Join or renew today — Just Zoo It! It’s the best family entertainment value around.
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, PVC-free, biodegradable membership card, which is yours, permanently. Simply join or renew online, at the gate, or in the mail, and your membership card will be activated — or reactivated — 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).
- Free visit to Lights at Riverbanks.
- 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.)
- 15% OFF One Regularly-Priced Item at Mast General Store. Altra, Birkenstock, Blundstone, Costa del Mar, Hey Dude, Hoka One One, Lodge, Maui Jim, Naylor Forge, Oboz, OluKai, On Running, Patagonia, Pikolinos, Sorel, Wind River, Winkler Knives, YETI, and Zero Tolerance Knives are excluded from this offer. Other exclusions and discounts may apply. Cannot be combined with other offers, on sale items, or to purchase gift cards. Not valid on Mast Store employee purchases. In-stock items only. Not valid online. Limit one offer per visit. Valid company/organization ID or membership required to receive offer. Valid thru 12/31/2023. Mast Store socks may be purchased using either the 15% OFF discount or Buy 3, Get the 4th Pair Free, but not both offers.
- 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!
Individual — $59
- One named adult.
- Four free guest passes.
- One free visit to Lights at Riverbanks.
- Primary benefits.
Individual Plus — $109
- One named adult.
- One guest anytime.
- Six free guest passes.
- One free visit to Lights at Riverbanks.
- Primary benefits.
Family OR Grandparent — $129
- Two named adults.
- Children ages 18 and under living in household OR Grandchildren ages 18 and under.
- Six free guest passes.
- One free visit to Lights at Riverbanks.
- Primary benefits.
Family Plus — $159
- Two named adults.
- Children ages 18 and under living in household OR Grandchildren ages 18 and under.
- Twelve free guest passes.
- Primary benefits.
**PLUS**
- Unlimited free visits to Lights at Riverbanks.
Individual Explorer — $169
- One named adult.
- One guest anytime.
- Six free guest passes.
- One free visit to Lights at Riverbanks.
- 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.)
BEST VALUE—Family Explorer — $229
- Two named adults.
- Children ages 18 and under living in household OR Grandchildren ages 18 and under.
- Twelve free guest passes.
- Primary benefits.
**PLUS**
- Unlimited free visits to Lights at Riverbanks.
- 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.)
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**
- Unlimited free visits to Lights at Riverbanks.
- 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).
- Two membership cards.
- Private Conservation Circle Event.
Conservation Circle Director — $500
- 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**
- Unlimited free visits to Lights at Riverbanks.
- 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).
- Two membership cards.
- Private Conservation Circle Event.
- 25% discount on facility rentals.
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**
- Unlimited free visits to Lights at Riverbanks.
- 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).
- Two membership cards.
- 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.
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
- Lights at Riverbanks Adult — $15.00
- Lights at Riverbanks Child (ages 3–12) — $12.00
- 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 $165 value for only $59!
- If 1 adult visits the Zoo twice at the cost of regular admission, it costs $49.98.
- If 1 adult visits the Lights at Riverbanks once, it costs $15.00.
- The 4 free guest passes included in this membership have a value of $99.96.
- Plus, as a member, you save $2 off tickets to the Sky-High Safari vertical ropes challenge!
Family Membership — a greater than $392 value for only $129!
- If 2 adults and 2 children visit twice at the cost of regular admission, it costs $187.92.
- If 2 adults and 2 children visit the Lights at Riverbanks once, it costs $54.00.
- The 6 free guest passes included in this membership have a value of $149.94.
- Plus, as a member, you save $2 off tickets to the Sky-High Safari vertical ropes challenge!
BEST VALUE! Family Explorer Membership — a greater than $756 value for only $229!
- If 2 adults and 2 children visit twice at the cost of regular admission, it costs $187.92.
- If 2 adults and 2 children purchase daily rides and attractions wristbands in two visits, it costs $160.00.
- If 2 adults and 2 children visit the Lights at Riverbanks twice, it costs $108.00.
- The 12 free guest passes included in this membership have a value of $299.88.
- Plus, as a member, you save $2 off the Farm Experience, $4 off tickets to the Sky-High Safari vertical ropes challenge!
Visit more and do more — you’ll save even more!
Members’ Night Out presented by Grow Financial It’s free, after-hours, and for members only. (No guest passes, please.)
2023 Dates: July 7 at 6:00–9:00pm.
Stroll around the park with a new perspective, see our animals engaging with enrichment, and meet members of our animal care team as they roam the Zoo sharing personal stories throughout the night. Thanks to our partners at Grow Financial for making this event possible.
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!
Gifts of membership may be obtained onsite at any Riverbanks ticket booth or by mail and will start on the date of purchase.
To Give Membership as a Gift:
- Stop by any ticket booth at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden to make your purchase onsite; or
- Download a printable mail-in form. Once received and processed, we will mail a gift of membership packet to you or your gift recipient.
- Give an eGift membership to delight the whole family!
Questions? Email us or call the Membership Office at 803.779.8717 (and press “1”) between 8:30am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.
eGift Vouchers
Riverbanks’ eGift vouchers may be purchased online and are redeemable for on-site purchases only including tickets, attractions, camps, concessions, and gifts. Membership and Zoo Camp eGifts are also available.
All purchases are non-refundable.
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.