Dakota Zoo Room & Event Rentals
Please do not plan to set up before your scheduled event time. Please plan your clean up/tear down to vacate the room by your scheduled departure time.
Now accepting reservations for 2025. All remaining 2024 dates are reserved. 2025 reservations begin the weekend of January 11th.
DISCOVERY CENTER MEETING ROOM
Make your party or meeting memorable at Dakota Zoo!
Imagine combining the fun and festivity of a birthday party with all the excitement of a trip to the Zoo. That is what happens when you celebrate your birthday at the Zoo! The 900 square foot meeting room located inside the Bismarck Tribune Discovery Center is a perfect place for smaller groups to gather for meetings or parties. The room seats 60 people "theater style" or up to 40 with tables and chairs. The room features unique wildlife décor with windows overlooking the Zoo’s waterfowl and wetland area.
Meetings, Presentations, Receptions, and Reunions Availability and Rates
The Discovery Center meeting room is also available for company events, meetings, presentations, and reunions.
During the summer months (May-September), the room is available to rent during two, two-hour time slots. During the winter months (October-April), the room is available once per day from 1:00-5:00pm. The Meeting Room rental fee for events, meetings, presentations, receptions and reunions is $100.00.
You may also reserve the meeting room for a full day. The full day Meeting Room Rental fee for events, meetings, presentations, receptions and reunions is $250.00.
TIME SLOT ONE: 10:00am – 12:00pm
TIME SLOT TWO: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
WINTER TIME SLOT: 1:00 - 5:00pm
FULL DAY TIME SLOT (May-September): 10:00am-6:00pm
Admission is free to Dakota Zoo members, and a reduced admission fee will be charged to non-members. The reduced fee is $14.00 for adults and $10.00 for children (age 2-12). The Zoo’s admission staff can keep a running total of non-member guests if you would like to pick up the tab for your guests.
Birthday Party Availability & Rates:
During the summer months (May-September), the room is available to rent during two, two-hour time slots. During the winter months (October-April), the room is available once per day from 1:00-5:00pm. The Meeting Room rental fee for birthday parties is $100.00.
TIME SLOT ONE: 10:00am – 12:00pm
TIME SLOT TWO: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
WINTER TIME SLOT: 1:00 - 5:00pm
Admission is free to Dakota Zoo members, and a reduced admission fee will be charged to non-members. The reduced fee is $14.00 for adults and $10.00 for children (age 2-12). The Zoo’s admission staff can keep a running total of non-member guests if you would like to pick up the tab for your guests.
Rental Add-Ons:
By request, a special animal presentation can be added to your party reservation featuring one of our ambassador animals! The presentation is approximately 15 minutes in length and features a live animal and their zookeeper friend. The type of animal available for your presentation will vary depending upon the season and other factors. You may choose between animals in our Small category ($25.00) or Large category ($40.00).
Small Animals Large Animals
Box Turtle North American Porcupine
Hedgehog Ball Python
Bearded Dragon Opposum
Domestic Ferret Miniature Horse
Corn Snake
Chinchilla
Rosy Boa
Armadillo
Continental Giant Rabbit
Advanced registration is required.
ANIMAL PRESENTATION TIME SLOT ONE: 11:00am
ANIMAL PRESENTATION TIME SLOT TWO: 3:00pm
ANIMAL PRESENTATION WINTER TIME SLOT: 3:00pm
Setup:
If you wish to do so, you may bring your own food, treats, decorations and paper products. No balloons, plastic bags, glitter, ribbon, or food for the animals is allowed on Zoo grounds due to the danger they pose to our animals. By request, the meeting room can be equipped with a sound system, video projector, television/DVD player, a large projection screen, and internet access.
Reservations:
Reservations are accepted on a first-come first-serve basis and a deposit is required to hold your reservation. To schedule your party or meeting, Room Request form, call 701-223-7543 or via e-mail at office@dakotazoo.org
SCHEELS PAVILION
The Pavilion is a covered, open-sided “picnic shelter” type structure that seats up to 300 people with tables and chairs available. It has an enclosed area with a wash sink, counters and hot water that is perfect to accommodate caterers or food service for your event. A reservation is required for the use of the Pavilion, and a deposit is required at the time of your reservation.
Scheels Pavilion Availability & Rates:
During the summer months (May-September), the Scheels Pavilion is available to rent during zoo business hours (10:00am-6:00pm, and until 7:00pm on Wednesdays). The Scheels Pavilion is available to rent for a half (0-4 hours) or full day (over 4 hours). The Scheels Pavilion rental fee for a half day is $500.00. The Scheels Pavilion rental fee for a full day is $750.00. Call for details.
A gas cooking grill is available upon request (advance reservation is required). The fee for gas cooking grill use is a flat $100.00.
Admission is free to Dakota Zoo members, and a reduced admission fee will be charged to non-members. The reduced fee is $14.00 for adults and $10.00 for children (age 2-12). The Zoo’s admission staff can keep a running total of non-member guests if you would like to pick up the tab for your guests. Bracelets, vouchers, and/or other identifying tickets may be collected by Zoo admission staff to assist with keeping the running total of non-member guests.
AFTER HOURS RENTAL TERMS
After hours events will accrue an additional charge of $100.00 per hour past zoo closing hours.
Your event will need to begin before the zoo closes, so by 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM during our special hours on Wednesday evenings.
Your event will need to end by 10:00 PM and all guests will need to be out of the zoo and cleanup completed by 11:00 PM as we are considered part of Sertoma Park and the park has a curfew of 11:00 PM.
You will also need to provide security for your event, which we can help figure out. The zoo will also need to provide one or two staff members from our security/EMS team to cover your event. This is a fee of $50.00 per hour per zoo staff member.
Please call for further details.
BROWN GAZEBO
We also have an outdoor gazebo that can be reserved at no charge to you. The gazebo is an open air shelter, so weather should be taken into account when planning your event. The gazebo is open to the general public, so reservations are necessary. This facility may be rented by the hour.
If you have any questions or would like to make a reservation, please contact us at 701-223-7543 or email us at office@dakotazoo.org and we will be happy to assist you!
Special accomodations can be made for alcoholic beverages (beer or wine only). Alcoholic beverages are only permitted with the Zoo Director's discretion. To have alcohol, you will need to hire a caterer that has the proper licensing, and we will need a copy of their current alcohol permit. We will also have an additional alcohol policy form for you to fill out.
RENTAL INQUIRY FORM: