At Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium (SFZA) we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for people of all abilities and mobilities.
We make every effort to provide an unforgettable experience for all our guests!
Restrooms are located in the Main Lobby, near Splash Pad, and in the ROAR Café. All restrooms on Great Plains Zoo campus are wheelchair accessible and equipped with youth changing tables.
The Splash Pad restroom facility includes two family restrooms. One has an adult-sized changing table, and the other has a child-sized changing table.
Guests with food allergies and dietary restrictions are encouraged to bring their own picnic lunch. Other outside food is prohibited. Glass bottles and containers are prohibited on Zoo grounds.
There are also dining options right here at the Zoo! Learn more about them here.
At Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium (SFZA), we recognize the importance of individuals connecting with nature and animals and are proud to offer discounted admission tickets through our Zoo & Aquarium for All program.
Zoo & Aquarium for All
SFZA's Zoo & Aquarium for All program provides thousands of socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in our community the opportunity to experience all that the Zoo has to offer by offering reduced-price admission.
Reduced price admission is not valid to special or separately ticketed events (e.g., Egg-stravaganza, ZooBoo, field trips, or group visits).
Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium (SFZA) is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all of our guests, including those with sensory needs. SFZA has earned Sensory InclusiveTM certification through a partnership with KultureCity.
Signage has been installed throughout the Great Plains Zoo (GPZ) campus identifying quiet zones and headphone zones to help visitors as they explore zoo grounds.
Sensory Bags
Sensory bags containing fidget tools, noise-reducing headphones, and other resources are available for checkout (at no cost by leaving an ID) at admissions.
Quiet Zones
SFZA has designated "Quiet Zones" throughout GPZ campus. These areas typically have less activity and spaces to sit and regroup after becoming overstimulated.
Quiet and Calm Zones are in the following locations:
Headphone Zones
SFZA has designated "Headphone Zones" throughout GPZ campus. These are areas where guests tend to linger and are typically noisier than normal.
Headphone Zones are in the following locations:
Mobility equipment including wheelchairs, motorized scooters, wagons, and strollers are available to rent in the main lobby at the front of the zoo.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are available to rent from the zoo's gift shop for $5 on a first-come, first-served basis. Photo ID required.
Wagon Rentals
Wagons are available to rent from the zoo's gift shop for $10 on a first-come, first-served bases. Photo ID required.
Motorized Scooters
Motorized scooters are available to rent from the zoo's gift shop for $25 on a first-come, first-served basis. Photo ID required.
Child Strollers
Single and double strollers are available to rent from the zoo's gift shop on a first-come, first-served basis. Photo ID required.
Mothers may nurse their children in any public location at the zoo. According to South Dakota law: "A mother may breastfeed her child in any location, public or private, where the mother and child are otherwise authorized to be present as long as the mother is in compliance with all other state and municipal laws."
The Mother's Nest nursing room located in the main lobby nearest the gift shop provides a quiet and private space that parents may utilize to nurse their child.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), only working trained service animals are permitted within the facilities. Pets, exotic species, therapy animals, and emotional-support animals are not permitted.
Owners assume all risk to their service animal, including, but not limited to, zoonotic disease transmission and ingestion of toxic materials.
Some animals visiting the Great Plains Zoo campus can strongly react to an animal inside or outside of their enclosure. For the safety of you, your service animal, and our animal population, certain areas are restricted.
The following areas are off-limits to service animals:
The following areas are considered sensitive areas to service animals. If a zoo animal appears agitated, please leave the area immediately. You may be asked to leave the area if staff witness a risk to the animals. Sensitive areas include:
The ADA does require service animals to be always under the control of the handler. You will not be issued a refund or rainchecks for tickets if you are asked to leave the premises.
At Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium (SFZA), we recognize the importance of individuals connecting with nature and animals and are proud to offer discounted admission tickets through our Zoo & Aquarium for All program.
Zoo & Aquarium for All
SFZA's Zoo & Aquarium for All program provides thousands of socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in our community the opportunity to experience all that the Zoo has to offer by offering reduced-price admission.
Reduced price admission is not valid to special or separately ticketed events (e.g., Egg-stravaganza, ZooBoo, field trips, or group visits).
Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium (SFZA) is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all of our guests, including those with sensory needs. SFZA has earned Sensory InclusiveTM certification through a partnership with KultureCity.
Signage has been installed throughout the Butterfly House & Aquarium (BHA) campus identifying quiet zones and headphone zones to help visitors as they explore the facility.
Sensory Bags
Sensory bags containing fidget tools, noise-reducing headphones, and other resources are available for checkout (at no cost by leaving an ID) at admissions.
Quiet Zones
SFZA has designated "Quiet Zones" throughout the BHA facility. These areas typically have less activity and spaces to sit and regroup after becoming overstimulated.
Quiet and Calm Zones are in the following locations:
Headphone Zones
SFZA has designated "Headphone Zones" throughout the BHA facility. These are areas where guests tend to linger and are typically noisier than normal.
Headphone Zones are in the following locations:
Butterfly House & Aquarium is wheelchair accessible.
Wheelchairs are available to check out at the admissions counter for no cost on a first-come, first-served bases.
Mothers may nurse their children in any public location at the Butterfly House & Aquarium. According to South Dakota law: "A mother may breastfeed her child in any location, public or private, where the mother and child are otherwise authorized to be present as long as the mother is in compliance with all other state and municipal laws."
Restrooms located near Ambassador Alley may provide a private and more quiet space that mothers may utilize to nurse their child.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), only working trained service animals are permitted within the facilities. Pets, exotic species, therapy animals, and emotional-support animals are not permitted.
Owners assume all risk to their service animal, including, but not limited to, zoonotic disease transmission and ingestion of toxic materials.
The ADA does require service animals to be always under the control of the handler. You will not be issued a refund or rainchecks for tickets if you are asked to leave the premises.
