about exhibits. Animals are notably active during visits, offering better viewing experiences than at larger zoos.
💬Order food ahead at Roar Café to skip lines and save time. The zoo has plenty of shaded areas throughout, so you can comfortably explore on hot days without rushing back to air conditioning.