Enjoy free daytime admission to the Zoo and Garden year-round, guest passes, discounts and a whole lot more. Plus, becoming a Riverbanks member is a simple action you can take that will have a lasting impact on conservation.
No matter how or where you join, your membership card will be available at the ticket booth on your next visit to the Zoo. All of your membership information, benefits, and guest passes are stored on a barcoded membership card, which is yours, permanently. Or, you can skip the card and download a digital membership card instead! Simply join online, at the gate, or by mail, and your membership card will be activated on your next trip to the Zoo.
To protect your membership privileges, your member card and photo ID will be required upon entry.
Primary Benefits for all membership levels.
- Free admission year-round.
- Free “green” guest passes (each guest pass is a $24.99 value).
- Exclusive discounts to Wild Lights.
- Free subscription to Riverbanks magazine.
- Free admission to Members’ Night Out.
- Free parking.
- Discounted admission to more than 100 participating zoos and aquariums across the country. Learn more about reciprocal admission privileges.
- Members-only discounts off Boo at the Zoo and other after-hours events.
- 10% discount in Zoo and Garden gift shops.
- Timely and informative email updates.
- Discounts off Riverbanks Backstage tours and Zoo Camps.
- Add cash value to your membership card and use it in the park for concessions, retail, attractions or other in-park purchases. (Membership card and picture ID will be required to redeem. Any value added is non-refundable and cannot be redeemed for cash. Lost or stolen membership cards will not be replaced, unless presented with original purchase receipt.)
- Take The COMET To The Zoo! Show your Riverbanks membership card for free access to and from the Zoo only on Route 84. Transportation to the Zoo on Route 84 is on request, every 60 minutes, during regular Riverbanks operating hours.
Choose a Membership Level that fits you best!
Family Explorer — $259
- Two named adults.
- Children ages 18 and under living in household OR Grandchildren ages 18 and under.
- Twelve free guest passes.
- Primary benefits.
**PLUS**
- Exclusive discounts to Wild Lights.
- Unlimited free rides and attractions all year long. (Guest passes do not apply. Unlimited rides and attractions apply to daytime visits only. Sky-High Safari is not included in unlimited rides and attractions packages.)
Join
Family — $159
- Two named adults.
- Children ages 18 and under living in household OR Grandchildren ages 18 and under.
- Six free guest passes.
- Exclusive discounts to Wild Lights.
- Primary benefits.
Join
Grandparent — $159
- Two named adults.
- Children ages 18 and under living in household OR Grandchildren ages 18 and under.
- Six free guest passes.
- Exclusive discounts to Wild Lights.
- Primary benefits.
Join
Individual Explorer — $209
- One named adult.
- One guest anytime.
- Six free guest passes.
- Exclusive discounts to Wild Lights.
- Primary benefits.
**PLUS**
- Unlimited free rides and attractions all year long. (Guest passes do not apply. Unlimited rides and attractions apply to daytime visits only. Sky-High Safari is not included in unlimited rides and attractions packages.)
Join
Individual Plus — $139
- One named adult.
- One guest anytime.
- Six free guest passes.
- Exclusive discounts to Wild Lights.
- Primary benefits.
Join
Individual — $69
- One named adult.
- Four free guest passes.
- Exclusive discounts to Wild Lights.
- Primary benefits.
Join
Conservation Circle Steward — $2,500
- Two named adults.
- One guest anytime.
- Children ages 18 and under living in household OR Grandchildren ages 18 and under.
- Twenty free guest passes.
- Discounted general admission tickets.
- Primary benefits.
**PLUS**
- Exclusive discounts to Wild Lights.
- Unlimited free rides and attractions all year long. (Guest passes do not apply. Unlimited rides and attractions apply to daytime visits only. Sky-High Safari is not included in unlimited rides and attractions packages.)
- A private Conservation Circle Tour for 2 or 35% off a Riverbanks Backstage encounter (age restrictions apply).
- Private Conservation Circle Event.
- 25% discount on facility rentals.
- Two complimentary tickets to Wine Tasting at Riverbanks Botanical Garden.
- Two complimentary tickets to Brew at the Zoo.
- Two complimentary tickets to Riverbanks ZOOfari.
- Dedicated staff liaison.
- Private tour and lunch for up to 4 with CEO.
Join
Conservation Circle Benefactor — $1,000
- Two named adults.
- One guest anytime.
- Children ages 18 and under living in household OR Grandchildren ages 18 and under.
- Twenty free guest passes.
- Discounted general admission tickets.
- Primary benefits.
**PLUS**
- Exclusive discounts to Wild Lights.
- Unlimited free rides and attractions all year long. (Guest passes do not apply. Unlimited rides and attractions apply to daytime visits only. Sky-High Safari is not included in unlimited rides and attractions packages.)
- A private Conservation Circle Tour for 2 or 35% off a Riverbanks Backstage encounter (age restrictions apply).
- Private Conservation Circle Event.
- 25% discount on facility rentals.
- Two complimentary tickets to Wine Tasting at Riverbanks Botanical Garden.
- Two complimentary tickets to Brew at the Zoo.
- Two complimentary tickets to Riverbanks ZOOfari.
Join
Conservation Circle Director — $650
- Two named adults.
- One guest anytime.
- Children ages 18 and under living in household OR Grandchildren ages 18 and under.
- Sixteen free guest passes.
- Discounted general admission tickets.
- Primary benefits.
**PLUS**
- Exclusive discounts to Wild Lights.
- Unlimited free rides and attractions all year long. (Guest passes do not apply. Unlimited rides and attractions apply to daytime visits only. Sky-High Safari is not included in unlimited rides and attractions packages.)
- A private Conservation Circle Tour for 2 or 35% off a Riverbanks Backstage encounter (age restrictions apply).
- Private Conservation Circle Event.
- 25% discount on facility rentals.
Join
Conservation Circle Curator — $325
- Two named adults.
- One guest anytime.
- Children ages 18 and under living in household OR Grandchildren ages 18 and under.
- Sixteen free guest passes.
- Primary benefits.
**PLUS**
- Exclusive discounts to Wild Lights.
- Unlimited free rides and attractions all year long. (Guest passes do not apply. Unlimited rides and attractions apply to daytime visits only. Sky-High Safari is not included in unlimited rides and attractions packages.)
- 35% off Riverbanks Backstage encounter (age restrictions apply).
- Private Conservation Circle Event.
Join
Consider the Savings Get the best family entertainment value around! Compare and see for yourself.
General Admission Rates — per visit per person
- Regular Adult (ages 13 and up) — $24.99
- Regular Child (ages 2–12) — $21.99
- Wild Lights Adult — starting at $20.00
- Wild Lights Child (ages 3–12) — starting at $15.00
- Unlimited Daily Rides and Attractions Wristband — $20.00** **Admission and Sky-High Safari are not included with purchase.
- Sky-High Safari — $7.00
Individual Membership — a greater than $170 value for only $69!
Family Membership — a greater than $408 value for only $159!
BEST VALUE! Family Explorer Membership — a greater than $788 value for only $259!
Visit more and do more — you’ll save even more!
Members’ Night Out It’s free, after-hours, and for members only. (No guest passes, please.)
2025 Dates TBD.
Reciprocal Admission Privileges Riverbanks members may be entitled to discounted admission at participating zoos and aquariums nationwide.
Reciprocity applies only to admission at the main facility on normal operating days/hours and may exclude exhibits or events requiring an additional fee. Members must be prepared to show a current Riverbanks membership card, travel passport*, and a picture ID. It is highly recommended that you contact the institution you plan to visit ahead of time to verify reciprocity and to review the specific admission/membership policies, parking fees, guest privileges, and discounts to that facility.
*To request a travel passport: Email us or call the Membership Office at 803.779.8717 (and press “1”) between 8:30am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. View passport sample.
Give a Gift of Membership Riverbanks membership makes a great gift for all occasions!
Digital membership gift certificates may be purchased online and will start on the first visit date. Certificates may also be obtained onsite at any Riverbanks ticket booth.
To Give Membership as a Gift:
- Give a digital membership gift certificate to delight the whole family!
- Or, stop by any ticket booth at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden to make your purchase onsite.
Questions? Email us or call the Membership Office at 803.779.8717 (and press “1”) between 8:30am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.
Explore More Digital Gift Cards
Explore More Digital Cards can be redeemed on-site for tickets, membership, attractions, or concessions.
Maximize your Zoo visit with hands-on, interactive activities that the whole family can enjoy! To participate in Zoo rides and attractions, a reloadable Explore More Card is required; cash is not accepted. Purchase your Explore More Digital Card before you arrive to avoid lines at the ticket booth.
They also make perfect birthday, graduation, or holiday gifts for friends and family who prefer picking their own pastimes.
$1=1 Explore More Credit (EC).
About Riverbanks Society
Established in 1976 by a group of concerned citizens, Riverbanks Society started out with a base of 200 members and has grown far beyond expectations with more than 40,000 member households representing over 190,000 individuals, making it one of the largest nonprofit zoo societies per capita in the United States. Members and donors provide important resources for the research, education and conservation efforts of the Zoo and Garden, strengthening Riverbanks’ position as a world-class zoo and leader in wildlife conservation.
