Butterfly House & Aquarium and Great Plains Zoo

Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium (SFZA) was born on January 1, 2023, when Great Plains Zoo (GPZ) merged with Butterfly House & Aquarium (BHA).

SFZA operates two campuses in Sioux Falls. BHA is South Dakota's only tropical butterfly conservatory and public saltwater aquarium. GPZ is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), and is home to animals from seven continents - plus seasonal attractions, including a splash pad, carousel, and train.

SFZA announced a 15-year master plan in 2024, which will kick off with the construction of a new education center, world-class aquarium, reimagined butterfly rainforest, and modern penguin habitat. When the first phase of the master plan is complete, SFZA will consolidate staff, animals, and resources on one campus - the current Great Plains Zoo location. This is the focus of SFZA's current capital campaign.

Currently, visitors can explore Indo-Pacific, Caribbean, and Atlantic coast habitats. In the Under the Dock exhibit, you can see eye to eye with stingrays and nurse sharks. The Eastern Shore exhibit is home to horseshoe crabs, spider crabs, sea stars, and more. The Conservatory features lush tropical plant life, hundreds of free-flying butterflies, and a lively pond ecosystem. Guests can meet friends from Ambassador Alley daily at 11 am and 2 pm.