Plan Your Trip

The safety of our guests, team members, and animals is our top priority. To ensure everyone has a safe, enjoyable experience – physically and emotionally, we expect everyone to follow these rules while on zoo grounds.

Weapons, including all firearms, are prohibited on zoo grounds.

Photo and video shoots occur often at the zoo and Butterfly House & Aquarium. Be aware that any guest could appear on social media, Zoolife.tv, marketing materials, or other media.  

• Threats or acts of physical violence, including intimidation, harassment, and/or coercion will not be tolerated.
• Discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status will not be tolerated.
• Clothing featuring Confederate flags, swastikas, profanity, or other symbols or language associated with hate speech are not allowed.
• Smoking, vaping, and drug use are prohibited on zoo grounds.

• Do not harass or yell at animals or tap/bang on habitats to get the animals’ attention.
• Do not feed the animals or toss any objects into their enclosures. This includes geese, squirrels, and other animals on zoo grounds. Farm animals may be fed only with the food available in designated feeders.
• Barriers are placed throughout the zoo for the safety of guests and animals. Do not climb on or move barriers, or hold children over them.
• Climbing, sitting, or setting children on railings is prohibited.

If you observe behavior not in compliance with the Code of Conduct, or if you have questions, call (605) 367-7003 ex. 110 or alert zoo staff.

Failure to comply with this code of conduct will result in removal from the zoo and/or intervention by the Sioux Falls Police Department, in addition to possible prosecution under the following South Dakota codified law(s).

22-35-5. Criminal trespass--Violation as misdemeanor.

Any person who, knowing that he or she is not privileged to do so, enters or remains in any building or structure surreptitiously, or enters or remains in any critical infrastructure facility, is guilty of criminal trespass. Criminal trespass is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

22-35-6. Entering or refusing to leave property after notice--Misdemeanor.

Any person who, knowing that he or she is not privileged to do so, enters or remains in any place where notice against trespass is given by:

1. Actual communication to the person who subsequently commits the trespass;
2. Posting in a manner reasonably likely to come to the attention of trespassers; or
3. Fencing or other enclosure which a reasonable person would recognize as being designed to exclude trespassers is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. However, if such trespasser defies an order to leave, personally communicated to him or her by the owner of the premises or by any other authorized person, the trespasser is guilty of criminal trespass, which is a Class 1 misdemeanor.