Guest Services

All exhibits, restrooms, trams, restaurants and gift shops are wheelchair accessible; however, the upper portion of the Woodlands Walk nature trail is not.

Wheelchair-accessible restrooms and drinking fountain locations:

• Botanical Garden Visitors Center
• Carousel Plaza
• Discovery Center
• Ndoki Plaza
• Palmetto Plaza (behind the Wings of the South stage)

All Riverbanks guests are required to pay general admission fees or obtain a membership for entry into the Zoo and Garden.

Public Safety and First Aid are located next to the Elephant's Trunk Gift Shop. In case of emergency, please notify a uniformed employee or Public Safety at 803.779.8717 x1256.

Handicapped parking spaces are available in the Zoo's visitor parking lot and the Garden's visitor parking lot. Official state handicapped parking permit is required.

• Pets are not allowed inside Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Guests who rely on service animals may bring them into the Zoo, provided that the animals remain properly leashed. A copy of our service animal policy may be obtained through Public Safety. Guests are solely responsible for the care and control of their animals.
• Kennels are not available for those who need to leave their service animal during their Zoo stay.

• A shuttle tram travels between the Zoo and Botanical Garden and is accessible to wheelchair users.
• Electronic convenience vehicles (ECVs), wheelchairs, strollers, and wagons are available for rent at the Palmetto Outpost just inside the Zoo entrance.

Trams run every 10-15 minutes between the Zoo and Garden. Children must be accompanied by an adult to ride.

A wooded area with picnic tables and trash facilities is located at the west end of the Zoo's parking lot. There are no restrooms in the picnic area. Visitors may leave the Zoo for picnics and return to the park without any additional charge by presenting the original admission receipt. For the safety and comfort of our guests, the following items are not permitted in the picnic area: open fires, grills of any type, pets (except service dogs), fireworks, firearms, radios, alcohol or smoking.

Riverbanks' restrooms can accommodate large groups and are located just inside the Zoo's entrance plaza across from the lemur exhibit, across from the elephant exhibit, and in the Carousel plaza. There are also facilities in the Bog Garden plaza at the Botanical Garden entrance, as well as inside the Visitors Center in the Garden.

Two ATM machines are conveniently located in the Zoo – one near the Zoo's main entrance at Elephant's Trunk Gift Shop and one in the Carousel Plaza in front of Koala Knockabout.

Lost & found is located at the Zoo's main entrance.

First aid can be obtained at the Zoo's main entrance or by asking any uniformed staff member.

Group discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. For the best rate, pay online in advance or make reservations two weeks prior to your visit.

Facility rentals and catering are available for private corporate events, family reunions and weddings.

• Riverbanks does not allow pets, food, drinks, coolers, skates or radios in the park. Exceptions to this rule may be granted for guests with special needs. Please inquire at the front gate.
• Please do not feed the animals.
• Riverbanks is a smoke-free facility.

(open year round at 9:00am)

Starbucks Coffee, Soft Serve Ice Cream, and ICEE.

(open seasonally)

Fresh Hand battered Chicken Tenders with Sweet or Salty 'Tots, Popcorn, Pretzels and ICEE.

(open seasonally)

'Mix It Up' ICEE, Popcorn and Cotton Candy.

(open year round at 9:00am)

Fresh Made-to-order Salads, Hand Battered Chicken Tenders, 100% Angus Beef Burgers, Artisan Sandwiches and Fun Kid's Meals.

(open seasonally)

Soft Serve Ice Cream, ICEE, Popcorn, Cotton Candy.

(open seasonally)

Hand-scooped Blue Bell Ice Cream, Soft Serve Ice Cream, ICEE, Popcorn, Cotton Candy.

(open seasonally)

Stone-fired Pizza, Made-to-order Salads, and Artisan Sandwiches.

(open seasonally)

ICEE, Pretzels, Popcorn.

(open seasonally)

Hand-scooped Ice Cream of the future.

(open year round at 9:00am)

We have an enormous selection of Riverbanks keepsakes! Clothing, hats, stuffed animals, toys, film, souvenirs and more.

(open seasonally, but also offered at the Elephant Trunk Gift Shop)

This creatively themed stopover in the Zoo's entrance plaza offers stroller and wheelchair rentals, souvenirs and drinks.

(open seasonally)

Have a sweet tooth? This is the spot for you! Enjoy a variety of candy and hand-scooped Blue Bell ice cream or milkshakes. Offers kid selection of Riverbanks keepsakes.

(open seasonally)

Stop by for souvenirs, toys and film.