Membership
Memberships Go Far Beyond Admission
A Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium (SFZA) membership opens a whole wild world for you!
Monarch members can enjoy unlimited visits to both campuses - Butterfly House & Aquarium AND Great Plains Zoo - all year-long, PLUS admission to many events, exclusive discounts and deals, and FREE admission for one guest each visit!
Gold and Standard memberships grant access to the Great Plains Zoo campus, along with many of the best benefits of membership.
In addition to the incredible benefits, our membership plays a critical role in funding SFZA conservation efforts, and helps us uphold the highest wellbeing standards for the animals in our care.
Whether you purchase a membership or renew one here on our website or in person at the zoo, it can be used immediately. All the perks and benefits are available to you right away, including reciprocal memberships at other AZA zoos around the country. Browse the membership options below and choose the one that includes the perks that are important to you.
Membership Types
AZA Reciprocal Admissions Program
By becoming a member of your Great Plains Zoo, an Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accredited organization, you can gain access to discounted admissions to other AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums that choose to participate in the Reciprocal Admissions Program.
Denny Sanford Reciprocal Program
Learn how Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium members can exclusively visit San Diego Zoo and San Diego Safari Park - for free!
Membership Levels & Benefits
Standard
Admission:
Year-Round Admission to Great Plains Zoo with Blackout DatesEvent Admissions:
Members Only SavingsParking:
IncludedFood & Beverage:
10% DiscountRetail:
10% DiscountEducation Programs:
Members Only SavingsFriends & Family:
15% off Additional TicketsButterfly House & Aquarium:
No Additional BenefitsVisit Other AZA Zoos w/ Reciprocal Program:
IncludedGold
Admission:
Unlimited Year-Round Admission to Great Plains ZooEvent Admissions:
Included*Beginning March 30, 2026, Gold members will receive member-only savings on events.
Parking:
IncludedFood & Beverage:
15% DiscountRetail:
15% DiscountEducation Programs:
Members Only SavingsFriends & Family:
1 Free Guest per Visit + 15% off Additional TicketsBeginning March 30, 2026, Gold members will receive a limited number of guest passes.
Butterfly House & Aquarium:
No Additional BenefitsVisit Other AZA Zoos w/ Reciprocal Program:
IncludedMonarch
Admission:
Unlimited Year-Round Admission to Great Plains Zoo AND Butterfly House & AquariumEvent Admissions:
Included*Parking:
IncludedFood & Beverage:
15% DiscountRetail:
15% Discount at GPZ & 20% at BHAEducation Programs:
Members Only SavingsFriends & Family:
1 Free Guest per Visit + 15% off Additional Tickets & $1 off at BHA
Beginning March 30, 2026, Monarch Members will receive a limited number of guest passes.
Butterfly House & Aquarium:
1 Free Butterfly Feeder Every SundayVisit Other AZA Zoos w/ Reciprocal Program:
Included*Excludes Zoofari and Adult Night events.
Membership Update
As of March 30, 2026, there will be some updates to Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium memberships. Admission for ticketed events, including Egg-stravaganza, Summer Celebration, and ZooBoo will be included only with Monarch memberships. Gold members can purchase discounted member tickets for these events. Standard members will pay regular event price.
SFZA will honor the legacy benefits associated with memberships purchased prior to March 30, 2026, until the end of that membership's one-year term.
These changes are necessary to meet rising costs of operations, and to ensure SFZA can continue to deliver the best possible guest experience on our campuses.