Great Plains Zoo, Zoo in Sioux Falls, United States.
The Great Plains Zoo is a zoo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, that houses animals from many parts of the world in open-air enclosures designed to resemble their natural surroundings. The grounds are spread out and easy to walk through, with paths connecting different animal areas.
The zoo was founded in the 1960s by a local group that wanted to bring wildlife closer to the people of Sioux Falls. It has grown steadily since then, adding new animals and facilities over the following decades.
The Great Plains Zoo sits in the heart of Sioux Falls and draws families from across the region throughout the year. Many visitors return regularly to watch animals they have come to recognize over time, giving the place a neighborhood feel.
The zoo is on Kiwanis Avenue, easy to reach from central Sioux Falls. Wear comfortable shoes since the grounds are large, and bring sun protection for open sections that get direct sunlight.
Some of the animals at the zoo are part of coordinated breeding programs for species that are rare in the wild, which means a visit here puts you in front of animals that few people ever see elsewhere. A few of them were born in other zoos around the world before being transferred here.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
