Great Plains Zoo announces free San Diego Zoo visits for members
June 26, 2025
Members of the Great Plains Zoo now can visit the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Safari Park for free.
The first-of-its-kind partnership is called the Denny Sanford Reciprocity Program in recognition of Sanford’s donations to both zoos. It also allows San Diego Zoo members to visit the Great Plains Zoo campus for free.
“Being able to offer access to one of the best zoos in the world adds incredible value to SFZA memberships,” Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium CEO Becky Dewitz said in a statement.
“We know that admission reciprocity within the AZA network is a popular perk for our members as they travel the country and visit other zoos, and the addition of San Diego Zoo – exclusively for our members – is thrilling.”
One adult membership card is valid for entry for one adult and up to two children age 17 and younger at the reciprocating facility. Members must be South Dakota residents to qualify for the reciprocal agreement.
Sanford’s donations in San Diego include $30 million to support construction at the children’s zoo, which includes the Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. It features interactive play in four ecosystems: Desert Dunes, Wild Woods, Marsh Meadows and Rainforest.
The new Denny Sanford Panda Ridge invites visitors to step into an immersive forest and discover how the zoo’s iconic panda bears live.
In Sioux Falls, Sanford was the lead donor in the Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium’s “We Can’t Wait” capital campaign to help support three upcoming phases of construction: the butterfly garden, education center and aquarium.
He gave $25 million, which the organization is planning to match. When that happens, Sanford has pledged an additional $10 million to further enhance the campus. Sanford also donated to bring a splash pad to the zoo and contributed to major projects, including the brown bear and lion exhibits.
So far, SFZA has raised $12 million in matching funds.
The plan is to break ground on the butterfly garden this fall, with projected completion in 2027. Groundbreakings for the education center and aquarium will be announced at a later date.
“The ‘We Can’t Wait’ campaign has incredible momentum,” chief operating officer Audrey Otto-Pepper said. “The level of involvement from our local business community, the deep commitment of our board and the confidence of new and longtime supporters of our zoo and Butterfly House show belief in our vision for a one-campus organization that will bring enhanced quality of life to our area and serve as a beacon of wildlife education and fun for decades to come.”
For details on the campaign, visit here.
