Discounts and Deals at the Dakota Zoo in Bismarck

We love the Dakota Zoo and we get lots of questions about discounted zoo admission, we always post the deals when we see them offereed from local discount companies but there are some ways to get discounts year round!

A season pass is a great way to save money and get some special bonuses if you will be going a few times a year. Read below for details

Zoo Train

The best way to make sure you don’t miss a deal is to follow us on Facebook Page and sign up for emails from Bismarck on the Cheap!

Sign up for the Bismarck and Mandan Savings Pass below. Discounts are always changing but right now they have free child admission with one adult! No limit on how many times it can be used.

Big savings with the city wide Bismarck and Mandan Savings Pass Download

Discounted Days at Dakota Zoo

On Mothers and Fathers day the special person gets a discount on their special days and a free train ticket!

Children under 2 are always free

Children 2-12 and Seniors get discounted admission every day

Sponsored Free Days Occasionally a local business will sponsor a free day so everyone can enjoy the day. These are usually announced a month or so in advance, make sure you follow us to find out first! Lines can be long so get there early!

Season passes are a great value, they allow you to visit as many times as you like for a full year a membership includes some other great benefits. 10 train tickets worth $35, a 10% discount at the gift shop, free entrance for the annual Members picnic and discounts on other special events throughout the year.  The Dakota Zoo also participates in the reciprocal zoo and aquarium program at more than 180 locations around the country to get you even more for your money.

An individual pass is $50 and at $9.50 for an daily adult ticket, if you go 5 times in a year, use the 10 train tickets and have dinner at the Zoo picnic you are way ahead.

A Family or Grandparent Pass is $70 and allows for admission for parents and grandparents and children. A family of 4 would only need to visit 3 times to break even and once you add in the train tickets and picnic you are ahead.

The Family Plus is $100 and gets parents, kids and up to 5 others in every time they visit. 2 visits a year and you are way ahead!

Another benefit of the reciprocal program is that you can get into many zoos or aquariums for half price. The Dakota Zoo is one of the least expensive zoos around, admission to larger zoos and aquariums around the country can run as much as $20 per person. When we travel we look for zoos and aquariums in the program so we can save as much as $70 for our family of 7 per visit using our Bismarck membership card.

If you are still on the fence about a membership don’t forget the fun events throughout the year that are hosted by the zoo and are free for members like stories with Santa all December, late nights and face painting in the summer and other holiday celebrations like Zoo Boo and Easter Egg hunts.

Check out the full schedule here Zoo Schedule 2021